Gabby Ortiz Talks ECWA Super 8 Chickfight
The all-women’s one-night tournament comes to Delaware on March 16.
Gabby Ortiz was the first participant announced for this year’s ECWA Super 8 Chickfight, and over the past two months, her anticipation has skyrocketed with every name added to the tournament.
A member of Women of Honor, Ring of Honor’s fledgling women’s division, Ortiz has spent the better part of the past three years honing her craft on the independent scene as well as in Japan. After she returned to the United States following a recent stint in Stardom, the Philadelphia native felt agonizing pain in her shoulder. Initially believing it was simply soreness, she finally went to the doctor to get it checked out.
Ortiz says she was wearing a tank top and with one glance, the doctor knew her shoulder blade was completely out of place. She was diagnosed with scapular dyskinesis (also known as SICK Scapula), something that probably happened from taking armdrags or other shoulder-related moves on a consistent basis. “I’m pretty small and train with a lot of guys,” Ortiz told The Wrestling Estate. “They can really yank your arm out of place, not even on purpose or with a lot of force. I find myself in the middle of matches grabbing my arm and pulling it back into place. It’s the weirdest thing, it’s gross.”
Having every intention of sustaining a lengthy career in the squared circle, Ortiz has focused on her health as of late, primarily, strengthening those muscles in her shoulder. Although SICK Scapula doesn’t really go away, it is treatable through physical therapy and exercise. Ortiz says the pain doesn’t hurt as much anymore, allowing her to ease back into the ring.
“I’ve scaled back from taking bookings every weekend and as a result, I’ve seen a little of my momentum go away,” she said. “Now I’m rebuilding that momentum by participating in the ECWA Super 8 Chickfight. It’s kick-starting a new chapter for me.”
On March 16, Ortiz heads to the Asbury United Methodist Church in New Castle, Delaware. She’ll be competing against seven other women in ECWA’s second biggest event of the year – the Super 8 Chickfight. After laying dormant in 2018, the tournament returns for its fifth year, finding a new home in Delaware. Similar to its male counterpart – the 23rd annual men’s Super 8 takes place April 20 – this tournament has become a launching pad for undiscovered, up-and-coming talents to get noticed throughout the industry.
Look no further than the three previous tournament winners: Impact Wrestling and Women of Wrestling star Tessa Blanchard was the inaugural winner in 2014, followed by current NXT signee Deonna Purrazzo winning back-to-back the next two years and then Karen Q, who competed in the second Mae Young Classic, took home the trophy in 2017. Previous tournament participants include Britt Baker, Santana Garrett and Kiera Hogan, to name a few.
“I know what it means to be in this tournament,” Ortiz said. “They’re pretty picky about who they want in it. It’s an honor to have been asked. I’m excited and very nervous. There is high-caliber talent there.”
Ortiz has previously competed against only one of her fellow participants. On this past Monday’s Corrigan’s Corner, she was asked to discuss each competitor. To hear the full interview, visit Team LeftJab Radio.
“She’s awesome. I’ve never gotten the chance to wrestle her, but I like her style. I like that’s she kind of punk rock. I’m excited to hopefully meet her in the ring.”
Quinn McKay
“She’s fairly new. I see her at the Future of Honor tapings all the time. She’s really pretty. If I get in the ring with her, I might get distracted. (laughs) That’s not me saying she’s not a formidable opponent – she is, she’s built and really strong and athletic. But she’s also really cute. I get weird around girls. I don’t get weird around guys and I’m straight. Girls make me nervous. Why am I in the Chickfight if girls make me nervous? (laughs) I definitely have a girl crush on her.”
“I have wrestled her before and she beat the hell out of me. She’s the only one I’m going to say something about because I know that girl. (laughs) Gemma is tiny, very slender, but that girl can hit hard. Whatever power she can generate in her body, she goes full force and they don’t feel good. If I get to face her, I know what to expect, not that I’m particularly excited about it. (laughs) She’s great, she’s funny.”
Leyla Hirsch was originally scheduled for the tournament, but she suffered an eye injury and will no longer be able to compete. Her replacement is Nikki Addams.
“I know Nikki Addams pretty well. She’s great to have in a locker room because she’s so high energy and she’s really funny. She’s also really great in the ring. I’ve seen her work many times, but I’ve never gotten the chance to wrestle her. She’s one of the first girls I met outside of my home promotion. It was like, if this is what women’s locker rooms are like, then I’m really excited about it because she’s just a great energy to have around. I was very upset that Leyla isn’t able to compete because she’s new and amazing. I’ve seen the stuff she can do – it’s incredible.”
{EDITOR’S NOTE: This interview was conducted before Sammi Pandora had replaced KC Spinelli in the ECWA Super 8 Chickfight.}
“I’m a big TNA/Impact fan and she’s been featured on there. I love her stuff. My boyfriend LSG has put me on to some of her matches. I’ve been watching her before we were ever announced for the tournament. So it’s very cool to be in it with her.”
ECWA Women’s Champion Miss Jasmine
“I love that title. It’s so pretty. Pink is my favorite color. I kinda just want to beat her just to hold the title. (laughs) I’ve never gotten a chance to see her wrestle, but she’s done a lot of managing with the boys at Ring of Honor. So I’ve run in the same circles as her for a while, so it’s cool that we might finally get a chance to wrestle each other.”
“That’s another one to put on the list of girls that make me nervous because she’s so pretty. (laughs) I don’t know how the promoters pulled that one off to get her here. It’s elevating us, you know what I mean? Everybody is looking at Scarlett right now. She’s one of the most talked about female wrestlers because she’s bringing sexy back. It makes us want to elevate ourselves to perform at that high level because she’s going to be there. It’s very exciting.”
There are so many potential first time bouts for Ortiz, and plenty of intriguing outcomes for fans. As soon as she was announced for the tournament, she was a popular pick to go all the way. If her comeback to the ring proves successful, here’s how she plans to celebrate.
“Well, St. Patrick’s Day is the next day,” Ortiz said. “Hell, there’s going to be all those specials, I’m going to party! I’m going to take the trophy to the bar. You know at Jewish weddings when they lift you in the chair? I want that to happen to me with that trophy. It would be the first big thing I’ve ever won. It would be really special.”
For tickets and more information, visit ecwaprowrestling.com or call 609.220.5598.
You can also join the ECWA Pro Wrestling Facebook group for the latest news, match announcements, promos and more.
The Wrestling Estate will have a live report of the ECWA Super 8 Chickfight on March 16.
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