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FEMALE FACTS: APRIL HUNTER

FEMALE FACTS

Name: April Hunter 
Website: http://www.aprilhunter.com, click WRESTLER for that part and photos related to grappling only.
Debut: 2000
Companies worked for: Jersey All Pro, NEO Japan, IWA Puerto Rico, Arsion Japan, All Stars UK, USA Pro, Irish Whip Wrestling, JCW, NWA:TNA, WXW, WCW, A to Z Japan, ROH, 3PW, CSWF...

How did you get your start, who trained you? I started as an nWo valet in WCW. I left to train at Killer Kowalski's where Walter Kowalski and Slyk Wagner Brown trained me.

What was your first match or appearance, and how did you feel? I'd had student matches, but  my first two official matches were against Taylor Matheny in PA and then vs. Alan Funk on NWA TNA. I was very, very nervous. 

Who were some of your influences in the past, or who do you admire today? Bull Nakano, Chyna, Tajiri, Sherri Martel, Eddie Guererro, Dean Malenko, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Homicide, Slyk Wagner Brown, Ayako Hamada, Papi Chulo.

What is the hardest part about being a woman in a male dominated business? Not being taken seriously or being passed over because a women's wrestling match isn't all that important or crucial to the show. It's not just the people in the business, but often the fans who feel this way. Can't always blame them; women's wrestling isn't very strong in the US yet. For me, I try to use the boobs to lure 'em and hope the wrestling will hook 'em.

What are your goals in wrestling? To help change the way women's wrestling is in North America and be the best overall female in wrestling, signed or unsigned. 

What was your most embarrassing moment in wrestling? I used to vault into the ring over SWB. I'd have to say falling on my ass on my ring entrance for my first indy show in my hometown Philly, a big ECW reunion show. My friends and mom were there, laughing their butts off and still tease me about it. I'm not the most graceful at times...

What are you most proud of so far in your career? Being one of only 4 North American women invited to work Japan last year....and one of the first female wrestlers to have a match for IWA Puerto Rico.

What other female talents do you think highly of in the business? Phoenix, Sumie Sakai, Trinity, Alexis Laree, Talia, Ariel...if I'm forgetting some, forgive me. I think highly of anyone who sincerely tries to do better each show and doesn't have to use politics to get ahead.

If you weren't in wrestling, what would you be doing today? I'm not sure, but I wouldn't be living in cold New England!

Is there anything you would like to say to the fans reading this article? "How Can Something That Looks So Good, Hurt So Bad?"   Thanks for reading! Come by and sign up for my free newsletter. Road stories, dirty jokes and pictures each week. www.aprilhunter.com

More On April: Height: 5'10" ... Weight: 150 lbs. ... Born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, raised all over as a military brat, currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Finishing move is the HeadHunter (neckbreaker off top rope). ... Former fitness centerfold, Playboy model and Las Vegas showgirl. ... "Was in Las Vegas when I began valeting for the nWo. I was asked to become a fully trained wrestler. I checked out a few schools and was referred to Killer Kowalski's in Boston. So, I packed everything, gave up modeling and moved to overly expensive Boston to begin training under Killer and Slyk Wagner Brown (head trainer). I was asked back to WCW to valet for Kwee Wee, but had already committed to, and started, wrestling school. While there, both ECW and WCW closed." ... "Walter Kowalski paired me up with Brown for my first show (which was a student show) as a manager and it worked. He was also the only student willing to travel outside of the New England area to pursue wrestling, so we kept the team going." ... "After a full year on the indies, I still wasn't really wrestling. I flew myself to TNA for a match vs. Miss TNA Bruce (Alan Funk) where he beat the crap out of me on live TV (in a good way) and then people finally started to book me to wrestle. My home fed is Jersey All Pro, the first to really get behind me. Slyk Wagner Brown and I are currently the JAPW tag champs....and the first ever inter-gender tag champions in U.S. wrestling." ... "WXW (Afa) is another of my favorite regular promotions. While I still live in New England, I don't or rarely work in this area, except for when ROH comes up here." ... Titles Held: WXW Super 8 winner 2003, JCW Women's Champion (current), WXW Women's Champion (current), JAPW Tag Champion (current). ... Has appeared in commercials for Toyota, on Howard Stern, in Playboy's "Hardbodies" issue, Flex, American Curves magazine, and was a spokesmodel for Met-RX.  She will be appearing in the movie "Home Sweet Battlefield", due out later this year.

For more on April Hunter, visit www.AprilHunter.com

"Female Facts" is a monthly feature here on PWInsider.com.  It will profile some of the female wrestlers and valets that are active on the Independent scene today.  If you are a female wrestler or valet and would like to be featured in the section, you can email us by clicking here.

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