Ladies of the Indies: Exclusive Interview with Danika Della Rouge
Part of this series is looking through different social media platforms looking for interesting women’s wrestlers to spotlight. Looking through Instagram one night, I was instantly drawn to the bright pink attire of Danika Della Rouge.
This is her story.
Unlike many wrestlers, Danika did not grow up watching wrestling and did not find out about it until her senior year of High School. She eventually tried out for her school’s wrestling team. “I ended up being really good at it and wanted more,” said Rouge. With that, her journey to professional wrestling began.
She eased into professional wrestling because she only had experience in amateur wrestling. Then she found the Buddy Wayne Academy and started to fall in love. “Buddy had given me something I never had before and that was trust and faith in myself,” said Rouge. Buddy passed away in 2017 at the age of 50. Danika’s story started with him.
Danika and I had a special moment when we were working on this piece because my dog passed away in the middle of me working on this article who’s name was Buddy. When I brought up he had passed away and that his name was Buddy, her reaction made it clear to me how much of an impact he had on her career and her life.
Rouge did not have an easy start when she started training, but it seems like very few people do. She shared with The Scrap, “When I first started training I felt like I had two left feet. I felt like I was never going to get better or be good.” Thankfully she was wrong about that. I also asked her about taking bumps for the first time and I got the answer I usually get. “Taking my first bump, oh man. I came back home everyday with bruises on my back that looked as if I had been whipped.” Although her career is very young, she already has a couple highlights.
“My first highlight will always be Mick Foley being at my first two matches, he made me believe that I had what it took,” said Rouge. She also attended a Los Angeles New Japan seminar in 2018, led by the legendary, Shibata. “This was one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do, it tested my will power, strength, and heart,” shared Danika. Then in early February of 2019 she got a glimpse of her dream, by being an extra for WWE.
“I feel so much pride and joy that I haven’t even debuted a year ago and I still have been given such wonderful opportunities.”
Her ultimate goal, as with many on the independent scene, is wrestling in the WWE. Danika feels that she has what it takes to reach the pinnacle of the business. “I feel that I have so much drive to be better and grow that nothing is going to stop me,” said Rouge. “I plan everything around wrestling, I spend everyday at the gym, in the ring, tanning, work, and sleep.” She lives and breaths wrestling.
Her passion is evident, and I have no doubt Buddy would be extremely proud. With a bright future ahead of her, Danika Della Rouge is a name to watch on the indy scene.
You can follow Danika on Instagram (@danikadellarouge) and Twitter (@DanikaDRouge)!
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The Scrap’s Austin Luff is broadcasting student with a passion for watching and writing about mixed martial arts and professional wrestling. Make sure to follow Austin on Twitter (@Ginger_Guy_).
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