Returning to TNA for the Hall of Fame ceremony at Bound For Glory was a whirlwind experience for Lisa Marie Varon. In her interview on “The Velvet Ropes with SoCal Val,” the WWE Legend shared some candid moments from backstage, detailing her nerves, reunions with old friends, and a humorous interaction about her makeup.
Arriving late the night before and running on little sleep, Varon described herself as a “nervous wreck” on the day of the show. She tried to find quiet moments to conserve her energy before her induction speech for Mickie James. “I’m trying to stay away from people because I’m just, I’m a loner,” she explained. “I was trying to go away just [to keep] my energy.”
Despite seeking solitude, she found comfort in familiar faces. “Thank god Jazz was there. Traci Brooks, you know, the girls,” she said, mentioning fellow wrestling veterans who provided a sense of camaraderie amidst the stress. She also noted Mickie James’ late arrival after performing in Canada the night before, highlighting the demanding schedules wrestlers maintain. “Mickie showed up… she got there at 3:30. The show starts at six,” Varon recounted.
One particularly funny moment occurred regarding her appearance. Having trusted the makeup artist without checking the mirror due to her focus on the speech, she was caught off guard by a comment from former WWE Diva Alicia Fox.
“I remember Alicia Fox coming up. She goes, ‘When you getting your makeup done?’ I go, ‘What? It’s done.’ Oh my god,” Varon laughed. “And I didn’t even look at myself… I go, ‘Oh, I do look too natural.’ So I piled on my Kim Kardashian style.” This led to a brief discussion with host SoCal Val about the need for heavier, stage-ready makeup for television versus a more natural look.
The backstage experience, filled with nerves, reunions, and last-minute adjustments, painted a picture of the controlled chaos and emotional energy surrounding a major wrestling event and a significant personal milestone like a Hall of Fame induction. Varon also fondly remembered SoCal Val’s integral role during their TNA days, stating, “You Val, our buddy, you’re a big part of TNA… She worked her ass off. And I was like, man, I wish you were there.”
This interview is exclusive to WrestlingNews.co. If you use these quotes, please include a link back to this page.
