Photo credit: @Ringsideguy
Tatiana is a young wrestler from Pittsburgh who has been working very hard in the Western Pennsylvania area for the past few years and recently that hard work has paid off. Tatiana became the Eclipse Wrestling LeFemme Champion in July by defeating Kaci Dillion. She defended it against Scarlett. Then in a 3 way against Eden Von England and Layna Lennox. Tatiana also had the highest profile match of her career against Jenny Rose at H2O. She has become a fan favorite at H2O, appearing on their second Underrated show where she took on Ryan Redfield.
I was able to ask Unwilting Tatiana some questions about her career so far, and some of her passions outside of the ring.
Before you started wrestling you interviewed wrestlers at the shows, just as Britt Baker did as she was training. Did you learn something from that experience that you were able to translate to your career as a wrestler and do you see yourself ever being on that side of the mic again?
So while I didn’t get many chances to interview, I definitely took some notes in avoiding the wrath of fellow wrestlers from it! Jokes aside, doing interviews is what helped me get better at talking on microphones. As someone with a theater background, I’ve found talking for promos and to others a lot easier than most do, but being able to speak into a microphone so you’re clearly heard and understood doesn’t come as easily as most would assume.
I mentioned Britt, but there seem to be a lot of people from Pittsburgh making noise recently. Obviously Lee Moriarty just got signed with AEW. You have been working closely with MV Young in Ryse. Also, TME and Ziggy Hiam have really been making names for themselves too. Does the recent success of wrestlers from Western PA help motivate you to break out to new places?
Watching the people I’ve worked and trained with for years succeeding and building names for themselves has definitely been a big motivator for me this year. That being said, sometimes it takes a toll on my bad mental health days to see the people I care about somewhere I feel like I can’t join them. There are definitely days where I can’t watch the success of my friends without questioning my own progress. On the bright side, those days are so far and few between that I’m able to enjoy watching those friends do amazing with glee. I can’t even begin to express how proud I am of everyone, and how excited I am to see what comes next.
You have been working for H2O recently. Can you tell us what that experience is like and how their training differs from the training that you received at your original school, PWX?
Working for H2O has been one of the biggest life changing experiences I’ve had since entering the world of wrestling. The atmosphere, energy and fanbase are nothing like I’ve ever experienced before, and I love it. Compared to the days when I was with PWX (at the time, Fight Society), there’s much more fan interaction and influence to what happens in the ring. I can’t say how the classes differ tho as I have only been a guest to H2O’s school once so far, but from what I can see, the kids are in good hands.
Your biggest match to date was probably your match against Jenny Rose at H2O. Can you tell us what it was like to step in the ring with someone that has wrestled pretty much everywhere?
I won’t lie (and a few of my friends at H2O can confirm), I was terrified. Jenny is the biggest name to date that I’ve faced, and she has definitely earned her reputation and all of the experience she has. Stepping into the ring with someone who has hundreds upon hundreds of matches under their belt with only a few dozen under my own was, again, terrifying. I was so worried I wouldn’t do well, and would look like a brand new rookie. That being said, Jenny is definitely one of my favorite opponents of 2021, and I hope to step into the ring with her again soon.
You are currently a champion at Eclipse Wrestling. I went to a show of theirs and one of the reasons that I went to see them is that they seemed to have a very diverse roster. Can you tell us about this promotion out of Altoona, PA and some of the matches that you have had there?
Eclipse Wrestling has become like a second home to me. They gave me a chance at a time where not many people had watched me perform, and I’ve given my all in return. The roster is incredibly diverse and chalk full of talent. I’ve been very fortunate to have some great matches there, my most recent being my first handi-capped match against Eden Von Engeland and Layna Lennox. I love being Eclipse’s Champion, and I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in 2022.
You were recently named in the QWI200. Can you let us know what that meant to you?
When I found out I had made the QWI Top 200. I honestly didn’t believe it at first. I came out as bisexual back in 2019, but I haven’t spoken out very often regarding being a queer wrestler, because I’ve often felt like I haven’t been a good example of a proud and out wrestler. There’s so many wrestlers who are members of the LGBTQ+ community constantly doing work for and representing the community, I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. I thought maybe people had forgotten that I was a part of that group, and that people just considered me a really good ally. Seeing my name on the list shocked me in the best way possible. I felt like for the first time since I came out that I was doing something to help others, and it was just by existing and thriving on my own. Being on that list has given me a new goal to try and be more open and proud for who I am and who I represent, as well as to try and find new ways to support other members of the community, beyond being an out and proud wrestler. I’m so grateful to have been added to the list, and I hope to earn a high spot on next year’s list.
I understand that you are also an artist. Can you explain what kind of art you make?
I’ve always been a theater girl. It’s been a massive part of my life since I was a toddler, and I’ve taken many aspects from it into the world of wrestling with me. One of the unseen talents that I haven’t been able to share as often as I would like however are my painting skills. I’ve been a professional painter for about two years now, and I’ve only recently taken to the idea of selling some of my work. I’ve painted a lot of things, from watercolor portrait gifts to my very own jacket that I wear to the ring. I’m currently working on a hand-drawn design for merchandise that I’m hoping to debut sometime next month.
Is there anything else that you would like people to know about you or something people may be surprised to know?
It’s not as big of a secret anymore, but people may be surprised to find out that I have a background in singing. I have some classical training under my belt, and I can rip out some great karaoke at the drop of a hat.
You can find Tatiana:
Twitter/Instagram: @TatianaWrestles
OF: tatianarose96
Patreon: Tatiana_Wrestles
If you would like to learn more about her art work, please contact her on one of these platforms.
