IMPACT Wrestling star Kiera Hogan recently spoke with Sports Illustrated to hype this weekend’s Hard To Kill pay per view, where she and Tasha Steelz will be challenging to become the first Knockouts tag champions since the belts were brought back. Highlights are below.
Calls herself an underdog but promises to make a moment at Hard To Kill:
I’m the underdog, the one you put in the passenger seat, the one that’s not in the main event,” Hogan says. “But at Hard to Kill, I’m going to prove to my peers, myself and everyone watching that I deserve this spot. This is my chance, and I’m going to make it my moment.
On teaming with Tasha Steelz:
Teaming with Tasha is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, and I’m so happy I get to team with her and go after these titles,” Hogan says. “She’s outstanding, and she’s brought out an extra boost of confidence in me. We’re the queens of the Knockouts division, but we’re missing our crowns. That will be fixed at Hard to Kill.
Says she felt out of place growing up a wrestling fan:
Growing up, I always felt out of place,” Hogan says. “I was just so different from my family. I’m also going through a lot of hard times right now, but I know I need to keep fighting. It’s going to be worth it. I’m working my ass off to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do, and I love that people get to see that. Wrestling means so much to me. Wrestling has understood me, and I understand wrestling. It’s allowed me to evolve. I get to be myself, the first-ever Kiera Hogan.
On representing the LGBTQ community:
I have had the chance to speak to kids in the LGBTQ community, and that means the world to me,” Hogan says. “I was once one of those kids, so I have an idea what they’re going through. Coming out is a challenge for every individual. There have been times in my life when I was made to feel that being gay was wrong. That can cause trauma. I was very hesitant about coming out, but it has made me stronger and more confident in myself because I’m able to accept myself. I want to be me 100%. I’m not going to hide. If people don’t like it, that’s on them.
