Women's wrestling has come on leaps and bounds in the last 18 months - but the development isn't limited to the former divas of WWE.

Because right here in the UK a women's revolution is also taking place between the ropes and London-based performer Jinny is at the forefront.

Since making her in-ring debut in 2015, there have been few talents who have committed so much to their villainous heel character as the 'Fashionista'.

She started her voyage inside the squared circle making history, becoming the first female to graduate from PROGRESS Wrestling's training school, the Projo.

(Image: Robyn Goding @BeyondGorilla_)

And in January the 5ft 6in star won a two-day tournament, overcoming three opponents, to be crowned the inaugural Revolution Pro Wrestling Women’s Champion.

With another historic accolade ticked off, the 'Yaas Queen' aims to continue setting the pace for top UK companies like RevPro, PROGRESS and Pro-Wrestling: EVE.

Mirror Sport's Tony Quant spoke with Jinny about becoming a wrestler, her inspirations and character, perceptions of female performers and winning the RevPro women’s title.

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What first got you into wrestling?

I started watching in 1997, I just really enjoyed it. I liked the entertainment side and it was during the Attitude Era, where everything was out there and bizarre. You could really engage with it in a totally different way. I also had an older brother who was really into wrestling when I was younger. Then I became the diehard fan and would record every single Raw and SmackDown and had bin bags full of tapes!

So how did you make the switch from being a fan to deciding to become a wrestler?

Initially I wanted to train when I was 18, I had that stuck in my head. However, when I turned 18 I didn’t know much about the UK scene and it wasn’t as big as it is now. Plus you couldn’t just hop on the internet like you can now. I had done some research though and at the time OVW [Ohio Valley Wrestling] was the WWE development company and so I contacted them and said I was interested. We spoke and they explained that they were based in Kentucky in the States and I had my heart set on going to the States.

That didn’t happen and I went to uni and stuff. Then I was working as a contractor after uni, but the thought of being a wrestler was still niggling away at me. So I then looked around, this time with the benefit of having social media and contacted about five schools. One of them was PROGRESS and they got back to me and told me about the classes and stuff. I had initially spoken to them in December 2013 but didn’t actually go to train with them until February 22, 2014.

Turning up to the Projo must have been a bit daunting, but you made history by becoming the first female graduate. Can you recall your experience of the Projo?

It was just incredible and I genuinely remember my first day of training. I was really nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I had to sign a waiver, went and got changed and then we did a workout. After that they divided the class up into the newbies and the advanced guys/girls. We were in the ring and the more advanced trainees were on the mats and I remember looking at them and thinking they were so cool. It was just amazing to know that they had gone through what I was going through, that was inspiring to me.

One of the trainers at the Projo was Jimmy Havoc, someone who has been a huge influence on your career. What is it like learning from him?

Jimmy is amazing and he is very tough, but in a passionate way. He will make us repeat drills in ring, to make sure it isn’t a one-off thing we do. He likes to push us to our limits, so we don’t stay in our comfort zone. It's just a really good experience with him. He has definitely helped to mould me into the wrestler I am today.

(Image: James Musselwhite @Y2jimbob)

Looking at the character that you portray, it is unique. How did the idea for the Fashionista come about?

Early on I was really stuck on what to do. I remember talking to someone and telling them I was interested in music and fashion and they took that idea and suggested doing it as a heel. I remember telling Jon [Jon Briley, PROGRESS co-founder] the idea of the Fashionista and it was after that when I had to cut promos and he said it was the character to stick with.

The actual character is based off Wilhelmina Slater from Ugly Betty, who is just a very bitchy fashion icon. She doesn’t care and will tell you straight how it is. I also did a lot of research to help build the character and people like Cruella De Vil and Catwoman helped to have an influence on Jinny.

You have touched on a few women who inspired the character, but what other women really inspire you?

My mum is my biggest inspiration and also my aunt. Both of them are independent women who are very passionate and driven. How they are has always inspired me. The real reason I fell in love with fashion is because my mum also loves fashion. When I was young, I used to take her jewellery and handbags. My aunt always pushed me and always said that if we want to do something, we will make sure we do it.

Do you feel that you have to dial up your character based on your audience?

I tend to work shows where I know the audience type is more adult based or not as family friendly. I keep the character the same and dialled up to 100%, but it does depend on the crowd and how they are on the night.

Women’s wrestling has been a huge part of the UK wrestling boom and is now more popular than ever. Do you feel the push the likes of the WWE gave its women’s division has trickled down and helped to make it more accepted in the UK?

I think so, but then even before you have always had good amazing talents. Girls like Kay Lee Ray and Viper already in the industry, making waves before the push. People associate it, but there have always been amazing, talented girls. I do feel that it helps to retrain audiences minds to accept women’s wrestling though.

(Image: Robyn Goding @BeyondGorilla_)

As a woman in a historically male-dominated industry, have you ever had any difficulties being accepted?

Because I didn’t debut until 2015, I didn’t know what it was like as I didn’t have any negativity when I was training, everyone was viewed as equal. I think I just came in at a good time, where women were seen as equals by fans in general. I never went in and used me being a female as a characteristic, which is probably different to someone who started 10 years ago.

You and Session Moth Martina took part in the first women’s match in York Hall for Revolution Pro Wrestling in December. What was that like and how did the audience react to the match?

York Hall was definitely something on my to do list and I knew that I had to step up my game and prove myself. I actually remember getting the message about the match when I was travelling back from work and I really had to try and fight back the tears. I called my boyfriend but then mid call hung up on him, because I knew talking about it would make me cry.

I was trying to play it down in my head but then I got home and through the door and I cried for about an hour. Knowing that I was going to wrestle in the same venue as Jushin 'Thunder' Liger was amazing. And to share that with Martina was great, as we have wrestled a few times and I love working with her. I really enjoyed the York Hall crowd and the whole experience was amazing.

A few months later you made more history, becoming the first ever RevPro Women’s Champion at RevPro Live At The Cockpit 25 at York Hall on January 7. Can you talk us through how you felt?

I cried afterwards and that was one thing I didn’t want to do. But yes, I cried in the ring, I just couldn’t help myself. It was a bunch of mixed emotions and just to be given that chance has really helped me to take Jinny to the next level. When I heard the one, two, three, I just thought that it wasn’t real and I can’t really pinpoint any specific emotions that were running through me. When I got backstage and realised it was real, it was just truly amazing.

For someone who has created so many historic moments, what is next for Jinny?

This year I am really focused on getting back into the ring [Jinny is currently recovering from surgery after breaking her right hand defending her Rev Pro women's title at RevPro High Stakes on January 20]. I must admit I just really am enjoying what I am doing at the moment. I want to be in a position that when opportunities come up, I will work hard and prove myself to get them. I definitely want to work more York Hall shows, I would also love to work at Wembley Arena for PROGRESS and take that PROGRESS women's title.