The first time I ever saw Amy was at my old high school, Union Pines, wrestling on a card for NWA Mid-Atlantic. That night, Amy wrestled Strawberry Fields, and their match wouldn't have been considered a five-star classic. One thing that really stuck out about Amy, though, was her effort. It was really obvious that she was trying hard, and I remember her taking some nasty bumps. A lot of female wrestlers look very girlie and sissy in the ring, but Amy didn't. I remember Jeff and I saying, "Damn, that girl's tough."
Amy eventually started training with Jeff, me and the rest of our crew on Sundays.
She would drive four hours to and from Richmond, Virginia, to work out in the ring every chance she had. Amy would try anything that Jeff, me, or any of the other guys tried. She didn't have the fear that stops most people from reaching their full potential physically inside the ring. She never complained about taking any bumps or about a guy being too stiff or rough with her. Amy never thought that she wasn't supposed to be able to do things most girls can't or won't do, she just did them.
After working a short stint in the indies and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), people in the WWF began to take notice of Amy. She had a very different look, and could do things in the ring that would revolutionize women's wresting, if given the opportunity. As you all know, she was given the opportunity, and Lita was born.
When I first heard the idea of Amy being paired with us, I thought there were a lot of possibilities, and that it could turn out to be a good move. It turned out to be better than I imagined. Not only did Jeff and I retain our female fans, we even gained some because so many female fans respected Amy and thought she was cool. The Lita character, although a bit of a tomboy, was hot and attracted guys to our act. Most young and hip fans identified with us, because we were all like them. With Matt, Jeff, and Lita, we had something in our group for almost everyone. Our on-air relationship has been a blast, and I'm glad "The Kiss" took place with Amy instead of someone who I wasn't that comfortable with. Matt and Lita make a cute couple---we're the best one-two punch in the business.
I am very fortunate to have gotten the chance to know Amy. As much time as I spend traveling, eating, training, working and living with her and Jeff, she is always fun to be around. Amy and I have become best friends over the last couple of years. She is always supportive of any decision I make and will always give me her honest opinion. She's strong, smart, independent, and very unselfish. We have so much in common it's amazing. We share the same drive and willpower, and have a great connection. It's awesome when you're on the same page as your partner 99 percent of the time.
One of the best things about Amy is that she has a strong and determined personality when it comes to tough times or sticky situations. She's a blessing to be on the road with. I would do anything for Amy, because I know she woud do the same for me.
Amy Dumas is truly a sucess story. She moved around the country while growing up, never having a set place to call home. She was out on her own at an early age, and had to hustle all of her life to make it, and I think she deserves all of the success that she is now receiving.
She has broken the mold in women's wrestling with her unique look and style. No longer do you have to be a blonde Barbie doll to be considered a sex symbol. She has raised the standard of what makes a female wrestler good in this business. And she will continue to. Lita has just begun to scratch the surface when it comes to setting standards and records.
I think Amy has a chance to go down as the most influential female wrestler in history. She will continue to ascend, and I hope I'm there for the ride.