Christy Hemme on the Unscripted Divas Search Promo, AJ Styles Rumor, Stephanie McMahon, WWE, TNA

In a VERY RARE interview, former WWE Diva Search Winner and TNA Knockout Christy Hemme joins SoCal Val on this episode of The Velvet Ropes. Hemme discusses her upcoming appearance at the "For the Love of Wrestling" convention in Manchester, United Kingdom, marking her return to wrestling fan events after a long hiatus. During the interview, Hemme reflects on her entry into the wrestling business through the 2004 WWE Diva Search. She details the unscripted nature of the "Diss the Diva" segment, revealing that her promo surprised Stephanie McMahon backstage. Hemme also discusses the backstage reception the Diva Search contestants received from the established wrestling locker room and how she focused on earning her spot. Hemme addresses and debunks the long-standing rumor that her in-ring career was ended by AJ Styles during a training session. She clarifies that her severe neck injury actually occurred during a match with Awesome Kong after taking a bump into the turnbuckle, which led to numbness and the eventual discovery of multiple spinal protrusions that forced her retirement to avoid paralysis. Additionally, Hemme talks about her transition behind the scenes into a creative role for TNA Wrestling, where she advocated for the Knockouts division and pushed for equal opportunities for female talent. She concludes by discussing her current life living on a ranch in Oregon with her five children, and the reality of explaining her past wrestling career and Playboy appearance to her oldest daughter.