JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – At one point in her life, Marilyn Monroe uttered this phrase: “We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle.”
But in the past year, the star that is “Timeless” Toni Storm has done way more than “twinkle.” We’re now into the supernova portion of her career.
Traveling around the globe as a wrestling star was one thing, but when Storm decided to change up her presentation inside and outside of the ring, she truly became “Timeless” -- the world noticed.
Taking on a persona that draws from stars like Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, Storm has become a singularly unique talent on Earth.
“Maybe more of a violent Marilyn Monroe,” said Storm.
I knew this was true as soon as she walked in the door to our TV studio. Expecting someone who didn’t “live the gimmick” was a mistake. She was “Timeless” in every sense with hair that made me think I was talking to Ingrid Bergman in 1944 rather than a wrestling champion in 2024.
And when we started to chat it was not with a wrestler who wanted to discuss life on the road ... or heck, even modern society. It was a throwback to a conversation with a woman of the ‘40s who was adorned in a polka-dot dress with low heels and a pearl necklace.
The only thing that really seemed out of place was the roughly 15 pounds of gold she carries with her everywhere. Because Storm is a fighting three-time world champion. She has defended that title (and lost it) on several continents. And Storm is also the talk of the wrestling world.
In the unique form of entertainment that is professional wrestling, stars search for years just to find something that connects with fans. And the New Zealand-born star did that when she changed her look, got herself a butler (who accompanies her EVERYWHERE) and let fans know she was a star.
Now, she’s the new face of the global wrestling brand owned and operated by the son of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, Tony Khan. Khan has gushed over the star his company created in Storm, who has gotten mega-over (popular) with the fans.
“Throwing back to a hundred years ago, a different era,” said Khan on a recent episode of Going Ringside. “Her character is inspired by some of the real starlets and people who even played these really iconic and even aging movie stars like Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard or Bette Davis in All About Eve.”
For now, her sights are set on a tough foe in Thunder Rosa.
“Right now the thorn in my side is a woman by the name of Thunder Rosa,” said Storm. “She has beaten me twice, I have yet to beat her. She is my arch nemesis.”
She went on to say that Thunder Rosa is an actual swear word in her “mansion.”
This comes after dispatching most every foe AEW throws in front of her. That includes the likes of Deonna Purrazzo, who Storm shared matching tattoos with -- until recently that is.
“I’ve changed it,” said Storm. “I will not be sharing any more tattoos with Deonna again.”
Another thing in 2024 that Storm wants to rectify is what happened last year in London at AEW’s marquis show “All In” in front of a record-setting 81,000 fans: Storm lost.
“I lost! I lost! In front of the biggest crowd of all time,” said Storm. “It was the worst. The worst time in my life. I will never get over it. It will never happen again.”
But as much as her wrestling ability is impressive, it’s her presentation and showmanship that’s like no other. When you tune into AEW Dynamite on Wednesday Night or Rampage on Fridays the crisp color screen that viewers are accustomed to fades to a grainy black and white as Storm enters the arena. Seldom do pro wrestlers get an introductory montage that fans fall in love with. Toni Storm has accomplished that.
The Undertaker and Ric Flair are two names that come to mind when you think about iconic entrances to the ring. It’s frankly just as important to wrestling success as the work in the ring. Storm now fits into that category.
Then if you look at her Instagram page you’ll find the other aspect of a wrestler that sells tickets. A catchphrase. “Chin up, t*** out... watch out for the shoe!” If you didn’t know, Storm has a bit of a temper problem and is known for throwing her shoes -- often at interviewers.
Thankfully, this interviewer avoided that this time around.
Tickets are still available to watch Storm and the rest of the AEW roster in Jacksonville on April 24 and 27.