There is a preconceived notion among fans that women who come into the wrestling business without any sort of formal sports entertainment background somehow do not have respect for the industry, nor do they recognize the greats that have helped shape the business they seek to find fame in. They come across as ignorant, completely uninformed with That could not be any further from the truth in the case of Naomi, who cited the great Manami Toyota as a favorite of hers during an interview with Bleacher Report's Jonathan Snowden.
My favorite Japanese wrestler was Manami Toyota. I watch her matches and I'm in awe.
She continued:
I consider myself a high-flyer and I like doing things to make the crowd pop and to stand out from the other girls, but when I watch her I'm really amazed by what she does. There are things she can do that to this day I'm still trying to learn how to do.
At a time when current roster members pay lip service to those performers more closely associated with WWE, it was unique and interesting to hear Naomi refer to someone like Toyota, not necessarily known to a large portion of fans this side of the Orient, as a huge influence on her.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
