Tori (wrestler)

1.1. Early Life and Bodybuilding Career

Terri Poch was born on August 20, 1964, in Portland, Oregon, United States. She stands at 71 in ^{(181 cm)} and weighs 134 lb ^{(61 kg)}. Prior to her career in professional wrestling, Poch established herself as a successful bodybuilder and fitness model. Her achievements in bodybuilding include winning the Miss Wyoming Award in 1980, securing first place in the Ironman/Ironwoman Contest in 1987, and winning the Northwest Championship in both 1987 and 1988. In 1988, she also placed third in the National Championship. Her experience in bodybuilding contributed to her physique and her reputation as a power-oriented performer in the wrestling ring.

2.1. Early Career (1988-1993)

Terri Poch made her professional wrestling debut in 1988 in Portland, Oregon's Pacific Northwest Wrestling (PNW) under the ring name Taylor Made, where she served as a valet for Scotty the Body.

In 1990, she joined the Ladies Professional Wrestling Association (LPWA) and adopted the ring name Terri Power. Within her first year with the company, she secured victories over notable opponents such as Leilani Kai and Judy Martin. On February 23, 1992, at the LPWA Super Ladies Showdown event held in the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota, she defeated Lady X to win the LPWA Championship. She was never officially defeated for the title, as the LPWA ceased operations shortly after her championship victory. During her tenure with the short-lived organization, she also formed a tag team with Reggie Bennett.

In the summer of 1992, Poch began wrestling for All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW). Her first visit to Japan was in July 1990, when she participated in matches for Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling. Upon joining AJW, she expressed her desire to compete in what she considered the most major and serious women's wrestling organization in the world, stating her intention to reside in Japan for a period to pursue professional wrestling. Her Japanese debut with AJW took place on June 21, 1992, at Korakuen Hall, where she teamed with Etsuko Mita in a match against Debbie Malenko and Mima Shimoda. She developed a friendly relationship with Debbie Malenko, despite Malenko being younger, and they often sparred together. Malenko also provided Poch with advice on living in Japan. Given her bodybuilding background, Poch frequently taught weight training exercises to AJW wrestlers. The promotion recognized her potential and even purchased specialized 99 lb ^{(45 kg)} dumbbells for her.

On June 27, 1992, at the Omiya Skating Center, Poch participated in a rare six-woman tag team match as a member of the Jungle Jack faction, teaming with Aja Kong and Miori Kamiya against a team consisting of Bull Nakano, Suzuka Minami, and Yumiko Hotta. This marked her first encounter with Bull Nakano, where she demonstrated her ability to match strength with the dominant Japanese wrestler and showcased moves like a flying lariat and dropkick from the second rope. The ring announcer introduced her as "Jungle Jack Terri Power," signifying her alignment with the faction.

On July 5, 1992, at Korakuen Hall, Poch formed an "American Tag" team with Debbie Malenko, facing Yumiko Hotta and Suzuka Minami. During this match, Kyoko Inoue, who was scheduled to face Poch for a title ten days later, provided guest commentary on the match video. Inoue praised Poch's versatility, exceptional health management derived from her bodybuilding, and remarked that Poch would be unstoppable if she further developed her bumping technique. Poch and Malenko secured a major victory, with Malenko pinning Hotta.

On July 15, 1992, at the Ota City General Gymnasium, less than a month after her Japanese debut, Poch challenged Kyoko Inoue for the All Pacific Championship. Although she lost the match to Inoue's Niagara Driver, she presented a formidable challenge, exhausting Inoue to the point of stamina concerns. However, during the match, while attempting to execute a lift-up on Inoue, Poch suffered a knee ligament injury. Despite the setback, her performance was seen as promising. On August 15, at Korakuen Hall, she teamed with Miori Kamiya against Tomoko Watanabe and Kumiko Maekawa, where she secured a rare pinfall victory by executing a lift-up press to throw Kamiya onto Watanabe, followed by an elbow drop. Due to her knee injury, she returned to the United States for three months to undergo surgery. Following her return, she participated in the Tag League The Best '92, teaming with Takako Inoue. Her last major appearance in AJW occurred on April 2, 1993, at the Yokohama Arena, during an all-star inter-promotional event. She teamed with Mieko Numata against Yoshika Maedomari and Eriko Tsuchiya from FMW. Poch competed in this match despite a dislocated right shoulder, effectively using only her left arm. Although her team lost, this was her final significant match in AJW before she took a hiatus from wrestling.

2.2. World Wrestling Federation / WWE (1998-2001)

In 1998, Terri Poch was signed by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). She adopted the new ring name Tori and debuted on the December 28 episode of Raw.

2.3. Retirement from Wrestling

After her removal from television, Terri Poch worked as a trainer on WWF Tough Enough throughout the summer of 2001. She was released by the WWF in September 2001. At the time of her departure, Poch made accusations against Scott Levy (Raven), claiming he had verbally abused her. However, WWF road agent Gerald Brisco and Executive Vice President of Talent Relations Jim Ross publicly stated that these allegations were not true. Poch subsequently retired from professional wrestling to focus on her career as a yogini. Despite her involvement with D-Generation X, her name was not mentioned when the group was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame two decades later.

3.1. Finishing Moves

Throughout her career, Terri Poch employed a variety of finishing maneuvers:

• AR Bulldog (Bulldog) - (1983-1985)
• AR Buster (Brainbuster) - (1983-1985)
• AR Neckbreaker (Neckbreaker slam) - (1983-1985)
• AR Slam (Pumphandle slam) - (1983-1985)
• Brian Crossbody (Crossbody) - (1985-1987)
• Brian Elbow Smash (Back elbow smash) - (1985-1987)
• Brian Fist Drop (Fist drop) - (1985-1987)
• Cage Bronco Buster (Bronco buster) - (1993-1995)
• Cage Sleeper Hold Slam (Sleeper hold slam) - (1993-1995)
• Cage Spinebuster (Swinging spinebuster) - (1993-1995)
• Donovan Knee Kick (High knee) - (1991-1993)
• Donovan Seated Senton (Seated senton) - (1991-1993)
• Donovan Senton (Senton) - (1991-1993)
• Samoan Chop Drop (Chop drop) - (1987-1989)
• Samoan Dropkick (Front dropkick) - (1987-1989)
• Samoan Suplex (Leg hook belly to back suplex) - (1987-1989)
• Snap flowing DDT - (1999-2001)
• Sitout powerslam - (1999-2001)
• Taylor Drop (Sitout military press body slam piledriver) - (1997-1999)
• Taylor Piledriver (Over the shoulder belly to back piledriver) - (1997-1999)
• Taylor Slam (Double underhook mat slam) - (1997-1999)
• Tori-Plex (Fallaway powerbomb) - (1999-2001)
• Weapon Mass Destruction Atomic Drop (Atomic drop) - (1989-1991)
• Weapon Mass Destruction Kick (Heel kick) - (1989-1991)
• Weapon Mass Destruction Powerbomb (Gutwrench powerbomb) - (1989-1991)
• Zay Slam (Military press slam) - (1995-1997)
• Zeroone Bulldog (Three-quarter facelock bulldog) - (1995-1997)
• Zeroone Driver (Belly-to-back piledriver) - (1995-1997)

3.2. Signature Moves

Poch's regularly used and recognizable techniques included:

• Body slam
• Diving hurricanrana (a dynamic Frankensteiner)
• Diving plancha
• Delayed fisherman suplex
• Flapjack
• Hair-pull snapmare
• Mat slam
• Multiple kick variations:
  • Back kick
  • Running big boot
  • Side kick
• Snap suplex
• Oklahoma Stampede
• Lariat (often used as a transitional move)
• Lift Up (used to display her strength)
• Brainbuster (often held for a long time, sometimes finishing with a body press similar to Bruiser Brody)
• Rope-based "pull-up" or "reverse pull-up": A characteristic maneuver where she would grab the top rope when entangled near the outside, swing out as if doing a front flip on a horizontal bar, and use the momentum to quickly return to the ring. This move often drew applause from the audience from her earliest appearances in Japan and became a staple.
• Skin Cat: An application of the "reverse pull-up" where she would use the momentum to scissor her legs around an opponent's head near the ropes, throwing them outside the ring in a hurricanrana-like fashion.

3.3. Managers

Terri Poch was associated with the following on-screen managers during her professional wrestling career:

• Kane
• Road Dogg
• Raven
• Sable
• Stephanie McMahon
• X-Pac

3.4. Entrance Themes

Terri Poch used the following music themes for her ring entrances:

• "Full Out" by Jim Johnston (WWF; 1999-2001)
• "The Kings" by Run-DMC (WWF; 2000; as a member of the McMahon-Helmsley Faction)

4.1. Yoga Instructor Career

Following her retirement from professional wrestling in 2001, Terri Poch transitioned into a career as a yogini or yoga instructor. She currently operates her own yoga studio located in Portland, Oregon.

4.2. Other Media Appearances

Terri Poch has appeared in various forms of media, including video games, films, and television series, primarily during and after her professional wrestling career.