Kiera Hogan Setting Impact on Fire
The Knockouts division has been set ablaze by the colorful newcomer.
Kiera Hogan looks like a girl, but she’s a flame. So bright, she can burn your eyes.
In only three years in the sport, the Georgia native has blazed a path to Impact Wrestling, joining the Knockouts roster that she idolized as a 14-year-old fangirl. She rolled into the Impact Zone like an inferno, upsetting the Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness in non-title action. Although Ness got revenge in a rematch, Hogan proved she belonged on the big stage.
“I still have old Knockouts posters on my wall because it was motivation when I first started,” Hogan said during this week’s Impact Wrestling teleconference. “I wanted to get my name out there and get to the biggest companies. Impact was one and to be a part of it is still a dream come true.”
Breaking into the business as a ring announcer and backstage interviewer, Hogan was trained by Mr. Hughes at WWA4 in Atlanta. She quickly learned the ropes, honing her craft throughout the state before competing in major indie promotions such as SHIMMER and SHINE. Currently, she has held the WSU Spirit Championship for well over a year. “I feel like as a black woman in this industry, it’s very hard, yet I’ve been able to accomplish so much in a short amount of time,” Hogan said. “Working for the big women’s wrestling companies solidified me as a top performer.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-85RlBhltk
Of course, with a last name like Hogan, it’s not like she ever had a choice. Contrary to popular belief, her birth certificate says Kiera Hogan. Although she has been asked countless times since middle school, she isn’t related to the Hulkster. As to why she didn’t change her last name to avoid comparison to the biggest star in the history of pro wrestling, she says she wanted to show her evolution from backstage personality to in-ring performer.
“When you grow with a company, people see your progression and stick with your story more,” Hogan said. “They grasp to certain people because they see your mistakes and downfalls, but also your victories. Wrestling is all about emotion.”
Wise beyond her years, Hogan is constantly thinking about her character and connection with the fans. With her innocent baby face, bundle of energy and flowing red locks, she stands out from the pack – a necessity in the oversaturated indie wrestling pool. She credits her boyfriend for inspiring the “Girl on Fire” moniker after he told her she needed to find her fire in the ring.
However, it may be time for another dose of tough love. “Right now, I’m at a plateau with the girl on fire,” Hogan said. “I feel like my character has gone so far so fast, it’s time for an evolution. I’m not sure what that is, but I want to tweak a bit.”
After her loss to Taya Valkyrie at Redemption, Hogan was seeing red. Not necessarily because she was unsuccessful at her first live pay-per-view, but because her spotlight was stolen by the debuting Tessa Blanchard, who made herself comfy on commentary during the match. “It was my moment and I felt like why did she have to come in and overshadow me,” Hogan said. “I have a few choice words for Miss Tessa Blanchard.”
Everybody stands as she goes by cause they can see the flame that’s in her eyes.
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