Hey SoCalUNCENSORED readers this is Lauren’s Lowdown and I was able to get a special interview for you all. Joining me today is the one and only Gold Digger! You may have seen her at LuchaPro or maybe even at the side of the Mirror Image Ricky Mandel, Gabriel Gallo, The Ballards, or Dom Vitalli or at other promotions around Southern California but today she took the time out of her busy schedule to give all of you SocalUNCENSORED readers a look from outside the ring.
1- SCU: I always love starting out my interviews with how are you doing tonight?
GD: I’m doing good, I’m doing really good.
2- SCU: So you manage a plethora of guys to the ring, who are you currently managing?
GD: Ricky Mandel, The Ballards, Dom Vitalli, Gabriel Gallo, It’s always changing. I might have some guys that I haven’t went out with in awhile that I’ll still come back and work with too.
3- SCU: I know that a lot of guys you manage have different styles, does it differ a lot?
GD: It does differ a lot in personalities and styles and especially their character so that’s one thing that I love about my character, I like to think that it’s one of the only things I’ve seen where you’re not labeled if you will. Being the Gold Digger and always wanting more gives me the opportunity to work with a lot of different people.
4- SCU: Out of all the guys you’ve managed throughout your career do you have a favorite?
GD: Let’s see, no not really. I think I’ve had good experiences with everybody and learned from everybody. Some are a lot more open to the idea of working with a manager and really want my input whereas others who haven’t really worked with a manager in the past don’t really know what to do with me. That’s why I think it’s important as a manager to say “Hey I’m here to help you, to make you shine, to make us look good working as a team.”
5- SCU: What promotions have you been to?
GD: Vendetta, MPW, LSA, LuchaPro, AWS of course, I’m trying to think of all the names and sometimes they escape me so I feel bad if I leave anybody out.
6- SCU: As a female, have you ever found any of these areas to be unsafe to travel to?
GD: Not that I would say unsafe. I’m actually pretty good about that. I know when I first started there were some people that were worried about me maybe going to rougher areas or neighborhoods. I feel like I’ve always been taken care of, the guys look after me. You can’t go into it with any fear.
7- SCU: Now let’s get down to a few facts, how did you become a manager?
GD:That’s funny because I’ve actually had a lot of people go “Hey aren’t you the one who never watched wrestling before?” and yes that is the truth. I actually worked for a handicapped accessible van company and did a number of charity events. I was on the chamber of commerce and worked a lot with make a wish and cancer society and what not. One of the charities was the old fit pit and I had gone to a show and wasn’t into wrestling and had no interest in it and they said you are the queen of charities you do all these things and health fairs and what not. So I said okay and ended up going and it was very entertaining. The luchadors came out and I was really surprised by the high energy and how it was like a beautifully choreographed dance. The funny part was while sitting there a friend turned to me said “I can see you doing that.” I said “As if anybody wants to see that” and was told “You’d be surprised.” At which point made me start busting up laughing and it actually stopped the show because we were laughing so hard about 3 or 4 of us. After the show some of the wrestlers came up to me and said what was that all about. I had to explain what happened and they said why don’t you come to a training class. Honestly I was bullied into the class saying I will see you tonight at training. So I went on a Friday night and honestly it was the best workout I ever had. I had so much fun then afterward Spector asked me if I wanted to start managing. I went to a few more training things and then it went black for the holidays and when the school reopened it was at a time where I couldn’t go. I was then told by Spector if you really want to try your hand at this come with me so I went to LuchaPro and first night out went over and that’s when I got bit by the bug
8- SCU: At any point in your career have you ever stepped into the ring and wrestled?
GD: Yes, for quite awhile there my tag team partner was Supernatural. I did a lot with him, did some spot work with the Ballards and a few other people. That’s what I like about it I get to do that when it’s unexpected. I think a lot of people forget so I like to throw it in there every now and then and people go “Oh My gosh I didn’t know she knew how to do that”
9- SCU: What’s it like being a manager?
GD: That’s kind of a broad question,
10- SCU: Okay well what’s the most difficult part about it?
GD: I guess the hardest part like I said is dealing with the different people and having them understand what we’re trying to put together and do. Sometimes you may have ideas of who you’re working with then you get to a new location and are with a new promoter and suddenly get another idea. I think the most difficult part is being able to shift gears really quick.
11- SCU: How dangerous is it being right there at the ring where the guys you manage are wrestling, I know the opponents aren’t always that friendly to you
GD: Not gonna lie there’s always a chance of getting hurt especially when things aren’t planned and a lot of times they’re not. I’ve been lucky though cause a lot of guys that I work with are seasoned veterans so I’m a little spoiled that way. Sometimes though people come up with stuff on the cuff and you just go with it. I think that’s the most dangerous part when you don’t know the training of someone else and are in the ring. Or knowing when to get out of the way. You have to pay attention not only for yourself but everyone in the ring and the spectators because a lot of times what happens, especially from my standpoint, you have camera people and others so you have to watch out for that. Especially children cause they will get excited and people don’t see them. So I feel like I’m watching out for everybody.
12- SCU: What’s the worst thing to ever happen to you during a match?
GD: Not the worst thing but probably the funniest or unexpected was when I ended up on the splits on the apron and I had Shane Ballard pulling one leg and Piloto Suicido Pulling the other. That was unexpected and thank God I’m flexible.
13- SCU: How do you know when the right time is to interfere or try to help out during a match?
GD: You just never do, you’re always just there and ready to go. I think the wrong time is if there’s a chance to be hurt. I think before going in you’re already talking to people and asking if they’re okay with you going in and intervening.
14- SCU: What’s the most important job of a manager, what’s the main thing that you do?
GD: The main thing is making whoever you’re working with shine, to speak when they can’t, to tell a story even without words, to do whatever it takes to make them the hero.
15- SCU: How do you select the people that you want to manage, is there a certain talent that you look for?
GD: Sometimes in some cases I’m told who I’m going to work with, sometimes guys will come to me and ask me if we can work together. For the most part my character Gold Digger always chases the gold, always with the champ. Whoever has the belt at that time or is going for the belt.
16- SCU: Have you ever not gotten along with any of the guys that you manage?
GD: I don’t think so…No actually. Sometimes in the beginning being a female isn’t the easiest. There might have been some people wondering why I was there and maybe came off the wrong way to me but as long as you let them know you’re there as a professional. That was my only problem and is really not a problem.
17- SCU: If there was an award for best manager in the world, what do you think your chances would be in winning it?
GD: There was an award and I took it (laughter)
18- SCU: Do you have any funny or interesting stories of anything that’s ever happened to you at a show?
GD: Can I plead the 5th on this one? There’s probably some people who don’t want their name out there or to be incriminated. It’s a brotherhood and sisterhood so there’s always some fun things going on.
19- SCU: Do you get treated differently in the locker room being a manager or do you get the same respect as any one else?
GD: I think I’ve been very lucky working with a lot of the people that I’ve worked with. I’ve always been pretty much respected. I think everybody is really respectful for the most part. We’re all there to work and we love what we do. We pretty much respect each other. All around it’s been pretty good.
20- SCU: Have you ever refereed a match or announced?
GD: Not so much refereeing. As far as announcing no not really. I’ve been known to get on the mic a bit depending on where you are. I have no problem speaking my mind.
21- SCU: Would you ever manage a female wrestler?
GD: Yeah definitely, there’s been some talks of it.
22- SCU: What do you see for yourself in the future?
GD: That’s a good question. What a lot of people don’t know is that I have a production company as well. I recently purchased a ring and PA system, I am really a full fledged production company. I want to manage for as long as I can and also do some promotions. I want to be able to give back and also bring in some new talent as well through managing and production. It’s really hard to say because I feel fortunate just to still be doing it at this point. Every time I get out there or am asked to do a show it’s an honor. You never know when that’s gonna stop so as long as it keeps coming in I intend to keep working and if I’m lucky I’ll be doing it for a long time.
23- SCU: What advice would you give to anyone who is aspiring to be a manager?
GD: That’s a good question because I’ve been asked that a lot. I’ve had a lot of guys come to me and say they want to be manager and what does it take. There’s really no direct answer, I guess just find someone that you want to work with and manage, and really compliment their character. As long as you can find out their character and play off of that, that would be my best advice. There’s been talk and debate about whether managers are really necessary… uh definitely, WWE still has them. A lot of times the manager will really help someone get over with the crowd. As far as being a manager and with wrestlers I think what you have to do is practice and realize that wrestling is not just one dimensional but really 3 or 4 dimensional and requires charisma, ability, and speed. Not only work but also present yourself in cases like body language and just be multi-faceted. Know that and know you’ll probably be thrown in some really interesting situations and be flexible with it is probably the best advice.
24- SCU: Lastly, do you have anything to say to any fans or admirers?
GD: Both are always very welcome (laughter). As far as the wrestling, I think another thing is the ability to bring something different to it as well as have the male/female component. Being able to bring sexuality and sexiness but also cut that off to the fans to where it’s not just eye candy but a functional position and at the same time having my character be a strong female that can stick up for herself as opposed to just eye candy or a bimbo. As far as the fans or what not it really helps us as performers and entertainers to have that support. The fuel to our fire. I don’t think a lot of people say enough how much we appreciate it, it’s hard sometimes working the Indy circuit I don’t think a lot of people realize we do it cause we love it. We put our bodies on the line all the time and to get that appreciation is really something. We don’t overlook that. Any support where you come with signs or shirts or whatever it is, it’s always really cool to be recognized outside even when we aren’t looking the part.
I’d like to thank Gold Digger for taking the time to do this interview and share with us her view from outside of the squared circle. You can see her at some upcoming wrestling shows such as Vendetta Pro, LSA, and AWS as well as others and if you like to know more about her you can follow her at:
https://www.facebook.com/the.original.gold.digger?hc_location=stream
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this interview or check out the site in general. Your appreciation is everything!