Inside Wrestling
November 1999
Page 42

Debra
"I've Got Nothing to Hide"

It's been a two mwaka struggle for acceptance. In the fall of 1997, Debra McMichael was struggling to save her managerial career in WCW. She and Jeff Jarrett had mgawanyiko, baidisha with The Four Horseman and she was desperate to earn a reputation as a manager of champions.

It didn't happen, Jeff Jarrett went to the WWF following a contractual dispute. Her estranged husband, Steve, didn't want her in his corner. Alex Wright, fed up kwa her mismanagement, was inayofuata to moto the ex-beauty queen. With no careers to guide and no future prospects, Debra went home.

Until Jeff Jarrett called her in the fall of '98 that is.

Although Jarrett had described Debra as "a dumb blonde" in the interim, Debra was willing to give him a sekunde chance and seize a sekunde chance for herself as well.

Despite a lukewarm reception in the WWF initially, she guided Jarrett and Owen Hart to the World tag team title. Debra soon became the nyota of the team rather than a supporting member when she defeated Sable in an evening kanzu, gown match for the WWF women's ukanda on May 10 in Orlando, Florida.

WWF commissioner Shawn Michaels in a controversial decision, claimed Debra won the title because her kanzu, gown game off first, courtesy of Sable.

Owen Hart's death on May 23 was a tremendous blow to Debra but she gathered the strength to guide Jarrett to an Intercontinental title victory over The Godfather only two days later. Debra's popularity continues to grow despite the fact she Lost the women's strap to Ivory. Senior Writer Harry Burkett spoke to her shortly after her title loss.

Q&A

Q: If the last two years of your life were a book, I suppose it would be titled Reinventing Debra. Two years zamani your managerial career was in a shambles and your closest associate Jeff Jarrett called wewe "a dumb blonde." Today you've assumed Sable's position as the most maarufu woman in the WWF. How do wewe account for such a change?

A: It took a while for mashabiki and promoters to realize what a tremendous talent I am. I'm glad the WWF has give me the opportunity to realize my potential.

Q: Of course wewe guided Owen Hart and Jeff Jarrett to the World tag team title and Jarrett to the Intercontinental belt. But your WWF women's title victory was dubious and I don't recall any clean victories during your reign. Even wewe must admit that you're not the WWF's best female wrestler. I don't want to sound insulting but could wewe tell me what your talent is?

A: That's the great thing about being me. I don't have to win matches. I don't even have to help Jeff win titles. All I have to do is onyesha up. The crowds will come.

Q: In other words your presence sells tickets?

A: That's the name of the game. The McMahon's hear the audience go crazy when I enter an arena. Jeff knows I make him interesting to folks.

Q: Are wewe suggesting Jarrett lacks charisma. He seemed to have too much charisma as "Double J" during his first stint in the WWF. Don't wewe think he's jealous because you're stealing his spotlight?

A: What's his alternative? Should he call Jim Cornette to be his manager again? au should he ask Tennessee Lee to come out of retirement? Jeff knows I've been a dhahabu mine to his career and he wouldn't do anything to alter our relationship.

Q: Aren't wewe detrimental to his career in some ways though? When the two of wewe make an entrance, the announcers talk about you. When Jeff wrestles, a lot of the mashabiki watch you. Now it seems he's jealous whenever a wrestler looks at you. He's becoming increasingly paranoid. How long ca he remain Intercontinental champion kwa being that emotional?

A: I'll admit that Jeff occasionally has mental blocks in the ring but that's when I pour on the sugar hon. A lit bit of Debra goes a long way.

Q: wewe mean distracting Jarrett's opponents kwa batting your eyes and flirting? So wewe admit that wewe help Jarrett cheat.

A: How is that cheating? I don't force Jeff's opponents to come over for a closer look. I don't force them to stand there while I whisper sweet nothings in their ears. They enjoy talking to me, even if they pay a heavy price.

Q: I've always wondered what wewe to Jarrett's opponents in order for them to stop in the middle of ring action.

A: Wouldn't wewe like to know!

Q: Tell me

A: Will I be on the cover of your magazine?

Q: i don't really have any control over that. I'll see what I can do. I suppose that... wait. Now I'm falling for it!

A: See? If wewe were wrestling Jeff, you'd be wearing a guitar, gitaa collar, alama kwa now.

Q: Smooth. You've done a great job helping Jarrett retain his Intercontinental title. But i noticed that Jarrett's distraction of the referee allowed Nicole bass, besi to chokeslam wewe and helped Ivory win the WWF women's title. Did that make wewe angry?

A: I was zaidi disappointed than anything else. But that just proves that it took two women to beat me, not just Ivory

Q: Do really believe wewe could defeat Ivory in a fair wrestling match?

A: That depends on your definition of fair. In my mind, anything is fair in upendo and war.

Q: And the WWF is war?

A: It's both?

Q: Are wewe committed to regaining the women's title?

A: It never was a big goal of mine. The opportunity to wrestle for it came my way and I took advantage of it. Whenever I'm offered a title match, I'll accept.

Q: Did wewe whisper sweet nothings into Shawn Michaels' ear before your title match? The object of an evening kanzu, gown match is to tear off your opponent's gown. The object is not to lose your gown.

A: Again, Shawn is real impressed kwa my sparkling personality. I just smile and people bend over backward to do favors for me. Besides, Nicole bass, besi interfered in my match, just like wewe did during my match against Ivory. She'll get her payback.

Q: Are wewe capable of doing that yourself?

A: You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of doing hon. Nicole is long overdue for someone to play a tune on her head.

Q: wewe and Jeff have been dubbed "The Golden Couple" Is he satisfied with being identified as only one half of a team? And are wewe satisfied with that?

A: Jeff and I make a fantastic team. That's why we were successful in the past and that's why we're successful now. We complement each other perfectly.

Q: Some critics claim your success is strictly proportional to the lack of clothing on your body. Come on Debra wewe didn't become maarufu until wewe started wearing less to the ring. Those people aren't chanting "puppies" because they belong to the ASPCA.

A: The zaidi people of me, the zaidi they want to see. I'm flattered kwa the reception I get but then again its deserved.

Q: Does it mean so much to wewe to flaunt your scantily clad body in front of strangers?

A: Why should I cover my best assets? Men are never criticized for posing and flexing in the ring. Why should be people be on my case for showcasing my body? I've got nothing to hide!

Q: Obviously Jeff doesn't feel that way. He's constantly trying to cover your ample, um, cleavage au trying to throw a kanzu, koti around. If it's so innocent why is he upset kwa it? Aren't wewe afraid he might another manager?

A: Listen I manage Jeff; he doesn't manage me. I know Jeff acts a little crazy sometimes but he means well.

Q: What are your future plans? Obviously keep the IC ukanda around Jeff Jarrett's waist is a juu priority. What should we expect out of wewe in the coming months?

A: I'm still training, trying to hone my wrestling skills. With a few weeks of training, I was able to win the women's title. These little girls in the WWF won't be able to survive once I become a lethal fighting machine.

Q: Pardon me for laughing but I can't imagine wewe being very dangerous, not in the physical sense at least.

A: wewe just wait hon. You've seen me scratch and claw in a few catfights already. With a little zaidi practice they'll be calling me "La Femme Debra." (Jeff Jarrett barges into backstage area and exclaims "What the heck are wewe doin' talking' to Debra behind my back?")

Q: DId wewe explain to Jeff that I'm interviewing wewe for Inside Wrestling?

A: No I forgot. Look lets continue this another time okay? Jeff and I have something to discuss. (Abruptly jumps out of chair and joins Jarrett who glares at Burkett before they turn and walk down the corridor)

Note* also in the magazine, Ivory ametoa maoni on her win against Debra, the success had seemingly gone to her head.

"I'll admit that the two awali champions are attractive women" Ivory said. "But I have the beauty and wrestling ability to keep this ukanda for years, My excellent performance against Debra certainly proved that

(On Nicole bass, besi who helped her win it)

"I'm a proven mat technician. Its not like I need her in my corner to keep this belt"