JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – She walked in late to the Going Ringside interview as Al Snow yells “Now business is picking up!”
In the art of pro wrestling, entrance is everything and Hollyhood Haley J knows that. By nature, she’s a heel, and by the reality of society, she’s an overnight superstar.
She was one of the young wrestlers thrust into stardom when the juggernaut streaming platform Netflix decided to produce a show called “Wrestlers.”
“It was actually kind of annoying at first. I definitely wasn’t used to people following me around 24/7,” said Haley. “And as soon as I was on the property they was like ‘Ooh, we got eyes on Haley J, where is she?’ They was up my butt from then on. So it was definitely different but I’m thankful because now I’m an international superstar.”
But it’s not just Haley’s life that’s been transformed by putting their journey as young independent wrestlers on a global stage.
It’s also Tiffany Nieves. The young wrestler and cancer survivor describes going from wrestling obscurity into the global spotlight.
“It was very overwhelming,” Tiffany said. “I mean the entire roster was bringing this Netflix crew in and I remember Haley laughing, going ‘You know they follow me everywhere. So if you don’t want that I’ll see you by the end of the summer.’”
These are the dynamics for a group of young people at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE’s former developmental territory owned by former WWE Superstar Al Snow.
Now it’s an independent wrestling promotion based in Kentucky. If you’re not familiar with OVW, it’s developed stars like John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Dave Bautista and Randy Orton.
It was founded by a man who is also on this episode: “Nightmare Danny Davis”. Snow, who eventually took it over from Davis, described the foundational shift for the company when they were approached by Netflix.
“Once COVID hit, you know we kept the doors open, kept things going but we were in a financial situation where we acquired a couple partners,” said Snow.
He was attending a wedding and met an executive with BBC America. After several meetings, one of his new contacts “went and pitched the idea to the Netflix executives. They then gave him a budget. Did a teaser for them. Then voila. We were approved.”
Snow said for three months the Netflix crews were in their world filming 12 to 16 hours a day. And the response to the show has been overwhelming. From both fans and professional reviewers there has been praise for the series, which has been nominated for awards as well.
And now the world is watching Snow shape wrestlers like Will Austin. Austin, who portrays himself as “King of Flight” says his dream match is against his teacher.
“My favorite would be the old man to the left if he decides to get back into the ring,” said Austin of Snow.
But like with anything involving pro wrestling, it’s about conflict or a good old-fashioned fight. And that’s what we get in this interview between two performers who don’t seem to be that fond of each other: Haley and Tiffany.
Just check out this exchange about five minutes into the interview:
Tiffany: “I love getting the opportunity to have my hands on Hollyhood Haley.”
Haley shortly thereafter: “Everyone wants to get their hands on Hollyhood Haley J.”
Tiffany: “Because she’s really annoying.”
Their exchanges matter more than typical indy wrestlers because the wrestling world cares.
When John Cena started in OVW he was a wrestler called “The Prototype” and no one had heard of him.
When Dave Bautista started in OVW he was called “Leviathan” and no one had heard of him.
When Randy Orton started in OVW people had only heard of his dad.
But for Hollyhood Haley J, Tiffany Nieves and Will Austin, the world has already heard of them. That exposure is invaluable in the world of “getting over” that is pro wrestling.
And one man is orchestrating it all.
“This is the Muppets. And I’m Kermit The Frog,” Snow says famously in the show’s trailer.
It’s an apt analogy. They all play characters and fans care about them. The hard part for these young wrestlers is over. Now onto the next phase.
Dealing with stardom.