Sometimes the most unlikely of characters can become the most important figures in history.
In professional, this statement could not be more true. We’ve seen a man boo-ed out of arenas to chants of “Die Rocky Die” become not only one of the most famous wrestlers of all-time, but one of the biggest movie star in the world. We’ve seen a well-traveled, well-respected in-ring technician shave his head to become a beer-drinking, middle finger wrestling legend. And we’ve seen a woman was in a Wrestlemania battle royal last year reinvent herself as “The Man” and become one of the first women to headline the biggest wrestling show of the year.
In recent years, the U.K. wrestling scene has exploded, and that popularity spread from the kingdom over to Ireland — a country known for producing stars — but never having much of a scene to talk about. However, that all has changed as Ireland has become an absolute destination for talent from around the world to ply their trade, and a place where amazing talent is being developed.
At the forefront of this renaissance of Irish wrestling is the most unlikely of characters — Session Moth Martina. Martina debuted for Dublin’s Over the Top Wrestling (OTT) as a comedic running mate of the talented, and funny act — The Lads From the Flats.
Over the years, Martina’s popularity in Ireland, and in the U.K. exploded. Her infectious charisma, her wild techno and beer fueled entrance, her in-ring fearlessness, and her natural comedic timing transformed her, along with NXT UK star Jordan Devlin, into the definitive faces of Irish wrestling. Not bad for a wrestler who wears hot pink leopard gear, pounds beers, and grinds on every human possible in the building.
To the uniformed fan, Martina sounds like the female version of The Sandman, with “Maniac 2000” replacing “Enter Sandman.” But that’s to the uninformed fan. Watching Martina in the ring you’ll see why she’s become one of the faces of Irish wrestling, why she’s become a beloved part of the Japanese women’s promotion Stardom, and why she is one of the in-demand wrestlers this coming weekend in the U.S. for Wrestlemania weekend. She’s an accomplished in-ring performer who can wrestle literally any person, any style, and in an country — and still be absolutely loved as she is in her home country.
We spoke with Martina about her passionate fanbase, taking on wrestling legend Meiko Satomura, comedy in wrestling, and coming to America for Mania weekend.
Let’s start off with an easy one. For all those American wrestling fans who may have heard the name ‘Session Moth Martina’ but have never seen you live — can you explain to American fans what a ‘session moth is.’
A “session moth” is Dublin slang for a typical party girl, who is either drunk, or very hungover, looking for the next party, always has a can in hand and is up for dancing and chasing boys in the club.
What is it about Martina that has caused fans from Ireland to Japan to the U.S. get behind the character. In short…why does the world #fancymartina?
The whole #fanciesmartina things is a joke I started, as I’ve a very different look to the average “diva.” But, in Martina’s head she’s the most attractive woman in the world and everyone alive fancies her. It’s quite fun to play up. [Editor’s Note: Martina fancies herself the Stacey Keibler of independent professional wrestling].
On social media your fans are definitely ardent and vocal supporters of you. When AEW announces talent signings, people immediately tweet why you haven’t been signed. Recently, there were tweets about you being in the next Mae Young Classic. Can you talk about what this kind of support does for you on an emotional level as a pro wrestler? And how much of a motivator is this support?
Every time I get a tweet supporting me for either of the biggest companies in the world in means everything to me. The idea I’ve come from where I started, to getting such support is surreal to me. [To get signed to a big company] would be a dream come true, and if either ever happen, it’s all down to the vocal support of my fans online, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.
You’re renowned for being one of the funniest women in professional wrestling. Do you find adding comedy to wrestling is one of the tougher things to do in a wrestling match, or does it come naturally to you?
I really enjoy being light-hearted and funny. To me, it’s a break from real life and I like to think it helps people to have a laugh as much as I do while doing it. However, I think sometimes in wrestling it can be harder to be funny in the ring. It would be so much easier to just wrestle — it takes a lot of thought to add comedy into wrestling, but luckily with my character I feel it comes quite easy.
Also, do you have to change up what you do to make an audience laugh — especially when you travel outside of Ireland and the U.K. — say to either Japan or the U.S.?
Definitely had to change it up in Japan because of the language barrier, but I found they really enjoyed the goofy mannerisms and understood what I was trying to put across without words.
And I feel as it’s one of my first few times in the States I can kinda still just introduce Martina and what she’s about, whereas in the UK and Ireland I’ve been around long enough now they know it, so keeping it fresh here is where the thinking comes in.
On Saint Patrick’s Day weekend you wrestled Japanese wrestling legend Meiko Satomura. Can you talk about the experience of wrestling one of the greatest women’s wrestlers of the past 30 years, if not of all-time?
It was the most amazing experience of my career. I’ve respected Meiko for as long as I remember, and sharing the ring with her while her treating me like an equal was one of the proudest moments of my life, let alone my career.
In the promos leading up to the match you talked about how you wanted to make a statement to the wrestling world that you “are not a joke.” After having done this match — do you see the Martina character embarking on a whole new direction?
I definitely feel in my home in OTT. I’m seen in a different light now because I’ve been there so long. They have seen the comedy and other aspects of my character so it was time to show them the other side to me. I definitely feel in OTT I’ll continue having strong matches and won’t be seen as a joke anymore, but that’s not to say I won’t do comedy from time to time. I really, really enjoy comedy wrestling and it made me who I am. I’m just out to prove us comedy wrestlers have more to us in the bag, and that we can handle any match put in front of us.
You’re coming to the U.S. and will be wrestling on a wide array of shows from Stardom in the USA to Joey Ryan’s Penis Party to GCW, and more. What is the show or match you are most excited to be a part of for when you get to the States? And what’s the match that you aren’t in that you’re most excited to check out?
[As of this interview] I’m about to embark on two weeks in the United States, I am really looking forward to AIW, RISE & Shimmer weekend in Chicago, then [to New York and New Jersey] for Wrestlemania week — I’m excited for everyone of them. I’m looking forward to wrestling Val Venis at the Penis Party and for the amazing 4-way at Fight Club Pro/ Destiny Wrestling show tagging with Orange Cassidy again. That will be a highlight [since] tagging with him last year really made my debut in the states the best it could have been. I’ll definitely be checking out Joey Janela’s Spring Break even if he won’t let me join in the fun.
I plan to go see ROH and really looking forward to seeing Becky Lynch main eventing the biggest show of the year, she has always been my biggest inspiration so this will be a very special moment for me.
And finally — what will be your beer of choice that you bring to the ring when you get to the States for Wrestlemania weekend?
I want to try all the beer, I plan on sampling a new one each show, bring them all on!
Session Moth Martina’s U.S. Tour includes the following dates:
Thursday April 4: Fight Club Pro x Destiny Wrestling – NYC Arena in Queens, NY
Friday April 5: Stardom American Dream 2019 – NYC Arena in Queens, NY
Friday April 5: Joey Ryan’s Penis Party – Hilton Midtown in NYC
Saturday April 6: Orange Cassidy is Doing Something, or Whatever Who Knows??? – White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ
