As noted many weeks back, Jesse Ward was released by TNA. She hasnâ<80><99>t been doing interviews, as losing a job she loved is still difficult for her to talk about. Ward worked for TNA for 2 and 1/2 years, and said it was a â<80><9c>great experience.â<80> Ward said David Sahadi helped her out, and enjoyed learning from him. (She worked under Sahadi and Kevin Sullivan). Ward, who was a contestant on â<80><9c>Tough Enoughâ<80> in 2002, knew Ryan Wilson (Trytan in TNA) through the show, which helped Ward get her foot in the door with TNA. Speaking of â<80><9c>Tough Enough,â<80> Ward said she dated former WWE superstar Chris Nowinski for two years.
Ward said she found TNA backstage interviewer and model Leticia Cline on MySpace, and conveniently, she lived in the Orlando area. Ward admits that Cline didnâ<80><99>t know much about professional wrestling, but wanted to learn. Cline has made it to the final ten in Maxim magazineâ<80><99>s Hometown Hottieâ<80><99>s contest. In entering the competition, Cline needed a video. Ward approached Samoa Joe, AJ Styles and Eric Young about appearing in the video, and all were for it. Terry Taylor told Ward that they couldnâ<80><99>t use Kurt Angle in the video since TNA has an exclusive contract with TNA. Ward obviously got TNA talent on board for the project, but feels she and TNA were not on the same page. The video resulted in Ward being suspended, and eventually let go by the company. Ward said it was sad that it ended that way, being an unawkward way to leave. She was told by TNA that she was being suspended for a week. They didnâ<80><99>t tell Ward to remove the video, but told her they hated it. Ward said it was difficult being suspended during Slammiversary week, since itâ<80><99>s the anniversary for the promotion.
Believe it or not, Ward said she learned of her departure from TNA by reading the â<80><9c>dirt sheets,â<80> as TNA never even bothered to call Ward and inform her of their decision. She said she appreciated all the kind words that had been written by her.
Ward said that in 2 and 1/2 years with TNA, she only asked for one raise. She said originally she was to be paid per show, but when TNA switched to taping two or three shows at one taping, Ward was still being paid for one show. Obviously it wasnâ<80><99>t fair for the talent to receive two or three paydays to work a single taping, so TNA did grant her request for a raise.
Ward said she is finishing up her studies at Emerson College in Boston, where she studied TV/Video production. Ward said she would like to pursue writing. She said she still keeps in contact with lots of the wrestlers, and is a long distant friend of WWE creative writer Brian Gewirtz.
