With her signature ring entrance of a sexy split,
Melina began her career as a fashion model.
But the wrestling bug bit the Los Angeles native in
2000, when she began training at the School of Hard Knocks in San
Bernardino, Calif. She continued to work various wrestling shows, honing
her in-ring abilities. In January 2002, Tom Prichard took notice of
Melina, where she would work out with WWE while they were on the West
Coast - sometimes driving 14 hours.
Her dream was finally realized in 2003, when WWE
signed her in San Diego. Many championship reigns later, Melina is still
a force to be reckoned with in the women's division. She credits the
experience of training hard with both men and women for making her
tougher and stronger. You simply must take the hits and keep on going.
"I was always told I was too short, too fat, too
small, too ugly or not good enough. People would tell me every negative
comment under the moon, and that I would never make it," Melina wrote in
her exclusive blog. "I kept going. I knew in my heart that I could
make it, and that I was meant for this. My love for wrestling and my
determination got me through everything I had to endure."