The Johngy "OR ELSE"Podcast - Ep. 57: Sassy Stephie

Sassy Stephie is returning to the wrestling ring after five years away. The interview my podcast partner Tommy Else and I did with Stephie is at The Johngy "OR ELSE" Podcast - Ep. 57: "Sassy Stephie" on YouTube.

From Akron, Ohio, Stephie entered the world of professional wrestling filling in as a ring announcer in 2005. Her experience as a deejay paid off as she soon became the regular announcer.Soon, she started training and made her wrestling debut for Ohio Championship Wrestling in 2007.

During her career, Stephie also wrestled for Shimmer, Women Superstars Uncensored, Chikara, Ring of Honor, Shine and other independent companies. She won several titles and awards along the way, including being ranked No. 36 on the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Female 50 in 2013.

Tommy and I first saw Stephie when she made her debut for Resistance Pro Wrestling in late 2011. We quickly became fans of hers in and out of the ring. Tommy shared a lockerroom with Stephie, while I had the pleasure of interviewing her several times.

Stephie wrestled several matched for RPro, while continuing to wrestle for many other companies. He last match was in 2018. That's going to change very soon.

At Wrestle Jam Weekend on April 1-2, Stephie will step back into the ring for the first time in five years as she takes on Vanessa Kraven. The event will be held at Le Chateau Royal in Laval, Quebec. There will be wrestling, live music, a costume contest, trivia and more.

Stephie talked about all of this, including why she originally retired and why she is returning. She discussed who she wanted to face (spoiler alert...It's Kraven). She also talked about future matches and really enjoying this future run. Lastly, I had to get Stephie's thoughts on her beloved Cleveland Browns. A Canadian resident for several years, Stephie hasn't abandoned her Browns. She has gained a bit of the Canadian accent, as Tommy pointed out.

Stephie looked ready to rumble. She was in great spirits and seems to be at a fantastic place as she now can pick her spots and soak it in, also sharing it with her husband and two young children. Of course, two podcasters from the Chicago area will also be enjoying this run of the Sassy One!

On the Beat With Sassy Stephie of Talkin' Sass

I first met pro wrestler Sassy Stephie at Resistance Pro Wrestling in November 2011. I was new to the indy wrestling scene, but Stephie was already a veteran of about four years. I quickly became a fan. I interviewed Stephie a few times for RPro and always enjoyed those interactions.

It's been several years since I talked to Stephie, although I have followed her career ever since and we have communicated on social media a few times. Stephie has certainly kept busy over the years, including starting Talkin' Sass, her new podcast, which is why I reached out to her about an interview for Global Women's Sports Radio.

Already a fan of pro wrestling, Stephie's actual entrance as a performer is an interesting tale. She was working as a DJ at a bowling alley, when she was asked to substitute for a ring announcer for a local wrestling promotion. She soon started training and made her debut in 2007.

Over the years, in addition to RPro, Stephie has wrestled for Shimmer, Women Superstars Uncensored, Ring of Honor and other promotions. She won titles on several occasions, as a singles wrestler and as part of a tag team. She also made the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Female 50 list a few times. We talk about all of that in our interview.

We also discuss her fandom of the Cleveland Browns. In one of our earlier interviews, we commiserated about the woeful state of her Browns and my Chicago Bears. This season, she had plenty of enjoyment as the Browns had a great season. Stephie is no fair-weather, bandwagon-jumper fan either. She goes back to cheering for Bernie Kosar's teams in her youth.

As much fun as all that talk was, we moved on to Talkin' Sass, the main reason for the interview. Previous to the podcast, Stephie ventured into other areas of entertainment outside of wrestling several times, including a stint hosting on the Fireball Run television series. With that background and her natural charisma, a podcast is the perfect vehicle for Stephie.

Although she admits wrestling is her niche, the podcast isn't all about wrestling. For Halloween, actor and producer Brian O'Halloran joined Stephie for a fun-filled episode. Other episodes featured Jimmy Kordaris, Ricardo Rodriguez, Lufisto and several other interesting folks from the world of wrestling. She also had “Hardcore” Heather Owens, another RPro alum. She has had an interesting mix of guests, who haven't been overexposed on other podcasts. 

As I told her in the interview, I already was a loyal listener before even asking for the interview. It's a lot of fun, whether you are a wrestling fan or not. Although I looked forward to each episode, I also made sure to subscribe to her channel on YouTube to make sure I didn't miss any.

While Talkin' Sass is still relatively new to the podcast scene, it is quickly growing in popularity. Stephie shared the names of a few future guests, as well as a couple on her “wish list.” Bernie Kosar, if you're reading this, you need to join Stephie on Talkin' Sass!

It was great catching up with Stephie. I very much appreciate her time and consideration. I encourage everyone to check out Talkin' Sass.

Sassy Stephie Loves Johngy's Beat

I first saw Sassy Stephie at Resistance Pro a few years back.  She wrestled on several shows and I interviewed her a few times.  She was always entertaining in the ring and during the interviews.  We even sparred a little bit with me poking at her love of the Cleveland Browns and her returning jabs about my Chicago Bears.  It was a lot of fun.

Stephie is still wrestling, along with doing other entertaining things, but she hasn;t been in the Chicago area in a long while.  I miss Stephie!

Recently, she was kind enough to send me a little video she made.  This is the first promo anyone has ever done while actually wearing a Johngy shirt.  That makes it doubly good.  It is triple good, because it features the Sassy One herself.

Thank you Stephie and I hope to see you in action again sometime.  Until then, I will enjoy your video!

Friendly Encounters: Sassy Steph and The Grinch

This is a weekly feature about friends who have met celebrities.

Did the Grinch meet Sassy Steph or did the Sassy One meet the Grinch?  I guess it depends on perspective.  I'd rather meet Steph.  (Well, actually, I have met her several times, but would love to see her again).
Anyway, Steph states that she is not a fan of Christmas, so meeting the Grinch is the perfect celebrity encounter for both of them.  Calling onto her career as a professional wrestler, maybe they could even be a mixed tag team, although I cannot think of a clever team name right now.
I first saw Steph at the early RPro shows years ago.  She was always good for a quick interview and I loved her passion for her hometown Browns.  In fact, we had a couple Browns versus Bears debates.  It was always a fun time with Steph and I enjoyed her work in the ring, too.
As for the Grinch, I think we all discovered him early in our lives.  I have never met him, but I admit to occasionally feeling his spirit around this time of year.
This year, I have done my best to keep the Grinch at bay.  Maybe more thoughts of Steph are the answer.

Sassy Steph and the Grinch in Cleveland, OH-December 2011.

On the Beat (Again!) with Sassy Stephie at Resistance Pro Wrestling

A few days ago, I wrote about hoping to catch up with Sassy Stephie, one of the talented young women wrestlers with Resistance Pro Wrestling.  Despite being involved in a fast-paced, highly competitive 6 person match, Sassy Stephie was kind enough to give us an update on her life since last we met.
Stephie is currently one half of the tag team champs (with Allysin Kay) for WSU (Women's Superstars Uncensored Wrestling).  She is busy honing her craft all over.
The Sassy One talked about that, along with her love for the Cleveland Browns.  She also gave plenty of good reasons why she can call herself a badass.  I think her qualifications back up that claim!
Once again, as with our Jacques Baron interview from last month, Robert Anthony makes an unexpected cameo appearance.  Don't worry, we finally pinned him down later and that interview will be here soon.
Make no mistake about it though, Sassy Stephie is the star of this interview and rightly so.  This talented young wrestler is making her mark on the wrestling.  She was ranked #41 in PWI's top 50 and I predict she will move up that chart in 2012.
After you watch the interview below, be sure to check out StephanieSager.wordpress.com, follow her on twitter and check out Stephie's Facebook page.  Also, go to ResistancePro.com to learn all about the talented wrestlers of R Pro.

Stepping Out with Sassy Stephie

At the Resistance Pro Wrestling event in January, we interviewed Sassy Stephie.  The Sassy One has been in the women's title picture at R Pro right from the beginning.
Sassy Stephie is a talented, young wrestler.  She can be seen wrestling all over, especially in the midwest.  She is working very hard to improve her skills and get as much ring work as possible.
Aside from actually wrestling, Stephie has done some video work of her own.  Her "Stepping Out" segments, along with other cool Stephie stuff, can be found on her YouTube channel.  Stephie has a lot of charisma and should go far in wrestling (or pretty much whatever business she chooses).
She is scheduled for the next R Pro event tonight.  Johngy's Beat will be there in full force.  Hopefully, we will get an update from her.
To learn more about Stephie, be sure to check out StephanieSager.wordpress.com, follow her on twitter and check out Stephie's Facebook page.  Also, go to ResistancePro.com to learn all about the talented wrestlers of R Pro.

Sassy Stephie and me in Chicago, January 2012.

On the Beat with Sassy Stephie

Sassy Stephie had an interesting start in pro wrestling.  Armed with some DJ experience and her love for wrestling, she became a ring announcer for a local promotion in Ohio.  This lead to her getting trained and making her wrestling debut in March of 2007.  She has gone on to hold titles in at least six organizations.  She is also the #1 contender for the Resistance Pro Wrestling Women's Championship.
At Rise, the second event held by RPW, Sassy Stephie beat Cheerleader Melissa to become the #1 contender and she will face Melanie Cruise on February 17.  I am really looking forward to this match.
I think the women's division of RPW is extremely strong.  Cruise, Sassy Stephie, Serenity and Cheerleader Melissa are an excellent top four.  These ladies can wrestle and can work the mic.
Scott Beatty (the Bobby Heenan of Johngy's Beat) interviewed Sassy Stephie after her victory last Friday.  They talk about her influences, who she likes to wrestle and her future.  I really love her thoughts on her ideal opponent.  It's a simple, but great answer.  It is really at the heart of what Sassy Stephie is.  She's a talented, smart and beautiful wrestler and entertainer.
To learn more about Sassy Stephie, you can check the Sassy Stephie Facebook page, follow Sassy Stephie on twitter. and go to Sassy Stephie's YouTube page.   You can also go to ResistancePro.com for more info and updates on Sassy Stephie and the rest of the Resistance Pro Wrestling roster.