I am former WWE/WCW Diva Terri Runnels/Marlena/Alexandra York, here to answer your questions, so go ahead AMA:)

You recently said hi to us over at /r/squaredcircle so thanks for that.

While there, there were a few very lewd comments. Have you grown a think skin for that, and did anyone backstage give you advice on how to handle those people?

You are welcome and yes, you learn not to sell that junk. I remember my Mom always saying..."Never let anyone know where your goat is tied...because they will get it every time!" So true! Plus, I equate those little people with pity and some laughter at their attempts to hurt others...reads "I am desperate to get some attention and you will help me achieve that plus I am a hurting soul and when I hurt others it seems to take away some of my pain!" That is what I think their subconscious is whispering to them. :( Poor little people...

As a teenage boy growing up watching Marlena, I would just like to say thank you. So thank you.

Yeah, I think I gotcha...happy to "be there" for you! :D

Hello Terri, I have a question for you but I think I have to provide a little backstory. In 1998/99 you were involved in a group called the Pretty Mean Sisters, in which you were in a storyline with Val Venis and D'Lo Brown in which you were "Pregnant" and you had a miscarriage. How comfortable were you in going through with this angle?

HATED the name PMS, HATED, HATED that cheap angle!!! That was a Vince Russo special that I begged him to change...Vince McMahon sided with Russo on that one! CHEAP and not effective!

Good evening and Happy Cinco de Mayo! Here goes...

Ha, that is funny. I posted a question for myself instead of sending out a message to the masses. Mama don't beez knowin' her Reddit stuff yet! :D

What was your favorite story with Owen Hart? And what was your experience being backstage at the unfortunate event of Over The Edge when the accident with Owen occurred?

Dustin and I always went over to Harley and BJ Race's home to have his award winning chili. The night before the PPV we went over and Owen and I think Mick Foley came too. Harley had made a literal VAT of chili and he was very proud and protective of his bathtub full of red heaven! When Harley wasn't looking Owen went to change the ratio of hot sauce to chili and accidentally (I really don't think he meant to drop the whole bottle in the chili...maybe he did) added an entire bottle of hell's whispers to the blue ribbon pot! Needless to say when Harley realized it and when he finally caught Owen off guard the next day he USED his stun gun on Owen until tears where coming out of Owen's eyes! I really miss Owen! :(

What was your reaction to winning the Hardcore Championship?

Thanks for doing this.

"This is pretty funny!" and..."Are you serious I have to win it in a dress?"

Did Goldust sing to you in public during the Plane Ride From Hell and if so how was it?

Yes, he did! He had just gotten remarried not too long before that and if it wasn't for that and the fact that the whole plane had finally settled down to a "cross the pond nap" when he belted out David Alan Coe's Forever My Darlin' at a decibel that would have been offensive even if everyone was wide awake, I would have loved it and simply laughed as I did at many things he did that were SO Funny and socially WRONG! :D

What do you think about women in wrestling who sell their worn underwear for hundreds of dollars?

To each his own Baby...but WORN...nah! :(

Who has been your favorite person to work with & why?

Probably Dust then Perry...the first answer is very easy...TRUST!

How many behind-the-scenes romances happen between wrestlers and divas? Any notable stories you wouldn't mind sharing?

Can't tell you now but it certainly seems like it is occurring some more now than in the ATTITUDE ERA! Lots of KayFabe Lovin back in the day!

What is your best Ray Traylor (Big Boss Man) story the fans may find amusing and we haven't heard before?

Oh Dear Lord...there are just SO many and most take too long! I will tell you that Ray legitimately got us LOST in a parking garage for 15 minutes! Not saying what plant from God's GREEN EARTH he might have enjoyed prior to...just saying I actually starting Fussin' at him. For all of you NON Southerners...that would mean I was audibly complaining! :D

One of my favorite moments of your character is when you were managing the Hardy Boyz and got put through a table by the Dudleys. How safe was that spot? Their women table spots always looked vicious.

LOVED being the first woman to be put through the table with the Dudleys. Vince was VERY nervous and threatened Bubba if he hurt me! I asked for the table NOT to be gimmicked...and my only regret is that Bubba was scared he would hurt me and he protected me too much! I wanted more of that table! TRUE!

One of the worst moments for me had to be when you took the stinkface from Rikishi. I hated him. What was the stinkface like? I can only imagine what was going through your head then! I also hated the Kat for a while after that, although I can't say I didn't enjoy the stinkface match at Summerslam between you two!

Funny story...Junior said "Girl, I am extra fresh and clean for you!"...and so he was! Who woulda thunk it right!?! If you ever really pay attention...most people don't "take" his finish...I saw it as a respect thing and took it as best I could. He could have made it brutal for me and didn't...so happy we have been good friends for over 25 years! We go way back to NWA WCW days at Center Stage in ATL...them wuz tha dayz! :D

Did the WWF want you to show your boobs during that period where Kat showed hers?

I showed what I wanted to where my boobs were concerned. I enjoyed the introduction and perfection of the underboob! Always made some countries a little nervous. :D

If you could have a Terri invitational with two current tag teams who would be in it

Hmmmm...need to think about that one!

What's your relationship like with Dustin/Goldust these days? I assume you have some kind of contact because of your daughter.

Always massive respect and love based on the fact that we have a daughter together. Sometimes I wish his current wife would be comfortable in the fact that he is all hers where the husband wife thing is concerned. We have co-parented and communicated since 1999 w/o any major troubles. I think there might be a bit of a short leash there. That is his choice and he has to live with it. What matters is that we communicate for Dakota. We used to have a lot more fun and laughs though...I have to say that is a bit disappointing now that I think of it. :(

What is the best and worst things about working for the WWE?

Hands down...ENTERTAINING YOU was the best...travel schedule and balancing being a mommy was the toughest for me.

I had a crush on you forever (and still do)! How difficult was it to remain so firmly in character when Goldust was so over-the-top and hilarious?

Awww...now I am blushing! Sometimes it was truly difficult. We had some good times!

Any behind the scenes cat fights you would like to share?

Geez...so glad the catty ones left in the early days just when the Divas were becoming a "thing"! Ain't nobody got time for that! Personally it just makes a girl look "low-rent" to behave in such a petty, insecure way! Just say Hell No! :D

Who came up with the "horny little shedevil" nickname?

Jim Ross called me a SheDevil when I turned on the Hardy Boys...Jerry Lawler added the "horny little"...a part I was never particularly fond of...like how did he know!?! :D

Thank you for doing this, you and Goldust were two of my favorites growing up. How long did it take him to apply his makeup every night, and do you still follow the WWE today?

My pleasure! I hope he will do one of these too...he would have a blast with you all! As for his makeup...he is a very artistic and creative person believe it or not (there is more to that tall, tobacco spittin' Texan than meets the eye! :D) so he gets really artsy and kind of tries to out do himself with each face...or at least he used to. I haven't lived with him since 1999 you know!

You are the reason I kept watching wrestling events, one of the most beautiful Ring Side girls to ever step into this type of entertainment. You are gorgeous! ....how do you think the WWE has changed and what are your thoughts of Vince McMahon?

Thank you and wow...too many changes to go into here. I have mostly positives for Vince! :)

What just happened to a bunch of the answers I gave??? Where did they go? If I did something to make them go poof I am really upset. I have accidentally done that twice tonight! :(

Okay, I am going to call it a night. I enjoyed spending it with all of you. Thanks for your time as well. Stop by and say hello on my Twitter. TheTerriRunnels also if you are in the NY/NJ area this weekend I will be making some appearances and would love to see you! Check out the schedule page on my website www.TheTerriRunnels.com

Happy Dreams...Love, Terri :)

Were you backstage at the time of the Montreal Screwjob? Your thoughts on the matter?

Didn't really have a huge effect on me...I think I was preoccupied with something else at the time. It was definitely the word in the "backstage street" for a while.

I've always wondered what wrestling move hurts the most and which one the least?

HaHa...depends on who you are working with! #STIFF #SNUG #TIGHT

Besides Dustin was there anyone you wanted to join the ranks of the elite York Foundation who's services you just couldn't manage to obtain?

Dang, I just spent 4 minutes answering this and accidentally erased it! Please ask again later and I will answer! :0 Sorry!

Greetings! What was your favourite moment from working in the WWE?

Too many, but I do have a favorite thing about folks who spell the word favourite with a U...U are my favorite thing!

Did you actually know how to use the computer you had as Alexandra York?

Nope! I used to type out snotty little responses to the people who were yelling nasty things at me then we would laugh at my responses backstage. :D

Hey Terri, Looking Gorgeous as Always ! Who was one wrestler you never had a chance to partner up with that you feel would have been great ?

I would love to have done more with Steve Austin. We always had fun whenever we had "stuff" to do. He is not the "manage needy type" if ya know what I mean! :D Still liked working with him. Loved working with Edge and would have liked more and also Test.

I would have had fun with Kevin Nash too!

What's one of your favorite backstage moments from your WWE(F) days?

Man...we used to have so much fun backstage...we used to have a ball doing anything back then!

Does Dakota have any plans to follow in her parents footsteps and go to wwe??

No! She is our little equestrian. She is majoring in Bus. Admin w/ a minor in Equine Science. Bottom line, she would prefer to be in the company of horses versus humans! :D

Is it taboo to ask about your time with New Jack? You seem like a levelheaded woman with a strong business mind and logic. Why'd you get involved with that blowhard? Do you regret it?

You have done a great job of answering that...I will leave it with you. Thanks, Naimnotname. :)

Good Perry Saturn story? What do you think of his face tattoo? Still keep in touch?

I just love Perry however he is...with a face tattoo or not...he is my FRIEND!!! Yes, but I need to do a better job of calling more often!

So we gotta know, "The Plane Ride From Hell," how awkward was it?

Quite awkward and interesting!

I'm a big fan and thank you for doing this. Who was your least favorite person to manage or work with?

That seems a waste of time to answer to me. I have mentioned such before but why really. I would rather talk about what I really LIKE! :)

Terri, thanks for stopping by! I always thought you had the greatest legs in WWE, and it's great to hear your post WWE life is going well. My question is twofold; one is did you ever get to work with Ryan Shamrock and have any idea what she is up to now? and two, what is your favorite Pokemon?

Well thanks! Do you ever remember seeing a little group called PMS? Ryan was my little one in that group. She and I always have fun now whenever we see each other!
Favorite Pokémon was Ninetales and Ponyta! :)

Who were your favorite women to work with in WWE?

Trish and Molly!

What is the nicest thing Vince McMahon ever did for you?

Let me sign a contract to only work TV's and PPV's so I could be at home with Dakota! :)

What would you have done in your career if wrestling didn't pan out?

I was a makeup artist for CNN, Larry King Live, WCW and any anchor or celebrity that went on air at CNN. :)

Weird question I know, but what is your thought about female wrestlers in WWE being referred to divas instead of superstars or something else appropriate? I've always wanted to ask a female wrestler that..and thank you for doing this AMA!

Yeah, I get what you mean. I too think Divas has a snotty/bitchy/negative connotation but when you realize that it is very good from a marketing standpoint then it becomes "small potatoes"!

Hi Terri, I met you backstage at the Post Fight Press Conference at UFC 88 in Atlanta, GA. Are you a big MMA fan, and how did you get the credentials? Do you have contacts in UFC or were you with someone who did?

I used to be a fanatic back in the day when the rules were NO RULES! I still like it. Not as informed about all of the guys/girls now. Dana is a friend.

What is your workout regimen these days? Any advice for someone just starting out their fitness journey?

Well, I recently lost 29 lbs! I got down to 91.5lbs...NOT A GOOD THING!!! I didn't mean to lose that much and now I am happy to say I have gained back up to 101.5lbs. I feel healthy and very comfortable in my skin now. I am in the process of adding muscle back on where I lost that. I don't know how old you are but focus on the foundation of MUSCLE...you can always take off the fat but you want to create the beauty and foundation of the muscle on the bone. :)

What is the biggest difference in wrestling today from back in your day?

It seems as though the characters and their development are like assembly line, cookie cutter characters. Everybody wants to be and thinks they can be a Superstar. I don't want to disparage any of the incredible talent...but the concept and delivery seem a bit packaged. What do you think the big difference is?

At this time in your life, what would make you feel completely happy?

For you to call in more water damages!

Any memories or stories of Undertaker?

Gave him the world's worst haircut when he was Mean Mark in WCW LONG time ago!

If you could change one thing about your career or do one thing differently, what would it be?

I would have taken more that was offered in the beginning. I said no to a lot because I was a Mom first and foremost. Dakota says to me...Mom, why didn't you do those things...I know you love me anyway! :) I am a firm believer that we make choices both great and poor that are needed to define our core on this journey called life!

What is your feeling about all of the deaths of wrestlers at younger ages due to heart attacks and drug/steroid use? Is wrestling doing enough now to help wrestlers with substance and health problems, or should they be doing more?

It will always be a part of it...however, I think there is certainly an atmosphere of control and concern where it used to be just crazy! What do I know...I am an old fart who hasn't been on the road in 10 years...maybe it hasn't changed!?! Nah...I am sure it has changed!

Honest question:

Why so many name changes?

Why not...it's pro wrestling...it's sports entertainment! ;)

Hello Terri, would you ever come back to the wwe as the Marlena character with Goldust? I think it would be awesome to see you guys one more time.

One more little stint might be fun as Marlena...???

Any chance that you'll ever write a tell all book about your experiences with wrestling

Nope, I like my friends and don't think it's nice to do that to them. I think people should have a choice if they want to tell provocative things about themselves...shouldn't be in the hand of others.

Hi Terri! I met you when I was 7, in MN, The day before our birthdays, (cuz we share the same bday) and Sadly the day before Brian Pillmans death. I remember you taking the time out of your schedule to talk to me and my family, and also telling me you had to go home with pillman (because of the storyline) I would like to thank you for making my birthday a great one

Aww cool...thanks for sharing that story!

You're my favorite, that's all.

Awww...thanks and thanks for talking to me yesterday! :)

When I was young, I thought every wrestler had their go at the WWE divas. I was just an immature kid back then but now that I'm older I would like to know. Do wrestlers get the divas or is there enough groupies to keep them happy?

Can't say, I am not on the road to see what they are doing. I do think there are more couples on the road now.

I met you at Wrestlecon last year, you were very friendly, just wanted to thank you! :)

Hey thanks! :)

Hi Terri! Big fan for many years. What was it like giving Marc Mero the shattered dreams and pouring water down Meat's trunks? I always loved your strong personality!

Little bit fun! :D

Do you see yourself in the HOF one day? You deserve it.

I sincerely believe there are SO many deserving older wrestlers that should be given the honor before me.

Take two: Besides Dustin was there anyone you wanted to join the ranks of the elite York Foundation who's services you just couldn't manage to obtain?

No, I was focused on making money and trying to get back in time to shower and be at CNN by the painful hour of 4am. I had to be there every morning from 4am to 12noon! I was thinking about spending more time with Dustin, making money and getting sleep when and where I could. I left the booking to Dusty back then.

Honestly, why did you leave WWE? You were not old! You were in great shape, looked amazing and you were still very popular with the male audience! I know you have a daughter but im sure working just 1 night of the week to bring joy to all your fans could have been achievable? So why did u leave? ps. miss seeing you on wwe! x

Awwww....bless your bones! I was almost 40 and all of the new chickies were in their 20's. It was time.

Tells us what philanthy you've been involved in - how you've given us entertainment and now something even more important! Thanks!

I am a sucker for any person who helps another...whether it be a very small courtesy or a major investment of time, money, blood, bone marrow, etc.!! I DO NOT do enough. I have helped the Ronald McDonald House on several occasions. We should all do more! That is my charge to myself and to all of you! :)

As a Samoan, it was awesome seeing Divas interested in The Rock. The interaction between you and The Rock here was hilarious! How was The Rock backstage?

Question! As a Samoan...on a scale of 1-10, ten being the top of the charts, how much do you love TURKEY BUTTS???

No question I just wanted to let you know that Marlena and Goldust will always be two of my favorite characters ever. You played your characters so well and were always entertaining! Thanks for being awesome!

I love people/fans like you that give a sincere and genuine thank you to us! We love making you guys happy!

Honestly, what's it like to be a woman in wrestling?

The product always seems to be so heavily reliant on the male performers, it always feels like the woman's devision is an after-thought.

I feel as though we are the icing on a delicious cake! The icing is always put on last but it wouldn't be the same without it!

[deleted]

Nah...it's all part of the fun! No stories from the show per say but Criss Angel and I had a wonderful afternoon shopping for all of my "outfits" for that show! :D He bought me a belt at Patricia Fields that day that I still love and wear. A black leather rose belt with strips of leather like a whip.

Way too late to chime in here, but what was Cody like growing up? When was it clear to the family he was next up for the business?

When Dust and I were married we were only around him during family events and holidays. Good kid!

Hi Terri,

Thank you for doing this AMA. You'll always be welcome in /r/squaredcircle too!

I'd like to know if you were ever approached by WCW or had any offers to "jump ship" as it were.

Also, do you follow wrestling currently? If so, as someone synoynmous with the "Attitude" era, what are your thoughts about the current WWE product (or any other organization!)

Thanks.

Thank you and let's answer that another time. Time is an issue now.

I loved your wrestling psychology. Did that come naturally or did someone help along the way? Thanks in advance and hi!

Just me.

Have you ever seen the show Suburagotory? The character Dallas HAD to be based on you. Loved all your work, you always looked like you were really enjoying yourself...exceot for the blatantly stupid storylines they sometimes had for you.

Never watched it but you have now spawned a desire in me to check out this character Dallas. Why do you say it was based on me?

So, you were involved in Brian Pillman's last storyline. I was always a huge fan of his, and I'm not here to try and ask uncomfortable questions about the circumstances of his death. I would like to know if you could answer, what was the conclusion to the storyline they had you involved in with him?

Also, huge upvote to you for creating Moppy. At least, that is what I heard.

I was going to leave Dustin instead of finishing out the renewal of our vows after Brian "had" me for 30 days. Dustin was going to turn face and I would have become more of a heel. I had nothing to do with the creation of Moppy. :( Sorry to disappoint.

Do you ever watch or attend the nxt shows? If so..who's your favorite upcoming diva?

No...nothing against it...just haven't.

It seems many wrestlers are now finding careers in acting positions.

How well do you think the acting that the wrestlers use in WWF & WWE actually helps when transferring over to films? (Playing their character role, the fights themselves etc.)

Some do great...and some...well, some.............

Still always fun to watch our brethren and their foray into the world of motion pictures. :)

Hello Terri! Do you prefer shoes, socks, or barefeet? If shoes, what kind?

All of the above actually! Currently I am sans shoes or socks but I really enjoy being out and about in my stilettos (Gianmarco Lorenzi faves) Love to put on a big shirt or VS flannel pj's with fuzzy socks and I love to rub my bare feet on the leg of my significant other.

Are you still a fan of professional wrestling? If so, what are your thoughts on the product?

It is in my blood! I do not invest the time in watching it that often...but I will always be a fan!