Inside Wrestling
November 1999
Page 42
Debra
"I've Got Nothing to Hide"
It's been a two 년 struggle for acceptance. In the fall of 1997, Debra McMichael was struggling to save her managerial career in WCW. She and Jeff Jarrett had 스플릿, 분할 with The Four Horseman and she was desperate to earn a reputation as a manager of champions.
It didn't happen, Jeff Jarrett went to the WWF following a contractual dispute. Her estranged husband, Steve, didn't want her in his corner. Alex Wright, fed up 의해 her mismanagement, was 다음 to 불, 화재 the ex-beauty queen. With no careers to guide and no future prospects, Debra went home.
Until Jeff Jarrett called her in the fall of '98 that is.
Although Jarrett had described Debra as "a dumb blonde" in the interim, Debra was willing to give him a 초 chance and seize a 초 chance for herself as well.
Despite a lukewarm reception in the WWF initially, she guided Jarrett and Owen Hart to the World tag team title. Debra soon became the 별, 스타 of the team rather than a supporting member when she defeated Sable in an evening 겉옷, 가운 match for the WWF women's 벨트 on May 10 in Orlando, Florida.
WWF commissioner Shawn Michaels in a controversial decision, claimed Debra won the 제목 because her 겉옷, 가운 game off first, courtesy of Sable.
Owen Hart's death on May 23 was a tremendous blow to Debra but she gathered the strength to guide Jarrett to an Intercontinental 제목 victory over The Godfather only two days later. Debra's popularity continues to grow despite the fact she 로스트 the women's strap to Ivory. Senior Writer Harry Burkett spoke to her shortly after her 제목 loss.
Q&A
Q: If the last two years of your life were a book, I suppose it would be titled Reinventing Debra. Two years 이전 your managerial career was in a shambles and your closest associate Jeff Jarrett called 당신 "a dumb blonde." Today you've assumed Sable's position as the most 인기 woman in the WWF. How do 당신 account for such a change?
A: It took a while for 팬 and promoters to realize what a tremendous talent I am. I'm glad the WWF has give me the opportunity to realize my potential.
Q: Of course 당신 guided Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett to the World tag team 제목 and Jarrett to the Intercontinental belt. But your WWF women's 제목 victory was dubious and I don't recall any clean victories during your reign. Even 당신 must admit that you're not the WWF's best female wrestler. I don't want to sound insulting but could 당신 tell me what your talent is?
A: That's the great thing about being me. I don't have to win matches. I don't even have to help Jeff win titles. All I have to do is show up. The crowds will come.
Q: In other words your presence sells tickets?
A: That's the name of the game. The McMahon's hear the audience go crazy when I enter an arena. Jeff knows I make him interesting to folks.
Q: Are 당신 suggesting Jarrett lacks charisma. He seemed to have too much charisma as "Double J" during his first stint in the WWF. Don't 당신 think he's jealous because you're stealing his spotlight?
A: What's his alternative? Should he call Jim Cornette to be his manager again? 또는 should he ask Tennessee Lee to come out of retirement? Jeff knows I've been a gold mine to his career and he wouldn't do anything to alter our relationship.
Q: Aren't 당신 detrimental to his career in some ways though? When the two of 당신 make an entrance, the announcers talk about you. When Jeff wrestles, a lot of the 팬 watch you. Now it seems he's jealous whenever a wrestler looks at you. He's becoming increasingly paranoid. How long ca he remain Intercontinental champion 의해 being that emotional?
A: I'll admit that Jeff occasionally has mental blocks in the ring but that's when I pour on the sugar hon. A lit bit of Debra goes a long way.
Q: 당신 mean distracting Jarrett's opponents 의해 batting your eyes and flirting? So 당신 admit that 당신 help Jarrett cheat.
A: How is that cheating? I don't force Jeff's opponents to come over for a closer look. I don't force them to stand there while I whisper sweet nothings in their ears. They enjoy talking to me, even if they pay a heavy price.
Q: I've always wondered what 당신 to Jarrett's opponents in order for them to stop in the middle of ring action.
A: Wouldn't 당신 like to know!
Q: Tell me
A: Will I be on the cover of your magazine?
Q: i don't really have any control over that. I'll see what I can do. I suppose that... wait. Now I'm falling for it!
A: See? If 당신 were wrestling Jeff, you'd be wearing a 기타 칼라 의해 now.
Q: Smooth. You've done a great job helping Jarrett retain his Intercontinental title. But i noticed that Jarrett's distraction of the referee allowed Nicole 베이스 to chokeslam 당신 and helped Ivory win the WWF women's title. Did that make 당신 angry?
A: I was 더 많이 disappointed than anything else. But that just proves that it took two women to beat me, not just Ivory
Q: Do really believe 당신 could defeat Ivory in a fair wrestling match?
A: That depends on your definition of fair. In my mind, anything is fair in 사랑 and war.
Q: And the WWF is war?
A: It's both?
Q: Are 당신 committed to regaining the women's title?
A: It never was a big goal of mine. The opportunity to wrestle for it came my way and I took advantage of it. Whenever I'm offered a 제목 match, I'll accept.
Q: Did 당신 whisper sweet nothings into Shawn Michaels' ear before your 제목 match? The object of an evening 겉옷, 가운 match is to tear off your opponent's gown. The object is not to lose your gown.
A: Again, Shawn is real impressed 의해 my sparkling personality. I just smile and people bend over backward to do favors for me. Besides, Nicole 베이스 interfered in my match, just like 당신 did during my match against Ivory. She'll get her payback.
Q: Are 당신 capable of doing that yourself?
A: You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of doing hon. Nicole is long overdue for someone to play a tune on her head.
Q: 당신 and Jeff have been dubbed "The Golden Couple" Is he satisfied with being identified as only one half of a team? And are 당신 satisfied with that?
A: Jeff and I make a fantastic team. That's why we were successful in the past and that's why we're successful now. We complement each other perfectly.
Q: Some critics claim your success is strictly proportional to the lack of clothing on your body. Come on Debra 당신 didn't become 인기 until 당신 started wearing less to the ring. Those people aren't chanting "puppies" because they belong to the ASPCA.
A: The 더 많이 people of me, the 더 많이 they want to see. I'm flattered 의해 the reception I get but then again its deserved.
Q: Does it mean so much to 당신 to flaunt your scantily clad body in front of strangers?
A: Why should I cover my best assets? Men are never criticized for posing and flexing in the ring. Why should be people be on my case for showcasing my body? I've got nothing to hide!
Q: Obviously Jeff doesn't feel that way. He's constantly trying to cover your ample, um, cleavage 또는 trying to throw a 코트 around. If it's so innocent why is he upset 의해 it? Aren't 당신 afraid he might another manager?
A: Listen I manage Jeff; he doesn't manage me. I know Jeff acts a little crazy sometimes but he means well.
Q: What are your future plans? Obviously keep the IC 벨트 around Jeff Jarrett's waist is a 상단, 맨 위로 priority. What should we expect out of 당신 in the coming months?
A: I'm still training, trying to hone my wrestling skills. With a few weeks of training, I was able to win the women's title. These little girls in the WWF won't be able to survive once I become a lethal fighting machine.
Q: Pardon me for laughing but I can't imagine 당신 being very dangerous, not in the physical sense at least.
A: 당신 just wait hon. You've seen me scratch and claw in a few catfights already. With a little 더 많이 practice they'll be calling me "La Femme Debra." (Jeff Jarrett barges into backstage area and exclaims "What the heck are 당신 doin' talking' to Debra behind my back?")
Q: DId 당신 explain to Jeff that I'm interviewing 당신 for Inside Wrestling?
A: No I forgot. Look lets continue this another time okay? Jeff and I have something to discuss. (Abruptly jumps out of chair and joins Jarrett who glares at Burkett before they turn and walk down the corridor)
Note* also in the magazine, Ivory commented on her win against Debra, the success had seemingly gone to her head.
"I'll admit that the two 이전 champions are attractive women" Ivory said. "But I have the beauty and wrestling ability to keep this 벨트 for years, My excellent performance against Debra certainly proved that
(On Nicole 베이스 who helped her win it)
"I'm a proven mat technician. Its not like I need her in my corner to keep this belt"
November 1999
Page 42
Debra
"I've Got Nothing to Hide"
It's been a two 년 struggle for acceptance. In the fall of 1997, Debra McMichael was struggling to save her managerial career in WCW. She and Jeff Jarrett had 스플릿, 분할 with The Four Horseman and she was desperate to earn a reputation as a manager of champions.
It didn't happen, Jeff Jarrett went to the WWF following a contractual dispute. Her estranged husband, Steve, didn't want her in his corner. Alex Wright, fed up 의해 her mismanagement, was 다음 to 불, 화재 the ex-beauty queen. With no careers to guide and no future prospects, Debra went home.
Until Jeff Jarrett called her in the fall of '98 that is.
Although Jarrett had described Debra as "a dumb blonde" in the interim, Debra was willing to give him a 초 chance and seize a 초 chance for herself as well.
Despite a lukewarm reception in the WWF initially, she guided Jarrett and Owen Hart to the World tag team title. Debra soon became the 별, 스타 of the team rather than a supporting member when she defeated Sable in an evening 겉옷, 가운 match for the WWF women's 벨트 on May 10 in Orlando, Florida.
WWF commissioner Shawn Michaels in a controversial decision, claimed Debra won the 제목 because her 겉옷, 가운 game off first, courtesy of Sable.
Owen Hart's death on May 23 was a tremendous blow to Debra but she gathered the strength to guide Jarrett to an Intercontinental 제목 victory over The Godfather only two days later. Debra's popularity continues to grow despite the fact she 로스트 the women's strap to Ivory. Senior Writer Harry Burkett spoke to her shortly after her 제목 loss.
Q&A
Q: If the last two years of your life were a book, I suppose it would be titled Reinventing Debra. Two years 이전 your managerial career was in a shambles and your closest associate Jeff Jarrett called 당신 "a dumb blonde." Today you've assumed Sable's position as the most 인기 woman in the WWF. How do 당신 account for such a change?
A: It took a while for 팬 and promoters to realize what a tremendous talent I am. I'm glad the WWF has give me the opportunity to realize my potential.
Q: Of course 당신 guided Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett to the World tag team 제목 and Jarrett to the Intercontinental belt. But your WWF women's 제목 victory was dubious and I don't recall any clean victories during your reign. Even 당신 must admit that you're not the WWF's best female wrestler. I don't want to sound insulting but could 당신 tell me what your talent is?
A: That's the great thing about being me. I don't have to win matches. I don't even have to help Jeff win titles. All I have to do is show up. The crowds will come.
Q: In other words your presence sells tickets?
A: That's the name of the game. The McMahon's hear the audience go crazy when I enter an arena. Jeff knows I make him interesting to folks.
Q: Are 당신 suggesting Jarrett lacks charisma. He seemed to have too much charisma as "Double J" during his first stint in the WWF. Don't 당신 think he's jealous because you're stealing his spotlight?
A: What's his alternative? Should he call Jim Cornette to be his manager again? 또는 should he ask Tennessee Lee to come out of retirement? Jeff knows I've been a gold mine to his career and he wouldn't do anything to alter our relationship.
Q: Aren't 당신 detrimental to his career in some ways though? When the two of 당신 make an entrance, the announcers talk about you. When Jeff wrestles, a lot of the 팬 watch you. Now it seems he's jealous whenever a wrestler looks at you. He's becoming increasingly paranoid. How long ca he remain Intercontinental champion 의해 being that emotional?
A: I'll admit that Jeff occasionally has mental blocks in the ring but that's when I pour on the sugar hon. A lit bit of Debra goes a long way.
Q: 당신 mean distracting Jarrett's opponents 의해 batting your eyes and flirting? So 당신 admit that 당신 help Jarrett cheat.
A: How is that cheating? I don't force Jeff's opponents to come over for a closer look. I don't force them to stand there while I whisper sweet nothings in their ears. They enjoy talking to me, even if they pay a heavy price.
Q: I've always wondered what 당신 to Jarrett's opponents in order for them to stop in the middle of ring action.
A: Wouldn't 당신 like to know!
Q: Tell me
A: Will I be on the cover of your magazine?
Q: i don't really have any control over that. I'll see what I can do. I suppose that... wait. Now I'm falling for it!
A: See? If 당신 were wrestling Jeff, you'd be wearing a 기타 칼라 의해 now.
Q: Smooth. You've done a great job helping Jarrett retain his Intercontinental title. But i noticed that Jarrett's distraction of the referee allowed Nicole 베이스 to chokeslam 당신 and helped Ivory win the WWF women's title. Did that make 당신 angry?
A: I was 더 많이 disappointed than anything else. But that just proves that it took two women to beat me, not just Ivory
Q: Do really believe 당신 could defeat Ivory in a fair wrestling match?
A: That depends on your definition of fair. In my mind, anything is fair in 사랑 and war.
Q: And the WWF is war?
A: It's both?
Q: Are 당신 committed to regaining the women's title?
A: It never was a big goal of mine. The opportunity to wrestle for it came my way and I took advantage of it. Whenever I'm offered a 제목 match, I'll accept.
Q: Did 당신 whisper sweet nothings into Shawn Michaels' ear before your 제목 match? The object of an evening 겉옷, 가운 match is to tear off your opponent's gown. The object is not to lose your gown.
A: Again, Shawn is real impressed 의해 my sparkling personality. I just smile and people bend over backward to do favors for me. Besides, Nicole 베이스 interfered in my match, just like 당신 did during my match against Ivory. She'll get her payback.
Q: Are 당신 capable of doing that yourself?
A: You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of doing hon. Nicole is long overdue for someone to play a tune on her head.
Q: 당신 and Jeff have been dubbed "The Golden Couple" Is he satisfied with being identified as only one half of a team? And are 당신 satisfied with that?
A: Jeff and I make a fantastic team. That's why we were successful in the past and that's why we're successful now. We complement each other perfectly.
Q: Some critics claim your success is strictly proportional to the lack of clothing on your body. Come on Debra 당신 didn't become 인기 until 당신 started wearing less to the ring. Those people aren't chanting "puppies" because they belong to the ASPCA.
A: The 더 많이 people of me, the 더 많이 they want to see. I'm flattered 의해 the reception I get but then again its deserved.
Q: Does it mean so much to 당신 to flaunt your scantily clad body in front of strangers?
A: Why should I cover my best assets? Men are never criticized for posing and flexing in the ring. Why should be people be on my case for showcasing my body? I've got nothing to hide!
Q: Obviously Jeff doesn't feel that way. He's constantly trying to cover your ample, um, cleavage 또는 trying to throw a 코트 around. If it's so innocent why is he upset 의해 it? Aren't 당신 afraid he might another manager?
A: Listen I manage Jeff; he doesn't manage me. I know Jeff acts a little crazy sometimes but he means well.
Q: What are your future plans? Obviously keep the IC 벨트 around Jeff Jarrett's waist is a 상단, 맨 위로 priority. What should we expect out of 당신 in the coming months?
A: I'm still training, trying to hone my wrestling skills. With a few weeks of training, I was able to win the women's title. These little girls in the WWF won't be able to survive once I become a lethal fighting machine.
Q: Pardon me for laughing but I can't imagine 당신 being very dangerous, not in the physical sense at least.
A: 당신 just wait hon. You've seen me scratch and claw in a few catfights already. With a little 더 많이 practice they'll be calling me "La Femme Debra." (Jeff Jarrett barges into backstage area and exclaims "What the heck are 당신 doin' talking' to Debra behind my back?")
Q: DId 당신 explain to Jeff that I'm interviewing 당신 for Inside Wrestling?
A: No I forgot. Look lets continue this another time okay? Jeff and I have something to discuss. (Abruptly jumps out of chair and joins Jarrett who glares at Burkett before they turn and walk down the corridor)
Note* also in the magazine, Ivory commented on her win against Debra, the success had seemingly gone to her head.
"I'll admit that the two 이전 champions are attractive women" Ivory said. "But I have the beauty and wrestling ability to keep this 벨트 for years, My excellent performance against Debra certainly proved that
(On Nicole 베이스 who helped her win it)
"I'm a proven mat technician. Its not like I need her in my corner to keep this belt"
When: 9th October 2000
Show: Raw
For the first time since being a guest ring announcer at the Backlash pay per view event back in April Debra returned to our screens.
Walking backstage she was greeted 의해 Chyna who had a discussion about Debra's honeymoon and Chyna's recent engagement to Eddie Guerrero.
Debra was here to see Commissioner Mick Foley.
After Chyna told Debra where Mick Foley was and Debra mentioning she didn't know where Eddie was the new Mrs Austin went off to find Mick Foley.
Meeting with Mick in his office, Mick Foley suggested that Debra might have had something to do with the hit and run car accident that happened to Stone Cold the 이전 년 so that she could spend 더 많이 time with him. Debra passionately defended herself against such claims and stormed out of the room.
R.I.P Joanie "Chyna" Laurer