In an exclusive interview with PWPonderings Scott Mitchell (@ScottsScoop44), Nat Castle (@Nat_Castle_) sits down to talk about her debut, the unveiling of the brand new Create A Pro Women’s Championship, the upcoming tournament to crown the first-ever Create A Pro Women’s Champion, becoming Latina Spice, and so much more.
When and why did you become a professional wrestling fan growing up?
“My father watched it since I was born. I grew up on it. When I was 10, that’s when I realized it was what I wanted to do. That’s when I saw people like Paige just starting and coming in. That’s when I realized I could do this thing too. It’s been eight-nine years now of me wanting to do this and now I’m doing it.”
Did you have any inspirations growing up or anyone you looked up to that you wanted to get into it for?
“People are surprised when I say this, but Jon Moxley was my biggest inspiration growing up. Even when he went to AEW, Moxley was a huge inspiration for me. He always stood true to himself, and he was such a sick dude. He continues to evolve, and I just hope in the future that’s me in my story.”
When and why did you decide to begin training?
“I’ve been wanting to train for years. But I found Create A Pro, then I decided I was going there. I made sure my college was on Long Island so I could travel there, and it just all worked out. I knew CAP was the best school around there, with MJF, Caster, and Kris Statlander all coming out of it.”
What made you choose to train at Create A Pro as opposed to everywhere else on Long Island?
“It was MJF. He’s amazing. He’s World Champ, and that speaks for itself. Before then, I just knew he was the future of wrestling. If CAP made the future of wrestling, why not?”
Take me through your first day of training. How nervous/happy/excited were you to step into the ring for the first time?
“I was a mix of every emotion possible. When I first walked in, Brian Myers was there to greet me which was crazy. I’ll always gloat about this, but he was the first person I ever locked up with in the ring. He’s just such a good teacher. He’s patient and works with everyone. He doesn’t make you feel bad if you mess up and helps you to get better.”
While you mentioned Brian Myers, did you have any other mentors who you credit a lot for your early success too?
“Bear Bronson, who is now Dirty Bulk Bronson from AEW. He is such a help in CAP. He’s my wrestling dad, I’ll say. He’s the best and he’s always there to teach me new moves and give me advice. I mean just before this I asked him for advice on an interview, and he gave me advice. He always allows me to be myself.”
Fast forward to your debut match with Create A Pro at Dreamland USA. What was your feeling that day going into your tag team match teaming up with Sazzy Boatright to take on Gabby Forza and Zuleyka?
“It was very interesting. I never experienced crowd reactions before. I didn’t know how to get a crowd reaction really, or what the steps were to being in there because I was pretty new. I just knew what to do in the ring. Wrestling came naturally to me, but when you’re out there, that’s when you realize how to interact with the crowd. Beforehand just not knowing anything and being told that this is how you react, you never really know until you’re out there. Being out there and seeing everyone react was mind-blowing. It shows your hard work pays off even if it’s just your first match.”
You also got to wrestle on, one of, if not THE biggest show in Create A Pro history, Homecoming. What was it like to take part in the six-person tag team match, teaming with Liam Davis and Sazzy Boatright to take on Dr. Cool, Gabby Forza, and Zuleyka?
“Liam Davis is super helpful. It was Homecoming so that was a big deal. But, having him by my side in that match was great guidance for me in just my second match, and being able to face Dr. Cool, who has been wrestling for longer than my first day, was crazy to me. It’s mind-blowing how fast everything has come together. Just hearing the crowd’s reaction to Dr. Cool as he walked out was crazy. Nobody knows me, Gabby, or Zuleyka, since we’re all new. Having Liam Davis and Dr. Cool there was cool. Having Dr. Cool there was kind of intimidating because of how over he is. They’re getting to know me now, and I’m getting my matches.”
You have wrestled three matches so far, twice in tag team action. Fast forward to last month when you got to compete in your first singles match against Gabby Forza. What was it like to have your first singles match, and go out through that curtain by yourself?
“This is the first time I used my spice. The first time I showed it, and the first time I introduced it. Nobody knows what it is yet, but it is Hispanic seasoning because Hispanic seasoning is the best. Having my first entrance that was truly my own was pretty cool. I had new gear which was cool and was made by my grandma which means a lot. Just having a spotlight match in CAP, just a year into my wrestling career is meaningful. I was never pinned, so I’m still undefeated in singles.”
With the new inception of the Create A Pro Women’s Championship, how important is it to you to be a part of this new crop of women’s talent coming out of CAP?
“The fact that I was in the ring when it was announced means so much. Seeing it in front of me for the first time, and knowing it matches me the closest, I think it just came at the perfect time. We have multiple homegrown women now. It’s cool being able to have a women’s division for the first time. Years ago, we saw it was only Kris Statlander. Now she’s on the belt, which is more important. Being able to say I will be in the tournament is cool.”
We spoke briefly about Kris Statlander. But, when we talk about the new women’s talent that Create A Pro has, how important is it for you to follow in her shoes but also be your person?
“It’s a big shoe to fill. With Create A Pro, it’s not a big worry. It’s such an amazing school. To have people like me and Gabby Forza, I think we’re headed on the right track. Then we have other outside people, like Rosemary who will be at the next show on 9/15, which is cool. I think we’re doing a pretty good job at heading to be the best school to train women. I think we already are. We need more women to prove it, and that’s what I’m here to do.”
Do you have anyone you hope to see in the tournament?
“Well, I’m not sure who, but I know Notorious Mimi has been at Create A Pro. She’s a great women’s wrestler, her kicks are sick. One of my favorite things about her. She presents herself as a star, and I think that’s what we need. If Mimi is in it, I think it would make the tournament even better.”
How important is being “Latina Spice” to you? How did you come up with that nickname for yourself?
“I was just thinking, and I love representing that I’m Latina. I’m from the Dominican Republic on my father’s side, and my mother is Guatemalan and Puerto Rican. It means a lot to just represent that I’m a Latina, and I also love food. Hispanic food is always so good and spicy. I love spices, so that’s what I thought. I think wrestling could use some flavor, so that’s what I bring to the table. I’m the seasoning to success.”
Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Where do you hope your career goes from here?
“I haven’t taken any bookings outside of Create A Pro, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens there. Maybe Victory Pro Wrestling, which is still local, and by the end of next year I’m hoping to say that I wrestled in different states. If I could just connect with one person in each state I wrestle, that’s the most important thing.”
Do you have any future opponents you’d like to face?
“That’s an interesting one. Little Mean Kathleen is one I’d love to face. As you can tell, I’m a bit shorter than everyone else. Little Mean Kathleen being out there and killing it, being short like I am, it would be cool to share the ring with her.”
What is your dream match, and on what stage?
“There are so many choices. But I always dreamed of being able to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome, and Mercedes would be such an amazing opponent that I’ve always dreamed of. She’s what started me wanting to do this. It would come full circle.”
Is there a message you’d like to leave anyone reading this?
“Stay tuned for the women’s tournament. Don’t forget that I am the recipe for greatness and the seasoning for success.”
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