Wrestling

Ashley Flair preparing for her own Show-n-Tell with FCW WWE NXT

 

College grad, standout volleyball player transitioning to pro wrestling, sports entertainment

jvarsallone@miamiherald.com

How can you top Ted DiBiase Jr. who said he ‘borrowed’ dad’s Million Dollar Belt as a kid for Show-n-Tell.

Ashley Flair can.

She didn’t bring one of dad’s 16 world titles nor any of his magnificent robes. Instead, she brought to school a favorite of hers, Macho Man Randy Savage.

No, not the action figure. Toy pillow, nope. Didn’t have Fatheads then, so don’t even think about it.

Little Ashley Flair introduced to classmates the real deal, the 6-2, 237-pound, colorful garb wearing wrestler for Show-n-Tell.

Sorry Ted.

And Ashley received a “check plus” that particular Show-n-Tell day.

Oh yeah, the Flairs have flair, and Ashley is now preparing to show the WWE Universe just how much she has, training to become a pro wrestler/sports entertainer with FCW WWE NXT, the developmental group of WWE, based in Tampa.

Ashley, 26, loves sports, competing in gymnastics, basketball, all-star cheerleading, diving and track, growing up in North Carolina. A stellar athlete at Providence Senior High School in Charlotte, the 5-10 competitor really excelled in volleyball, leading the Panthers to a state title and earning an NCAA Division I scholarship to Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. Boone is noted for skiing, but because she was scholarship, she couldn’t find out just how good it is to ski there.

Ashley later became a member of the Wolfpack, North Carolina State’s version. She graduated from North Carolina State with a degree in Public & Interpersonal Communication from the Department of Communication. With a college diploma as a fall back and experience as a personal trainer, Ashley is now training in the family business, learning from some of the best, like Steve Keirn, Bill DeMott, Norman Smiley, Terry Taylor, Joey Mercury and two of her father’s biggest rivals, American Dream Dusty Rhodes and Ricky The Dragon Steamboat in FCW.

Richie Steamboat, Ricky’s son, is also in FCW under the WWE NXT logo. Maybe one day we’ll see a Flair and a Steamboat (Ashley and Richie) on opposite sides of the ring again, but this time in a mixed tag match or maybe even teaming together with dads in their corner.

With her dad Ric accomplishing legendary status, brother David making a mark in WCW and youngest brother Reid currently honing his pro skills on the indie circuit, the blonde diva is working hard in the ring and out.

When you don’t compete on FCW WWE NXT shows, you still work the show, whether it’s pre-show host, merchandise sales, music coordinator, usher, ring announcer, security, chair and ring set-up, ticket taker and/or video operator. Everyone bands together, making for a great experience for fans in a family friendly environment.

During the WWX NXT show at the Havert L. Fenn Center in Fort Pierce, Fla., Ashley helped run the merchandise stand. Once fans learned her surname, she also posed for photos and signed autographs. The fans enjoyed meeting her as did she enjoy meeting them.

Ashley’s been around the business a long time, but she’s new in terms of actual wrestling.

When she was younger, Ashley wanted to try amateur wrestling like Reid, especially with all the attention he attained from his success, but that’s one thing dad didn’t want her to do. He and her mom have always supported her in everything else and do so now in her pro wrestling career choice.

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