“It was honestly as simple as just going, I’d rather do it than watch it.”
And just like that, Johnnie Robbie was in the pro wrestling business. Fast forward nearly five years and Robbie has turned herself into one of the most popular independent pro wrestlers in the country.
Easy, right? Not exactly.
Millennium to New Japan
Robbie began her wrestling career with Millennium Pro Wrestling, but leveled up soon after by enrolling at the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo. There she was trained by Rocky Romero, Kushida, and Fred Rosser. That was the move that changed everything and provided her with a rolodex of experienced coaches, who she still leans on for advice.
“I did go to other schools,” Robbie said in an exclusive interview with Brass Ring Media. “I wanted to go to the So Cal scene and check out their training. And that’s what I did until I found the dojo. That’s when I was like, ‘oh.’ It was more of like taking a chance on the LA dojo, because I was aware of what they were. I’d never done anything like that. So when I became part of the first academy course, it just changed my everything.”
Unlike other pro wrestlers in the industry today, Robbie didn’t grow up watching wrestling regularly as a child. The interest in the business came later and it was the athleticism that stood out to her.
“I like the athleticism and the activities in it,” Robbie said of wrestling. “I guess I would have to say the match that I was like, ‘oh, wow,’ is the Mercedes Mone — or — Sasha Banks versus Charlotte Flair match, which I believe was on Monday Night Raw. I just remember Charlotte Flair was put through one of the railings in the audience. So, I was like that’s pretty bad ass.
It was that kind of action (and pain) that kept Robbie coming back to training each week after getting beat up with bumps.
“My actual first bump … I was just struggling to actually get it down perfectly,” Robbie said. “It wasn’t the prettiest thing. I was holding on to the bottom rope and then I had to take a little baby bump … I was definitely sore for a few days. When I came back, I think I was actually sick in bed for a good two days, because I took five bumps and that was it. I was out.”
That pain meant something to Robbie, though. “It’s fun,” she said. “I like pain. Honestly, once you do it and find it, it’s just an addiction.”
Home sweet home
Robbie’s first home as a pro wrestler was in the West Coast Pro promotion. According to Robbie, that was the company that gave her opportunity and took a chance on her.
“They were the first bigger company that took a chance on me in terms of just giving me matches with people I didn’t think I was capable of being in the ring with,” Robbie said. “And then anytime I was negative, they made sure to stay on top of me and remind me of what I’m capable of. They just took me in. Now in West Coast Pro I’ve become more of someone that the younger talent ask questions to. So now I’m playing that role.”
Robbie worked the independent circuit in the United States successfully, but it was a trip to Japan that not only developed her pro wrestling business acumen, but her in-ring performances as well.
“I was out there for three months,” Robbie said. “I don’t think I would have been prepared if I was coming from anywhere else, if not with West Coast … I was out there for three months and I was able to work with companies like Marigold, NOAH, and Sendai Girls. Japan’s awesome. I think anyone who’s been there always says the same thing — that they just want to go back. So, that’s my goal — just head back there.
“The biggest difference is that this is their job in Japan. Here in the US, you don’t necessarily have people training, and that’s your job and only thing to do. (In the US) I have to make time for training. I have to make time for working out in between work and whatever else the case is. When I was in Japan, I was training Monday through Friday, from two hours to sometimes like six hours a day. It’s a lot more intense there, because you’re trying to keep up. You’re trying to show that you’re worth something.”
Life lessons from Japan
What was the most important thing Robbie learned in Japan? She said it wasn’t holds or moves, but about life in general.
“What I learned was about life — just looking at it differently and in more of a positive way,” Robbie said. “Becoming closer with some of the friends that I went out there with (too). Just life experience. Enjoying things more. Looking at things differently and not in such a negative way. Just looking at the little things … I learned wrestling wise, but I it didn’t click until after I was gone.”
Robbie opened up on what exactly clicked for her in the ring and that’s when you could tell that she’s not only gifted physically, but also a student of the wrestling game.
“I started to look at the structure of the matches and how the vets were having matches with the younger girls. The structure was entirely different,” Robbie said. “So, I started looking at that … I think because of the experience I got, there’s more confidence in the ring. There’s more control in terms of who I am, in terms of what I want to do next. And even if it’s me getting lost in there or forgetting, I still have full control. I still know how to chill out. I’m like, it’s okay if something goes wrong. I know what to do next if that is the case.”
Robbie being Robbie
As for Robbie’s gimmick, she took note of some of the character masters in pro wrestling over the years. The saying is to turn up the volume on you. Turn your personality way up. That’s exactly what Robbie did.
“It’s just me being me,” Robbie said. “If you look at the start of my career, at my gear, it’s a whole other person. And even then, everyone always laughs at me because I wore a red and orange singlet before. And I’m like, if you only understood the reason why I did that. It’s because it’s pulling from when I used to do ballet and all the colors were very bright, the flowers and all that.
“You say culture and I do take from the Chicano culture a lot, because that’s the way I was raised. I was raised in that lifestyle. I don’t think I’m the girliest girl so, I chose to wear shorts that look like what my brothers would wear. I have the baby blue long sleeve and that’s because it reminds me of my sisters with their blue eyeshadow. And if you want to talk about how I carry myself in the ring, that’s just me being the mean little ass that I am. I’m an asshole.”
The future is bright for Johnnie Robbie, but her goal is, of course, a full-time contract with one of the bigger companies in the United States. But even in accomplishing that goal, what she does next needs to fit her.
“It’s definitely a goal,” Robbie said of someday signing a full-time contract. “I could see myself there (AEW). It just feels more fitting for me as Johnnie Robbie.”
You can check out the full interview with Johnnie Robbie HERE.
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