Within three months of training you became a regular part of the young Total Nonstop Action promotion. How did you come to work for them?
"I started training with (Mikey) Whipwreck's former students and started traveling on the independent circuit with them to get to know the promotions. I started valeting a team to try and get myself out there. I tagged along to Atlanta for a show, the team was invited to TNA for a dark match and I tagged along again and did my thing. TNA decided to give me a shot."
During your time you were in rivalries with Desire and Traci, and also men including Kid Kash. Was there ever a point that you felt you were in over your head?
"I was thrilled with everything that TNA offered me. Being a stunt woman, I have dealt with intense gigs, so this was a great and exciting challenge. I don't believe I ever felt in over my head, but of course, I always wanted to do a great job and give a great performance for the company, other wrestlers and the fans. I also think I was having too great a time to even think of that."
Let's talk a little about your work with Desire. In 2003 you fought in a 'Stretcher Match', the first in TNA's history. Any memories of the match?
"I have so many great memories from TNA and my disputes with Desire were some of my most favorite. We had a great rivalry and amazing chemistry. We loved to hate each other and fight it out till the end. I loved when TNA gave us the opportunity to break the barriers of typical female matches. I always wanted to do what the guys were doing and be different than the other females. I wanted to go outside the ring, into the crowd, off balconies, through tables, use props, bleed and show off my skills. TNA let me do all of that. It was awesome to do things for the first time in TNA history and that will always be a great memory."
Speaking of memorable moments. Your moonsault from the top of a steel cage certainly sits high. Did you pitch the idea or were you approached by TNA to do the spot?
"I was always pitching the fact that I was a stuntwoman and would love to do all the things that I can do. I definitely let them know I wanted to do a cage match and when the cage was up they approached me and asked me if I would do the spot. I wasn't even on the show that day. I was in New York working on a movie and I don't know if they didn't fly me in or what, but I wasn't supposed to be working. I didn't want to miss the pay-per-view so I flew in on my own and when I got there, Dusty Rhodes asked me if I wanted to jump off the cage and [like that] I was on the show."
Was there a belief amongst yourself and other Knockouts that a permanent women's division might have been on the cards given the (temporary) arrival of women like Jacqueline?
"I don't know about the other girls, but I feel they were always going in the direction of a women's division. I think they were always wanting to do everything right, make sure they had the right people and the right talent and that the company was moving in the right direction."
You left months before TNA finally got their television deal with SpikeTV. Why did you leave?
"I think I was there when we were with SpikeTV, but I left because I had an opportunity to go to WWE. Making that decision was probably one of the hardest decisions I had to make. On one hand, it's WWE. I think everyone that wants to be in this business aspires to make it to WWE. On the other hand, I loved working with TNA, they gave me my shot, they gave me such amazing opportunities and forever I will be grateful. I feel that some of the wrestlers there got their shot in WWE and I wanted mine, so I took it. But I will say that I felt more like a family with TNA and got to do so much more as a wrestler and character and had so much fun! Of course, there were pros and cons to both places, but such is life. I am truly grateful I had the opportunity to be in this business and get to work in both companies."