Your question(s) for Lisa...answered!

From: Mick
Age: 20
Question 1: What is your favorite type of music/favorite band/singer?
Answer: No favorites. I just pick music that goes with the mood I’m in or want to be in! There’s traveling music, getting ready to go out and party- music, take a hot bath with a crown on the rocks after a whole day’s worth of yard work- kind of music, and dinner party- music, etc. I like to vacuum during a HHH promo on RAW!

Question 2: Was it harder to work alongside Moolah & Mae Young in the ring than everyone else due to their age?
Answer: Yes! I wasn’t kidding when I used to say I had nightmares about them. Truthfully, I had nightmares about hitting women of their age. As I have always “lived” my performing moments, there is something terribly wrong about slugging an older woman in the face, with full aggressive intentions! As a worker, I learned a lot from these “First Ladies of Wrestling” (featured in “Lipstick and Dynamite” by Ruth Leitman. Go to Lipstickanddynamitethemovie.com). When Mae and Moolah come through the curtain, it’s their time! They totally forget the time limit given to them by every head honcho in the back. Its live TV and Mae and Moolah figure Rock can cut his promo down in time if WWE is short on time!! They taught me that rushing will never enhance your performance, or “bit.” So, live it, take your time, and strut your stuff!

From: Hilton
Age: 21
Question 1: Would you be interested in working for my small promotion in the future and help me run it?
Answer: A girl's gotta make a living! Showww me the money and my services are yours!

Question 2: Would you like to go out on a date with me to get to know each other better?
Answer: Now my wrestling and promotion price just doubled because I know you’re not really interested in business with Lisa. I just don’t do the date thing anymore. If you are going to have a successful promotion, you’ll want to use all your energy on your business. After you are a successful promoter, you can “hunt” for a nice catch! Good Luck!

From: Jessica
Age: 25
Question 1: Are you and Trish Stratus still good friends?
Answer: Yes. We aren’t phone pals, never have been. But there is camaraderie among all the girls who work hard in this business. I’m sure we will be part of each other’s lives for a long, long time.

Question 2: How do you feel about Trish retiring from wrestling?
Answer: Frankly, I think we’ll see her in the WWE ring again, someday. Just like Mick Foley, Sean Michaels and Stone Cold. Personally, I hope she will truly move on and make big things happen outside of the wrestling world. I know she can do anything she sets her mind on.

From: Jamie
Age: 17
Question 1: What was your favorite Ivory era? Your start in WWE? Women's champion? RTC? Alliance member? Your face turn in 2003?
Answer: Face turn in 2003. I had been chomping at the bit to get in the ring with the talent of the Woman’s Division. Working against Jazz would have been terrific- and a great last run for me. With her injury, the angle fell apart. That’s the nature of the biz. It was really fun being a baby face and hearing the crowd cheer when I walloped someone! I hope Victoria has a final run that will make her proud. I worry that she will feel slighted in her career at WWE. She trained in L.A., Memphis and Louisville waiting for WWE to bring her up. She has been the “supporting” opponent to many great angles that have played out to PPV, but she’s yet to have had her star run! Now or never seems to be in the cards with the direction WWE has taken the girls. I’d love to see Victoria go to TNA as the muscular contender she used to be. But, I guess she’d have to fit in with TNA’s Knockouts, which means skinny, small, bikini girls.

Question 2: Which woman do you believe brought out the best in you as a competitor?
Answer: Molly Holly and Jazz. And, I think Trish and I would’ve been great as a baby face team, as Victoria and I would’ve been a very entertaining heel team (or good sister/bad sister act).

From: Ainsley
Age: 16
Question 1: Which former WWE diva do you prefer, Debra or Sable?
Answer: Prefer in what respect? I know Debra better as a person. I think they are equally beautiful, and I recognize their years of hard work in the wrestling world. Travel, alone, is very hard. In the early years the women didn’t have other women to be girls with. And the tours were much longer, usually 10 days on the road, with two days at home before going out again. They are both very beautiful and very tough at the same time.

Question 2: What made you want to go into wrestling?
Answer: I never set out to be in the wrestling business. Mando Guerrero was so passionate about wrestling that I got the bug from him after training under him for one day. He was doing basic training for the GLOW production in order to audition girls and choose 12 to shoot the pilot show. I spent about 4 weeks training under Mando, then Princess Jasmine. I still didn’t know which way was up in the ring during my first match- which was used to sell the television show!! Go figure! I always say, I finally got wrestling training when I was a trainer in Tough Enough!!

From: Pam
Age: 41
Question 1: I can’t explain here how much I appreciate Lisa Moretti as a real sportswoman. She was and still is (better than a fitness model) a sportsmodel for me, a real athlete worthy of imitation, the living proof that a small woman can be very strong. My question: Lisa, how strong are you? E.g. what’s your maximum bench press, how many pull ups and push ups could/can you do?
Answer: I never really considered myself to be STRONG. But boy, did I love to work out on weights! Remember the time…. Back in the mid 80’s women bodybuilders were on top and fitness models hadn’t been born yet. Funny how things go backwards, eh? When I used to work out at Gold’s in Venice, CA, I loved all the huge black and white posters aligning the walls and ceiling. Rachel McLish was a first on the bodybuilding scene, yet her physique was smooth and shapely compared to the chiseled, mass oriented physiques of the mid-late 80’s like Cory Everson, Bev Francis, Diana Dennis, Lenda Murray, Anja Schriener, and Juliette Bergmann. Today, Rachael would be on top as a Ms. Fitness Olympia!
It’s the same in the WWE. The Diva girls could be as “talented” as the GLOW girls if they didn’t have to contend with the Dbl.D in-balance of their bodies. As with GLOW, it seems the dumber the girls come off, the more the bosses like it! Now THAT’S entertainment!
To answer your question, my heaviest bench was 10 reps with 165. I used to warm up with quarters on the bench! I never lifted for power. And I was in the gym 6 days a week, no less than 2 hours a day. A typical shoulder/arm day would be a 3-hour workout! I wouldn’t have the attention span for that anymore! Back then, I didn’t do any cardio but once I discovered the aerobics scene, I was all over it with my green striped tights and leg warmers! Flash Dance, all the way! The Parks and Rec. aerobics instructor signed me up for a contest in Sherman Oaks, CA and I won first place! Heather Locklear was a judge, I remember. I won a condo stay for a weekend in Palm Springs, and a free membership to gym. Though I love being in shape, I’m not doing much to stay in shape right now. I ride my bike; I run a bit, walk a bit and still wrestle! I’d love to get back in the gym, but have a hard time spending free-time, indoors pushing heavy things around!
The gym where I live wants me to teach a weight lifting class to teens. I think they could inspire me to get strong, while I’m showing them how to shape up!

Question 2: Is it true you won an arm wrestling contest for GLOW? Did you ever arm wrestle on other occasions and who do you think would be better in an arm wrestling match You or Trish/Torrie/Jacqueline/Lita/Debra/Molly Holly/Gail Kim/Luna/Erica Porter/Rebecca Knox/Simply Luscious/Krissy Vain/Amber O’Neal?
Answer: Jacqueline vs. Simply Luscious! I’d like to see that arm wrestling match! These two ladies are the only people on your list who ARE strong!! The rest of us are wimps!!
Remember Dot Jones, world champion arm wrestler. She was one of the Lady athletes of the 80’s who I am proud to be associated with. People like Dot inspired me let me know that women are beautiful for who they are, the good that they do and the integrity they display…Beauty isn’t about what a woman looks like.

From: Dave
Age: 38
Question 1: What do you do when you aren't wrestling?
Answer: As of late, I’m trying to find my next chapter in life!! I work with the animals at my local shelter. I’m going to Utah to help the Best Friends Sanctuary acclimate 300 dogs and cats into America. They were flown in from Lebanon, as a rescue effort. As with hurricane Katrina, people are being forced to evacuate their homes in Lebanon and leave their pets behind. The local shelters have been ruined by bombings so there was an urgent need for a rescue mission and Best Friends came a callin’!
I’m also going to church regularly, and learning about the Bible so that I can attempt to read the good book! I’ve been craving more Christian education for a long time. I was raised in a church going family but was really cut off from church for about 20 years. I believe in Jesus but don’t know much about the Bible. So now I’m in a weekly discussion group and I’m doing more reading. I like to work with the kids at church, too.

Question 2: If we had a big picnic with you as guest of honor, would you come!?
Answer: No, but I would support a big fundraiser for a kid or animal cause. I don’t have a website of my own because I’m not into self-promotion. Don’t get me wrong, I love attention, but I’m not pig headed enough to believe that I am really all that important!!

From: Andrea
Age: 24
Question 1: Lisa, do you have any plans to retire from wrestling like Trish Stratus to get married or pursue other opportunities in the near future?
Answer: I would love to be performing in other ways but wrestling is where I can book a job, get paid and where I know the people, the game and have the reputation and skill to get work!
Unfortunately, for this female mid-card wrestler, I didn’t make the money that Trish Stratus did, and I had to spend my own money to build my house, of which I pay the mortgage on. I won’t get married because I have bills and I won’t stop wrestling because I don’t work for WWE. Everytime I wrestle at an Indy show, I love wrestling all over again! But, I do pray for something new to dive into, which, I hope, involves “lights, cameras, ACTION!” God only knows where I’m headed!

From: Mariano
Age: 33
Question 1: Since GLOW is still alive, has there been any talks about you reapearing as TINA FERRARI again?
Answer: No, but I am in touch with the honchos at Big Vision Entertainment, who are behind the resurgence of GLOW. I always liked “Tina Ferrari!”

Question 2: During your time in the wwe, did you get along with Jacqueline?
Answer: I tried to, but she never really let me be her friend. She kept to herself mostly and I don’t think she ever respected me as a worker. She could have taught me what she felt I needed to learn, but she didn’t seem to enjoy working matches with me. And boy oh boy, did that woman lay it in. I survived 9 straight months of major, on purpose, stiffness! I won’t ever subject myself to it again.

From: Michael
Age: 17
Question 1: Now that Trish Stratus is leaving the WWE, how do you think the women's division is going to be and what would you say if they asked you back?
Answer: If WWE called with a job offer I hope I’d say, “Thanks, but I’m too busy! No doubt about it, I’d love to be actively busy on a wrestling show that pays well, and features women in a positive light. I’m ashamed at what WWE does to the women talent, women in wrestling, and worse, the image of women. It’s a bummer that the same little girls who loved the Lita character with the Hardy Boys, don’t have anyone to root for now, because the innocence and the athleticism for women in the ring at WWE is gone. I’d rather raise young women on Hurricaranas than Diva Searches any day of the week!! With the media throwing out such raunchy visuals with regards to young women, I can understand why “Brat” (brand) dolls are so popular…I only wonder when the dolls our little ones adore will come with double-D boobs, to go with the huge lips, big hair and “trendy” clothes they are packaged with. For those of you reading this and think Lisa has really gone RTC…. Someday you’ll have a little girl who wants to wear a crop top and platform boots with a mini “school-girl” skirt to first grade! And we wonder why there are weird adults in this world. What’s going on here???

Question 2: Are you currently seeing anyone or have a boyfriend?
Answer: Nope. Though I’ve had lots of men in my life, and had about four serious relationships, I’ve always enjoyed living life single. I get more done, do more for others and seem to “listen” better to what I’m supposed to hear!! I’m not opposed to getting married or having one special guy in my life, but he’d have to be cool with sharing me with a lot of people, kids, and animals…oh yeah, and big beefy wrestler dudes!

From: Candy
Age: 15
Question 1: What do you think about the wwe diva search?
Answer: I can say this publicly now that I’m on the outside! I think it stinks, is insulting to women, the “diva” contestants, the wrestling fans, the mainstream WWE audience, and I especially think that WWE is being down right irresponsible to display “diva acts” in front of a live audience who are paying to participate in a wrestling show (and who have brought their kids who like John Cena and Chris Benoit). Kids don’t know how to digest the awkward “acts” that the Diva contestants do in bikinis…in a wrestling ring! Shouldn’t adults be able to watch this on Playboy Channel when they feel the urge? There’s a reason why Barnum & Bailey Circus sticks to clowns and jugglers and the occasional g-string wearing trapeze artist. They run a family show, like I wish WWE could be again.

Question 2: Should the wwe get rid of the womens title now that most of the divas are just ordinary girls from the diva search?
Answer: Yes. I think they should have a “Sable-type” run, let the division die and then give it a re-birth in a big way with some underground talent that hit the scene all at once! I pitched a Woman’s Title burial story line to the “creative team” when Stephanie had the title and wasn’t defending it.
I will always “ “ that “team” because I don’t believe they are creative (don’t need to re-invent the wheel in wrestling storytelling. Don’t fix what isn’t broken. Hollywood relies on this motif.), I don’t think they work as a team (lots of truly creative people in the studio who have been pushed out of this loop), and I don’t think the “team” is who Vince listens to. He listens to the wrestler who waits to get in his ear after every TV event. These are the wrestlers who bag an angle and secure themselves a spot on the next PPV. Yes, the same few wrestlers are the people who have the boss’ phone number, the agent’s phone numbers and the writer’s phone numbers programmed into their cell phones with a memory key for easy dialing!!

From: Kimmie
Age: 20
Question 1: What is it like not being on the road with the wwe divas who you became really close to and do you still keep in touch with any of them?
Answer: I loved traveling with the girls and the guys, but mostly traveled alone because, ultimately, it’s easier. The guys eat more, and more often, which equals more stops. The girls talk a lot on their cell phones…to boyfriends, husbands…and sometimes both - right in front of you! It’s kind of disheartening and awkward!! Honestly, I enjoyed travelling with Frankie the most.

Question 2: Will you be coming to England at any time to wrestle in any of our independant companies?
Answer: I’d love to wrestle in the UK! I’ll work on finding a good promotion. Have any suggestions or leads? I don’t work for cheap! As I tell all promoters, “This isn’t a hobby and I don’t want “girl-pay!”

From: Mike
Age: 18
Question 1: How many more items from Ivory's Treasures are you planning to sell?
Answer: I’ve got quite a few lingerie items that my cats don’t really get anything out of seeing me in, and I’ve got lots of bikinis that the Pacific North Westerners would send me to jail for wearing on any of their beaches! I’ve got about three costumes and a few outfits I wore in photo shoots and on television. I’d love to pass them on to a collector to enjoy. And each buyer who wins an item from Ivory’s Treasures on Ebay flatters me. I might part with a pair of boots, but it’ll break my heart to do it!

From: Mohit
Age: 13
Question 1: Who do u think is a better opponent -Luna ,Tori or Debra?
Answer: I had fun working with all these ladies for different reasons. Truthfully, though, the best opponent is directly related to the quality of the story or angle that the wrestlers are given. With an emotionally driving WWE package to introduce your match on a PPV, you have to be a moron to stink up the night. (We’ve seen it, haven’t we?!) Trish has had so many great runs with her opponents because the company gets with her story ideas and she and her opponent always deliver at the PPV’s. That’s the way to work the system! Luna, Tori, Debra and I never “worked” the system.

Question 2: To which diva were you the closest-Jacqueline,Tori,Nicole,Lita,Trish or B.B.?
Answer: None of the above. I had a kinship with Luna Vachon because she came from the 80’s scene like me. We had worked together in POWW and I always liked her, and her snakes, as we traveled on tour busses up and down the east coast. She and David are special to me. Of course, I became closer to Trish, Lita and Jacqueline through working with them over the years, but I never really spent time with them outside of work. Trish is probably my closest friend of the bunch, as I have been a guest at her house a couple of times. One of the girls I really connect with is Sara, Taker’s wife. We were cut out of the same mold! I really like Jazz, and Molly Holly and I am so amazed by Lilian’s talent and class. Terri Runnels is another close friend, who I always enjoyed, especially as a guest at her home with her daughter, Dakota. Victoria had me over a couple of times in the Memphis stage of her career. I love her spirit and how friendly she is with everyone! We’re a lot alike, too. I miss Debra and Nidia, and I will enjoy watching Stacy become a STAR!

From: Adrianna
Age: 19
Question 1: Who would u like to see as new womens champ after Lita loses the title?
Answer: Melina, Mickie James, Victoria and after a long while and some wrestling training, Candice Michelle (with Fit Finlay’s help, anything is possible).

Question 2: If u could wrestle any one of the new divas on raw or smackdown, who would u wrestle?
Answer: Mickie James or Melina.

From: Josh
Age: 20
Question 1: Ivory you're awesome!! What are your thoughts of your match against Jillian Hall at OVW March Mayhem?
Answer: Stupid storyline (of which I take full credit), okay match, drop the promo crap, and if I had to do it over, I’d probably enjoy it more!!

Question 2: What was your favorite divas shoot?
Answer: Breezes…Cancun, I think. I came on board last minute because Debra bailed out (Stone Cold didn’t want his gal bikini clad for the world to see!). I left straight away from TV in Nassua without dieting, sun bathing, whitening, brightening, shopping, etc. Remember, I had been away doing Tough Enough, then got stuck on Smackdown, with the Woman’s Division girls on RAW. It was so fun to reunite with the girls in Cancun, that I didn’t even mind posing in bikinis to do it! I also didn’t mind the South of the Border shoot. I just came off of TE 3 and had another great reunion with Jazz, Nidia, all the makeup artists, Linda Miles, Jackie Gayda, and Dawn. Frankie came to that shoot, as a kitten!

From: Robert
Age: 16
Question 1: Hi Lisa, I was wondering, during your time in the WWE from 1999 to 2002, which move did you actually classify as your finisher? as the Poison Ivory was rarely used by you during that time.
Answer: As a bad girl, my finishing move was hitting people over the head with the Title Belt! Actually, I didn’t need a finishing move because I never won! Just as my mother who would ask me why I never get to win!! On my own, with out a “boyfriend in the business” or an agent, like Fit Finlay, who looks to develop the lady characters and their wrestling techniques and repertoire, I wasn’t savvy enough to know how to “play the game” and market myself as a Superstar who could make the audience “POP” by having a signature move, catch phrase, or customized entrance. I was, and still am in many ways, old school with regards to working as a wrestler. I learned that “you never say No (when it comes to working in the ring), you work your ass off for the fans, and I learned that if I put all of my energy into my match and living in the moment (of my character), my performance would always be entertaining.
FYI, Tommy Dreamer named the “Poison Ivory” after thinking about it for 15 seconds! He’s THAT good!! I can honestly say, I worked along side the best in the business.

Question 2: Out of all your WWE wrestling matches which were televised, which were your top 3 matches in your eyes? Thanks
Answer: I haven’t watched all my matches. As my schedule is a lot slower now, I am finally catching up (more retrospective, not analytic) on my years in wrestling. I can say this. I wish I would have kicked out at WM XXVII just to make Chyna work for a win a little harder, and I would have loved to be in the mix as a main player when the Woman’s Division was in full swing (though I loved doing TE, my heart was with the girls as they actively developed that successful era).

From: Bill
Age: 18
Question 1: Will you return to the wwe or something on screen?
Answer: I sure hope I will have a way to connect with you and the others who say to me, “I miss seeing you on television.” I now know that I am a “Red Light Warrior!” (a term that Todd Grisham coined). This is a person who can make it happen, no matter what, when the red light goes on!!

Question 2: Will you be able to reach out to your fans more? do you have a myspace page?
Answer: MySpace.com/ivorymolly This is a page Nora made up, and we both maintain for the time being. It called attention to our Wedding Tour Wrestling Road Trip adventure. We are selling our WTWRT logo T-shirts at a discount price while supplies last. Also, for $2.99 you can become a member on our sponsor driven page (Monday Night Mayhem reaps the proceeds and we hope you’ll support them because we couldn’t have done the trip without them) The site is KickinAssforGas.com. There, you will get updates from me and Nora about what we’ve been doing since the trip, plus all the journals and pictures we took on our way to Toronto for Trish’s wedding. Hope you’ll take a peek.

From: Jason
Age: 37
Question 1: Do you miss the WWE?
Answer: I miss the fans and the performing and most of all, laughing with co-workers backstage! I’ve never met a weirder, more entertaining bunch of people than the talent and employees of the WWE.

Question 2: How do you like the success of the USC football team? Do you like Penn State?
Answer: I enjoy hearing that the Trojans are having a good year, but only because I know it delights my dad and brothers. Sorry to say, I don’t watch sports on television.

From: Sasha
Age: 18
Question 1: Hey Lisa, I've been a big fan of yours since I first became a wrestling fan in 1998, I miss watching you wrestle, you should go to TNA ;). Anywho, what was your favourite time for your character in WWE?
Answer: I’d have to say I loved the business of being Miss Ivory of the RTC because when I was “just” Ivory I didn’t get to work at TV often enough. With the RTC gimmick, I was busy from the moment I arrived until the show ended. That’s what we all strive for! The worst part of being part of such a large, talented group, is that for a lot of us, it means sitting around for 11 hours at TV tapings because …”the writers don’t have anything for you.”

Question 2: I really loved your feud with Terri Poch (Tori) in 1999, what did you think of it? Also what was it like wrestling in the first ever women's Hardcore match (against Tori)? Thanks for taking the time to read this and have a great time on your roadtrip!
Answer: Terri and I actually got a “bonus” pay off from the boss for our first-ever lady’s Hardcore match! We made history with that one! I loved the hardcore matches because it involved lots of creativity and ad-libbing! Coming from the “stunt” world, I felt comfortable in the Hardcore realm of things…I still do!
Terri Poch scared me because she is so BIG and way stronger than I ever was! I only ever wished that she could get more connected to her role, her acting, her belief in what she was “fighting” for. A beautiful, athletic woman…with the acting sense of an engineer (sorry to all left brainers).

From: ???
Age: ???
Question 1: What dates correspond with your GLOW, POWW, LSC and LPWA eras and what wrestling did you do between your LPWA era and your debut in WWF?
Answer: Good Question. GLOW 1985-86; POWW 1986-87; Ladies Sports Club, LPWA, WWOW- Howard Brody, and other appearances 1987-1989; very limited wrestling action for 10 years- Repackaged LPWA with Terri Poch for re-release to VHS for Tor Berg, accepted a tour to Germany, and two tours to Japan…all of which were cancelled. Did a show for the late Herb Abrahms in Las Vegas, where I met Cactus Jack and Missy Hyatt for the first time, among others. Mostly, though, I supported myself with money brought in from 10 different jobs- yes, I was a true Hollywood, out of work actor!!

Question 2: In his bio Steve Finley a.k.a. Buddy Wayne II, writes: “Around 1989-1990, Jerry (Monte) met someone who was willing to finance a group, and we did a series of spot shows throughout California several times a month. They were all sold shows, worked in the summertime at fairs and carnivals. Buddy and I were there with Jim Gorman, Steve Schuman, Lance Idol, Ric Thompson and a few others. Mike Modest started his first matches there – he was green and had no body at all. LISA MORETTI (WWE’s Ivory) wrestled against Debby the Killer Tomato in ladies matches.”
- Who is Debby the Killer Tomato?
- Were those shows taped? Are these tapes somewhere available?
Answer: I apologize that I do not know Debby’s real name. But I do remember her wrestling characters. She was the Killer Tomato in the Indies, and Futurea (?) in GLOW. She wore all silver! There should be GLOW footage of her somewhere…(GLOW has been released on DVD, 2nd and 3rd season by Big Vision Entertainment and is available at Wal-Mart and other locations.) I will be producing a POWW DVD series very soon, which will have many names…or “Ladies of the Eighties” that will tug at your nostalgic, strings of sentimentality.

From: ???
Age: ???
Question 1: I’ve a few Tina/Nina/Ivory matches on DVD (reasonable quality) and some on tape (bad!). May we ever expect some good quality material from GLOW, POWW, LPWA, WWF and your recent work (matches, interviews, training sessions…) on DVD?
Answer: Got $10 bucks – will have DVD! Give Mick your email info and I’ll hook you up!

Question 2: I read (I never saw it) you had a good match with Rio Storm (200 lbs). The Ivory vs Chyna feud could ‘ve been very interesting wrestling wise, but there was barely any wrestling. What was the reason?
Answer: The “creative team” at WWE thought it best that Chyna never get her hands on “Miss Ivory” until the match at Wrestlemania XXVII. (Creates more excitement around the match.)
I agree that Chyna could have had an excellent opportunity to evolve her character if she would have worked in the Woman’s Division. Unfortunately, she left soon after our title match and she never defended the title. In fact, we never saw that particular belt again. The office had to make a new Title belt!!

I, Mick, would personally like to thank Lisa for taking the time out to answer these questions for us, the fans. It means a great deal. And these questions as well as the answers were fantastic!