John Helms
(Cameras open and unveil a quiet setting where the EAW Hall of Famer, Heart Break Boy is comfortably seated behind a black table with a bottle of wine and a few glasses. Sporting his natural appearance with a cowboy hat and a Territorial Invasion promotional shirt, the former World Champion begins to look into the EAW camera with a huge smile on his face while his theme music “Dark Fantasy” by Kanye West plays in the background.)
HBB: Ladies and gents, I’m proud to present to you the very first episode of talks with the Heart Break Boy. I thought it would be an interesting idea to sit down with fellow members of the EAW community and talk about their amazing careers. This company has been very long standing and we have a bunch of individuals who deserve their flowers. I’m only here to help appreciate their efforts and get a little more inside depth into their work ethics. So without further ado, I’ll love to introduce our first guest into the show… none other than the greatest female Elitist and one of my favorite people of all time, Cameron Ella Ava!!
(“Good for Her” by MOTHICA featuring emlyn plays in the background as the camera moves to a wider view with a smiling/cheerful Cameron Ella Ava already seated across from the Heart Break Boy)
Cameron: Thank you for having me as the first guest. More than a pleasure to sit down and chat with you.
HBB: First off, I would love to say, what a career that you’ve had! With the amount of work you’ve put in over the years, you have definitely deserved your flowers. Let’s share a toast to a wonderful mother, a great writer and being an amazing talent since you started here in 2011.
Cameron: Amen to that, my friend!
(HBB and Cameron Ella Ava share a toast before setting their eyes on the plasma screen tv behind there showing Cameron Ella Ava in 2011.)
HBB: Why don’t we start here? Looking at that picture, how new were you to this business around that time? Did you start off elsewhere before coming to the EAW?
Cameron: Wow, that’s a thirteen year old photo there. I was nothing more than a baby in the business. Green in the eyes of EAW, but I managed to get some attention. Basically, how it was in the other companies around. Got by with hard work and my constant need to evolve women’s wrestling. I felt like it was under-appreciated within the circle I associated myself in, so it was a forever battle. Things are a lot better now than back then.
HBB: Certainly, I remember you were definitely learning but your work ethnic was undeniable back then. I think we should appreciate how far you’ve come. For goodness sake you’re a whole mother now! How is motherly life treating you?
Cameron: One of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. My baby boy is gonna be four in December and I’m left wondering where the time went? It wasn’t long that I was holding him in my arms. Now, he can’t wait to be let down, so he can play with his cousins.
HBB: Very rewarding, indeed and beautiful. Can you explain to the people how you and Jamie O’Hara started interacting with one another?
Cameron: We came from the same circle of friends, but we had never interacted one-on-one. It wasn’t until December 2016, where we began to talk more frequently. I had begun to be a bit more social within the community and somehow, it became a pairing I don’t think we asked or wanted, but we got it anyways. We’re both people who go with the flow and it was something different. I had only been paired with two other Elitists, so it made me distance myself from all of that. Meanwhile, Jamie wasn’t the type to involve himself with all of this, unless there was something beneficial with it. It was organic. We didn’t force any interactions. Didn’t force it within any stories. People knew that we were a pairing, but it wasn’t so out there. Never became a personality trait. We were both individuals who were invested in our own stuff, so I thought that we did a great job of maintaining the mystery within the dynamic, but letting people know as much as we wanted them to know. Over the years, it became more out of the open and it led to brilliant character development and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else. Jamie is a creative genius and someone so into details and it made the entire thing just perfect.
HBB: Jamie O’Hara is someone I’ve always enjoyed working with in the past. I remember my return back in 2014, he was sort of new to the EAW and we had a fantastic back and forth. I also love what I’ve seen out of him recently. He’s one of my absolute favorites to watch. The way he promos should be a crime. Speaking of which… What’s your game plan before you start a promo? Do you just go right in? Do you prepare yourself and have to think about it first?
Cameron: It depends on who I’m facing. Sometimes, inspiration hits you and you’re able to go straight to a promo. Other times, you really need to think about it. We have a different range of people with different levels of promoing. We want to put out the best product possible. Writing is one of the most personal things that people can share, so making sure that beyond flows right is important.
HBB: Obviously you have a long list of amazing achievements. I mean, we’d be sitting here all day going down the list of things you have done but which achievement was one of your proudest moments?
Cameron: Winning the Vixens Championship from Kendra Shamez at House of Glass in 2011.
Cameron: First major title. Answers World Championship was another moment where I felt like I completed my story of always coming so close, yet so far. The records that I broke with Camille.
HBB: Being the first female to win a man’s World title is probably the top 5 greatest things to happen in EAW. I have to be the first to publicly admit that whether people agree with that or not. Looking back on it, you’ve had to go through so many obstacles to get to that level and so many people to go through. Who is your favorite or biggest rival that you absolutely loved working with?
Cameron: I want to separate this from pre-2018 to post-2018. Pre-2018, it was Cleopatra. Wonderful character, booked like an absolute beast and to see her rise and fall at Pain for Pride 6 was the ultimate pay off for me. It took me to that next level and then, post-2018 was Mr. DEDEDE. A brilliant person who created one of the most polarizing stories that I was in. Someone that took me to that next level and created some layers into my own story.
Cameron: He had the ability to make you look at things from a different lense. Working with him was tough, but there was a hint of reward because another story was built out of this as Jamie versus DEDEDE also became an amazing story to tell as well. Ms. Extreme had an amazing rivalry with Minerva back in 2020 during that whole King of Elite build up. One of my favorite people to work with. A creative genius. A unique ability to have all of these characters and keep them different, but maintain that same pace with them.
HBB: Do you have any influences before you started being a writer? What made you fall in love with this sport?
Cameron: I had two other sisters that were wrestling fans. I remember I stumbled upon Shawn Michaels versus Rated RKO on RAW and I was glued. No knowledge on the product, but I thought it was cool and before you know it, I was sitting down to watch RAW every Monday. And then, Fridays for Smackdown. I think my sisters had moved on from wrestling, but I kept watching. I loved the characters. Loved John Cena and Shawn Michaels, so WrestleMania 23 was iconic for me. I had lost touch with the product when Roman Reigns won the WWE Championship from Sheamus on some random RAW. It wasn’t until Wrestle Kingdom, Kenny Omega Kazuchika Okada sucked me back in. The rest became history. But, for any influences, I loved Lita, Trish Stratus, Melina, Ashley Massaro.
HBB: That’s awesome to hear HBK and Randy Orton’s match inspired you considering I’m a huge Shawn Michaels fan and always will be. And Randy Orton is from my hometown in St. Louis. I grew up with two of my cousins watching wrestling as well. And the same thing happened. They moved on but I kept watching it. Besides that fact, since you brought up matches — what is one match that has always stuck out to you in your career? And what is a match you thought could’ve been done better?
Cameron: Cameron versus Cleopatra is a staple of my character.
Cameron: Cameron versus Jaywalker is another one. Like, I don’t have instances of matches where I could have done better from a promoing standpoint. It would be so simple to gravitate towards a match earlier in my career because I didn’t have the experience that I do now, but…
HBB: Promoing as Cleopatra against you was one of my favorite times with the character. I felt like it helped push the Cameron Ella Ava character so much to the point you didn’t only want to be better than Cleo. You wanted to completely demolish anybody. I want to know and the people want to know how the hell are you able to stay consistent for so long with different variations of characters? We know you enjoy it obviously but man, I have troubles staying consistent but you’re honestly the best ever at that. What motivates you to keep going?
Cameron: I feel like the need to achieve something is what continues to keep me going. When I was younger, it used to be challenging, but simpler than what I’ve dealt with right now. These days, I’m working, so it’s become more challenging. Especially, when you are contributing to writing a match or seg for a brand on top of being triple booked during certain weeks, it definitely takes a toll on you. Like, you want to give out a solid promo battle because that’s what your opponent deserves and that’s what’s definitely going to help the two of you progress your own respective stories, whether they intersect or not. At the same time, if you got some match that needs to be written and you’re not the quickest writer, it’s an issue most weeks, but something that requires you to really figure out if you’re cut out for having all of these things on your plate. I don’t blame anyone for not being able to do that. Since February of this year, it’s been me and it’s been tougher than I anticipated. My personal life has made my schedule really difficult to maintain since that’s always changing. But, I like to think that the spirit of competition is always keeping me motivated. I’m a competitive person. I want to make sure that my characters are the best representation of me as possible.
HBB: I think we all should admire that about you and one thing I’ve always taken notice of. Every single time I look up, there’s a promo from you and your other characters. Being able to maintain that high level despite things going on in your personal life is remarkable. And it’s not just one character ladies and gentlemen. It’s about three to four characters at one time? (HBB shakes his head in awe) Completely astonishing. Who is your favorite character to write with? I mean, I’m sure you love them all but is there one that sticks out more to you?
Cameron: Honestly, it depends. Whichever one’s promo I post faster. :mjgrin: Each of them has a special piece in my heart. All of them having their own respective stories and set of motivations is what separates them. It doesn’t make them stale. Cameron’s story of having a comeback and winning her first title since becoming a mother and now, having to prove that she’s still got it in front of a youthful generation. The inspirational story of coming back from a career-ending injury, becoming a mother and processing her feelings for her past trauma when she did finally return. We saw her become resentful and bitter. We saw her slowly piece herself back together. We saw her realize how she wants to be presented across the fellow Elitists. She is someone that’s not afraid to experiment and figure herself out, even when she’s around her mid thirties.
Cameron: Camille’s story of dealing with a downward slope where she’s fallen short of winning a World Championship; things aren’t clicking with her and she’s begun to wonder what’s wrong with her. The doubt, the confusion, the frustration and angst and her having to deal with what happens when things don’t go according to plan on more than one occasion. Working with her last season on Dynasty really helped me find a different direction with her. She can go from confidence to having that be shattered. Her moments of realizing what seemed so simple for her to grasp in the past has become difficult to reach now. It’s another thing that Camille needs to struggle and work for, if she ever wants to reach that pinnacle of her career again.
Cameron: Candice’s story of being that youngest sibling and someone who is going to take the toxicity of what Cameron and Camille had gone through and completely break that cycle that she had seen with her parents and then, grandparents. She inherited Cameron’s ability to experiment and try out new things. She’s never been afraid of doing that. She’s also got Camille’s moments of having to struggle and work for what she wants. It’s coming to her a lot harder than most people. There’s that added pressure to be like her three other sisters, but also remain who she is. A little more realistic in approach to real life issues, but someone who is not afraid to express herself.
HBB: How did you come up with these characters?
Cameron: In my head. But, Cameron and Camille/Ms. Extreme were part of the Yahoo Answers chapter of my e-fedding experience. They were one character at some point, but then, I had the desire to flesh out the character. These two were completely different in their own ways, but they were connected via me, so I made them sisters. YWWA created the name ‘Ms. Extreme,’ which became like a Lita doppelganger and a blueprint for the character. Cameron was the first character that I had a say on how I wanted her to be presented and it showed. I went with a punk rocker, Ashley Massaro/Beautiful People prototype and it wasn’t until I came to EAW where I went the more feminine route with Cameron.
Cameron: Candice originally did not have many layers to her other than being the younger Ava sibling. I used her in one efed back in the day before putting her on the shelf until 2016/2017 for Eclipse Diemos short-lived e-fed. She wasn’t brought back until November 2019 because they needed another body for the Specialists Chamber that year and I liked promoing for her a lot more than I thought. Saw that there was some potential there and fleshed her out to be a replica of Cameron, but with Camille’s mean streak. Over the years, she’s become a Barbie of sorts and been a singer, activist, princess and Disney spokesperson. I went from her being like a clone of a young Cameron to all of those gimmicks and it’s worked with her. Shout out to Voltage for giving her that inspiration.
HBB: I love the growth and story behind all these characters. I’m anticipating even more special things to happen in the future. Are there any Elitists you’re looking forward to working with in the future?
Cameron: I was more than fortunate to work with Akari Kiyoko and then, Michael Machina with Ms. Extreme recently. Both kick ass in their own ways. Excellent promoers with bright futures. With Territorial Invasion around the corner, I’ll be able to work with a lot of Elitists. With the whole ‘Tag Team Turmoil’ on Voltage, I get the chance to work with some amazing people like Bea Valentine, Ashlynn Quinn and Halsey Neel. I was completely shook when I saw that I’d be working with all three of them. I know Bea and Ashlynn were some of my favorite opponents for Candice last season, so them and Halsey should be fun to work with, regardless of how things go. No particular Elitists I’m looking to work with, but as long as they’re fun, it should be great.
HBB: How were you able to improve so much? In the beginning it was just you, Cleopatra and HBG literally.. and you just completely took off after you won the Vixens title from Cleo.
Cameron: Thank you for that, HBB. :mjgrin: I’m still improving, honestly. I think that one of the biggest issues before 2018 with a lot of the women was that they’ll be gassed up by their peers and told sweet nothings in their ear about how great they are. I felt like that led to a few of them experiencing some plateau where their promoing was at a standstill. That’s my biggest challenge. I’m dealing with three characters at the moment, so I know that I can’t afford to plateau or people are going to pass me up. I don’t want to be as good as Pain for Pride 6, but strive to be better than that. It’s 2024 and the game has gotten that cutthroat in this place. I don’t give a fuck, if I have been here for more than a decade, I’m not going to stop for anyone. I’m better than ten years ago, but I can be even more great.
HBB: I believe you can go above and beyond whatever you have your eyes set on. If the people watching and listening could understand how much you’ve leaped over, they’ll appreciate you even more. Who is on your EAW Mount Rushmore? For the men’s side and the women’s side?
Cameron: Men’s side: Mr. DEDEDE, Jamie O’Hara, Ronn Banks and you, HBB. Women’s side: Cameron, Consuela, Camille and Candice – I’m kidding. Women’s side (not counting myself): Kendra Shamez, Kassidy Heart, Minerva and Andrea Valentine.
HBB: Haha! You’re so kind! That’s a great list too. I’ve had the privilege to work with all those very talented efedders. Have you ever thought about doing a male character and if you have, what happened to that?
Cameron: I have in the past, but the inspiration to make one has never been there. Like, I’d look at a pic base and be like: “we don’t have one here, that would be cool to bring one” and before you know it, someone’s already taken it. Maybe, one day. It’s not something that I am going to deny.
HBB: I’m not gonna lie. I always looked forward to seeing a female playing a male character since we have a lot of male’s playing females. Always wanted to know how good a female can do. I’m sure we’ve probably had females try but I want to see someone truly create a Hall of Fame career male character. Oh and I almost forgot to mention— is your twin doing alright? Haven’t heard from her in a while.
Cameron: Consuela is doing fantastic. She’s been focused on this whole world of motherhood. Not married. A mother of two. No word on a comeback yet, but she tends to follow the product here and there, but she’s happy with where she is now.
HBB: Man, I just try to imagine the pop she’ll get if or whenever she comes back into the fold. Do you have any real friends in the community that you keep up with? Do you guys motivate each-other?
Cameron: Over the years, I have cut contact with a ton of friends, who I thought had my best interest. Some that were just negative energy to be around. It became draining to open up a DM and them being upset over something. It came with needing to deal with them. It became rather than being happy with my successes, I was cheering them up for not being able to get the job done. I was defending them, giving them so much energy, being their hype woman, when they probably wouldn’t have done the same for me. It was tiring, honestly. At some point, it became one-sided. More recently, I have begun to get closer with people that are a bit more positive when it comes to the whole e-fedding experience and that’s helped tremendously with keeping a level head.
Cameron: I enjoy the times where I would talk with someone like Ryan Wilson and we’d be talking about how we could take our respective characters to the next level. What can we do to get better? How to turn every form of lemons into lemonade? It’s been refreshing to talk to someone like him who wants to get better and keeps himself motivated. Shout out to him.
HBB: I’ve also spoken with Ryan privately before. After our 24/7 battle royal, he was so humble and kind to congratulate me on the victory with SOSA Henderson. I love that about Ryan, he’s probably one of the nicest guys here. Never a negative or bad vibe with him. Anyway… Any favorite year in the EAW?
Cameron: 2020 because I didn’t need to promo for Cameron for the next year. :mjlol: Camille also won her first World Championship that year.
HBB: What should we look forward to out of your career? With so many great characters, how long will you keep going?
Cameron: I had been thinking about this, but this is most definitely going to be one of my last seasons. Maybe, I got a season or two in me, but life has been pulling me in multiple directions, making things difficult for me to sit down and write. But, there’s the need to get Candice that one title or something before I go.
HBB: I hope we’re able to get another decade outta you somehow and you change your mind. 😫 But when you decide to go, I’m sure there’ll be a big retirement tour ahead for you. If anyone deserves it, you’re one of them. But this has been a splendid time sitting down with one of the greatest Elitists of all time. I know you’re a busy lady and have to get going. I’ll love to end this interview off with a traditional choose this or that? You ready, Cam?
Cameron: Bring it!
HBB: LEGION or CWF?
Cameron: LEGION. CTE can’t remember CWF much.
HBB: Ms. Extreme or Cameron Ella Ava?
Cameron: Cameron Ella Ava.
HBB: Spider-Man or Ironman?
Cameron: Spider-Man.
HBB: Leggings or Jeans?
Cameron: Leggings. Perfect lazy day bottoms.
HBB: Loyalty or respect?
Cameron: Respect.
HBB: TikTok or Instagram?
Cameron: TikTok. Can watch those videos all day long.
HBB: Winning a World Championship or Getting into the EAW Hall of Fame?
Cameron: Winning a World Championship for Cameron. Getting into the Hall of Fame with Camille.
HBB: And with that being said, I would like to thank everyone who watched the very first episode of Talks with HBB. Stay tuned for more great guests. Most importantly thank you for taking your time to listen to one of the greatest guests yet! The great Cameron Ella Ava! Goodnight!
