Voor een nieuwe editie van Spotlight zetten we deze keer een bijzonder sterke vrouw in de schijnwerpers: Ruby Radley.
Deze Britse dame schreef geschiedenis in november 2018 toen ze als eerste vrouw ooit het DareDevil Kampioenschap wist te veroveren – een mijlpaal die haar naam onuitwisbaar in de boeken plaatste.
Haar carrière kende echter niet alleen hoogtepunten. Blessureleed gooide meermaals roet in het eten: zo moest ze haar initiële Allstars-wedstrijd noodgedwongen annuleren en zag ze het DareDevil Kampioenschap uit haar handen glippen na een zware knieblessure. Alsof dat nog niet genoeg was, vocht Ruby de voorbije maanden misschien wel de zwaarste strijd van haar leven, namelijk tegen borstkanker.
Desondanks – of misschien net daardoor – blijft haar verhaal er één van doorzettingsvermogen, veerkracht en pure wilskracht. Met trots kunnen we zeggen dat Ruby Radley tijd maakte voor ons om haar verhaal te delen. In dit interview kijken we samen met haar terug op haar carrière, de tegenslagen én de kracht die haar blijft voortstuwen.
How have you been doing lately?
I’m doing okay, thank you. I’m definitely tired, but I’m surviving and taking things day by day.
What are you currently up to, inside or outside the wrestling world?
At the moment I am battling breast cancer, so nothing fun or exciting is happening right now, but my focus is fully on my health and recovery.
Are you still active in professional wrestling, or have you moved in a different direction?
I’m not active in wrestling at the moment. I took a break, and shortly after that I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Once I am fully recovered and healed, I do plan on returning.
If you’re no longer in the ring, what do you miss most about performing?
I miss everything about it — the people, the performances, travelling to new places, and the energy of the crowds. Being part of that environment is something truly special.
Are there any current projects or goals you’re particularly proud of?
I’m incredibly proud of completing 22 weeks of intense chemotherapy, and I’m also quite proud that I managed to keep most of my hair throughout it all.
How do you feel you’ve grown or changed as a person since your time with Pro Wrestling Allstars?
I feel that I’ve stepped outside of my comfort zone much more and have grown a lot more confident in myself, both as a performer and as a person.
How did you first get into professional wrestling?
In 2013, I went along to a training school in Leeds with my friend Adam, also known as BA Rose, whom I knew from high school. I tried it out and absolutely loved it from the start.
Who or what inspired you to step into the ring yourself?
I had watched wrestling since I was very young and used to play the WWF games on PlayStation with my cousin Sammi. When I found out that my friend was training, I just thought to myself, why not give it a try?
Do you still remember your very first match? What was that experience like?
I definitely remember it, and to be honest, it was terrible. It was an intergender handicap match, and while it was a fun experience overall, I definitely wasn’t ready to be on shows at that point.
Which promotions or organizations did you work for besides PWA?
I worked for many promotions throughout my career. To name a few, there were True Grit, Southside, Fierce Females, TNT Extreme, Defiant, Ironfist, Tidal Wrestling, and many others.
What do you consider to be the highlights of your overall wrestling career?
Becoming the first-ever female PWA DareDevil Champion is a huge highlight for me. Another major highlight was being able to travel around the country and team with one of my closest friends, Ivy.
Are there any people in wrestling who have had a lasting influence on you or helped shape you as a performer?
Since I started wrestling, Kay Lee Ray (now known as Alba Fyre in WWE) has always been someone I looked up to. She inspired me greatly, and I was lucky enough to share the ring with her a couple of times, which meant a lot to me.
How did you first become involved with Pro Wrestling Allstars?
I was first booked to appear on a PWA show in 2017, if I remember correctly. Unfortunately, I became ill and spent some time in hospital, which meant I wasn’t able to fulfil that booking.
What was your first impression when you attended or performed at an Allstars show for the first time?
My first impression was very positive. Everyone was incredibly friendly and welcoming, and I was impressed by both the venues and the amazing crowds.
How would you describe the backstage atmosphere at PWA?
The backstage atmosphere at PWA is very chill and easygoing, which makes it a great environment to work in.
What makes a Pro Wrestling Allstars show different from other wrestling organizations in your opinion?
To me, a PWA show truly feels like a family event, both backstage and in front of the crowd.
How would you explain PWA to someone who has never heard of it before?
I would describe PWA as lots of fun combined with good, solid wrestling.
What was your favorite match or segment at PWA, and why?
My favourite match was the one where I won the DareDevil Championship. It was myself versus Scotty Valentine and Spike Bones, and it’s a moment I’ll always treasure.
Who was your favorite opponent to face in a PWA ring?
I genuinely enjoyed working with everyone, but if I had to choose one person, I would say Benjamin Van Es.
Is there anyone you would have liked to face at PWA but never had the chance to?
Yes, there were many people I would have loved to face. John Francis and Rocky Jones are two names that immediately come to mind.
Which moment from your time at Allstars will you always remember or cherish?
Honestly, just being there. The family atmosphere backstage and how lovely everyone was is something I’ll always remember fondly.
What do you think was PWA’s biggest strength — the fans, the atmosphere, the organization, or something else?
Without a doubt, the atmosphere was PWA’s biggest strength.
Are there any lessons or experiences from your time with PWA that helped you later in your career?
Yes, my time with PWA really helped me step out of my comfort zone, and that confidence carried over and helped me a lot later in my career.
Do you still keep in touch with (former) Allstars colleagues?
Yes, I do. I still regularly speak with John Francis, and we’ve formed a great friendship over the years.
Looking back, how important was your time with PWA in shaping you as a performer?
My time at PWA was very important, as it gave me the confidence to travel and accept bookings in other countries.
You were scheduled to make your Allstars debut in April 2017 but had to cancel due to illness. How did it feel to have to withdraw from your planned debut?
I was extremely upset about the situation. It would have been my first international booking, so I was incredibly excited. Unfortunately, after unexpectedly being in hospital, I was strongly advised not to travel.
You made history by becoming the first woman ever to win the PWA DareDevil Championship. What was it like to set such a record?
I was completely speechless, which doesn’t happen often. You can actually see in the match footage that I’m in shock and can hardly believe it myself. It’s an achievement I hold in very high regard.
You were a proud DareDevil Champion and defended the title twice in England. How did it feel to represent Pro Wrestling Allstars in your home country?
I was very proud to take the title home and defend it in my home country. I was given tough opponents, but I handled the challenge and represented PWA with pride.
An injury prevented you from defending your title. How disappointing was it to lose the championship that way?
I can’t properly describe how disappointed I was. Not in Dante at all, but in myself for being injured and unable to compete. I felt extremely frustrated with the situation.
It’s fair to say that Scotty Valentine was your biggest rival in PWA. He had a long reign as DareDevil Champion until he was finally dethroned by Chantal Jordan. What went through your mind when you heard the news?
I’ll give him credit for having a good reign, but it definitely would have been much shorter if I had been able to return — he never could beat me. I’m very happy for Chantal, though. She clearly works incredibly hard and truly deserves it.
Looking back, how important was your time with PWA in shaping you as a performer?
My time at PWA was very important, as it gave me the confidence to travel and accept bookings in other countries.
If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently?
No, I wouldn’t change anything at all.
What advice would you give to young wrestlers who are now taking their first steps at PWA?
My advice would be to work as hard as you can, as often as you can.
How do you see the evolution of Pro Wrestling Allstars since your last appearance there?
All of the younger wrestlers from when I was there have grown into fantastic characters, and it’s great to see how much they’ve developed.
Would you consider a return to the Allstars ring if the opportunity came along?
Absolutely, I would love to return to the Allstars ring if the opportunity presented itself.
Finally, do you have a message for the Pro Wrestling Allstars fans who still remember you?
I want to thank all of you for the support I received. It genuinely meant the world to me.
Het verhaal van Ruby Radley is er niet alleen één van titels en wedstrijden, maar vooral van karakter. Van historische momenten in de ring tot gevechten ver daarbuiten: elke stap in haar parcours getuigt van een ongekende mentale en fysieke kracht. Haar openheid en eerlijkheid maken dit interview tot meer dan een terugblik — het is een inspirerend portret van een vrouw die weigert zich te laten definiëren door tegenslag.
Wij willen Ruby Radley oprecht bedanken voor haar tijd, haar vertrouwen en haar moed. We wensen haar alle kracht en herstel toe voor wat nog komt, en kijken reikhalzend uit naar het moment waarop ze opnieuw kan doen wat ze het liefste doet. Eén ding staat vast: wat de toekomst ook brengt, Ruby Radley blijft een Allstar — in en buiten de ring.
