In an exclusive interview with PWPondering’s Scott Mitchell (@ScottsScoop44), Gabby Forza (@the_gnomie) talks about first getting into professional wrestling as a kid, breaking into the world of football, training at Create A Pro, making her debut, wrestling at the biggest show in Create A Pro history, and so much more.
When and why did you really get into professional wrestling growing up as a kid?
“So, as a kid I loved wrestling. I had to stop watching it because my mom was really strict, and my favorite wrestler was The Undertaker. I loved his big, scary demeanor. My brother, we were six and seven at the time, and he went to do an elbow drop off the slide at the park and broke his arm. So, my mom was like we can’t do wrestling or watch it anymore. There was a big gap for me in wrestling. Then, I got into football, and that kind of turned into an outlet for my brother and me. Then, I kind of fell back in love with it in 2019. But that’s my story.”
When did you first get into football?
“Right after that incident. When I was 8, I played football. My first interaction with football came when I was a cheerleader. My brother, who is a year older than me was playing while I was cheering. I hated it. I wanted to be in and on the action, on the field. The next year, my parents let me play on the team, and I was the only girl on the team, in the league. I stuck with it for 8 years until I got to middle school. Middle school was different with tryouts and in the first half, I had to sit out because they didn’t allow girls to play. There was a big vote with the Board of Education. Then once I was allowed to try out, I had a chip on my shoulder because I was upset about them thinking that I couldn’t play football because I’m a girl, and I just went crazy and made the team. 24 boys got cut, it was a big deal at the time, it wasn’t accepted/normal, and I got treated differently. When I turned 18, I found out about an all-women’s professional football league. I tried out, made the team, and have been doing that ever since, up to this year when I became a National Champion linebacker in my league. It was a crazy year.”
How cool was it to win the National Championships in Football?
“That was really my life goal. One of them is to play in a championship game. My football team made it in 2018, and I tore my ACL right before the championship. I played the whole season, top 3 in the league for tackles as a linebacker. I was really proud of that, and I was in great shape. Then, I tore my ACL. We won the championship, and my teammates were great saying that because I was a part of the team, I was a champion too. However, until I got to play in a championship game, I didn’t feel comfortable saying that. So, this year I finally got to play in a championship game, and we won. It was a very hard, and long journey but we made it. Now I can say it, I’m a National Championship Linebacker.”
Looking at your training for football and you’re training for wrestling, was there anything that you can compare between the two, or anything that may have been tougher?
“Yeah, so the workouts are somewhat similar. I’m training to be the most sturdy powerhouse person I can be. The Linebacker is the most athletic person on the field. In the ring that translated pretty well. I definitely had to improve my conditioning though for wrestling. It is a high-intensity sport with a lot of impact. You have to be able to move very well in the ring. Some stuff moved over nicely, but I had to build more muscle, get leaner, and just improve my conditioning. Wrestling is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It continues to surprise me how difficult it can be when so many people are amazing at it. I’m still trying to improve and get better. Football is really different. There’s a lot that helped me, having that background, and now I have that under my belt. It helped for sure, but it’s not the same.”
Take me through your first day of training at Create a Pro. When did you decide to sign up, and why?
“My story is a little different because I went to an open house in February of 2022, and then a month later I started dating Bronson. Then, I decided I wasn’t going to try it until I was more comfortable with the idea of it because I was now dating a wrestler and it was kind of dramatic. So, after six months of dating, I asked what he thought about me trying wrestling, and he was super supportive and excited. He took me to Create A Pro, and I watched the whole practice. After he invited me into the ring I learned bumps, how to run the roles, and a few drills. It wasn’t easy, but it was really exciting and fun. I only had a background in football. This was completely different, and I was excited about the challenge and to learn something new. The following week I signed up. Football started three months later, and I committed to three months. Then, I started Football and thought I would take a break from wrestling for the season, but never took the break. That was pretty crazy. I definitely don’t recommend anyone ever do that, ever. It was awful, but I got through it.”
Earlier this year, you made your debut at Create A Pro: Dreamland USA when you teamed with Zuleyka to take on Nat Castle and Sazzy Boatright. What was it like to make your debut and pick up your first win?
“The whole time I couldn’t believe it. The reception was incredible, and I wasn’t expecting that. My expectations were pretty low. I was just going to do my best and hope for the best. It really couldn’t have gone better. Everyone was so proud of us. I tried to feel it and have fun with it, and winning the match was another surreal experience. I can’t believe that really happened a few months ago.”
You also got to compete in arguably the biggest Create A Pro show in history this past May, Homecoming. What was it like to be on that card and work with Dr. Cool, Liam Davis, Nat Castle, Sazzy Boatright, and Zuleyka again?
“I feel like my story is so made up in trying to make every opportunity count. I, Zuleyka, Nat Castle, and Sazzy Boatright are all really new. I was just going into the match thinking I was going to give it my all. The fans were so fun. Being in front of them and starting the show with good energy, and a fun match was really cool. It was my first intergender match which was really cool. I’ve said from the beginning prior to being on shows how I liked intergender wrestling. I did get to jackhammer a giant man during that match which was really cool. It’s on the Create A Pro YouTube page now. It was such an exciting show and I feel really proud to be a part of it. We’re really lucky to have Create A Pro pushing the women’s division like that.”
What’s it like to be a part of the new budding Women’s division, and take part in the tournament to become the first-ever CAP Women’s Championship?
“Things just keep happening that couldn’t be better. Everything is just so cool and exciting. Things I never thought I’d achieve or pursue in my lifetime are all happening within a few months of debuting. I’m just very thankful to Brian Myers, Create A Pro, and all the trainers. Just the environment there is awesome. It motivates me to just keep working harder. I didn’t take it lightly when I even first stepped into the ring at Create A Pro. I see all the legends on the wall and it’s very inspiring to be able to train in the same ring they did. It’s very exciting to train with other women who want to learn and push themselves the same way I do.”
You have a very big first-round match coming up this Friday, September 15th, at Create A Pro: Heartache Tonight against Ariela Nyx. What are your thoughts going into this tournament and going into your first-round match?
“I’m really excited to kick off the Create A Pro Women’s Championship Tournament. The fact that I’m in the first round is amazing. I’m very grateful and I wasn’t expecting it. I’m going to give it my all. This is my first opponent at Create A Pro that is a veteran to me. So, I’m excited to learn from her. I’ve seen her wrestle many times as a fan, and to see her come into that role as GM has been really cool. She’s really scary and mean, but that’s nothing compared to what I think I can bring to the ring.”
You also got to wrestle on Wrestling Open and will be at CCW coming up against Nat Castle. What’s it like getting those opportunities and getting to venture out of New York?
“I absolutely love wrestling in front of the crowd at the White Eagle. It’s a really fun environment. The fans are really excited to witness what goes on in the ring. When I wrestled Tina San Antonio, after wrestling Nat Castle in a Spotlight match, Wrestling Open asked me back to wrestle Tina San Antonio on the show. I really love wrestling there, and I was so excited to return. I was elated that they asked me back and I’m excited to again. Traveling for wrestling is something that I’ve always really wanted to do, and the fact I’m able to do it now so early on just makes me want to keep knocking it out of the park. Every opportunity I get I just want to kill it and keep progressing as a wrestler.”
So, looking ahead for you, what future goals or opponents do you have that you’d really like to step into the ring with?
“I have a list of wrestlers I’d love to go up against. Kris Statlander of course. Willow Nightingale, B3CCA, and someone local who I cannot wait for it to happen, Little Mean Kathleen. A few indies, and a few big names. But, Willow and Kris Stat are two people I really look up to as wrestlers, and love watching them succeed in AEW. Always rooting for them, and always learning from them. They continue to push the bar. Great people, and great wrestlers. Something I take away from what they do is that they’re not just great women’s wrestlers, they’re great wrestlers and they’re changing what’s expected for the women’s division at All Elite Wrestling.”
For anyone reading this, do you have a message to your fans?
“I’m very appreciative of anyone who’s been supportive of the Gnomie since I debuted. At the last CAP show, there were so many Gabby Forza shirts and people coming to my table. I love getting to know everyone at the shows. The internet, and social media interactions, mean a lot to me. I really appreciate all the positive messages. It seems like everyone is excited to see where I progress, so I’m excited to keep going, and I really appreciate all the support I’ve been getting and hope to keep making everyone proud.”
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