Victorious 5!: Brooke Owen Reflects on Success, Challenges, and the Future of Virtual Wrestling
Brooke Owen’s legacy in virtual wrestling is nothing short of legendary. As a multiple-time VWE Women’s World Champion, Women’s National Champion, and a highly respected figure in the Bombshell wrestling community, her influence extends far beyond the ring. Each year, Brooke curates the Victorious series, a unique event that unites virtual wrestling icons from across the Second Life grids for one night of spectacular matches, all for a noble cause. Now in its fifth iteration, Victorious 5! continued this tradition, with every dollar raised going to support the '988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.'
This year's event brought together some of the biggest names in virtual wrestling, culminating in a thrilling main event: a Taped Knuckle Triple Threat match featuring Curt Bombastic, Bazza Windlow, and Benja Nirvana. The intense bout kept fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing the raw talent and fierce competitiveness that Brooke has worked so hard to highlight in her Victorious series.
As the night came to a close, the success of Victorious 5! was undeniable, with $900 raised to support a critical cause. Brooke Owen’s continues to prove that her impact on the world of virtual wrestling extends far beyond her championship reigns, as she uses her platform to bring the community together and make a real difference.
Interview: Brooke Owen on Victorious 5!
1. Victorious 5! featured wrestlers from a diverse range of virtual promotions. How did you go about selecting the talent for this event, and what was the response from the different promotions?
I always have sign-ups open anywhere from two months to a month and a half before the show, giving everyone on the grid plenty of time to sign up. I book anyone who signs up because it means a lot to me that they want to participate, especially those who may not know me very well. The response from other promotions has been fantastic. I owe so much to not only the promotions that have hosted Victorious in the past but also those that helped advertise and encourage their rosters to sign up and be part of the event. It has always meant the world to me.
2. With $900 raised through in-world and direct donations, how do you feel about the community's support? Did the turnout and contributions meet your expectations?
I don’t mean to bring “real world” issues into this, but when you do something like this, you have to consider what’s happening outside of Second Life. I had set my expectations lower, thinking about the economy in different parts of the world and the fact that the event took place during a major “Back to School” shopping spree for many people. My expectations were set around the $300 range, similar to last year’s Victorious 4. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to reach $900, which shattered the record for any charity show I’ve ever run. It proves to me that the SL wrestling community, despite its hiccups, is truly incredible.
3. Victorious 5! showcased both male and female wrestlers in a variety of matches. How important is it for you to maintain that balance, and how do you think it impacts the overall success of the event?
It can be challenging! Pretty much every show I’ve run has had more females than males sign up, so finding a balance is tough at times. This year, I was fortunate that the balance was just right. It impacts the show in a way that you give a little bit of everything to everyone. Obviously, there’s a crowd that really loves the men’s wrestling, a crowd that loves the women’s wrestling, and then the ones that love both. It’s all about trying to make everyone happy, which directly impacts whether the event is a success or a bust.
4. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in organizing Victorious 5!, and how did you overcome them to ensure the event's success?
Honestly, this was by far the least stressful Victorious I’ve ever organized. I only lost one person who was originally booked to wrestle, and I was able to find a replacement quickly. I secured a commentary team and a referee team two weeks in advance, which has NEVER happened to me and is usually the most stressful part to finalize. We did lose one commentator an hour before the show due to issues beyond anyone’s control, but thankfully, we found a replacement very quickly. Overall, organizing this one was night and day compared to last year’s and even past events, and I’m so thankful for that.
5. Looking ahead, what are your plans for future editions of Victorious? How do you intend to build on the success of Victorious 5! to make the next event even bigger?
I’m already working on plans for the future of Victorious. A few people know my plans, and I’ll share them with the public in January 2025. What I can say is that I plan on building on the relationships we’ve established with promotions and sponsors, as well as tapping into something new for Victorious 6. If everything goes smoothly, I can safely say that Victorious 6 is going to be the biggest event I’ve ever done. But I don’t want to give away too many details just yet! laughs
