The Ash Quinn Show

The Youtube video begins to record LIVE on the IIW/First Class official Youtube channel. It is the very first interview session hosted by Ash Quinn. She sits across a small elevated stage in a comfortable looking chair, angled towards the same kind of chair, but with Queen of the Ring, Solace Tatum smiling back.

Ash Quinn: It’s great to finally have a sit down with the woman who is arguably the face of First Class. How does that label make you feel? I hear it a lot in the halls.

Solace Tatum: "Oh my god, right?!?" Solace reacts, "It's so weird, honestly. Anyone who, like, knows me personally knows that I actually hate being noticed let alone "the face of a company" but after what happened to Fiona Harris, and Taylor Blazer, and now Moira Arches, First Class was in need of someone to step up and represent the company's more positive outlook... and as much as I respect Jolie Vexx and what she is trying to do, dealing with the Coven was too much for one woman to handle, and so, I felt it was my duty as a human being to do the right thing."

Ash Quinn: That’s a great outlook! I take the same outlook being an interviewer. The crack whores before me brought the outlook for me down. I’m working to change it interview by interview. Listen to me going on about me. You brought up the Coven and our GM. Do you plan on going on this crusade alone or with her backing?

Solace Tatum : "That's a good question... I mean..." Solace thinks back, "Look, I beat Mercedes at Malevolence, and by rights, that should have been the end of this 'crusade' but somehow, she has weaseled her way into a Women's Title match, and undeserved opportunity if you ask me. Especially after what she did to Jolie Vexx? But to answer your question, as long as Mercedes is inflicting torment on First Class, as long as Mercedes has masked women running out to help her, and as long as Mercedes isn't held accountable for her destruction... I think it'd be wise to have good people like Jolie, like Ada Pierce, like Triumvirate to combat this woman until its shut down."

Ash Quinn: You definitely can tell you have a strong dislike if not hatred for MJ. Is there anything you do to focus out of the ring? Party with the girls? I mean the Triumvirate definitely seems close.

Solace Tatum: "Well, when I was finishing up at XWF in the states, I had originally planned on bringing them there but..." Solace stops midsentence, "You know what, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said- I know you had some bad times there..."

Ash Quinn : I remember, trust me. That’s a sore spot for a lot of people I’ve noticed. Back to your IIW career! Do you have aspirations past destroying MJ? You are reigning Queen of the Ring after all.

Solace Tatum: "Well, I am going to win that Women's title on Sunday, god-willing." Solace smiles, "Beyond that, I don't really know... I'm here to support the company and the girls, hoping to build up some new talent, and just help Jolie bring her vision of First Class to fruition. If I manage to walk back onto land with the Women's title, well, I guess my goal will be defending it as long as possible... if not, well, I guess I'll try, try again."

Ash Quinn: I love your positive attitude. I plan on doing a series of chats like this. I’m glad I chose you first! You are very engaging. What do you see as the ultimate vision for this brand?

Solace Tatum: "Oh, that's a question for Jolie, I think." Solace laughs, "I don't know, if it were me, I would hope that First Class continues to emerge as one of the premiere Women's professional wrestling leagues in the world, maybe outside of just the U.K. I think I can imagine a world where FC is traveling globally so some of our talent can get more exposure, and in turn, more opportunity in this great sport. Again, I'm a worker... not a decider; and there's a good reason for that... I have no idea how to run a wrestling company."

Ash Quinn: Ha! I think all of the ladies would support a global initiative. More tv time definitely. Which results in more money. If not MJ who do you think would be your biggest competitor? Someone to get that “Solace Push”! I’m copywriting that by the way.

Solace Tatum: "Geez.. there's just too many." Solace looks up in thought, "I mean, I know you want that soundbite, but truthfully, It's hard for me to name just one or even a few. I treat every match the same, in the sense that, I try not to underestimate anyone because that's when you make stupid mistakes. But, if I had to name a few... um, let me think... Denise Dimarco, people like Nova Skye, and although I haven't seen Alessia Capello in action officially, I can just tell she is going to be a problem. I would mention the Coven girls, but been there, done that... and come Sunday, Casie will be another Coven girl with a giant L on their forehead, and an empty waist that used to hold the Women's title."

Ash Quinn: I could see you in a match with Dimarco or Nova! It would sell out. What are your feelings on more title defenses per cycle? In my interview coming up with Jolie, cards and booking are going to be a major focus.

Solace Tatum: "I think having the Evolution title defended every show is amazing. It kind of lives up to it's name in a way because in order to hold on to that title, the champion has to adapt relatively quickly on a consistent basis... doing that on paper sounds doable, but when you actually look at it- we are putting our bodies on the line every time we step into that ring; and a title holder has to go beyond that to be just a little better than the other woman, so, it can take a toll on our minds, our bodies, and our health. I do not envy who holds that championship, but as far as the Women's Championship- I don't know how often it should be defended... I know that if I were to win it, I wouldn't avoid defending it... I think it all comes down to the bookers; and that role is far beyond my pay grade."

Ash Quinn: This is true. It’s beyond mine too, I’m just the messenger. Ash laughs, tapping a foot. “If Mayhem and First Class were to cross over one day, which I for one would like to see, what is your dream opponent from that roster?

Solace laughs, nodding her head as if she already had an answer stored long ago.

Solace Tatum: "When I first came here, my first day... I was given the run-down by Bob Mitchell about all the things to know about IIW and First Class, which, at the time, seemed like a lot... but as much as it was to take in, I would soon realize he hadn't been specific enough! So, my first week... I'm walking around the arena when I see Russell Wayne with the Hardcore belt walk right passed me, which I thought was strange considering it's a 24/7 belt, and I know if I was the 24/7 Champion, I'd be on guard constantly... so, he walks passed me, not a care in the world... so I say, I'm going for it. I roll him up really quick and pin him successfully, and I'm thinking... 'Oh my god, I just won a title in the first week at IIW" until he uncomfortably and politely informed me that it was a men-only title. I felt sooooooo stupid, Ash. It was then I realized that the segregation between Women and Men at IIW was taken very seriously, so, assuming one day there could ever be a cross over between the male and female rosters... I would love a shot at Russell Wayne."

Ash Quinn: I was taken for a loop myself. All the other feds I have been in. I won’t lie I get a competitive itch every now and then and I wouldn’t mind knocking a few of those boys down a peg or two. What has been your favorite experience here so far?

Solace Tatum: "Oh, winning the Queen of the Ring tournament, 100% number one..." Solace says proudly, "Of course, how it ended was pretty crappy... but it's about the climb, for me, anyway."

Ash Quinn: Well at least Miley Cyrus agrees with you. Ash laughs. How do you feel about up and coming superstars like Viktoria and Ichiko just vanishing? Is there any thing you see that can be improved to retain talent? I’ve noticed Ms. Vexx has blitzed social media lately. But retention is a big concern for her.

Solace Tatum: "People come, people go." Solace shrugs, "Both were potentially future Women's Champion contenders, but I didn't really interact with either of them... I will say, one time I saw Viktoria Volkova at a gym and she was truly a monster. Would have been interesting to see Volkova against someone like Alessia Capello, for sure... as far as retaining talent, it's kind of hard to expect green workers when someone like Mercedes makes it her personal ambition to put them on the shelf. I think to improve our talent relations, Mercedes should be held accountable for all the damage she's done, and until that happens... we're likely to see a continued insecurity when it comes to new talent."

Ash Quinn: Solace, it was a pleasure to have you here on the very first Ash Quinn Show! As we bring our lovely conversation to an end, I will let you have the last word.

Solace Tatum: Thank you for having me, Ash... and seriously, goodluck with this! Your own show, how awesome. Like I said, I, for one, never had an interest in being in the spotlight, a role like this would have me completely in terror... you see, I've always preferred the.. technical side of things. I always found myself pretty boring, but you put some kind of mechanism in front of me, and I would disassemble it, put it back together- I'm talking as a kid now, I was very very interested in... "How" things worked... "How" things go together and work in a system..."

Solace pauses to smile to herself.

Solace Tatum: I remember my Dad getting mad at me all the time because I would find the clicker and take it completely apart and try to put it back together. He started buying me legos, and puzzles, and all kinds of these... mechanical builds to try to curb me from taking apart his things... and you know what? I mastered that kind of stuff at a young age, and just kept getting better and better at it. My dad thought I would make a good surgeon so he advised me to consider medical school but... I already knew exactly what I wanted to do, even then, and it was professional wrestling.

It was the mechanics of the human body that intrigued me... how arms and legs bend, how certain angles can work for or against people; just, ergonomics, you know? I always was in love with mastering leverage, being able to use certain angles to control a greater weight than you should be able to handle- but what I love the most... is using my opponent's body against them- leveraging their momentum to manipulate their offensive into my own benefit. I used to think I was masterful at electronics but the human body, I like to think of myself as a technician... a surgeon that dissects her opponents, systematically.

It's what I look forward to when I step into that ring... not to hurt another person, but to out-smart them. To out-wrestle them... and to teach them never, ever, ever underestimate.. Solace Tatum.

Whether it be Mercedes... or whether it be Casie... or if i'm right to be suspicious, whether it is both at once... one thing they both should know going in, that ring is my operating table... and I truly hope both of them know when to stop kicking out.

I would tell you Coven girls to search your souls... but something tells me it'd be falling on deaf ears. See you, Sunday...

The Ash Quinn Show logo appears on the screen as the interview, and recording ends.

ARCHIVES