Beth Phoenix On Why She Left Wrestling And More

Star Gazette has an interview with former WWE Diva Elizabeth Kocianski, f.k.a. Beth Phoenix. Below are some highlights:

If the pay for women wrestlers is as close to the men:

“I don’t discuss money, but I will say I made more money than at other things I could qualify for. The key for me is the respect of your peers. I was able to be influential and create a mold. There was no one else who was shaped like me or looked like me. I don’t compare myself to the men.”

When she met Edge:

“We knew each other, met through the WWE. But we didn’t date when we were there.”

Why she left the business:

“I left wrestling to spend more time at home with family. I didn’t get to see my parents and brother while I was working, just quick visits living out of a suitcase. It was time to go home.”

If she had any real feuds with co-workers:

“You don’t get along with everybody, but you have to be able to work with everybody. Respect is important, and if you don’t have it you won’t be on the professional level very long. The ring is not the place to take care of disrespect. It’s supposed to be a safe haven where we protect each other. You can disagree with someone and still do business as a professional. I’ve had some differences of opinion with some, and there were some people I liked more than others.”