Real or not, professional wrestling is not pretty. The decades-old form of sports entertainment is full of sweaty, shirtless men with odd names and outlandish outfits trying to slam each other into the ropes and floor. Figure-four leg locks, cobra clutches and suplexes are often used to render each other unconscious.
It all seems kinda gross unless you look at the WWE Divas, a collection of female fighters who not only look good but also know how to fight.
One of the WWE’s best and brightest new stars is Ariane Andrew, occasionally known in the ring as “Cameron Nicole Lynn.” Since 2011 she has been kicking ass in and out of the ring. As a co-star on the WWE Reality TV show “Total Divas” for the past four seasons, she has always brought the drama.
In person she is quiet, demure and lovely — until you cross her. Miss Andrew discussed her career and the worst injury she’s ever had.
Question: You looked pretty mean when I said I thought you were actress Meagan Good.
Answer: People say my facial expressions are really intense. I’m just being me. I’m not trying to scare anybody. Except you. Kidding. [laughs]
Q: How long have you been a WWE Diva?
A: I’ve been doing it for a little over four years now.
Q: How did you end up in the WWE?
A: It just kind of fell into my hands. I’ve always loved sports and entertainment. I knew I wanted to do something in one of those worlds. Being a Diva is really like the best of both worlds.
Q: How did you break in?
A: If there is a book written, then I always say, I did it by the book. I went to college, got two bachelors degrees — one in business marketing, one in psychology. Then after that, I auditioned for WWE. I didn’t think anything of it. I got a callback. Then I got four more callbacks. After that I got signed, and then the rest, as they say, is history.
Q: What training did you go through?
A: It was intense! Woo. The first time I took a bump, it felt like I was in a minicar accident.
They say it’s not for everybody. When I first did it I questioned myself. I didn’t know if I could really do this. But I’m not a quitter. So I kept going. I got the hang of it, and I did it. I was in developmental training for three months, then I signed to the main roster.
Q: Have you ever been really injured?
A: I actually just got stitches taken out less than a month ago. Someone elbowed me in practice and busted my eyebrow open. But there have been worse happen to other people. People get neck surgery. There have been broken necks. I can say I’ve been blessed that is all that has happened.
WWE’s “Total Divas” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on E!
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