Many try-out for Ultimate Women's Wrestling

By DARREN LUM -- Toronto Sun

DEFINITELY OUT OF THEIR LEAGUE SUN REPORTER Darren Lum gets "roughed up" by Ultimate Women's Wrestling league hopefuls Natalie Hilton, left and Laura Stewart. League officials say they are more interested in athleticism and brains than beauty. -- Zoran Bozicevic, Toronto Sun

Women grappling with fantasies of becoming pro wrestlers brought their toughest headlocks and flashiest full-nelsons to a Toronto studio yesterday.

Dozens turned out as the Ultimate Women's Wrestling league held its first auditions. The group will stage pay-per-view matches that could earn performers $300 to $500 (possibly $1,000) per match and potentially a share of revenue from the sale of calendars and T-shirts.

At 5-foot-4 and 110 pounds with shoulder-length, brown hair, Lesley Wood, in her last year of commerce at McMaster University, does not look like your typical wrestler.

"It's a new experience, even the audition itself. If I don't get it, that's fine," the 23-year-old said.

Wood, an actress and avid wrestling fan, said friends think she's "nuts" for trying out.

Auditions include a 10-part intelligence test, a talent portion and a run-through of wrestling move exercises demonstrating athletic prowess.

This league distinguishes itself from others by promoting the talents and intelligence of the wrestlers, with less emphasis on beauty, UWW officials said.

"There's an audience out there that doesn't want (T and A) as much ...," league commissioner "Victoria" said.

Matches will take place in such non-traditional spots as the beach or a forest. The first broadcast is slated for early May.

To audition, call (905) 336-0959.