Wrestler

When I first started wrestling I knew that I wanted to work as long and as hard as it took to be able to have a great match with anyone.

I came into Impact and I ran through the entire Knockouts locker room just like I said I would.

I care more about who people are as a person and being around good people because when you leave the world, you're not going to be able to take the money.

I've always done whatever is necessary to retain my Knockouts title by any means necessary.

They've helped me out so much - Dad from a business aspect and my stepdad on following my heart. They're both so different but so much alike. I get to pick both of their brains.

I was part of the first ever women's match to ever be televised in China. That's something no one can take away from me.

Every time I step into the ring there is a different obstacle but I'm very confident in myself and my ability.

Women today are respected as athletes now and that's a really cool thing to see.

My favorite wrestler of all-time is Johnny Valentine. I believe him to be the best bad guy ever in wrestling and he is my absolute favorite.

Being lean doesn't make you any more worthy, any more beautiful or any more valuable. It doesn't make you a more fit person, it doesn't mean you've worked harder in the gym, people who are leaner than you aren't better than you.

On the independent circuit I've traveled the world, I've won championships, I've won tournaments - I've defeated some of the best out there so I feel like I am one of the best.

Both my stepdad and my dad have said, 'Follow your heart and your dreams, but Tessa, this is a business and you need to become the best.' They don't sugarcoat things and I'm very, very blessed for that.

I think that I am misunderstood because people perceive me to be a certain way because I am generational. They expect me to be entitled and expect me to have things early on. I think people misconstrued that honestly.

Honestly, the All In women's locker room was such an inspirational group of women. What I love about all the women involved - Chelsea, Britt, Madison, Jordynne Grace, Brandi Rhodes, Tenille Dashwood, Penelope Ford, Mandy Leon - is we all bring something so different to the table for a common vision.

I got to travel to Australia and I got to main event at Korakuen Hall.

I am not owed anything in this life, especially in wrestling.

To make a name for myself, I feel it's important to do that before I go anywhere else. Impact have given me the platform and the exposure to do that.

Witnessing the crowd come to their feet mid-match, that's the ultimate sign of respect.

On numerous different occasions I have had people tell me that I am only booked because of my dad, because of who I was dating, or any other exceptions other than my hard work, so in my mind I wanted to put in the extra hours in the ring.

Gail Kim has done so much and has so much knowledge. I think she's extremely underrated. She wants the product to be great and she doesn't mind taking the extra time to get it there. That is a really invaluable thing to me.