APRIL 12, 2001 – SMACKDOWN

Chyna in troubles, then destroys Ivory

She-wolf jumping around like a spastic cat

(Pics at the bottom)

(Forword:) In her matches against Chyna we could see Ivory carrying on like a crazy spastic cat, jumping around with uncontrolled movements. But in general, what is so nice about Ivory’s craft: apparently she isn’t focussing on the technical execution of a move or hold , unlike so many overzealously hard trying well paid amateurs in pro wrestling; no, Ivory’s expanding an action story and every little muscle in her body, from the finest facial muscle to the little toe contribute harmoniously to the creation of a chain of physical and psychological facts.

Meanwhile she interprets, translating the action for the convenience of the audience, using the stylistic device of dance, mime, even puppet theatre. And at the same time she’s suggesting – implicitly and without any contextualization – a story behind the action. A striking masterpiece of sport entertainment. An artistic highlight in the world of pro wrestling.

Does this sound evident? It is not. It’s a level of craftmanship that a lot of pro wrestlers (even very famous WWE wrestlers) never achieved (no names, we are of a peaceable disposition) although it isn’t foreign to the tradition of pro wrestling. Ivory’s physical strength and versatility are a sturdy support. Ivory’s musculature is designed by the steel bender. She’s often underrated.

Lisa Moretti wasn’t the most famous or most laureled female wrestler, but if we can see pro wrestling as a harmonious melange of physical expression via acrobatic and ballettesk elements of motion, verbal and nonverbal (psychologic) story telling, mimic art and athleticism in the good old tradition of popular theatre and pantomimic ballet, and in good fellowship respecting audience and fellow workers for the benefit of them all, then Lisa Moretti is an unique example.

On top of that all Moretti often flavours the interaction with opponents and audience with witty looks, humoristic remarks, gestures and facial expressions out of perspective. Though Lisa Moretti is far from the only one to integrate those traditions in her performances, she’s quite unique in the way and on the level she did it. That certain fans and analysts can see it, doesn’t alter the facts one bit.

APRIL 2, 2001 – RAW: RTC REFLECT

The day after Wrestlemania X-Seven during WWF’s Raw Is War, meet the Right To Censor members together in the catacombs of the arena to reflect. Stevie Richards tries to motovate his team: “At Wrestlemania we lost the women’s title, at Wrestlemania we lost our tag team match”, Stevie says. “But, people, one thing we did not lose, that’s our conviction.”

APRIL 5, 2001 – SMACKDOWN: CHYNA REFLECTS

At Smackdown, four days after Wrestlemania, the new women’s champion Chyna is interviewed by Coachman. Chyna reflects on her winning the women’s title in her match against Ivory.

Talking about her faith and strength she says: “I’m really proud of the fact that I think that that gives a lot of men and women a lot of inspiration.”

“I learned that you really have to be your own person, be proud of who you are,” Chyna means. “If you change for others, than you’re only as bad as your critics are… Right To Censor, no matter how hard they tried to keep me down, no matter how hard they tried to change me, I fought for what I believed in, I fought for who I am.”

This is in a tragic way heartbreakingly ironic in the light of the real life story of Joanie Lauler. Who was Chyna, who was Joanie Lauler after she was changed so manny times by herself and by others, thinking about what she wanted and what her entourage wanted?

“The fact that I think that..!”

“Be your own person.”

Was what she thought about herself at any time a fact?

Was Chyna who she thought she was?

Joanie Lauler deserved a better life. Pro wrestling, fame and stardom didn’t help her. On the contrary. It drove her mad.

APRIL 12, 2001 – SMACKDOWN: CHYNA DEF. IVORY

This is Ivory’s rematch after Chyna crushed her at Wrestlemania. Only this time Ivory has her pal Richards in her corner so maybe that’ll make a difference. Or not. Chyna hammers away on Ivory to start and slams her then sets her on the top rope and throws her to the mat. Chyna shoves Ivory into a corner and goes for the handspring elbow but Ivory sidesteps it and hits a bulldog. Ivory gets in her offense with a series of elbowdrops and follows up with a legdrop to the neck for a two count. Ivory snaps Chyna back then applies a chinlock but Chyna gets to her feet and throws Ivory off her back. Chyna goes for the ropes but Richards pulls her out to the floor and clotheslines her then tosses her back in. Ivory hits an elbowdrop and taunts the fans before covering Chyna for a two count then applies a facelock. Chyna counters it into a delayed vertical suplex then hits a powerslam followed by a pair of clotheslines. Chyna whips Ivory back and forth between the corners then presses her up and slams her and gets the pin. Richards comes in ready for a Stevenkick but Chyna catches him and spins him around into a DDT.

(Source: wrestlingrecaps.com)

APRIL 2, 2001 – RAW: RTC REFLECT: