First of all congratulations on becoming the new TNA ‘Knockout’ champion. How does it feel?
Thank you. Oh, it feels so so good. It really is an honour to be not only TNA Knockout tag team champion, but to be the TNA Knockouts champion is amazing. To be top of the pack amongst a group of women so talented and hard working makes me so happy and proud. I am just really happy right now. 

Will you be on the TNA Wrestling tour in January? What do you look like about performing in the UK?
As far as I am aware I will be on the tour. Of course, card subject to change [laughs]. I am pretty sure I’ll be there. Hopefully by that point I will still be dual-champion, I can’t wait to perform for the UK fans again. Without a doubt it is the fans I look forward to performing for and meeting. The fans are pretty hardcore and lot of them that I talk to on Twitter are from the UK. They really appreciate the time that we are here when we are doing shows, they are so dedicated to supporting us.

You have been in the UK a number of times in your career. Are you a fan of British food?
Honestly? It’s not the greatest, but nothing that a little bit of hot sauce can’t fix.

What do you enjoy the most when on the road going to wrestling shows?
That’s hard to say. First off, we are all so fortunate to be doing what we love. The fact that we get to see the world at the same time is a dream come true for anybody. For me it’s really the travelling that I love. I’ve been to so many places like the UK, Australia and South America and seen so much. Although it would be nice to be able to get to spend a bit more time in these places, I always try and make the most of these trips.

You recently left the WWE, announcing your decision via Twitter. Why did you leave?

It wasn’t a difficult choice. Just being in this business for eleven years you know when to make these types of choices, I just wasn’t happy there. When I speak to women looking to get into this business, I always tell them about the physical part, but it is the emotional side I really try and emphasise. You have to make a lot of sacrifices to make it in this business, by missing a lot of birthdays and special occasions. But when you are in front of the fans and you’re doing what you love it makes it all worth it.

What are your thoughts on how women's wrestling is represented in WWE?
Well, it always changes. I was very fortunate to be part of a great era where there was Trish Stratus, Victoria and Jazz. Just now it seems that the women’s division has hit a bit of a lull. But the ‘Knockouts’ division in TNA has really rejuvenated women’s wrestling. It became an overnight success. We just had this magically chemistry with the fans, they just loved it. I think fans just wanted serious women’s wrestling because it wasn’t there.

What is so different about TNA’s approach to women’s wrestling?
Well, we have a lot of girls that are just so talented, they all bring different things to the ring with different styles and looks. Just now I think we are definitely setting the standard and we can only get better. For me it was really special getting back into the ring with Tara (formerly known as ‘Victoria’), who I hadn’t wrestled for a couple of years. But also mixing it with Mickie James and all the other ‘Knockouts’ is just amazing. The people really appreciate competitive women’s wrestling again and we are going to bring it. That golden era of women’s wrestling is definitely coming back but through the ‘Knockouts’ division.   

You were among the first group of women to establish the 'Knockouts' division. How does it feel to be back in TNA?
It was like I had been on a long vacation. I definitely believe that everything happens for a reason. Put it this way, if I didn’t leave TNA the first time for the other company then I would never have met my fiancée. Now I am rejuvenated and, I am ready to help and contribute, maybe spark a fire under all of us to have some kick-ass matches.

The direction of the ‘Knockouts’ division shows how important and how serious the company takes women’s wrestling. The fact that we have tag-team belts as well as the main title really represents how much talent we have in the ‘Knockouts’ division. TNA appreciates us and that is shown with how strongly we are represented. We want to change how people think of women’s wrestling. Unlike other companies we get the exposure, time and the opportunity to go out there and wrestle for the fans.

Wrestling, like many other sports, is fiercely competitive. But who is the joker of the locker-room?
Erm... I can’t believe I had to think about that. It’s Tara. She just makes everyone laugh, she is pretty witty. I travelled with her for two years and those were some of the best times I’ve ever had. When we are not feeling too great on the road and we are all missing our families, Tara is the person who can crack that one joke that will make everyone laugh.