WWE Superstar Zoey Stark an Iron Woman. WWE Raw in Tampa, SuperShows in Fort Myers, Miami

Jim Varsallone

July 23, 2023 at 4:46 PM·5 min read

Zoey Stark thanks her husband, pro wrestler/trainer Tom Howard, for being positive and supportive, especially when she contemplated switching gears/careers.

Fans can thank him, too, as we can now see and enjoy her talent weekly.

She is a WWE Superstar on the main roster (deservedly so), starring on Monday Night Raw (8 p.m. Mondays USA Network).

Here is my audio interview with WWE Superstar Zoey Stark where we discuss a variety of topics.

Zoey Stark/Tony Stark: she says that she did not derive her WWE name from the “Iron Man” character, but one has to wonder if the WWE superstar naming committee merged from the 10 first name/10 last name suggestions she wrote into that one, because of the success/status of the Robert Downey Jr. version.

No matter the case, it’s a cool name, and she wears (and tweets) it well.

Stark, 29, debuted in pro wrestling in 2013. Her indie journey included Future Stars of Wrestling, Ultra Championship Wrestling-Zero and Vendetta Pro Wrestling.

Shimmer, an all-women’s wrestling promotion, is where she attracted attention from the right person. Stark, as Lacey Ryan, wrestled Davienne, a brawling type Northeastern indie wrestler, on Oct. 11, 2020 at Marion County Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Gabe Sapolsky, the founder of EVOLVE and a WWE consultant, attended that Shimmer show and was impressed by Stark’s work. He alerted WWE, and she soon received a call for a tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. NOTE: Stark also thanks greatly Allison Danger, a then wrestler who co-runs Shimmer.

Stark excelled at the tryout and earned a WWE contract. Next stop, NXT. With her experience, she took more of a leadership role there, working with the younger, newer talent. Pre-WWE, Stark learned from Sinn Bodhi, D-Lo Brown, Derrick Hubbard, Tom Howard, Cheerleader Melissa and Danger. In WWE, she also learned from a stellar group of coaches at the WWE PC.

Stark won NXT tag team black-n-gold with Io Sky. She received praise from fans, WWE staff and higher-ups and her peers, including the great Charlotte Flair. Signed by WWE in January 2021, she was drafted by Raw (the main roster) on May 1, 2023.

And what an impact she’s made on Raw thus far.

WWE Superstar Zoey Stark (seated right) and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus (middle) on WWE’s “The Bump,” co-hosted by Cathy Kelley.

Stark formed an alliance with one of her favorites, WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, and she is involved in a program with Stratus and “The Man” Becky Lynch. Cool.

WWE Superstar Zoey Stark with WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus wrestles “The Man” Becky Lynch on WWE Monday Night Raw on July 24 at 8 p.m. on USA Network from Amalie Arena in Tampa.

An incredible opportunity, Stark (with Stratus) will face Lynch in a much-anticipated rematch on WWE Monday Night Raw on Monday, July 24 at 8 p.m. via USA Network from Amalie Arena in Tampa.

On Raw, Stark already owns a victory over the multi-time champion Lynch, and she wants to prove herself again. No fluke.

Between Stark, Lynch and Stratus, with their history, this is more than personal, and this is a very significant rematch from a couple of weeks ago. If Lynch wins, she gets a rematch with Stratus.

More about Stark

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Stark and her family moved a lot, settling in San Bernardino, California. She competed against boys in baseball, growing up. Her family, Los Angeles Dodgers fans. Not sure if she liked Dodger Dogs, but I am very sure she liked pro wrestling back then, too.

Clear cut, calculated and vicious, Stark delivers ruthless aggression while displaying quality wrestling skills. She is one to watch in WWE.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZoeyStarkWWE

WWE in Fort Myers, Miami & Tampa

Let’s get to business.

WWE Monday Night Raw live Monday, July 24 at 8 p.m. on USA Network from Amalie Arena in Tampa, home of the three-time NHL Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning and some WrestleMania 37 events/shows.

Zoey Stark (with Trish Stratus) vs. Becky Lynch and lots more. Always fun, a good time.

Tickets: WWEinTampaTix

Later that weekend, there will be WWE SuperShows with superstars from Raw and SmackDown on the same card.

WWE is in Fort Myers on Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hertz Arena in Fort Myers.

Top Matches: Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Cody Rhodes vs. new NXT North American champ Dominik Mysterio with Damian Priest, Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley of The Judgment Day.

Triple Threat for the WWE Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair.

WWE Women’s World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Natalya.

Tickets start at $20. Go to WWEinFortMyersTix

WWE makes its main roster Watsco Center debut at the University of Miami in Coral Gables on Sunday, July 30. NOTE: Bell time 5 p.m.

For the first time in company history, the University of Miami will host a WWE show in Coral Gables. A WWE Supershow, with superstars from Raw and SmackDown, invade the Watsco Center -- home of the successful University of Miami men’s and women’s basketball teams on campus at The U -- at 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30.

The Fieldhouse, part of the Watsco Center, hosted NXT shows in the past, but this marks the first time WWE’s main roster is on campus at The U. WWE will be in the main venue, where the college’s basketball teams play. Go Canes.

Top Matches: Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest.

Triple Threat for the WWE Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair.

Tickets start at $20. Go to WWEinMiamiTix.

As is the rule, cards subject to change.

WWE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Web: https://www.wwe.com/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/WWE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wwe/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ5v_MCY6GNUBTO8-D3XoAg

My Pro Wrestling and MMA Talk on the Web and Social Media

Web: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/

Twitter: @jimmyv3

YouTube: jim varsallone (jimmyv3 channel)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProWrestlingSouthFlorida/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWE-WrestleMania-28-Miami-241160769255279/

Reuters
Trial starts over rape, murder of junior doctor in India's Kolkata
A court in the eastern state of West Bengal began the trial on Monday of a police volunteer accused of raping and murdering a doctor at a government hospital in August, a case that has sparked outrage over the lack of safety for women in India. The woman's body was found in a classroom at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in the state capital Kolkata on Aug. 9, federal police said. The legal case has reignited criticism of India's poor record on women's safety despite the introduction of tougher laws following the 2012 gang rape and murder of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi.
AFP
Paris agreement climate goals 'in great peril', warns UN
The Paris climate agreement's goals "are in great peril" and 2024 is on track to break new temperature records, the United Nations warned Monday as COP29 talks opened in Baku."The ambitions of the Paris Agreement are in great peril," the WMO climate and weather agency said as global leaders gathered for high-stakes climate talks in Azerbaijan.
Reuters
Israel sees progress in Lebanon ceasefire talks, says Russia can help
Israel said on Monday there was progress in talks about a ceasefire in Lebanon and indicated Russia could play a part by stopping Hezbollah from rearming via Syria, although the Iran-backed group said it had not received any truce proposals yet. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the main challenge would be enforcing any ceasefire agreement, and that Israel was working with the United States on the diplomatic efforts. "We will be ready to be there if we know, first of all that Hezbollah is not on our border, is north of the Litani river and that Hezbollah will not be able to arm again with new weapons systems."
AFP
Stocks diverge, bitcoin hits record high
Major stock markets diverged, the dollar gained and bitcoin extended a record run higher Monday, as traders took their lead from events in the United States and China.Europe saw solid gains around midday, tracking events in the United States where president-elect Donald Trump is putting together his cabinet.
Associated Press
Russian glide bombs, drones and a ballistic missile kill 6, injure 30 in Ukraine
Russian glide bombs, drones and a ballistic missile smashed into cities in southern and eastern Ukraine on Monday, officials said, killing at least six civilians and injuring about 30 others. Russia recently intensified strikes that have long tormented civilian areas, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, in an apparent effort to unnerve Ukrainians and wear down their willingness to keep up a war that is approaching its 1,000-day milestone. “Every day, every night, Russia commits the same terror,” Zelenskyy said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.
Reuters
Former UK soldier accused of helping Iran pleads guilty to prison escape
A British soldier accused of passing sensitive information to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps pleaded guilty on Monday to escaping from prison while awaiting trial. Daniel Abed Khalife is on trial at London's Woolwich Crown Court, accused of collecting sensitive information between May 2019 and January 2022.
AFP
Anglican church head urged to resign over abuse scandal
The leader of the world's Anglican communion faced growing pressure on Monday to resign after a damning report which concluded the Church of England had covered up a serial abuse case. The extent of the abuse makes him the most prolific known serial abuser associated with the Church.
Associated Press
Church of England head Justin Welby under pressure to resign amid abuse scandal
The head of the Church of England, spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, is under pressure to resign after an investigation found that he failed to inform police about serial physical and sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian summer camps as soon as he became aware of it. Calls for Welby’s resignation have grown since Thursday, when the church released the results of an independent review into John Smyth, who sexually, psychologically and physically abused about 30 boys and young men in the United Kingdom and 85 in Africa over five decades. The 251-page report concluded that Welby failed to report Smyth to authorities when he was informed of the abuse in August 2013, soon after he became Archbishop of Canterbury.
Reuters
South Korea's ruling party plans chips law to avert Trump threat
South Korea's ruling party proposed a special chips act on Monday to give chipmakers subsidies and an exemption from a national cap on working hours, to tackle potential risks from measures threatened by incoming U.S. President Donald Trump. The semiconductor industry is critical for the trade-dependent economy, Asia's fourth biggest, with chips making up 16% of total exports last year. Last week, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol warned of the risks stemming from Trump's threat of steep tariffs on Chinese imports that could prompt Chinese rivals to slash export prices and undercut Korean chip firms overseas.
Associated Press
WHO says mpox cases in Congo's epicenter where the new variant was detected may be 'plateauing'
The World Health Organization said mpox cases in the region of Congo where a new and more infectious variant was first detected appear to be “plateauing,” even as the virus continues to increase in other regions of the country, as well as in Burundi and Uganda. According to data from last week, Congo reported fewer than 100 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases, down from nearly 400 in July. WHO said the mpox outbreak in Burundi is also being driven by the newer variant, which causes less severe symptoms — meaning people who are infectious may not realize they are spreading it.
AFP
China's 'Singles Day' shopping spree in spotlight as spending flags
China's largest online shopping bonanza wraps up on Monday, with analysts and investors watching for signs that consumption is rebounding in the world's second-largest economy after recent efforts by Beijing to boost activity.This year's Singles Day could represent a major boon for retail giants as analysts watch for signs that recent measures are having an impact.
Reuters
Exclusive-Amazon developing driver eyeglasses to shave seconds off deliveries, sources say
Amazon is developing smart eyeglasses for its delivery drivers to guide them to, around and within buildings, as it tries to smooth the final stretch of an order's journey to a customer's home, five people familiar with the matter said. With millions of packages delivered daily, seconds add up. The glasses would also free drivers from using handheld Global Positioning System devices, allowing them to carry more packages.
TODAY
Krispy Kreme is giving out free doughnut dozens for World Kindness Day
Krispy Kreme’s free dozen offer is only valid on World Kindness Day, November 13, and is available to the first 500 customers who stop by a participating store.
CNN
White House races to dole out funding from key legislation before Trump takes office
The White House is racing to dole out remaining funds appropriated from key legislation President Joe Biden signed before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in 10 weeks.
CBS News
How a U.S. Army veteran went from battlefields to mushroom farming
Former U.S. Army convoy commander Stephen Robinson is part of a new crop of "urban farmers": veterans turning to farming after fighting.
CBS News
COP29 climate summit begins today. Will it be the last for the U.S.?
As delegates from nearly 200 countries gather for a major international summit on climate change, they're confronting a new era of uncertainty for the U.S. under a second Trump administration.
AFP
Mauritius prime minister concedes election defeat
The Mauritius opposition appeared to be headed for victory in legislative elections after Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth on Monday conceded defeat. Final results have yet to be officially released, but opposition leader Navin Ramgoolam looked set to take over the post of prime minister for the third time at the head of his Alliance of Change coalition.
AFP
Kremlin denies call between Putin and Trump
The Kremlin on Monday denied a US media report that Russian President Vladimir Putin and US president-elect Donald Trump shared a call about the Ukraine conflict.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that the report was "simply false information", denying any phone call took place.
Reuters
Hezbollah says no official ceasefire proposal received yet
Hezbollah has not received any proposals on a truce for Lebanon, a spokesperson said Monday, as Israel's foreign minister said diplomatic efforts had made "progress" and amid Israeli media reports that the cabinet had approved a ceasefire proposal. "So far, according to my information, nothing official has reached Lebanon or us in this regard," the head of Hezbollah's media office, Mohammad Afif, said in news conference in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said on Monday that progress had been made in Lebanon's ceasefire talks but that enforcement remained the most important element.
CBS News
Brand new Disney Cruise Line ship saves 4 from stranded catamaran off Bermuda
A Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Treasure, rescued four people from a catamaran that was taking on water some 265 miles from Bermuda Sunday, according to the Coast Guard.

More about Stark

WWE in Fort Myers, Miami & Tampa

WWE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Latest Stories