Former TNA Knockouts and Tag Team Champion Winter (AKA Katarina Waters) has made her mark in the company by speaking very little and letting her actions speak for themselves.
During a short return home to the UK the glamorous wrestler gave our very own Phil Allely a few minutes of her time to discuss her career to date and future plans.
Having been recruited by the WWE initially and spending much time in OVW awaiting her call up to the big league Winter (then Billed as Katie Lea Burchill) was paired up with fellow brit Paul Burchill in a brother/sister combo that had some dodgy incest related storyline undertones.
‘I enjoyed that storyline, I saw no harm in it at all. We all handed it well. Storylines are a huge part of this business, you have to take what’s offered and run with it sometimes. Here in TNA I have loved my introduction to the company, Winter had an intriguing, mysterious and wonderful build up to her. 
I’m happy to do whatever is asked of me by creative. In TNA we can make our case if we feel unsure of something, but the way I see it is we are the talent and they are the writers, they know better than us what will work or not. If I had a good idea I would pitch it of course of make a suggestion to alter something. Shocked by her firing from the WWE Winter jumped ship to nearest rival TNA reasonably quick.
‘I’d been in contact a bit with TNA (I can now safely say that) whilst still with the WWE, but nothing more had happened. When I received my release I did have a bit of down time to readdress things, then I spoke to Dixie. I was so excited to get the chance to join TNA and have such a great transition.
The big difference between both companies is that in the WWE the Diva do get ring time, but they don’t get be creative or build storylines up. Here in TNA they seem to work harder on the storylines and give the Knockouts more to work with.’
Even though smart fans realise title changes are decided well in advance it must still give the wrestler concerned a boost of confidence when they are chosen to win one.
‘Winning the Knockouts Championship was a real highlight of my career to date, winning any title is a wonderful experience, I’ve also been lucky enough to hold the tag team belt too. I’m happy to pursue either, but the Knockouts Championship is the one to aim for I’d say, being champ proves your place in the company. I’d love to face Gail Kim for the belt, we’ve fought a couple of times (but not enough), of course one of us would have to turn to make fans believe it. Or perhaps TNA could do one of those things I like and throw traditional booking out the window and let two heels face off.’
With Booker T, Christian and Mick Foley all returning to the WWE, it must be asked if someone who felt rejected by the company when released would ever consider a return to it.
‘I’d never go back to the WWE. I’m in a good place now and TNA allow me to continue my acting interests. WWE don’t let talent do that, TNA on the other hand let us pursue outside work and they see the benefit it brings to both of us. I have a few things projects in the works right now and they are very exciting indeed.’
You can catch up with Winter every week on Impact Wrestling on Challenge.
Check out inpactwrestling.com for TNA news and UK tour updates.
By Phil Allely
