Exclusive: Freya Fury Interview

Trained by Amy Action and Dean Draven at the Wrestle Strong Dojo in Werrington, New South Wales, Freya Fury’s dominating presence and ability in the ring has now lead her to a third reign as Wrestle Strong Dojo Women’s champion. PWdownunder.com caught up with Freya to talk about how she first got started in wrestling, what the training was like, her goals and what it was like appearing on The Voice.

Marek: Can you tell us what it was like appearing on ‘The Voice’, how did it all come about?

Fury: It was an experience that’s for sure… I actually have theatre background and was singing my whole life, however the last time I tried to start a band and I sung in front of someone I was told I was too fat and ugly to be a lead singer in a band and I stopped singing. But the person who got me singing again was my partner Duncan (DB Robertson) I just randomly started singing and he kind of brought my voice back out again and he convinced me to apply. And after an audition process I was offered a blind audition.

They liked that I became a pro wrestler after what happened to me that led me to stop singing. It was a roller coaster of emotions but it definitely gave me the courage to start singing again, just got to work on getting my kit again and posting covers. It also taught about my style of singing, while my voice can be quite husky, I love musical theatre and want to go back to my roots in a sense..

Can you give us an insight into when you knew you wanted to get into professional wrestling?

I knew I wanted to try wrestling for a long time. Watching it for years and watching people like Chris Jericho, Edge, Paige and Becky Lynch, made me think I wanted to be these people. But honestly, it was Rhea Ripley that truly made me really want to step in the ring. However what was stopping me was myself letting fear be a barrier.

After being a fan for years, I decided to start wrestling training roughly September 2020 and the moment I had my first lesson I realised that it was what I was meant to be doing. I’ve done dancing and roller derby and it’s also what was my saving grace after giving up music.

Can you tell us more about that first training session and what it’s like continuing training at Wrestle Strong Dojo?

Fury: I was initially scared to go to other training schools of fear of being to old or being told I was too.. well… fat. I have been told I was too fat for things before and I let that beat me. But I have let nothing stop me from wrestling. It has empowered me so much.

I remember my first lesson, at Wrestle Strong Dojo, I came in and I was so scared and shy and thought I would do very bad. After my first session I didn’t realise how happy I was until my trainer (Amy Action) said to me “I take it you liked it cause you haven’t stopped smiling” and she was right, I was constantly smiling since then. Amy showed me even cooler ladies of wrestling from Japan and I fell in love with ladies such as Miami Toyota, Akira Hokotu, Bull Nakano and The Crush girls!

Amy also taught me that I DON’T have to be a high flyer as a a women and that I am a strong women that can lift heavy and throw harder. But I always love learning new moves and skills.

Who would be some of wrestlers in Australia you would like to compete against and who are some you have already gone up against in your career?

Fury: Of my favourite women that have faced in my career are Mystic Jessie and Flame, but I have also faced the likes of Harper Sky, Hillie Monroe whom I loved facing. Ladies on the Aussie scene I would love to have a match with are Kyla Knight and Tarlee, but ultimately I will wrestle any lady out there, I do have a title to defend.

My favorite match I have ever had was when I was teaming up with my real life partner (The Blue Roo DB Robertson) against The Greys from Melbourne (Hew sands and Mason Stoneheart) I was so in the
moment and the fact I got to tag with my partner was incredible. Then being told that day it was the match of the show was truly spectacular to me.

Can you talk about the current state of Women’s wrestling in Australia. Have you seen growth? Do you think some states are leading the way more than others?

Fury: I feel the women’s wrestling is growing stronger and stronger each year and I have seen a lot more women wanting to step foot in the ring but like me are letting fear get in the way. Trust when I say if they do let the fear win then they will truly never know. To be honest NSW, SA and VIC have a big scene already but I know that QLD and WA have some great athletes ready to go to! Hopefully NT is next!

What are some of your goals in wrestling?

Fury: My goals now are obviously WWE (who wouldn’t) but ultimately to wrestle in Japan in Diana or Stardom would be incredible! I have made my interstate debut in QLD and would love to wrestle all over Australia but the world would be even better.

Do you have any advice for young women looking to get into any form of entertainment?

Fury: If you love it then do it. Don’t let the voice or the bullies who say you can’t do it or your bad stop you. But make sure you check your ego and learn how to take criticism both good and bad, it only makes you better and you learn so much along the way.

Catch the next Wrestle Strong Dojo show as Freya Fury teams up with the Nightfall Wrestling Alliance Women’s Champion Hilly Monroe as they take on Mystic Jesse and Sahara. Sunday March 23 at Penrith Gaels, New South Wales. Tickets here.