Professional wrestling is often described as a roller coaster ride, filled with exhilarating highs and difficult lows. Few understand that reality better than Priscilla Kelly.
Appearing at Battle for the Brave, a charity event hosted by Steve Maclin and Deonna Purrazzo benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Kelly spoke candidly about her career, her passion for professional wrestling, and the lessons she has learned throughout her journey.
For Kelly, being part of an event centered around giving back was an easy decision.
“First of all, Deonna and Steve are great friends of mine and Zachary’s,” Kelly said. “We love them to death, and to be able to come out and support a great cause like this, it just means the world to me to be a part of it.”
The event brought together wrestling talent from multiple promotions and gave fans an opportunity to interact with some of their favorite performers while supporting a worthy cause. For Kelly, those fan interactions continue to serve as a reminder of why she fell in love with wrestling in the first place.
Learning Through Every Chapter
Kelly’s career has taken her through numerous stages of professional wrestling. From independent promotions to WWE and beyond, she has experienced many different environments, each contributing to her growth as a performer.
When asked about the biggest lessons she has learned along the way, Kelly admitted that narrowing it down to one lesson is nearly impossible.
“It’s really hard to say a specific thing that I’ve learned because you’ve learned so much,” Kelly explained. “You learn what to do, what not to do.”
More importantly, she believes the journey has been about self-discovery.
“I think a lot of the journey has been just learning to have fun and finding the truest form of who you are as a performer,” she said. “Through all of the different stages of my career, I’ve just been kind of adding these little pieces to become what I am now.”
That evolution is something many wrestlers spend years searching for. While athletic ability and technical skills are critical components of success, finding an authentic connection with an audience often becomes the difference between being good and becoming memorable.
For Kelly, every stop along the way has helped shape the performer fans see today.
When Passion Meets Business
One of the most challenging aspects of professional wrestling is balancing a love for the craft with the realities of the business.
Kelly openly acknowledged that maintaining passion can be difficult when faced with the inevitable ups and downs of the industry.
“It’s very hard, and that’s been a big struggle of mine,” she admitted.
Like many performers, Kelly has experienced moments where self-doubt crept in.
“Wrestling is very much a roller coaster. Sometimes you’re on top of the world, and sometimes you’re at the lowest of lows, and you start questioning everything about yourself and why you’re doing this.”
However, she quickly pointed to the people who help her push through those difficult moments: the fans.
“The biggest reward honestly is on the bad days, the low days, where I’m not feeling all that great, or I’m asking myself, ‘Am I good enough? Am I doing enough?'”
Then comes a fan interaction that changes everything.
“I come out here and meet some of these fans that are so excited to meet me. It’s honestly the fans that lift me up when I’m at my lowest points, and they’re what keeps me going.”
Kelly emphasized that her appreciation is completely genuine.
“That’s genuine. That’s not me trying to babyface the interview. It really is.”
In an era where social media can sometimes amplify negativity, her comments served as a powerful reminder of the positive impact wrestling fans can have on the performers they support.
Living the Childhood Dream
Like many wrestlers, Kelly grew up playing wrestling video games and collecting action figures.
Today, she has achieved something she once only dreamed about: becoming part of those games and toy lines herself.
While many performers might focus on personal accomplishment, Kelly’s favorite part of the experience revolves around family.
“I think the best part about being in the video game and having an action figure is just the fact that my brother gets to play as me.”
That realization still carries special meaning.
“We used to play WWE games growing up, and now he gets to play as me in the game.”
The same applies to seeing her likeness transformed into an action figure.
“When I was growing up, he would have action figures of other girls, and now I’m one of those girls.”
Kelly described the experience as one of the biggest bucket-list achievements a wrestler can have.
“Being in a video game and having an action figure, those are definitely two big bucket-list things as a wrestler.”
For someone who once looked up to the stars of previous generations, becoming one of those figures for future fans represents a full-circle moment.
The Evolution of Women’s Wrestling
Women’s wrestling has undergone a dramatic transformation over the last two decades, and Kelly believes one of the biggest changes is the increased diversity of styles and personalities now represented.
“I would say it’s much more accepted in all different forms now,” she said.
Kelly pointed out that previous generations often had a narrower definition of what women’s wrestling could be. Today’s landscape, however, offers opportunities for a wide range of performers to succeed.
“We have death-match women’s wrestlers. We have technical women’s wrestlers. We have sexy women’s wrestlers. We have just a mix of everything.”
That diversity mirrors what has existed in men’s wrestling for generations.
“There’s a place for every different kind of women’s wrestling in this business because just like men’s wrestling, there’s so many different kinds. There’s something for everyone.”
Her comments highlighted one of the most important developments in modern wrestling: the ability for performers to find success while remaining true to themselves rather than fitting into a predetermined mold.
Wrestling as a Variety Show
Kelly also shared her perspective on one of wrestling’s most debated topics—the wide variety of styles that exist within the industry.
Whether it’s technical wrestling, hardcore matches, comedy wrestling, or death matches, Kelly believes there is room for all of it.
“I think wrestling is a variety show, and I always want it to be a variety show.”
She acknowledged that fans often have strong opinions regarding different genres of wrestling, but she believes each style serves a purpose.
“I know a lot of people have a lot to say about different genres of wrestling, whether it be death-match wrestling, whether it be a little bit more of that slapstick comedy wrestling, or whether it be a very serious match.”
Ultimately, her philosophy is simple.
“I just think there’s a place for all of it because there is a fan for every type of wrestling.”
For Kelly, professional wrestling’s greatest strength is its ability to appeal to different audiences through different forms of storytelling and performance.
“I think it all belongs.”
Advice From a Wrestling Legend
As the interview concluded, Kelly was asked about the best advice she has ever received.
Her answer came from one of wrestling’s most respected minds: William Regal.
“William Regal used to always tell me, ‘Watch my neck. Take care of my neck.'”
At the time, Kelly admits she didn’t always appreciate the importance of the advice.
“When I was younger, I didn’t always quite listen to him.”
With experience comes perspective, however.
“Now I’m like, I really wish I would have listened to him more.”
It’s a lesson that resonates with many veterans throughout the industry, where longevity often depends on protecting one’s body and making smart decisions inside the ring.
A Career Still Being Written
If there was one theme that emerged from Kelly’s appearance at Battle for the Brave, it was growth.
From learning who she truly is as a performer to understanding the importance of fan support, Kelly continues to evolve while remaining passionate about the industry that has given her so much.
Despite the challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt that come with life in professional wrestling, her love for the business remains evident.
And as long as there are fans waiting to meet her, action figures on store shelves, and new chapters left to write in her career, Priscilla Kelly’s journey is far from over.
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