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WTF & WWF
(Women's
Tri-Fitness & World Wrestling Alliance)
By Janis Holland - WTF competitor
As a mom, wife, and personal
trainer I run around like a person possessed. My client's asked
me how I got myself back into great shape after having this future
linebacker/pro wrestler/homerun hitting son of mine, Xan (or X Man
to some). During our training sessions as I put them through sets,
I remind mind them to keep pushing. When it comes to talking, I
tell them as I am kidding: "Shut your mouth and know your role
(The Rock's saying)." I tell them after we get done training
I will be glad to sit down and speak for hours about my two favorite
topics outside my private life, "Pro Wrestling and the WTF
Fitness Competition." This is the competition I am preparing
myself, my clients, and is the rage of Atlanta (where I live) and
throughout the country. I am somehow convinced these two sports/entertainment
are somehow related as I have attended both events and am an avid
reader of magazines and an "internet" champion. I don't
have to wait for Thursdays "Smack down" Show as I am on
the net as early as Tuesday evening getting my results. So, I decided
to sit down with the promoter of the WTF (Women's Tri-Fitness) and
figure it all out. I wonder why my husband Jon sometimes gets upset
at me?
So how are the two related?
Well, they are both promotions; one being sports entertainment (the
most prolific of our time - WWF) and the other, WTF, being a sport
which allows the most feminine of women athletes to engage in fierce
competition.
The man behind the scenes has seen and been involved in both worlds
(professional wrestling) and Women's Tri-Fitness (as the creator).
This man, Al Rosen, has brought in other major players as he attempts
to bring the sport of WTF to the ultimate level. Rosen states: "Vince
McMahon is a genius; he has paid his dues, is family oriented, loyal,
and most of all, believes in his product. He has surrounded himself
with loyal employees and he takes care of family."
Tonga, Grandm Lia, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson,
Milton ("The Real Deal")
Part of the McMahon Family
is wrestling superstar, "The Rock", Dwayne Johnson. Part
of Johnson's family is Al Rosen and Rosen's adopted brother Tonga
Fifita (known as Haku in the WWF),
Tonga and Al Rosen
Rosen was the best man
in Ata and Rocky Johnson's (former WWF champion and father of "The
Rock") wedding and Rocky Johnson is also the godfather to Rosen's
middle daughter, fitness star Jennifer.
The head of the "family"
is Lia Maivia, Ata Johnson's mother and wife of the late WWF Great,
High Chief of Samoa, Peter Maivia. When Dwayne received a football
scholarship to University of Miami, the family moved back to Tampa
to be close enough to attend games. "I remember the first promo
Dwayne cut", states Rosen. "I was promoting an overseas
wrestling tour in the Caribbean and Dwayne was in town for a visit.
We went to the gym and did a promo. But, the best promo Dwayne has
ever done was with Milton, Rosen's adopted son with Down's syndrome.
"Dwayne and Milt are like brothers and it was hilarious. We
actually watched it again last Christmas," says Rosen.
In addition, Tonga Fifita,
is heavily involved with the WTF as well as being employed by the
WWF. Tonga (Haku) states: "I believe in everything my brother
Al has done in creating the WTF. It is an outstanding competition
and challenges women to be their best." Well, Tonga must not
be the only one who believes these are outstanding athletes.
Vince McMahon has hired
2 former WTF champions, Torrie Wilson and Lisa Marie Varon. Rosen
states: "Torrie won the Grace and Physique round in 1998 and
turned in outstanding performances in the Fitness Routine and Obstacle
Course. Lisa Marie (Victoria in WWF) joined Torrie as a top ten
finalist in the Overall Tri-Fitness. This event was seen on ESPN.
(left to right) Ingrid Marcus - U.S. Olympic qualifying
powerlifter, Lisa Marie Varon - WWF,
Kelly G. - Fitness Universe Champion, Torrie Wilson - WWF
As a wrestler in the
late 70's and early 80's, Rosen remembers the armories, auditoriums,
fair grounds, etc of old. "The now a day hoopla with cable
television and the recognition as sports entertainment has done
the business justice. We started the WTF off 4 years ago by hosting
events in high schools and even convention centers. Last July, we
took the event to "The Strip" in Las Vegas. I have learned
a lot by watching Vince and all his marketing strategies. We have
opened an online store and have a fantastic line of clothes. Actually,
each of the sport tops (12 different styles) is named after a Polynesian
Island or a Samoan word. With each fitness show, we hope to continue
to provide an avenue of athletic competition where accomplished
women athletes can challenge themselves and get attention through
national media. Thus, the WTF will continue to produce the Torrie
Wilson's, Lisa Marie Varon's, and Trish Stratus' that the wrestling
community adores," states Rosen.
Rosen's daughter Jennifer
(top fitness performer who has been a guest poser at the Arnold
on several occasions and a former elite gymnast) sees herself flying
off the top rope one day doing a double layout. "I guess it
is in the genes; my Uncle Tonga, Uncle Rocky and dad have been there.
I see Dwayne, Uncle Tonga, Torrie and Lisa on television. So, you
never know. We all thought Dwayne was going to be a football player
but look at him now. I am so proud of him and Dani (his wife). My
Aunt Patty (former WWF Leilani Kai) use to say I would be the best
when she saw me flip. Even Ric (Flair) and "The Bushwhackers"
encouraged me to keep going when I was doing pull-ups (she did 36
at age of 11). It was easy as my dad owns a gym (Boddy Shoppe Gym
& Fitness) and all the wrestlers use to work out there"
says Jen.
The WTF will be hosting
their next competition at Tropicana Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay
Devil Rays. This event will be in conjunction with the Gasparilla
Invitational Gymnastic Meet, the World's Largest Gym Meet, which
was created by Rosen's friends Tim Keckler and WTF competitor and
gymnastic coach Kellie Paz. Olympic champions such as Shannon Miller,
Brandy Johnson, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden and All Around Gold Medallist
Lillia Podkopayeva have been part of this competition. " This
will just add to the creditability of our event and give us more
exposure to mainstream America. Following this event in February,
we will be taking the competition to Los Angeles, Miami Beach, Las
Vegas, Toronto, Washington D.C. and Atlanta. I guess I still miss
the highways and byways of yesteryear. But, this is more exciting
then doing the loop in West Texas (Amarillo, Lubbock, and Abilene
- one of the wrestling loops of the late 70's), says the WTF promoter.
"We will make it
big, as I have promised Ata I would never give up. After all, she
is the only one who can lay the "smack down" on "The
Rock." Who knows, maybe one day the WTF will be on PPV (pay
per view). In the meantime, I am having a great time and enjoying
the journey. It is like "paying your dues" - an old wrestling
saying. Like Vince who has provided a great life for his wife, daughter
and son, I look to do the same for my children (Stephanie, Jennifer,
Lindsey and Milton), the Fifita children (Vika, Tevita, Pate, and
Taula) and the rest of the WTF family including thousands of fit
women athletes throughout the world. Maybe one day, little Simone
(Dwayne and Dani's little princess) will be a WTF champion,"
states Rosen.
About the author, Janis
Holland - a WTF competitor from Marietta, Georgia; Janis recently
competed in the WTF World Challenge in Las Vegas (10 months after
giving birth to son, Xan). Janis' two favorite sports happen to
be the WTF and WWF.
For more information:
www.womenstri-fitness.com
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