“Big Al” Alice Crowley: JCW Lunacy, Power Slap & Wrestling Journey | Wrestling Epicenter Interview
The world of professional wrestling continues to deliver its unique blend of athleticism and spectacle, and , saw a spotlight shone on “Big Al” Alice Crowley, a 23-year-old performer making waves in JCW Lunacy. Crowley, despite her youth, brings a decade of experience to the ring, and her journey, as discussed on the Wrestling Epicenter show, is a testament to dedication and a willingness to embrace the unconventional.
Crowley’s path to JCW wasn’t traditional. She first encountered professional wrestling as a child, attending weekly shows featuring her cousin’s friend, Jawaan Thomas, at WCWO. “It felt real and it was like an escape,” Crowley explained, recalling the initial allure of the sport. Her early exposure quickly evolved from spectator to participant. “I didn’t just want to sit there and watch the show – I wanted to be on the show!” she said. Remarkably, her initial training didn’t come with a price tag, though she jokingly speculated about the promoter’s motives. “Now, that could have been because he was a creepy old man! (laughs) But, that got my foot in the door.”
The transition to wrestling wasn’t without its challenges. Crowley recounted facing ridicule from peers while still in the 7th grade. “Yeah, I’d go to school beat up. Some, I’m sure, thought I was getting beaten up at home. But, I was like, ‘No, guys. I wrestle!’” she shared. However, she noted a shift in perception over time, with some former detractors now expressing admiration. “Sometimes it just takes people some time to figure out what is cool!”
Crowley’s longevity in the sport, starting at such a young age, has proven to be a significant advantage. “Yes, 100%,” she affirmed when asked if her early start has been beneficial. “I talk to people and I recognize that I’m older when it comes to being in wrestling. But, when it comes to our ages, usually that person is older than me. Usually, it is a lot harder for someone that is older than me to accept that even though I’m younger, I am the veteran.” Despite her experience, Crowley maintains a humble approach, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. “Even though I might be the veteran, I don’t go around acting like I’m the veteran either. Like, of course when you’re wrestling someone, you’re going to ask how long they’ve been wrestling. I’ll notify them how long I’ve been wrestling. But, I don’t take a ‘vet role.’ That’s just not me.”
What sets Crowley apart isn’t just her wrestling prowess, but her unique persona. She describes her in-ring character as an amplified version of her true self. “That’s just me. It’s all me. You know, it is the me that I would show to my parents and my sisters behind closed doors. Just take the doors off! (laughs)” Adding to her distinctiveness is her ability to ride a unicycle to the ring – a skill she acquired unexpectedly at age 10 or 11 as a Christmas gift. “I didn’t ask for it,” she admitted, “But, my dad is a unique person. He likes weird things.” She mastered the unicycle within a month, practicing around her neighborhood, much to the amusement of onlookers.
Crowley’s ventures extend beyond traditional wrestling. She also participated in Power Slap, an experience she described as intensely physical. Her training involved a rather unconventional method – using pool noodles to simulate slaps. “My experience WAS that! That is how we trained! They literally gave us pool noodles and had us slap each other in the face with it! At the UFC Apex Center, that is how we trained!” she recounted. Despite the pain, she expressed a willingness to do it again. “I have never been hit that hard in my life! Ever, ever, ever! But, I wasn’t going to show it! (laughs) I would totally do it again!”
Her journey to JCW Lunacy began with appearances in the first three episodes, facing Dani Mo, who would eventually win the championship. After a period of inactivity with the promotion, a call from Violent J changed everything. “He was like, ‘We want to start using you consistently.’ I was like, ‘Really?’ What was I going to do? Tell him no? I was like, ‘Hell yeah! Tell me when! I’m coming!’” she said. Since then, she’s become a regular fixture, traveling with the promotion and working closely with creative force Vince Russo.
Crowley praised her collaboration with Russo, highlighting his ability to unlock a new dimension in her character. “I, personally, love working with Vince. I am able to talk to him one on one. He’s able to supply me pointers on my promos. And, honestly, there is a side of me that I didn’t even realize was a character that I could open up until he came.” She emphasized the conversational approach Russo takes, allowing her to develop her promos organically. “He’s like, ‘You and I are going to have a conversation. And, This represents what we’re going to talk about.’ Then, they stick cameras in front of us, we do it, and it is perfect.”
Crowley also values the opportunity to review her performances. “I watch the shows back! You should! Like, we do the promos before our match, and you never really know how the promo looks or comes out until you watch it.” She believes this self-assessment is crucial for identifying strengths and weaknesses and refining her character.
She readily draws parallels between JCW Lunacy and the Attitude Era of wrestling, particularly under Russo’s guidance. “Hell yeah! And with Vince, it was going to. The matches could go 20 minutes or it could be a minute long match. All the characters, they have layers! You have to pay attention!”
Crowley also spoke highly of her colleague, Jasmin St. Claire, describing her as a “sweetheart” but cautioning against catching her off guard. “Don’t catch her! Don’t catch her! It doesn’t matter if she knows you… If you catch her in the locker room… She is her character 24/7!” She also lauded Kerry Morton, calling him “amazing” and the most talked-about member of the roster.
The importance of Dani Mo in Crowley’s career cannot be overstated. Mo was instrumental in securing Crowley’s opportunity with Power Slap and played a key role in her return to JCW. “I love Dani! She’s one of the reasons I was able to go to Power Slap. She mentioned to me that she was doing it. She mentioned me to Sinn Bodhi. And, it all happened while on a JCW tour. So, without JCW, none of it would have happened!”
Looking ahead, Crowley believes JCW Lunacy has the potential to reach a wider audience, even on broadcast television. “Absolutely. YouTube is great. But, I absolutely think it would be great to get JCW Lunacy on broadcast television! I indicate, if you watch the show, you can see it. You can sense the momentum. You can literally see it growing!” Her personal goals are equally ambitious: “When I started, my goal was to make enough money to where I could live off of pro wrestling. I’ve now done that! My next goal is I want to be on TV! I want to be on television!”
As JCW prepares for Stranglemania during WrestleMania weekend, Crowley has a clear objective: “I’m gonna get my belt back! (laughs) I’m going to get my belt back!”