Melina Perez

At 45 years old, Melina Perez has this physical status:

Melina Nava Perez (born March 9, 1979) is an American model, professional wrestler, and valet.

Melina is the ring name she used for her time with WWE.

She is currently affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Perez began training in 2000 to be a professional wrestler at Jesse Hernandez's School of Hard Knocks, and she made her debut in 2002.

Perez registered for WWE's reality show Tough Enough III in late 2002 but was disqualified in the first round, but Al Snow encouraged her to keep working in wrestling.

Perez began with WWE in March 2004 and was sent to OVW, WWE's youth division, where she began directing Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury, nicknamed MNM, to three reigns as WWE Tag Team Champions, as well as Nitro to two reigns as WWE Intercontinental Champion.

Perez is a three-time WWE Women's Champion and a two-time WWE Divas Champion.

Perez became the first woman in WWE history to win both the Women's and Divas titles.

Perez was dubbed "one of the best wrestlers in the world" by Bret Hart during her entrance and in her in-ring maneuvers, and WWE praised her for her adaptability, as well as her nexus and wrestling skills, and she was dubbed "one of the most impressive arsenal of offensive maneuvers in WWE history" by the WWE.

Early life

Melina Nava Perez was born in Los Angeles, California, on March 9, 1979, but she was raised in the High Desert. Perez, a Mexican American of Mexican descent, speaks both English and Spanish natively.

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Modeling career

Perez began her career as a beauty pageant contestant, winning Miss Hawaiian Tropic Anaheim. She has won numerous modelling competitions, including the Group USA Bridal Show, Group USA Fashion Show, and Ms. California Belleza Latina, during her modeling career. Melina was photographed by artist Mark Greenawalt for a modeling photo shoot in 2007, where she posed with her WWE Women's Championship belt.

Professional wrestling career

Perez began training at Jesse Hernandez's School of Hard Knocks in San Bernardino, California, and made her in-ring debut in November 2001. Many authorities believed she had the most natural ability of any woman who attended their classes. Perez applied for World Wrestling Entertainment's Tough Enough III in late 2002, advancing to the final twenty-one before being cut in the first cut of the first episode. After being disqualified from the competition, actress Al Snow encouraged her to keep dreaming of becoming a wrestler. Melina was portrayed as a Native American alongside John Cena during a dinner on November 27, 2003 episode of SmackDown!

Perez debuted in WWE's then-developing territory OVW in March 2004, being cast in a storyline as John Hennigan's ex-girlfriend. Matt Cappotelli brought her to the ring as a way to insult Hennigan. Melina, on the other hand, reacted angrily to Cappotelli and allied herself with Hennigan, who later changed his ring name to Johnny Nitro. Joey Matthews, later known as Joey Mercury, joined the pair shortly after. Melina led Mercury and Nitro to victory of the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship on November 10, the trio's first appearance as MNM. Steven Adkins, Melina, Utah, and Steven Adkins all came up with Melina's distinctive split ring entrance during her time in OVW, Melina, Nitro, and Steven Adkins' time.

Melina made her first Raw appearance on November 29, 2004, when Randy Orton was the guest General Manager and hosted a Diva lingerie fashion show. She made her second Raw appearance in December while participating in a limbo tournament in which Chris Jericho was GM for the night.

On the Thursday, 2005 episode of SmackDown, Melina made her official debut in WWE as a heel, resuming her role as MNM's chief manager. Rey Mysterio, one of the WWE Tag Team Champions, was a guest on the first ever Carlito's Cabana interview segment. Melina insulted Mysterio and had Mercury and Nitro attack him, resulting in MNM's debut on SmackDown next week. In a championship match, the team will meet. The team defeated Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero in their first WWE Tag Team Championship appearance.

Melina's character was refined to be more egotistical as she said she was "the most dominant Diva in WWE" while directing the Tag Team Champions. She made her official in-ring debut against Michelle McCool on June 30 and her first pay-per-view match against Torrie Wilson at The Great American Bash in a bra and panties match, winning both matches. MNM dropped their titles to the Legion of Doom on the Night of Doom, sparking a new storyline where Melina recruited Jillian Hall, a fixer, to assist them. MNM regained the titles in a crucial four-Way tag team match on October 28. Melina won a Divas tournament royal by overthrowrowning Trish Stratus, the Women's Champion. MNM kidnapped Stratus, tied her up and gagged her for Melina, who then matched her for the Women's Championship next week as part of a new storyline. Melina lost to Stratus with the help of Mickie James, who helped them defeat them in the Survivor Series.

MNM defended their titles against Rey Mysterio and the World Heavyweight Champion Batista during this period. Melina was brought into a storyline where she attempted to convince Batista to call off the game by visiting him in his locker room and attempting to seduce him. The two characters were involved in sexual intercourse, after which he simply thanked her for the "warm-up" before rushing to compete in the tournament, where he and Mysterio defeated MNM for the title. The storyline carried over to SmackDown's upcoming episode. Melina held a press conference in the Ring where she alleged that Batista had sexually assaulted her before MNM invoked their match rule. Mark Henry aided MNM in winning the WWE Tag Team Championship back. Henry's storyline continued into next year.

On the first SmackDown!

Henry was her personal shield against Batista in 2006, according to Melina. In matches against Batista and Mysterio, he accompanied her and helped the other MNM members.

MNM lost their titles to Paul London and Brian Kendrick on Judgment Day, May 21, 2006. Melina and Nitro, a part of the storyline, blasted Mercury for the loss after the match, blaming him for the loss. Melina lost a singles match against Jillian Hall later that night, and she and Nitro were banned from the SmackDown store after slapping General Manager Theodore Long in rage. The brand is a brand. Nitro and Mercury, off-screen, didn't get along, and WWE chief decided to move Nitro and Melina to the Raw brand. On May 29, Melina and Nitro debuted on Raw, with Nitro losing to WWE Champion John Cena. Melina continued to work Nitro during his triumphant hunt for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, as well as Trish Stratus in another storyline. As Carlito teamed with Stratus after he saved her from the Melina and Nitro attacks, the storyline became a tag team feud. Melina and Nitro lost to Carlito and Stratus in a mixed tag team match on Saturday night's Main Event XXIII.

Mick Foley began to mention Melina in ads and on his WWE.com columns, focusing on their real-life friendship and establishing an on-screen relationship straight away. Melina was competing in Foley's "I Quit" match against Ric Flair when Flair threatened her with a barbed wire baseball bat, prompting Foley to leave the game to save her. Vince McMahon ordered Foley to join the Kiss My Ass club next night on Raw. Foley "joined the club" to save Melina's career but then had her suddenly turn on him by dropping a low blow and dismissing him at the behest of McMahon. Foley's storyline was concocted to revive the Kiss My Ass club's image. When leading or participating in tag team action, Melina developed another characteristic to her gimmick: screaming vociferously at ringside. It was also known as the "primal scream."

Melina defeated Maria in a number one contender's match on January 29, 2007, making her the top contender for the WWE Women's Championship. Melina was able to defend Mickie James in the Raw 5 episode on February 5th, but was unsuccessful. Melina was granted another championship match after defeating James in a mixed tag team match. Melina won the WWE Women's Championship for the first time in her career on February 19 as part of her first major singles campaign, becoming the first woman of Mexican American descent to win the title. During the first ever Women's Falls Count Anywhere match in WWE history, the feud between the two Divas raged, but Melina retained the title in a rematch later in a rematch.

Melina was placed in a situation in March where she became jealous of SmackDown! Diva Ashley Massaro, who had been in focus because of her appearance in Playboy, was drawing a lot of attention. Melina said in her blogs that no Playboy cover models were capable of beating her. Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle, both girls losing to Melina, resulted in scheduled matches against former Playboy cover girls Torrie Wilson and Candice Michelle. Melina pinned Ashley in a Lumberjill match to keep her Women's Championship, but the storyline came to an end. Melina planned a photo shoot with the Women's Championship belt in the ring after WrestleMania, but Mickie James interrupted it, resulting in another storyline feud between the two Divas. Melina lost the Women's Championship in a Triple Threat match to James on April 24, but on Jonathan Coachman's orders, she was able to rematch her pinned James by putting her hands on the ropes to regain the title and become a two-time WWE Women's Champion.

After losing in a tag team match against Candice Michelle and Mickie James on May 7, 2007, Melina began feuding with Playboy cover girl Candice Michelle. Melina continued to lose to Candice in various tag team tournaments, as well as in non-title bouts over the next two weeks. Melina lost the Women's Championship to Candice and then failed to recapture the title at The Great American Bash, defeating her at Vengeance.

Melina and Beth Phoenix, then-alially, and then-mate Beth Phoenix appeared at WrestleMania XXIV in a tag team match in April 2008, defeating Maria and Ashley. Melina accidentally attacked Phoenix with her boot during a lumberjill match with Mickie James on May 5 of Raw. Phoenix walked out on Melina during a tag match against James and Maria, when Melina mistakenly bumped Phoenix off the apron. Following the game, Melina was then attacked by Phoenix during a backstage segment, resulting in Melina's changing face. Melina weighed in during Beth Phoenix's match against Maria, which Phoenix won, and Melina later assaulted Phoenix with her boot before being targeted by Phoenix. Melina appeared in the first ever women's "I Quit" match against Beth Phoenix at One Night Stand pay-per-view, but she was disqualified. Melina's last night, Melina and ex-rival Mickie James were matched in a tag team match against Beth Phoenix and Katie Lea in a losing effort. Perez suffered a heel injury after falling from the turnbuckles against Natalya and Victoria on June 23, 2008.

Melina recovered from illness on the November 24 episode of Raw, collaborating with former friends Mickie James and Candice Michelle to beat Phoenix, Jillian Hall, and Katie Lea Burchill. She made her singles debut by defeating Hall the following week. Melina announced her plans to defend the WWE Women's Championship from Beth Phoenix following the match. Melina defeated Melina in a six-woman royal battle on December 29 to become the top contender for the Championship. Melina and Phoenix became involved in a brawl over a Melina fan named Rosa Mendes, who had allegedly assaulted Melina. Melina won her third WWE Women's Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 25, 2009, defeating Phoenix. On February 16 episode of Raw and again during a tough match at No Way Out, she retained her championship against Beth Phoenix.

Melina was brought back to SmackDown as part of the 2009 WWE Draft, bringing the WWE Women's Championship exclusive to the brand. Michelle McCool, who was chosen as the top candidate to the title, launched a feud. After beating Melina Fox on the June 19 episode of SmackDown, McCool attacked Melina. Melina would then lose the Women's Championship to McCool at The Bash due to Alicia Fox's intervention; she was unable to recover the championship at Night of Champions.

Melina was returned to the Raw brand on October 12 and captured the WWE Divas Championship from Jillian Hall, who had only been granted the belt from Mickie James just a few minutes before. Melina joined Mickie James and Kelly Kelly to beat Jillian Hall and LayCool on September 23 of Raw (Michelle McCool and Layla). Melina was declared Maryse after the match. Melina was pinned by Maryse in a tag team match the following week. Maryse defeated Gail Kim on December 7 on Raw, and following the match, Maryse proceeded to assault Kelly Kelly Kelly but Melina interrupted Kelly Kelly. Melina tore her ACL during a six-woman tag team match in Manchester, New Hampshire, on December 29, and as a result she redeemed the Divas Championship on January 4, 2007.

Melina made her return on Raw's August 2, 2010 episode in which she and Tamina defeated Eve Torres, Gail Kim, and Natalya. Melina won the Divas Championship in SummerSlam for the second time in her career. Michelle McCool and WWE Women's Champion Layla were both stabbed after the match. On the 900th episode of Raw, she was pushed by either Layla or McCool to a Lumberjill match at Night of Champions to unify the WWE Women's and WWE Divas Championships. McCool will win that match after Layla battered Melina during the match to unify the championships. The single championship will continue to be referred to as the Divas Championship, with the Women's Championship title renamed.

Melina, the number one contender to the Divas Championship and turned heel as she slapped then champion Natalya, who had attempted to congratulate her after she triumphed. Melina was disqualified when the two teams competed for the Divas Championship on Raw on January 24, 2011. Melina competed in a top contender's feud royal on August 1, which was won by Beth Phoenix. Since she was announced later this week, this would be her last match with WWE.

Melina made her first appearance in WWE in nearly eight years at the Raw Reunion on July 22, 2019, as a referee in 24/7 Championship matches between Kelly Kelly, Candice Michelle, and Alundra Blayze. Perez had signed a contract to return to WWE in September 2020, according to PWInsider, but Perez reported in February 2021 that they did not get to an agreement. On January 4, 2021, she will make a second appearance at WWE Raw Legends Night.

Melina made a surprise appearance in the 2022 Royal Rumble match with Sasha Banks on January 29, 2022. However, she was ruled out of the bank in less than a minute.

Perez claimed to be wrestling in November 2011 at the Women Superstars Uncensored November 19 pay-per-view. Perez competed under her real name on the World Wrestling Fan Xperience (WWFX) Champions Showcase Tour in Manila, Philippines, on February 4, 2012. Melina defeated Jillian Hall on February 5, 2012 of WWFX.

As the upcoming FWE Heavyweight Champion, Melina attended the Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE) event, signing autographs and serving as Eric Young's valet. Melina made a further appearance for FWE in a segment with Charlie and Jackie Haas at the Empire City Showdown on August 20, a new FWE appearance. Melina was defeated by Winter with Lita as the special guest referee in a FWE Women's Championship match on April 28.

Melina made her debut for North East Wrestling on March 23, 2012, against Velvet Sky, but the following day, she lost to Sky in a rematch.

Melina was part of the World Wrestling Council's (WWC) Anniversario weekend in Puerto Rico from June 30 to July 2, 2012. Melina defeated Velvet Sky in singles matches on the first two nights, but Sky and Xix Savant defeated her and Davey Richards on the final night.

Melina returned to the independent circuit in Maryland's Women's Championship main event match between Amber Rodriguez and Mickie James on June 19, 2015, following a three-year absence; Melina turned heel by attacking James during the match before being slapped by referee Lisa Marie Varon, who eventually won the competition. Melina debuted as a villainess at Lucha Underground's Ultima Lucha helping Johnny Mundo fight Alberto El Patron by striking El Patron with his title belt, but the referee was disqualified. During Melina's first American tour in Covina, California, she made her debut for Japanese promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom. In a tag team match against Hudson Envy and Thunder Rosa, she teamed with Santana Garrett.

Melina, 16, 2016, a professional in-ring return to Southside Wrestling Entertainment (SWE), competing in the SWE's Queen of The Ring tournament, on June 20, 2016. Perez made her official in-ring return to a tag team match at SWE Speed King 2016, partnering with Nixon Newell against Alex Windsor and Kay Lee Ray's team. The match was declared a no contest. Melina was the SWE Queen of the Ring tournament's eighth rounder on October 2nd. When she defeated Lana Austin and Viper, she advanced to the finals, defeating Queen Of Southside champion Kay Lee Ray and earning the tournament and the championship in the process. Melina competed against SWE KirbyMania in an eight-man tag team match on the same day. She worked with Jessicka Havok, Leah Vaughan, and Nixon Newell to defeat Alex Windsor, Kasey Owens, Kay Lee Ray, and Viper. Melina successfully defended her title against Alex Windsor, Dahlia Black, Kay Lee Ray, Nixon Newell, and Ruby Summers in a six-way match on October 29, at the SWE 6th Anniversary Show. For the first time, Melina defeated Renee Michelle to win the MCW Women's Championship on November 5, 2010.

Her reign came to an end at 350 days on October 5, 2017. She had to cancel the position due to injury on October 5, 2017.

Melina returned to action in June 11, 2018, as part of A Matter of Pride Wrestling's promotion against The Boy Diva Rick Cataldo. Melina's flower bouquet sent to Cataldo by Vinny Pacifico the following month. Melina defeated Sonny Kiss of A Matter of Pride's Divamania in a match that qualified her to compete in the Chris Kanyon Memorial Battle Royal to determine the company's inaugural champion, but she was disqualified by eventual winner Eddy McQueen. In a thrilling fight at A Matter of Pride in August 2019, Perez defeated Jamie Senegal in a singles match. Melina continued her feud with Rick Cataldo on A Matter Of Pride, specifically attacking him on his wedding night and trying to convince Rick's wife Vinny Pacifico-Cataldo to stand up for herself against his intimate life partner.

Melina debuted on June 20, 2019, when she and Bull James team up against Anthony Greene and the Platinum Hunnies in beating Anthony Greene and the Platinum Hunnies and winning the first singles match for the promotion, defeating Solo Darling. Melina started turning heel during her match against Kimber Lee on September 26; feigning an injury before attacking Lee and beating her. Melina exemplified her heel turn by attacking Lee and an injured Willow Nightingale, resulting in a grudge match between Melina and Nightingale on November 9, which Melina won over Nightingale.

Melina made her National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) debut on the November 19, 2019 episode of NWA Power, supporting them over the NWA World Women's Champion Allysin Kay and Ashley Vox's establishing herself as a villainess. Melina made her NWA in-ring debut on December 14, teaming with Belle as they unsuccessfully challenged Kay and ODB. Melina resurfaced as the NWA's manager after the COVID-19 pandemic, starting a rivalry with Kamille and a debuting Taryn Terrell, revealing her face in the process. Melina teamed with Rosa in a losing effort against Terrell and Kylie Rae, despite Melina's wrestling on a retorn ACL. Melina turned heel once more and briefly clashed with Kylie Rae with Kylie Rae, resulting in a match on the 30th episode of NWA Power, which Melina lost. Melina defeated Kylie Rae & Chelsea Green in a No. 1 contenders triple threat match against Kamille Rae & Green in NWA Hard Times 2, which she lost.

Melina made her appearance on Impact's August 5, 2021 episode, where she was revealed as the challenger for Deonna Purrazzo's Impact Knockouts Championship at NWA EmPowerrr. She made her in-ring debut on August 19, defeating Brandi Lauren. Purrazzo and Matthew Rehwoldt were both beaten during the game, but Trey Miguel intervened, securing a mixed tag team match at Emergence. They lost to Purrazzo and Rehwoldt at Emergence. After a tense battle, the rivalry came to an end at NWA Empowerrr, when Melina unsuccessfully challenged Deonna Purrazzo for the Impact Knockouts Championship. Melina competed in the 20-wrestler Intergender Call Your Shot Gauntlet match, which was won by Moose, at Bound for Glory.

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