Landing on her feet: taking her release in stride, Stacy "the Kat" Carter proves there is more to wrestling than the WWF - Interview

Wrestling Digest, Feb, 2002 by Tim Towe

CATS HAVE THE INNATE ABILITY to always land on their feet when dropped. While we don't encourage tossing cats around, some have been known to survive unscathed from falls up to eight stories high. This ability has left them with the reputation of having nine lives.

Former WWF diva Stacy "the Kat" Carter has the landings down as well. Released from the WWF in late February, Carter has landed on her feet. Recently we talked with Carter about what she has been doing since her release as she and her husband, Jerry Lawler, are intent on proving that life goes on after the WWF.

WRESTLING DIGEST: What have you been doing since your release from the WWF on February 27?

STACY CARTER: Jerry and I have been very busy with independent wrestling events, personal appearances for autograph signings, and, of course, the Memphis wrestling promotion live shows and television. I have managed to squeeze in a couple of trips to our condo in Florida to relax on the beach at Sanibel Island. We signed with Tri-Star Productions, which produces Sports Collectible Shows around the country, and have made appearances with such stars as Terry Bradshaw, Jerry Rice, Stan Musial, Franco Harris, Deacon Jones, Jim Plunkett, Earl Morrall, Ray Lewis, and many more. This has been a lot of fun for both of us, especially Jerry, since he gets to meet a lot of his sports heroes. We have had a chance to meet a lot of great fans at these shows and the independent wrestling shows as well, so it has been very enjoyable.

WD: What's your reaction to the WWF closing Memphis Championship Wrestling? Do you feel it had something to do with Jerry and your current relationship with the WWF?

SC: When Jerry and I got the word that the WWF was discontinuing its relationship with MCW, it was a surprise to both of us. It's no secret that Jerry no longer worked with the owner of MCW. We felt some of our problems with the WWF could have been caused by this person, so to see him no longer associated with the WWF didn't exactly make us shed any tears. I think the WWF will be better off with its developmental talent being located closer together, as will be the case now with Louisville [Ohio Valley Wrestling] and Cincinnati [Heartland Wrestling Association] being the developmental territories.

WD: After all that has happened to the Lawler family, including Brian Christopher's release, are you still excited about your involvement in professional wrestling?

SC: Absolutely. Professional wrestling has been great to the Lawler family. I think Jerry would be the first to admit that every good thing that has happened to him is pretty much a result of his involvement with wrestling. Sure, the last few months have been a little trying, but the old saying is, "If you want to see the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain." Things will be fine for the Lawler family, and I am sure we will be involved with wrestling for a long, long time.

WD: Do you foresee a potential return to the WWF?

SC: It's hard for me to predict what will happen with the WWF. I certainly would have never predicted the events that took place concerning my leaving the WWF. I do feel that misunderstandings and miscommunications are what led to my release. Hopefully, we will be able to resolve those some day and work together again.

WD: What are your thoughts on the recent release of Chyna from the WWF?

SC: Chyna's release came as a huge shock not only to me but a lot of fans and wrestlers as well. I think it is a case of the WWF sending a message that nobody is bigger than the business.

WD: Sara Callaway has taken a prominent role in the storylines involving her real-life husband Mark "Undertaker" Callaway, yet the WWF really wanted to keep your marriage to Jerry a secret. Why do you think it's OK for them to emphasize this relationship and not yours?

SC: First of all, the WWF never did anything to keep our marriage a secret, nor did they ever ask us to. The fact that our marriage was not announced is a result of Jerry's way of thinking. He feels that everyone should succeed or fail on his or her own merit and not be helped or burdened with the fact that another family member is also in the business. In the case of the Undertaker and Sara, it is part of a storyline. In our case, we had different storylines to pursue, so our marriage didn't need to be announced or talked about.

WD: The storyline involving Undertaker revolves around a stalker. Have you ever had an experience with a fan that really freaked you out?

SC: I've been very fortunate in the fact that I have never had a problem with any fans. All the fans I have had the opportunity to meet have been very nice and friendly.

WD: What part of your body is your greatest asset?

SC: Well, as Jerry would say, I think it would be my "puppies." Actually, in my case, my "kittens." They're not too big or too small, they're just the right size kittens you would like to have around the house.

WD: If you could change one part of your body, what would it be and why?

SC: It would definitely be my hair. I hate my hair. I am constantly trying to do things to it, because it will never do what I want it to do. It's never the right length. It won't hold a curl. It's not the right color. It's just never right. That's one of the reasons I have worn the different colored wigs in the past. I'm constantly in search of good hair.