Oct 22nd 2026 10:59am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

WWE's Rising Phoenix

WWE's Rising Phoenix

Posted: May 26th 2008 By: CMBurnham

TNA features the best women's wrestling division on television, but WWE does have Beth Phoenix.

''I have so much experience, and I've been through the trenches,'' she said. ``I'm street smart as well as technically smart. I bring to the table something that no other [WWE diva] brings.

``Although my road to the top was a little bit longer and difficult, it's definitely tremendous. That road makes me appreciate what I have a lot more, and it makes me obviously more dangerous.''

Phoenix, 27, would fit better with TNA's stellar female roster, but the Glamazon provides credibility, along with Mickie James and Victoria, for WWE's inexperienced diva division.

''Achievement usually comes to me when I put the other divas back in their place where they should be,'' said the former WWE women's champ. ``Stepping in the ring with me, that's taking a huge risk, and I usually beat some sense into them.

``If they're smart, they don't come back. Some people just don't get the point, like Candice [Michelle]. She keeps coming back, getting hurt again, getting surgery, and she's coming back again. Uh, sometimes I wish they would just give up because the beatings are going to continue. Obviously, like I said, one of these days they will get the point.''

Backing up the arrogance, Phoenix is the total package of women's wrestling -- talented and powerful, Awesome Kong-like with looks and a mouth. She works hard toward recapturing the gold.

''A belt is something that keeps your pants up,'' she said. ``A championship title like what I held is representative that I was the greatest female wrestler at that time in the entire world.

``I wear that with the utmost pride. It's a treasure and a wonderful moment to come out there every time and display that to the world.''

With the 2006 departure of WWE's top female Trish Stratus who fans adored, Phoenix has helped fill a void with WWE women, even as a villainous character, helping lead them. The 5-8, 150-pound blonde bombshell dubbed herself the Glamazon.

''The Glamazon is a name I came up with for myself,'' she said. ``I heard it used in the fashion world, but the way it's applied to me is a little bit different because I'm different from the norm or the cookie cutter diva.

``I'm voluptuous and beautiful, but at the same time, I bring that fighter instinct, and I have the ring experience. For me, it was really important to set myself apart from everybody else, Giving myself that label, that name, I feel like it does that for me and the fans.''

Phoenix, real name Elizabeth Kocanski, was the first female on the Notre Dame High School wrestling team in Elmira, N.Y. She also competed for the USA Wrestling club team, winning the Northeast freestyle women's championship (72 kg weight class) and the New York State Fair Tournament in 1999. That same year she was named the Most Outstanding wrestler at the Brockport Freestyle Tournament.

After graduating high school in 1999, she enrolled in Canisius College in Buffalo as well as a professional wrestling school, trained by Stu Hart Dungeon trainees Robin Knightwing and Joey Knight, who she later married.

Wrestling the independent circuit, she debuted against Alexis Laree, better known as Mickie James. She competed against females and males.

In July 2004, she appeared in Ohio Valley Wrestling, the then feeder group to WWE in Louisville, Ky. She worked with Chris Masters, Idol Stevens, Ariel, Katie Lea Burchill, Danny Basham and ODB.

With the backing of Stratus, Phoenix debuted on WWE Raw in May 2006. A month later, she injured her jaw against Victoria. Sidelined for two months, she did not return to Raw until July 2007, but it's been full-speed ahead.

''Some of the divas with less experience, I take it upon myself to teach them a lesson,'' she said. ``Nothing smartens you up quicker than a nice kick upside the head, and most of the time they smarten up and step back and step out of the ring.

``Those girls who keep coming back, showing that heart, I'm always happy to just knock them around again. Candice, Ashley, Maria, anybody who's next in line, bring it.''

Phoenix does every time.

• Speaking video games, Phoenix gave her choice for wrestler she would use other than herself.

``I'd probably go with Randy Orton, him being a [multi-time] champion, and he's pretty devious. I like his style. I like his tactics in the ring. He's a winner. So, obviously, I'd pick a winner.''

 

Tags: TNA, WWE, Beth Phoenix

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS Cappuccino Jones announced he is no longer under an ID contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. He posted the following on social media: “Afte... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
  • 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles

Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24

  • 10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
  • 10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
  • 10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
  • 10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
  • 10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
  • 10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
  • 10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
  • 10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
  • 10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
  • 10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
  • 10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
  • 10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
  • 10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
  • 10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
  • 10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
  • 10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
  • 10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
  • 10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
  • 10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
10-22
  • Tom Jones Oct 22nd Today!
  • Porkchop Cash Oct 22nd Today!
  • George Knight Oct 22nd Today!
  • Red Eagle Oct 23rd
  • Bobby Lambert Oct 24th
  • Ray Durán Oct 24th
  • Daniel Powers Oct 24th
  • Bill Dundee Oct 24th
  • Paige Turner Oct 25th
  • Double D Oct 25th
  • Phil Shark Oct 25th
  • Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
  • Halo Oct 26th
  • Eddie Williams Oct 26th
  • Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
  • Troy Graham Oct 26th
  • Miss Linda Oct 27th
  • Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
  • AWOL Oct 27th
  • Jake Boulder Oct 28th
  • Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
  • Chris Smith Oct 28th
  • MVP Oct 28th
  • D. J. Hall Oct 29th
  • Mischief Oct 29th
  • Paul Orndorff Oct 29th
  • George Wells Oct 30th
  • Brandon Bishop Oct 30th
  • Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
  • Debbie Combs Oct 30th
  • Danny McShain Oct 30th
  • Jayson Boss Oct 31st
  • Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
  • Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
  • Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
  • Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
  • Stephen Nitro Nov 3rd
  • Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
  • Kenny Silva Nov 3rd
  • Dylan Michaels Nov 3rd
  • Michael La Noy Nov 3rd
  • Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd
  • Jimmie Deen Nov 4th
  • Assassin 1 Nov 4th
  • Max Leon Nov 4th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1