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Wrestling's Elizabeth II takes the throne

'So Cal Val' aspires to be a class act like predecessor

By Alex Marvez, Scripps Howard News Service

Published July 9, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.

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Valerie Wyndham couldn't have a more apropos middle name: Elizabeth.

Wyndham - aka So Cal Val in TNA Wrestling - has shone while emulating one of the industry's most beloved valets.

When TNA management transformed Jay Lethal into a carbon copy of Randy Savage last year, it was inevitable that he'd be paired with a character based on the Macho Man's wife and manager, the Lovely Elizabeth (the late Elizabeth Hulette).

Hulette and Savage (real name Randy Poffo) were pro wrestling's top couple from 1985 to 1992 in World Wrestling Entertainment. Hulette then divorced Savage and later resurfaced in World Championship Wrestling before dying of a drug overdose at age 42 at the home of then-boyfriend Lex Luger (Larry Pfohl) in 2003.

Wyndham was a sound choice to become the next Elizabeth in late 2007. She possesses the same demure baby-face charisma that connects with fans. And Wyndham had already studied Hulette extensively while aspiring to become one of grappling's top female personalities.

"Even though I'm young, it was not, 'Oh god, now I have to go back and take a look,' " the 22- year-old Wyndham said this week in a telephone interview. "I'd seen pretty much everything already. Jay and I did go back and watch tapes to refresh our memories and say, 'We should do this and try to put our spin on it.' "

TNA recently put its own twist on the Savage-Elizabeth marriage that headlined WWE's 1991 Summer Slam pay-per-view show. Lethal (Jamar Shipman) and So Cal Val were about to tie the knot on last month's Slammiversary card when best man Sonjay Dutt attacked the groom and professed his love for Wyndham. Lethal and Dutt (Retesh Bhalla) are now scheduled to fight for Wyndham's affection on Sunday's Victory Road pay-per-view show emanating from Houston.

Admittedly, Wyndham sometimes felt unloved by TNA matchmakers while trying to find her niche. Since joining the company in 2005, she had only a bit role on TNA Impact telecasts (Thursdays, Spike TV) as ringside eye candy. She also did backstage interviews and modeled TNA merchandise before finally getting her big break with Lethal.

"I always assumed an opportunity would arise because so many girls and guys go in and out of story lines," Wyndham said. "I hear people complaining while wishing for the same thing. We all would get down about it, but at the same time, everyone can't have a prominent role all the time."

Despite her age, Wyndham already has extensive wrestling experience. She has accompanied more than 100 grapplers since breaking into the business as a 15-year-old in Southern California.

Wyndham has worked extensively on the independent circuit and draws inspiration from some of the industry's top female talent. Among those she singles out are Hulette, WWE heiress Stephanie McMahon, former Extreme Championship Wrestling valet Francine Fournier and Missy Hyatt, who was one of grappling's top 1980s villains.

"Elizabeth presented a classy aspect, while Missy was the first spoiled little rich girl," Wyndham said. "I really fashioned my (previous) character that way as a bratty socialite."

While legitimately known as one of the industry's fan-friendliest performers, Wyndham would love to introduce the shady persona she's showcased on the independent circuit into TNA. That could happen if she sides with Dutt at Victory Road.

"It's funny because I've been a heel about 80 percent of the time in my six-plus years in wrestling," Wyndham said. "I find myself out there in TNA trying to do heelish things. I have to pull back the reins and say, 'This isn't you right now.'

"People think the baby-face thing comes naturally to me, but it's actually the opposite. You can't do as much creatively. For a lot of males in the audience, their first reaction is to cheer a pretty girl. It's a little more challenging to get them to hate you, especially as a dressed-up girly type."

* TNA star A.J. Styles vs. Paul Diamond headlines a Fusion Pro Wrestling show at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mile High Event Center, 5155 E. 64th Ave., Commerce City. fusionprowrestling.com, 303-564-8307

Comments

  • July 11, 2008

    7:39 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    areynolds writes:

    How could anyone think that they could emulate the great one and only Miss Elizabeth.....No one can and no one will ever duplicate the 1st lady of professional wrestling. How dare she even try.