Shotzi Blackheart isn't interested in being remembered for just another wrestling career. She’s actively crafting a legacy – one built on audacity, a touch of the macabre, and a willingness to push boundaries most wouldn’t dare approach. Her goal? To be synonymous with the unexpected, the shocking, the delightfully disturbing.
Freed from the constraints of a major wrestling organization, the 33-year-old is thriving on the independent circuit, embracing a persona she calls “Ballsy Badass.” It’s a world of gory props and calculated chaos, where she’s not just a performer, but the architect of the mayhem. “I’m the disgusting mastermind behind it,” she declares, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Her matches are becoming notorious. Staplers aren’t used for office work; they’re deployed on opponents. Thumbtacks, light tubes, even doors become weapons in her arsenal. But it’s the stapler that holds a special appeal. “I want people to know me for stapling people’s heads,” she laughs, a statement that’s both unsettling and undeniably captivating.
The adrenaline rush is immense, a shield against pain during the performance. But the aftermath is a different story. “It’s after when the adrenaline goes down, that’s when you really start feeling things,” she admits, acknowledging the physical toll of her extreme style. She holds immense respect for those who regularly compete in deathmatches, understanding the brutal reality behind the spectacle.
She recalls a particularly harrowing experience with Matt Cardona, a fellow wrestler who recently returned to a major promotion. Cardona, once known as the “Indy God,” had previously sworn off using glass in matches after a terrifying incident where a shard became embedded in his back, leading to a severe infection. The story is a stark reminder of the risks involved, and the fine line between performance and genuine danger.
Shotzi envisioned a truly brutal encounter, even offering to be the one to take the glass. But Cardona remained firm, haunted by his previous ordeal. The conversation shifted to a past rivalry with Chelsea Green, a wrestler currently thriving on a major stage. Shotzi playfully reveals a pitch for a unique match concept: a “tank versus title” showdown, imagining the outlandish spectacle she would create.
She speaks with admiration for Green, recognizing her dedication to the wrestling industry and her commitment to elevating women’s wrestling. She draws parallels to Bayley, who recently hosted a wrestling camp for rising stars, and expresses a desire to emulate their impact.
A previous feud with Green, though ultimately feeling somewhat underdeveloped, involved a dramatic on-screen hair shave. The gesture held a deeper meaning, a show of solidarity with her sister battling cancer. She wished the storyline had been allowed to escalate further, culminating in a more intense hair versus hair match.
Now, free to explore her creativity on the independent scene, Shotzi is confronting feelings of “imposter syndrome” while simultaneously rediscovering her artistic voice. This run allows her complete control over her career, learning from diverse experiences and refining the spark that initially caught the attention of a major wrestling organization.
A return to the larger stage isn’t off the table, but it’s not her immediate focus. “I’m on fire right now, and I’m having so much fun,” she says, brimming with energy. She dreams of working with prominent international promotions, like CMLL in Mexico and a leading women’s wrestling organization in Japan.
Her ultimate goal is clear: to return to television as the most complete version of Shotzi Blackheart. She’s determined to hone her skills, expand her repertoire, and emerge as a force unlike anything seen before. “I want to come back the best I’ve ever been, and I haven’t gotten there yet.”
