Show: Wrestling Epicenter
Guest: Kiera Hogan
Date: 08/29/19
Your Host: James Walsh

Kiera Hogan was the happy-go-lucky “Girl on Fire” once upon a time sporting a red and yellow flame hairstyle. But, thanks to her connection to the Undead Realm and the Dark War between Rosemary and Su Young, we’ve seen a darker side develop. The blue flame burns with this darker version of Kiera Hogan on camera. But, a very strong person is growing behind the Impact Wrestling television cameras.

In July, Kiera announced on social media that she is involved in a relationship with former Impact Wrestling Knockout Diamante. This was risky for social reasons in a world that often sees cruelty thanks to the ambiguity of the Internet. But, her announcement was met with support from her fans. To help her spread support for those who have not had the courage to come out as she has, Kiera is taking part in a “Pride Tour” sharing her story and experiences. This will include stops in Chicago on Bound for Glory weekend. She will be dropping the puck at the Chicago Wolves Hockey game, flipping the coin at a flag football game, and more.

Kiera starts that tour where she started her Impact Wrestling run… With an interview with the Wrestling Epicenter. We are proud to have her on to spread her message and hope all listen to and appreciate her message.

Impact Wrestling presents Bound for Glory from the Odeum in the Chicago, IL area on October 20th. For more information on this epic pay per view, visit ImpactWrestling.com.

To listen to our interview with Kiera Hogan, visit WrestlingEpicenter.com. If you share the below text of our conversation, please remember to include a link back to our site. 

KIERA HOGAN on her current role in Impact Wrestling:

“I am having a blast! It is the perfect time to be in Impact Wrestling. To be a Knockout has always been one of my dreams. I just feel like I’m killing it, I’m getting better, I’m growing, I’m making strides, I’m getting hotter with time. I’m juust am so happy to still be with Impact!”

On her contract status:

“I just signed a new deal. I’ll be there at least another 2 years. I’m really excited to see what the future holds with Impact. I’m going to keep taking it to the next level and get hotter with time.”

On the acting and cinematic approach of the Su Young/Rosemary feud she was a part of:

“I really enjoy it. I think it helps with character development especially now, being in the position that I’m in. I think it really gave my blue flame character some back story. I just think it has given good character development and now you can go back and say, “Oh, so this is why she’s like that.” I enjoy it. I absolutely love it!”

On the changes to her character since the Undead Realm:

“She got a little darker. She found her hotter side. She got the blue flame and it has engulfed all of it. I’m the hottest thing… People are going to really see the evolution of this blue flame character because I’m coming up with new things. I think people are really going to enjoy the ride that I have ready for this.”

On Ember Moon borrowing from her look:

“I have the words “Aspire to Inspire” tattooed on my arm. Literally, my life’s quote is “Aspire to Inspire.” If I can inspire anything, I’ve done my job and that’s it, honestly. (laughs)”

On her current feud with Jordynne Grace:

“I really enjoy working with Jordynne. She makes me do things I would never do. She takes me out of my comfort zone. She’s just really, overall, a good performer, a good entertainer, a good wrestler. She’s definitely one of my favorite opponents in Impact.”

On Tessa and Callihan main eventing Slammiversary in an inter-gender match:

“I think we are breaking the glass ceiling with inter-gender wrestling in Impact Wrestling. I was an inter-gender champion. I think that the women can keep up with the men. Why not take it one step further and prove it? Put us in the ring with the men… Put us in the main event against the men! I think Tessa is killing it being a complete advocate for inter-gender wrestling. She’s showing the men that she can keep up. That is literally all we want – To be seen as equals and nothing less.”

On announcing that she is dating Diamante:

“It was just something that people didn’t know. I didn’t like to talk about it because I was scared. In my younger days, I got called names, was bullied, had death threats. I was scarred. I didn’t want to lose friends over it. Back then, people weren’t aware of it so it was foreign to them. But, coming out and talking about my relationship with my friends and peers, there has been nothing but an outpouring of love and support from everyone. We haven’t gotten anything negative. It is a new day and age in 2019 is the year of everybody finding their truth and being completely happy. I think that is what I’ve been able to accomplish – True and utter happiness in being myself.”

On becoming an advocate and sharing her story:

“I’m going to carry that flag high into battle. I am just so happy with my truth and I want to speak on it. I want to speak the positives on it because there is a positive being in the position that I’m in speaking out. With so much negativity and people shunning you and being ashamed… I want to be able to tell people that it is OK to speak your truth, it is OK to be your truth, it is OK to be who you are. This has never happened before in Impact. I’m able to be an advocate and go on my Pride Press Tour, that’s what I’m calling it. (laughs) I’m just excited, grateful, and blessed to be able to speak on being happy with your truth.”

On David McLane saying Kiera Hogan and Diamante form a Tag Team in WOW Season 2:

“I don’t know! Season 2 premieres September 7th (on AXS TV) so I guess you’ll just have to tune in and watch! (laughs)”

On working with WOW:

“I love working with WOW. My first season was an awesome experience. I think WOW was able to boost me as a wrestler and a performer. I think David McLane is just an amazing human being. He is just completely and utterly amazing. He’s helped take me to the next level. In season 2, you’ll be able to see that. David has helped me in a lot of different things – Not just WOW. He’s an amazing business man. He’s an amazing person. He loves women’s wrestling and that is something that he is a huge advocate for.”

On her plans for the actual Bound for Glory PPV:

“You know, I haven’t really thought about it. I would hope that I’m on the card for Bound for Glory – Not just doing all this stuff. (laughs) I’m just kidding. I would just love to be a part of the pay per view. I think the only pay per view I was a part of was Redemption and that was in my first year with the company. I have a lot of ideas of what I would like to do with my look and my entrance gear. So, if I do happen to be a part, I do kind of already have myself ready for it.”