Hellena Heavenly

Full Name:  Antonia Maria Galvin
Height:     5' 7"
Weight:     126 lbs.
Birthday:   February 19, 1976
Birthplace: Reno, NV

She has graced the pages of World of Wrestling magazine, Pro Wrestling Illustrated, and been featured on mainstream news shows such as MSNBC's "Special Edition". She has even appeared on Playboy.com's wrestling profile (August, 2000), and the cover of the 2001 WWF poster calendar with Ivory.

She had a passion to be a pro-wrestler ever since she was eight years old, and on October 30, 1998 she made her professional wrestling debut. But just who is Hellena Heavenly? INLEWD.COM presents an in depth look in to the world of this independent diva's world.

CJ: If you could do one thing to change the world to make it a better all around place, what would that be?

HH: I don't think any one person can change the world. But I believe people should be as environmentally conscious as possible. I also would like to see people try and be as courteous drivers as possible, so that we can do away with road rage and stress. I also think more people should be working to combat domestic violence and animal abuse.

CJ: Who would you consider to have been 'the greatest woman wrestler of all time'?

HH: I can't pick just one. I don't have the space to list all the great women in wrestling history but I can give a quick run down:

Jumping Bomb Angels – doing spots you see guys doing now, but back in the 80's. These ladies were just too bad ass!

Sherri Martel – technical, talented, sneaky, mean, and back in her day the bomb!

Moolah – haven't gotten to see any old footage. But from all accounts I've heard, she was an insanely sound worker and one tough broad.

Molly Holly/Mona – very technical, does a lot of sound wrestling and combines it with pretty stuff as well. And she's nice as hell.

Jackie – Well trained, talented, crisp - this lady makes it all look good, even with Sable! Shame she doesn't get to do more.

Jazz – well put together, didn't get to see her much, but everything looked good, well timed, and well executed.

Glamour Girls – very old school, awesome heels, very fun to watch – especially with the Bomb Angels.

I'm sure I've left lots out, so forgive me. And I haven't seen the Japanese women's promotions yet, but I've got some tapes coming to me soon…

CJ: There are some very talented wrestler's on the list, speaking about talent, I understand you debuted on 10-30-98. How long did it take for you to train and get ready for your pro debut?

HH: Not too much preparation leading up to Oct. 98. I was only managing so I wasn't too nervous. My managing has improved along with my wrestling since then. But still, I don't get very nervous anyway. I figure it doesn't help things if I'm not calm. But in all honesty, I'm more comfortable in front of larger crowds than smaller ones.

CJ: And who actually trained you for your pro-debut?

HH: I am trained by Les Thatcher and the Main Event Wrestling Camp in Cincinnati, OH. And I get helpful hints along the way by others I work with or for. Everything is a learning process.

CJ: Of course, you can always learn. With that said, what initially did interest you in pro-wrestling enough to make you say, "That is what I want to do!"?

HH: The Hart Foundation and British Bulldogs were my primary inspirations for wrestling, followed closely by the Jumping Bomb Angels and (oddly enough) Bobby Heenan.

CJ: Do you think women's professional wrestling can be molded in to less of a novelty and more in to its own entity on the national circuit?

HH: I hear they have all women's shows out there, but I personally have never been to one. What do I think might bring women's wrestling into it's own “entity”? The best I could advise would be for promoters to book more talented women wrestlers on shows, instead of just some chick some guy on the card knows who looks great in a bikini. That act continually undermines the respectability that women's wrestling used to have.

CJ: And what are Hellena Heavenly's current goals?

HH: Currently I'd like to look better and work better. Eventually? I'd like to try and find my niche in the big leagues like everyone else. But as far as doing what… I enjoy wrestling or managing or commentating or refereeing. I like being creative if I can, but I believe all the people who work on a show have to come together to put out a good product. Everyone is needed to the on the ball. The production crew, pyro, ref, commentators, the ring breaking or microphone going on the Fritz can interfere with the overall show.

CJ: Speaking about the overall show, there has been quite a bit of criticism about the "overall presentation of wrestling" as a "show" sighting wrestling is too "violent" and "Sexually explicit" today. Do you think pro-wrestling is 'going to far today'?

HH: Violence goes to far on some indy shows. On TV the worst thing I can think of was the dropping of HHH in the car by Austin – which technically should have killed him. Too cartoony. But normally the WWF at least shows there are painful repercussions to the acts of violence. Unlike the extreme hardcore you might see at some independents. Sexuality? Naked boobs at Armageddon were too much. Kids don't need to see that on TV when they are watching sports – even “sports entertainment”. Am I opposed to sexy clothes or swimsuit layouts? No. Hell we get to see most of the men in essentially their underwear 3 nights a week. How many times have you seen Ric Flair's butt in a match? Skin has been in wrestling for a long time. But it should stop at nudity. And occasion it gets silly. Like the Blackman's and Stratus “cane” skit, or the females doing the “stink face” move. Just silly sophomoric stuff like that. But silliness isn't particularly damaging.

CJ: Do you have any aspiration's to one day be known as a "Diva" in pro-wrestling?

HH: I'm not that concerned about it. I don't think I make a conscious decision to be a “diva” or “sex symbol”. People find other people attractive based on their own preferences. I know guys that think Stephanie is a babe, but don't like Chyna. Or they find Ivory hot, but don't care too much for Lita. And vice versa. I don't know how they judge or choose. Some people think I'm still cute without makeup, but in all honesty if you saw me walking around the mall you probably wouldn't recognize me if you'd only seen me all done up. But if you think I'm a babe, then I'd say you have excellent taste!

CJ: Speaking of babes, would you ever consider posing for "Playboy"? What else would you like to do in pro-wrestling outside of wrestling?

HH: I have considered posing for Playboy. But they have never beat down my door (In fact they have turned me down twice). What I would love to do is be a “booker” and creative consultant on a special issue that is my brainchild - I want to put together an issue of the ladies of independent (and only independent) wrestling. You know, have it out in July and call it “Sweet independents” (Well, I think it's kinda cute…).

CJ: It sounds like a sound idea. Speaking of the 'independent scene' again for a few minutes. We know you are Hellena Heavenly in Heartland Wrestling, but we do not know much about the 'character'. Who developed the character or 'gimmick' which Hellena Heavenly is patterned after?

HH: No set character. No set gimmick. I'm kind of a joking smart ass, so that sometimes enters into how I see Hellena. But different promoters have all seen her as something different. I just try and do my best to fill in to whatever role is required of me. Some I am admittedly better at then others. I can play heel, or I can be the face. I do prefer the latter to the former, though.

CJ: I'd also like to address the independent scene once again, and discuss the lifestyle change it causes in people's lives. Can you relay to our readers how the independent scene has changed your lifestyle?

HH: Not as much as you might think. I was already pretty used to packing, traveling, and juggling a full schedule. The indy scene has brought many talents to light for me, though. Such as how to change my clothes wrapped in a towel, judging travel time from driving distances, and be prepared to work under any condition – even outside on an amateur wrestling mat in front of lots of little kids who never really get to see wrestling.

CJ: I am glad you brought up packing and traveling. The business through constant traveling, and picking up and moving on, creates a lot of stress. What do you personally do to relax and cope with the pressures of the hectic schedule?

HH: If I'm lucky I can get a backrub. I'm a naturally tense person. I've got knots in my back you wouldn't believe. But in lieu of that I enjoy watching TV, movies, or some theater. I love music and dancing, as well as shopping and eating. I also love to travel. And it may sound odd, but I have a fascination with photography. Even odder yet is I've found I'm not too shabby at it.

CJ: And lastly, Hellena can you give our reader's some background information about yourself… childhood...family structure... or anything you think might be of interest to our readers..

HH: Only child, single parent family, massive travel due to being a college brat. Raised ½ redneck tomboy and ½ prissy collegiate. Tends to make me a bit confused at times, but it's taught me to deal with crap as need arises.

CJ: Oh, and one more question. Where do you see yourself in five years from now? Ten years? And how do you want to be remembered when it is all said and done?

HH: Where will I be? I'll find out then. How do I want to be remembered? In a word, “fondly”. :-)

CJ: I would like to thank you for providing me with this opportunity, and also will once again turn the interview over to you and allow you to write any parting words you want to convey to our reader's. Thank you.

HH: Thanks for asking me for this interview. Sorry if it rambles, or if I haven't answered any of these questions as well as you'd have liked. You can always check out my Website at RingGoddess.com to check out upcoming shows or to EMAIL me, etc. Thanks again, Hellena Heavenly.