"#2. Misconception: I wanted to be treated with kid gloves.
Bullshit! This goes back to the whole "Playboy model" stereotype again. Did you know that before I went to OVW, I drove down to Tijuana, Mexico to train with Rey Mysterio's uncle? Rey Mysterio's uncle (Miguel) is the one who trained Rey and he was the original Rey Mysterio. He is an awesome trainer! There was no running water at our gym so lets just say the toilet situation was rather harsh. It smelled indescribable in there. I would get my perfume out and spray away so that I would not gag to death on the rancid odor. Do you think most "Playboy models" would be down with that? LOL! I know a lot of 'em and I can guarantee you they wouldn't put up with that fact alone. Please do not get me wrong, I'm not complaining about this stuff, I'm proving a point. I would drive down there 3 days a week. It was about 2-3 hours each way. And it's not the safest place in the world for a big breasted blonde to be hanging out. However, I loved training there! They put me in the ring, I was one of the few girls that went to school there. In fact, there were only two other women that attended with me. He taught us that people would be rough with you. At practice we would always chop the others as hard as we could. And they would do the same to me. He said that this would toughen us up and prepare us so if anyone ever hit us hard like this in the ring, it wouldn't take us by surprise. I would ask Miguel to tell the guys to chop me even harder if I felt that they were taking it easy on me because I was a girl.

At the end of some of the classes, we would do submission wrestling. Real stuff! And they put me in there with a guy. And you know what? I held my own. I didn't win but I came close. I am a strong girl. My last evening there, he put me in a submission match vs. one of the other girls. She chopped me as hard as she could, then I chopped her back. Then she slapped me in the face as hard as she could, then I slapped her back. Then we wrestled. I won. Then we shook hands. No hard feelings whatsoever.

I'm from the school where I'd rather have someone lay it in, than miss me by a mile. I want it to look right more than anything. And you know what? I can take it! The true art is making it look like you are clobbering someone when in all actuality you are barely touching them. That was what I was hoping to learn how to do! The point of these stories are that I am tougher than I may look. I'm not saying that I had it as rough as some people. I think that a lot of people missed my point with my earlier post."

Bobbi is so damn honest its scary. She really wanted to learn the business. There may have been a lot of women before her, and a lot after her that want to ride on their looks, but after talking to Bobbi you can tell that she really wanted it. Bobbi never quit. She admits she thought long and hard about it, but she never did. However WWE released her because she was hurt. Remember she's having surgery at the end of this month. So again, she wasn't hurt with a "broken fingernail" or a "tummy ache" she's got a pretty badly banged up neck. A neck that WWE told her to work through, even though the doctors said "no way!".

Some people have accused me of just writing this column because I think Bobbi is hot. And sure enough on the surface, that's what the original column would appear to be about, but it was about a lot more. Its about how people who are entering this business are treated. WWE or anywhere else, people wanting to become a wrestler are often very misfortunate because the business tries to destroy rookies. Everyone knows it goes on, its just a shame that it happens on such a large level as WWE. Sure there are training camps out there, that treat your right. But those are few and far between. WWE is the highest of highs, you'd think their camp would be the best. I think we're finding out, its not. In fact Johnny Ace told Bobbi, that he didn't even know what was going on at OVW. Dr.Tom was quick to knock Bobbi, but he spent very little time in OVW. He just listens to the company, and says "yes sir, she was in the wrong." Another group of people think I wrote this column to get in good with Billard. Look, Bobbi contacted me, and while it certainly is a perk of the job that I've got to speak with her, I wrote the column long before I ever knew she would read it. If Bobbi wants to give me a membership to her site or something, hey I won't complain, but I wrote the column because it was something I believed in, not for any bonus perks. Her feedback alone was something I never expected or could have hoped for.

Wrestling is a tough business. It should be. I don’t think WWE should let people in and give them a easy ride to the top. I think they should earn it. I do think though, that perhaps WWE should evaluate their training facility especially when it comes to the Diva’s in training. I just don't think people should be released when they are trying to learn. I don't think people should be roughed up by trainers because they are pretty. I don't think people should be frowned upon because they have more money then the next guy. Bobbi lives in a world I could only dream about. She's been on national TV, on the covers of countless magazines, she's got a fair amount of money as a result of her fame. Does that mean that she can NEVER be the Underdog? No. When you enter a business like wrestling, and you have some advantages that Billard had, she indeed does become the underdog. People are bitter about it, people are jealous. Its a shame, and that's what saddens me. Its easy to hate Bobbi cause she bought a new H2 Hummer while training in OVW. But its not right. Dr. Tom's bitching about her driving a new Hummer shows you the mentality going on in WWE.

I originally said that a problem I had with this whole thing was that WWE was so foolish and blinded by their trainers that they didn't realize they lost revenue as a result. Based on the sheer numbers of emails I received alone in support of Billard, I second my original comment. Again don't tell me WWE is just looking for talented wrestlers either, they hired Bobbi to be a diva. They are currently running a $250,000 contest to hire a new diva, that won't wrestle. They just have to figure out what it is they want. If they do want models that can wrestle, they need to make sure their trainers are treating them fair, and not abusing them just because they are afraid of losing their "spot".

I tried to contact WWE for comment, but shockingly (please note the sarcasm) they declined. I suppose they didn't want to talk about the story with a 'net writer', heck afterall why should they. Its not like I'm the guy buying their merchandise, watching their TV shows, getting their PPVs. Of course they wouldn't want to talk to us "fans". Ivory did have a little something to say though recently to some of her "fans" on her website.

"The Bobby thing is just a thing! An internet thing, which makes it all the less weighty. I heard about it, and forgot about it...until I checked here and read all your concerns. I was there, all the developement people in Louisville were there, Jimmy Cornet, Danny Davis...all know what went down. Just ask yourself how you'd feel if you blew an opportunity like Bobby did? Would you say good things about the people and about the business that you were trying to measure up to? Say no more..."

Here's the thing Ivory. While the WWE company line is that the "Internet isn't important", we are. Sure we are only a small percentage of YOUR fanbase, but we are a part of YOUR fanbase. What sets Bobbi apart from Ivory and the WWE-like, is that not only is she respectful of all her fans, she's kind to us folks on the internet too. She realizes the power of the net, and someday WWE will too. Of course, its pretty obvious they already do. Ivory DID mention it on her website afterall. And oh yeah Ivory? Bobbi hasn't trash-talked anyone. Including YOU. Shes stating her side of the story. As you'll see when read the interview below, Bobbi is very candid about everyone.

In addition to Ivory's recent statement, another website has a letter from OVW up. Here is what the letter says....

"The alleged abuse of female wrestler Bobbie Billard is one sided in OVW.

As Bobbie stated that Jackie and Ivory manhandled her in the ring. Bobbie came in to the developmental training with a BIG CHIP on her shoulder like she was "THE BEST THERE WAS IN FEMALE WRESTLING". Actually Ms Billard was late on several occasions to the practices. Jackie and Ivory were just preparing Ms Billard was what was to come.

OVW wishes the best for Ms Billard if she chooses to continue in wrestling, but would appreciate no more claim of abuse when there was no abuse in the first place. We do not wish her any bad luck, but hope she comes to realize it could come back on her in a courtroom."

The wicked witch of the west is innocent! OVW Swears! Now shut up or we'll sue!

I've talked with Bobbi. She's been nothing but nice to me. I wasn't entirely nice to her in my first column, even saying that she could be a "untrainable bitch" yet Billard still talked with me and thanked me for the column. For someone who has such a "chip on her shoulder" she's amazingly friendly. Billard has stated time and time again that she had little wrestling experience, but certainly was eager to learn. Does this sound like someone who thought they were the "BEST FEMALE IN WRESTLING"? It sure doesn't to me.

The fact that WWE threatens her with legal action, really makes you wonder who's telling the truth doesn't it? Is it the girl who says "I don't think I was trained right." or is it the company that says "SHUT UP OR WE'LL SUE". Hey maybe Bobbi is lying, maybe she's pulled the wool over my eyes and she just couldn't hack it in the business. Although with as many silly lawsuits as we've seen in wrestling, Nicole Bass vs WWE, Rena Mero vs WWE, just to name a few it seems to be that Bobbi would be the one making threats of legal action if she was lying, not WWE. She isn't trying to get any money out of this, she's just telling her story. I also find it hilarious that Bobbi was under a develomental contract for months, yet WWE can't even spell her name right. Its B-o-b-b-i, if anyone at the WWE cares. Thanks for proving my point World Wrestling Entertainment.

I bet you are asking yourself, why haven't we heard ANYONE else speak up about this before. Bobbi laid this out for me, and it was truly thought provoking. Something to think about when the next wrestler gets released.

"They (WWE) need to know that they can't just do whatever they want and be protected that nobody will say anything. I am fortunate that I didn't need the money so I didn't have to sign their hush money agreement. That is why I don't think you hear from that many people regarding the WWE and their training camps. The people that are there are trying to get up on TV and can't say anything and the people that were let go, have no other income and are forced to sign. Don't get me wrong, I needed the money. They had stopped paying me (I think in an attempt to force me to sign) and it was a huge expense for me to get all of my stuff and ship it back home. (Thank god for my friends. Yeah Dr. Tom, I have some awesome friends! My friend flew out, packed everything up for me (since I couldn't lift over 20 lbs.) and moved my stuff back for me.) Couple that with me blowing off my website for months to be out there. I still didn't sign and would have had a hard time signing something that was a lie. I could be wrong but I think I am like the only person that hasn't signed that thing."

Yes most everyone who leaves WWE signs a contract that says you keep quiet about your time here and you don't say we released you for no good reason. I can't confirm that Billard is the ONLY one who never signed it, but she definitely is one of a very few. She was strong not to sell out for the cash, and that shows a lot of character in my book. Most wrestlers would take the money. Bobbi needed the money, she’s spent a lot of money on doctors and such because of her injury, but she also has a lot of pride. The WWE story is that she didn’t want to learn, Bobbi is just making sure that everyone knows, SHE DID.

Inside Clyde, a fellow columnist here at Lethal had this to say about Billard. Please note that Clyde was once a wrestler and now is a trainer at a wrestling school.

"As for the claim that you don't have to know how to wrestle, that is ridiculous. Again, after the WCW acquisition, I would love evidence of women that served as "eye candy" only. You HAVE TO WRESTLE NOW. They are not HAPPY that they are saddled with Keibler and Wilson. They are stuck paying them. That's my point. They make some money off of those Diva shoots, but what can those girls do during the four days a week like Victoria does (wrestling) that makes them money?

If they didn't want them to wrestle, they would just hire models outright and have them walk guys to the ring. WCW had this problem with the Nitro Girls. They were fine at first, then you realize you are paying a troupe of women to dance, and the bucks you make off a calendar here and there doesn't compare to money a wrestling woman can make them. Russo and others insisted that the Nitro Girls learn to wrestle to disastrous results. Keibler became a wrestling personality and was willing to get into the ring, and was rewarded by getting a WWF deal. Wilson was willing to mix it up in the ring, too. They weren't great, but probably deemed trainable. So when the women were brought over (which coincided with Trish getting more involved in the ring) to the WWF, the women were learning to wrestle on the road. Trish showed the true skill in the ring, so she was rewarded. She easily makes the most money out of her, Keibler and Wilson. If you want I can confirm this, but safe to say when you are getting pay-per-view money every time, and have your own DVD as well as doing all the diva stuff and the interviews, you are getting paid."

Clyde’s line of thinking sounds nice. But WWE isn’t working on making its Women’s division anymore serious. The fact that aside from the Tough Enough girls, the last women to get WWE contracts were, Dawn Marie, Sable and Gail Kim, doesn’t go a long way to proving WWE is serious about the division. No matter how much hype Kim has, she’s yet to wrestle a good match. As for matches, at WWE’s Bad Blood PPV the 4-Way Women’s title match lasted a total of 4:44, including the divisions top stars in Victoria, Stratus, Lita and the aforementioned Gail Kim. Hardly evidence that WWE is "Serious" about making the division more about "Wrestling" then T & A.

Of course of the three Tough Enough girls they’ve hired, its hard to even say they are out there to improve the wrestling skill of the division either. Linda Miles managed to do a big boot her entire run, not ever wrestling but one match, and that was of course against Dawn Marie. Miss Jackie just does bikini contests, and then there is Nidia. Who just got herself a pair of 34 DDD’s, which I’m sure is to enhance her "Wrestling" skills. Give me a break.

Smackdown’s PPV this weekend features Sable versus Torrie Wilson, which I’m sure is likely to be reminiscent of Vader and Ric Flair’s SuperBrawl 4 classic. I can see why Billard needed 8 hours of training, 5 days a week. Endurance for those 5 minute epics, and bikini contests. Grueling pace that the WWE Diva’s work at and all.

If WWE is looking for wrestling women Clyde, why aren't they hiring women who can wrestle? Where is Akira Hokoto's WWE tryout? I’m not sure that the higher-ups at WWE know that Ivory and the like, are mistreating the girls they hire. That was a point in my original column. WWE is hiring girls to look pretty, but the trainers they've hired have a real problem with those girls. If not then explain this. Why are there trainers botching moves on the "barbie doll" types, OVER and OVER instead of teaching the safe and proper ways to land? If you can't cut the mustard in wrestling, I agree you shouldn't get the contract. But if you are purposely singled out, roughed up, injured and then sent home because you were injured, and the only reason you were injured is they weren't training you right. That's not fair. You can't hurt someone on purpose, then use that as a reason to release them. Next you are going to tell me that "Hooking" a guy is okay. Its not, its some sort of ancient barbaric tradition that has survived in wrestling. But Jesus Christ we're not talking about Kawada versus Misawa, we're talking about the WOMEN. Again, the Women are going to be featured in mud wrestling matches, etc that are clearly there for T & A value. I respect Clyde because he's lived the business. Sadly I think he's blinded by his passion for the sport, to realize that WWE's women's wrestling has very little to do with the sport he teachs. It has to do with a level of wrestling, that someone from WOW would fit right in with.

How many millions of copies of Diva magazines would Bobbi have sold?!

Hulk Hogan arguably the most famous professional wrestler of all time, tells a story (which some say is bogus) that talks of his first day at a wrestling school. Hiro Matsuda didn’t like Hogan’s look, thought he was a young punk and when he got Hogan into the ring, he purposely broke Hogan’s leg in training. Hogan wouldn’t let that stop him, and of course went back to the school when he was healed and become what he is today. However, if Hogan hadn’t came back what would wrestling be like today? I’m not saying Billard would have made a Hogan-like impact on the sport. I’m just saying that when a trainer hurts you on purpose, it isn’t right. Matsuda was trying to get Hulk out of the sport. Ivory was trying to get Bobbi out. The difference is, Matsuda ran some gym in Venice Beach in the 70’s, Billard went to WWE’s in-house training school in the year 2004. Things that happened 30 years ago in the territorial system, shouldn’t be happening today, especially when it comes to training WWE Divas.

I've never defended Bobbi's wrestling talent. She was passable in WOW, but again that wasn't legit "pro-wrestling". I've never seen her wrestle anywhere else. Of course if she wants to wrestle me, to let me know how good she is, I won't decline. But all joking aside. I just wanted to say with my columns that Bobbi Billard has all the right skills (beauty, nice personality, athletic background) to at least be given a fair shot at becoming a WWE Diva. She doesn't deserve to be treated harsh, because of some pre-conceived notion that just because she looks good and made money as a model, that she's a bitch. She's not a bitch. She's a very honest, sweet and sincere person, who respects others, and treats you with a high level of respect. Perhaps not only the world of wrestling, but the world in general is pissing on those types of people. It still doesn't make it right.

Bobbi is very nice, intelligent and respectful. Oh yea she's also HOT!

You aren't likely to see Bobbi working for $30 a night on a Indy show anytime soon. While that will tell Clyde he was right, Bobbi would be wasting her time doing that. Bobbi wanted to learn about wrestling, and she tried. She wasn't given a fair shake at it, I truly believe that. It would be foolish for Bobbi to continue to pursue wrestling on a local level because she has likely burned her bridges with WWE as it is. Bobbi was willing to give WWE her life, but she wasn't willing to give them her life if they didn't appreciate it. Billard will probably continue modeling, and maybe working to learn wrestling on the side. Some people claim that proves she doesn't have a heart for the business. I think its probably smart. She is successful in modeling, and making money off that. She gave all that up once, and ended up with a injured neck and released. Hopefully one day I will see Bobbi wrestling on my TV, but if the poor training camps and ego-inflated trainers at OVW have sullied her on the wrestling experience I can't blame her. They've certainly left a bad taste in my mouth. As a lifelong wrestling fan, I continue to lose hope for the sport with every day. This is no exception.

"With me telling my story, I made up my mind that I want to work for someone that gives a shit about me. I don't mind burning a bridge because out of principal, I could never work for people like that. I can't be out there breaking my neck and knowing that there is no sympathy for you whatsoever. Not only that, but they would accuse you of faking it anyway. Wrestling for WWE is just not for me. I could only work at WWE if things were to change. But I doubt that is going to happen anytime soon. No big deal. I will stick to my modeling and know that people would care if I lived or died. And who knows, maybe I will make things easier on the next girls that they hire. If they realize that they might talk, they might treat them a little better. I don't think that you have to abuse people to ensure that they stay with the company once they get on TV. It was never like that on WOW and I was shocked that it was like this on a huge company like WWE. Call me naive, but I had no clue that it was like this. I thought WWE had a family atmosphere. I couldn't have been more wrong."

The WWE family is a very dysfunctional one Bobbi, I'm sorry they missed the boat on welcoming you into the family. Hopefully your story will make fans take notice of how WWE treats people, and maybe will even make the higher-ups in WWE take a second look at how they treat people.

Perhaps in the end WWE doesn't need another blonde girl with big tits. After all when the story broke, that was a lot of people's defense. Maybe they didn't. WWE could release 100 other blondes with big breasts tomorrow, and hire 1000 more next week. But I promise you this, when all is said and done, and the smoke has cleared they missed out on something special with Bobbi Billard.

My LethalWrestling.com Exclusive, One on One interview with Bobbi Billard can be found here ODBJBG interviews Bobbi. Its a wonderful in-depth look at Bobbi's time in OVW.

Feedback can be sent to ODBJBG. Also for more information about ODBJBG, you can check out my newly launched ODBJBG.COM where I have plenty of fun stuff about me. As well as a column up about what it was like talking with Bobbi Billard, and what things I learned about her as a person. Good stuff.