By The Masked Embroider
It’s an exciting time to be watching Scottish Wrestling once again and every week there seems to be at least one new young talented wrestler breaking through. It’s hard to keep track of them all but I do try as best I can and I’m glad when flicking through Instagram a while back now that I caught a ‘Rocky’esque training video of one such emerging talent. Her name is Daisy Jenkins and she is, from what I’ve seen, an impressive talent from the FPWA academy in Fife, who looks very fast in the ring and very inventive and creative with her moves. One such move is her 619 Armdrag she calls the ‘Slingshot’. Look out for it. You’ve been warned.
I also saw on her Instagram page that she collaborated with JJ Creations and Nick Coad Designs on her ring gear which seems to come from a similar time period as her ‘Rocky’esque training video ie. the 80’s. And I wanted to know more about just what had inspired both of them.
Daisy, Welcome.
Let me start by trying to set the scene, so to speak. We all at some point in our lives yearn back to a time before we were born that we image to be a golden age and we tend to day dream about what it was like to have lived back then, don’t we?
From listening to the SWN Podcast that you did with Billy recently (highly recommend anyone who hasn’t yet to go back and have a listen) I understand that you’re a big fan of all things 80s. Is that true?
Absolutely!
What is it about that period that you like?
Everything to be honest – movies, TV, fashion and music – the whole vibe and aesthetic. The 80’s look is very iconic and really easy to recreate especially now that it is becoming popular again due to tv shows such as Stranger Things.
One of my favourite songs is “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds. Again so iconic.
The movies – it’s storytelling at it’s best. There’s so many to mention but of course I have to say The Karate Kid (which is my favourite movie other than 3 Ninjas!) – but if I was to list off my other favourites they would be E.T, Back to the Future, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, Terminator, Ghostbusters, The Goonies, The Lost Boys, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and of course The Breakfast Club and Die Hard!
Can you tell me a little about the video you made for your Instagram page? Your ‘Rocky’esque/Guardians of the Galaxy inspired training video with Walkman and bright pink training jacket included.
This was my ode to the “training montage” which was often seen in movies such as Rocky, The Karate Kid and Bloodsport – the timing of posting was significant as it was posted on what was my “debut weekend” – the weekend in which the episode of ICW Fight Club which I appeared on aired on the Saturday and my debut for Pro2 Wrestling in Troon on the Sunday. It was my way of showing that I was ready to show what all the hard work in training was working towards. I tried to recreate some iconic 80’s movies poses which hopefully people picked up on :).
In the 80s the women’s wrestling scene would have included Alundra Blayze (aka Madusa), Sherri Martel, Leilani Kai and Bull Nakano. I must admit that I am a long, long way off being any type of expert in 80s women’s wrestling not because I am averse to the idea of women’s wrestling please don’t think that. In fact I’m the very opposite. I am a huge fan. And I’m glad to see women finally being given the chance to carve out their place in the industry today. The only reason I am ignorant on the subject is because it was never pushed as much as the men’s matches were. That’s no excuse of course as we should always seek things out and keep our eyes and ears open rather than be force fed and given what they think we need. But anyway, on hearing your enthusiasm I thought that I should search some out. The matches that stood out to me personally were the ones between Alundra Blayze and Bull Nakano. I believe, after watching several matches from their feud, including their match at Summerslam 94 which should be viewed much more favourably than it is, that they put on far more technically proficient matches than a certain red and yellow maniac, from the same time period. But they never got the credit they truly deserved, did they?
It’s hard to tell if they did at the time or if it all got caught up in how things changed over the years – I think anyone looking back on those matches now though can definitely give them credit for being standout matches on the card.
In fact it’s an anomaly how technically good it is in amongst men’s matches that were basically just big bruisers battling with little to no finesse at the time. What I’d like to know though is. What was it about these women that inspired you?
Their characters! They were constantly storytelling in every aspect of their matches – from their entrances to their gear to their moves, everything seems so well thought out and committed to.
And who are your favourites?
My ultimate favourite is Sherri Martel – she was the biggest character out of everyone.
Can you elaborate on why Sherri Martel was your favourite? What was it about her character work that you liked?
It’s very hard not to just say everything but really – everything. She is the ultimate character in and out of the ring, regardless of what part she was playing or whether it was in a promo or even her entrances – she commanded every room she stepped into. She evoked such emotion in everything she did – I love watching her and picking up on all the intricacies of her character. And of course – her look – the clothes, the make up, the hair – she had so many iconic looks.
Do you have a favourite match from that period?
Apart from the matches between Alundra Blayze and Bull Nakano which you have already mentioned my favourite match would be Sherri Martel vs Rockin’ Robin (Dec 26th, 1987) or Wendi Richter vs Leilani Kai at Wrestlemania I.
Your ring gear is very recognisably from that era resembling the keep fit/ fitness/ exercise craze gear of the time with lightweight stretch fabrics and materials such as Lycra and spandex, which were actually invented in the 1950s believe it or not, only hitting the peak of their popularity in the 80s. Is your ring gear based on anyone or anything in particular?
I wanted to bring 80’s/90’s fashion/aesthetic into it somehow and if you watch the Sherri Martel match I mentioned above it may start to look familiar. Her gear in that match was my ultimate inspiration for the style and I left the design of the logo and the colours to Nick. He did a great job at bringing all of my inspirations together. JJ Creations did an unbelievable job of turning the design into reality – I’m over the moon with it.
How do the women of the Scottish wrestling scene today stack up against the strong women that inspired you growing up do you think?
We have a fantastic scene here in Scotland and I’m really excited to become a part of that. Everyone is so different in terms of look and style that there is endless potential for great matches and storytelling.
Anyone on the Scottish wrestling scene you’re looking forward to facing that you haven’t already? Anyone you think that your style would compliment say? And/or anyone you’ve worked well with already?
It’s hard to narrow it down to be honest because as I have already mentioned I think everyone is so different and I would love to work with them all. I’ve really enjoyed working with the girls I have worked with already (Ashley Vega, Harmony Skye, Ellie Armstrong and Debbie Dahmer) and look forward to hopefully more matches against them in the future.
They say patience is a virtue. It’s also an art form in some cases. And that’s what my articles are all about. I hear you help teach the younger kids classes at the FPWA academy. And as much fun as that may be I imagine it requires a lot of patience and creativity to keep the kids amused and focused when trying to teach them things. Can you tell us a little about that? Do you enjoy the challenge?
It’s incredible – the kids are amazing. Genuinely a few of my favourite hours in the week. It can be challenging at times but they all love wrestling and love everything we are teaching them so we have an absolute ball. The best thing about it is seeing their confidence grow week to week alongside their imagination and fearlessness in the ring – they definitely inspire me and I hope I can be a good role model for them in their wrestling journey. There are a few stars of the future there without a doubt.
Are you a creative person yourself outside of wrestling?
I always have been but I could never find the right outlet for it.
I’ve tried my hand at most things but I’ve never stuck with anything long enough to feel like I was any good at it but I genuinely feel that wrestling brings everything together. Wrestling allows you to be creative in so many ways – in ring, in promos, on social media – and being around other like minded people really fuels that side of you to becoming the best version of who you want to be.
That’s a great message to end on. Daisy Jenkins, thank you very much for talking to me.
You can find out more about Daisy Jenkins on Instagram.
🆂🆆🅽 | Scottish Wrestling Network 