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All the gazillion new Melina interviews because the offical WZ site is slower than a snail at mentioning these:

Melina just wants a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T
By Michelle J. Mills, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 03/20/2008 04:10:41 PM PDT
Pasadena Star News

Melina is a World Wrestling Entertainment Women's Champion. She won the championship belt twice in 2007. So she knows wrestling.
For example, she points out, men can't do some of the things the women can. Women fight in different ways. Melina - born Melina Perez - strives for respect not only among the women, but the men as well.

"Females come up to me and they say that I motivate them to become wrestlers," she said. "Women are the harshest critics, so when they say I'm doing a good job, or they admire me or they feel motivated by me, that means a lot."

Melina characterizes herself as one of the "bad girls" of wrestling: a mean villainess. Her biggest competitor is Mickie James and she enjoys any opportunity to give her a thrashing. Her best friend is Jillian Hall and the two share the same styles, views and goals in wrestling.

"I think one of the challenges is it's a male-dominated world and how people see you, not only as female who looks good, but to have people think that of me is awesome, but also being respected as a female wrestler," Melina said.

Melina grew up in Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga and Hesperia and currently lives in Kentucky, where she trains.

She started out as a model, and posed in athletic wear for Nike. She also won a California beauty pageant. For fun, she trained in wrestling at Jesse Hernandez's School of Hard Knocks in San Bernardino.

"It was a hobby," Melina said. "It was fun and a just to keep active kind of thing."

She was scouted by wrestler and trainer Tom Pritchard of WWE and tried out, unsuccessfully, for Tough Enough III, but encouraging words from wrestler Al Snow kept her working. Melina went on to make her professional wrestling debut in 2002 and has wrestled in the Empire Wrestling Federation and Crush Wrestling. She made her WWE singles debut in 2005.

Now she's a star in other ways. In December, Columbia Records released "World Wrestling Entertainment Presents Raw Greatest Hits: The Music." It features the theme songs for 17 wrestlers, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Undertaker, Mr. McMahon, The Rock, Trish Stratus and Mr. Kennedy. Melina was honored with the tune, "Paparazzi," by James Alan Johnson.

"The way I come out, the paparazzi is always out there," Melina said. "I've heard that song so many times, it's just natural now. It reminds me of everything that I've been through. Now, it's like if I don't hear that song, it's just not me."

Melina is also involved in the "Ultimate Quinceanera," an online contest celebrating Ross' 15th anniversary with Mundo television and the WWE. The winner, a Van Nuys resident, won a quinceanera celebration with 50 of her friends. The prize comes with a limo, entertainment and a visit by WWE Superstar Carlito and WWE Diva Melina. Mun2 will document the event and some of will be available for viewing at www. holamun2.com/raw.

"It's great because I'm touching base with my Latino culture," Melina said. "It's good because it shows we're staying involved in this and we're doing something for the girls."

The best place to follow Melina's career is during the WWE matches and through the Web site www.wwe.com. Be sure to check your attitude at the door.

"I just want to thank my fans because even though they considered me a `bad person,' I stand up for myself, I believe in myself, and I'm an independent confident woman," she said. "Why shouldn't I be respected for that?"

Audio Interview:

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/713...WWEs-Melina.htm

And the transcript I typed up of the audio interview:

Interviewer: “Melina how are you today?”

Melina: “I’m good how about you Larry?”

Interviewer: “I’m fine. We’re two weeks away from Wrestlemania how hectic is it for you?”

Melina: “I think it’s pretty crazy, this is the one day of the year- this is the biggest show of the year and you have to go all out. And I feel that I have to go out there not only looking good, but I also have to train and be on top of my game. I have to try make it fit with all the traveling schedules and everything. It’s pretty hectic, but you make do.

Interviewer: He asks about the Bunnymania match:

Melina: “Well you know the saga of how I don’t like Playboy bunnies I was telling another interviewer that I have nothing against bunnies that are useful like the energizer bunny or the Easter bunny at least they serve a purpose- but look at the bunnies that have been in wrestling. What are they doing in wrestling? They’re all getting injured for crying out loud! If there’s a Playboy bunny who wants to wrestle- cool, wrestle, but don’t shove the Playboy thing in my face. Respect me as a wrestler. I’m not saying that Playboy is evil and they’re crap or anything I’m just saying, I’m not going to do it, I’m here to wrestle so wrestle.”

Interviewer: Says how Melina/Beth are more accomplished, and Candice is injured, and Maria is just a Playboy Bunny so what are the Bunnies chances to win?”

Melina: “They don’t have a good chance. Look at how many times I’ve beaten poor Maria. I give her that. She keeps coming out there. I really do see her as a energizer bunny. I’m impressed by her because she’s got heart, but come on she’s not at my level.”

Interviewer: “Is this your second appearance? Do you think this match will live up to last years or be better?”

Melina: “Yes. It’s going to be even better. Just like the WWE is making each and every Wrestlemania that much bigger and that much grander, just like that every time I come out for Wrestlemania I’m going to improve it every time I come out there. “

Interviewer: “Is that a guarantee?”

Melina: “Yes.”

Interviewer: “If you had a chance to wrestle a celebrity at Wrestlemania who would it be?”

Melina: “Wow I don’t know. I would have to, seriously I can’ think of a person at the top of my head because I would have to do research. I’d have to do my research and see who’s capable. I want to know who’d be a good opponent. Because I’m a person that likes a challenge. I don’t want to just straight beatdown.

Interviewer: “Kind of changing gears from Wrestlemania, earlier this year you did work with Mun2 and the Ultimate Quinceanera Contest and did you enjoy your work on that promotion?”

Melina: “Oh yeah that was awesome too. I really loved doing that because it’s great to see the WWE be a part of the Latin American audience because I think a large percent are Latin viewers and not only that but they’re involving women because a Quinceanera is a girl thing you know. To not only be able to contribute to my Latin culture but to females- that’s something that I really want to do because that’s something I really want to target you know motivating women to get them to watch, to get them to respect women in the business as well as watching the guys entertain and everything. And for the Quinceanera that was amazing. I never had my own so to be able to see this girl who was able to have her own and for us to be able to give it to her- that meant a lot. I cried because I was like ‘awww’ cause it was my birthday too at the same time and they gave me a cake and I was just like ‘thanks you guys!’ It was a great experience. The girl and her family were awesome and they were so happy and it was just a great group of people.

Interviewer: “It sounds like that was a great experience. To you personally is it important for you to be a role model to young, Latino women?”

Melina: “Yes I really do think so and my character people, people are not fond of it, or they love to hate me, but in ways I think even the person you love to hate- I still think I am being a role model like I’m giving people a choice- you don’t have to take off your clothes to be cool. You can be yourself and stand up for yourself and not care what everyone else thinks. My character doesn’t care what everyone else thinks. I’m happy being me. And I stand up for what I believe in regardless of what everyone says. So it’s like that I could hope that I could confront women, not only Latin women, but all women, and be someone to look up to and they can say “I don’t have to do this, I can be me and it’s okay.”

Interviewer: “Alright switching gears back to wrestling, with the change to HD, there’s a lot of talk, with all the high tech, it shows any imperfections, so do you and the rest of the ladies feel any pressure to look even better now with the new technologies on the shows?”

Melina: “Well yeah there’s a lot of wonder like ‘oh man what are they going to see? What’s going to show?” and for me it’s like yeah I worried about it but what can I do? What can I do? If you’re going to see a blemish, you’re going to see a blemish. Everybody in the world gets it so whatever. It’s true though, this is an industry where looks matter, but hey I’m a normal human being, and you’re going to see whatever you’re going to see.”

Interviewer: “What are your feelings on the current state of the WWE Women’s Division?”

Melina: “I think there’s a diverse variety. Like we got your model divas and then you got your wrestlers and everything and to me to be able to work with a different variety of people I enjoy it because it stimulates my mind. It’s kind of like I am challenged to work in different ways and I like that, I really do like that. I’m the kind of person who loves to be challenged and to be able to be creative and work in different ways so I’m glad the WWE has this variety of women and I think we’re also getting more women. I’ve never seen so many girls in the WWE at once. Usually we have like eight girls and now we have like 15 on each roster, but we get to work each other. And it’s not only Raw, ECW, Smackdown- we get to work with all the girls. So it’s great to see that they’re bringing in more women.”

Interviewer: “What will Melina be doing at Wrestlemania 25?”

Melina: “I would like to wrestle- I would like to have the craziest wrestling match, because I’m the kind of person where I want to do what no other woman has done before in the business. Hopefully we can do that. Honestly it’s probably going to be another Playboy bunny beat down, but no matter what it is you’ll see me there, and I’m going to- whatever they have me do, I’m going to do to the best of my ability. Because I don’t do anything half way. I go all out. I go past over and beyond.

--Interviewer says thanks, Melina says Bye, End interview.

Melina Interview
The WWE diva talks Snoop Dogg, Mick Foley, and not posing for Playboy.
by Bill Barnwell

March 19, 2008 - Among the people most excited for WrestleMania would be WWE diva Melina, who will be competing in a four-way match for the women's title emceed by none other than Snoop Dogg. A life-long fan of the business, Melina's enthusiasm for what she does and what she'll be doing next Sunday is absolutely infectious, so our conversation with her is peppered with exclamation points. She held court on everything from rappers to wrestlers to, yes, getting naked.

IGN: You're going to be part of the BunnyMania Lumberjack Match in WrestleMania XXIV, with Snoop Dogg serving as the MC. Are you excited about working with him?

Melina: Yeah, it's really interesting to see what kind of role he'll have and even how I'm gonna react! It's so cool that he's a part of it. It's refreshing to get people from outside the business and have them come in and see what we're about, and we give that to them too. They're excited about what we're doing and they walk away with something they'll remember and hopefully think "Wow, these people are friggin' awesome!"

IGN: If you could've chosen the MC, who would you have wanted it to be?

Melina: I have no idea! I welcome everyone who wants to come see what we do.

The thing is, I don't know what exactly [Snoop] is gonna do! I'm just interested to see what he's gonna bring. Is he going to bring his entourage? It'll be a surprise to me.

IGN: Speaking of Playboy, you've actually spoken before about making a decision to not be in Playboy. Why is that?

Melina: I'm not going to say "Never say never", because if I ever chose to, then people will say "Oh, well she said she never would!", but at this point and time in my life, I won't do it. One, I want everyone to see my wrestling and that I have to more to offer. That's my choice and I want people to respect me for that. Other people can do that and it's great for them, but it's my choice. Second, I don't want people to come up to my dad or my brother or the person I'm dating and say, "Hey, can you have your daughter [or sister] sign this!" And then, for my body, I'd like the person I'm with in a relationship to see that.


IGN: Does your family have a lot of people come up to you now and ask them about what you did on Raw?

Melina:Yeah! My brother, my mom, and my dad get people coming up to them a lot. They're really proud. My dad wanted me to be a boxer, but now he's like ok, yeah, this works. He's totally stoked on it. My mom worries, but she's really proud of me and impressed with what I can do. My brother just takes credit for beating me up.

IGN: So did you watch wrestling with your brother when you both were younger?

Melina: That's the only time he didn't beat me up! I would jump around as a kid thinking "Hey, I can do this!"

IGN: One of the other famous storylines you worked through was the angle with Mick Foley being your friend and you devilishly turning on him. Was that a storyline that Mick came up with and pitched to you? How did that process go?

Melina: Mick talked to me about it, and basically wanted to see if I approved of the story and felt comfortable doing everything. He's a really nice guy, he's such a sweet person. I said everything was cool, of course, and that I was comfortable with everything, and I was so excited! He believed in my abilities and that was really refreshing. Sometimes, you have people just see a girl and you think "Oh, she's not really a wrestler, she's just a girl in the business", and fortunately, not everyone thinks that way. You get people and fans who see that, and [Mick] saw what I could do, and I really appreciate that because he saw talent. It was an honor for me to be involved and I felt very proud to be able to do all the stuff he pitched. I mean, I got to work with Ric Flair and Vince McMahon! I loved working with all these people.

IGN: Speaking of, there exists the distinct possibility that Ric Flair might have his final match at WrestleMania. What are your thoughts on his possible retirement, and what was it like to work with him?

Melina: His decision to retire is one I respect. I love watching him; he's always so entertaining and charismatic. He's so sweet! I'm so happy to meet all these people who are so eager to work with me and willing to help me. I'll be sad when he does retire, but I was so honored to be able to work with him and his energy. He's always so upbeat and energetic all the time and always puts a smile on my face, whenever I see him.

IGN: As a wrestler, is there anyone, male or female, who you pattern yourself after?

Melina: I always pick little bits and pieces of all the people I loved watching because that fits me. I'm not the…I could look at Trish Stratus and say that I'm not really built, but not really tiny…she's a tomboy and I'm similar to her, but I can't be her or her character or her way of moving. She's Trish and I can never be that. I'm totally different and have a totally different style and way of moving and fit bits and pieces into my own style.

I don't model myself after people but the one person I do idolize is Sherri Martel. I'm not a replica of her, but I look at her and see everything she did. The male wrestlers respected her as a worker, not just as a girl. They saw a girl who had charisma, talent, and was aggressive -- as aggressive as the guys -- and you didn't mess with her. She wrestled, she managed, she was always big, she entertained, and she made you watch and wonder what she was going to do next. She was the total package and was awesome.

IGN: On the managerial side of things, how difficult is it for you to try and make your presence known and remain an integral part of the match experience without taking attention away from what's going on in the ring?

Melina: When I first started, I didn't understand it, but then it started to click. It's an art in itself to have your moment, but to be able to put attention on the guys…they bring their own attention because they're the wrestlers, but if the fans aren't into it, I have to bring the focus back to them. It's an art to be able to do that. At first it was like,"What?", but then it clicked and it became an instinct. I don't know if I took to it, but in a bit of time I got better at it.

IGN: Have you ever tripped on the red carpet?

Melina: No! If I did, it probably wasn't big. There have been paparazzi, though, who have totally tripped because they're backing up and walking backwards down the ramp.

IGN: What's it like to see yourself in a video game?

Melina: It's funny. Even my action figures are crazy to see because I still see myself as a normal person, a fan of wrestling, and to see all these things is just so weird but so cool. When I hear little kids say that they play as my character, it's so weird. When I see me doing moves in the video games, I think "That's sweet! I look sweet!"

IGN

Melina Perez isn’t your typical girl next door. Most girls grow up dreaming of becoming a beauty queen, a ballerina, or a cheerleader. Melina Perez grew up with dreams of becoming a WWE wrestler. Long before there were Divas, Melina grew up idolizing revolutionary females like the Fabulous Moolah and Sherri Martel. Wrestling for Melina wasn’t a goal, it was her only goal.

The WWE Divas are known for being some of the most gorgeous, sexiest, beautiful, and stunning women in sports entertainment. Yet, Divas are not usually recognized for their pro wrestling skills. WWE Diva Melina is the total package. Melina is one of the few Divas that would prefer to be known for her wrestling, just as much as her beauty.

Melina is the last of dying breed of WWE Divas. Melina didn’t come to the WWE through a talent search or contest. As a matter of a fact, Melina tried and failed to make the cut in the last WWE Tough Enough contest. Melina did it the hard way, the old school way. Melina worked her way up from the independents to WrestleMania.

Melina entered the WWE managing MNM. Melina wasn’t your typical pretty girl at ringside. Like her idol Sherri Martel, Melina was one of the most active female managers in pro wrestling history. Bobby Heenan in his book recommends that managers, “Manage like a wrestler.” Melina’s style as a wrestling manager was right out of the Bobby Heenan playbook.

Melina’s dreams didn’t just end with managing MNM to the WWE Tag Team titles. Melina had bigger dreams and aspirations. Melina dreamed of wrestling on pro wrestling’s biggest stage, WrestleMania. Through her hard work and dedication, Melina achieved her dream at WrestleMania 23 by defeating Ashley Massaro in a WWE Women’s title match.

Melina’s career in the WWE has been a tremendous story for young women all over the world. Melina has broken barriers for Latina women and has given Divas a new identity. Melina isn’t just one of the WWE’s top Divas, Melina is one of the WWE’s top wrestlers. Melina has achieved her childhood dreams and not a day goes by when she doesn’t forget it.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Melina about a variety of things including her career, WrestleMania, the Ultimate Quinceañera, Batista, dating, and more. Melina came off as one of the most genuine people within the industry that I have ever interviewed. I could practically feel her glow as she talked about her career over the phone. Never in over ten years of interviews can I remember talking to someone that happy to be wrestling.

Melina will be a part of the ‘Playboy’ BunnyMania Lumberjack Match at WrestleMania XXIV.

Eric – Can you talk a little about the Ultimate Quinceañera sweepstakes?

Melina – Well I think that it is really great that the WWE is doing that. We’re celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of Raw and it just makes perfect sense. You know, Latinas celebrate their fifteenth year like their Sweet Sixteen. It’s great to be a part of the Latin market like this. To do this, it means a lot. It means a lot to me because I’m Latina. I’m sorry to be so happy about it but being Latina and everything, it’s like they are giving to us and for me to be a part of it, it means that much more too.

Eric – The winner gets to meet you and Carlito. What has been your most moving experience meeting a fan?

Melina – I don’t know, to me it’s different for each person because people express them in different ways. Some people get really serious and I keep thinking, “Well you don’t look happy to see me” but they really are inside because they told me, “You’re my favorite, I’m so sorry,” and I’m like, “Well it’s okay to smile, act happy.” I’ve seen different people react in different ways and each one, it means a lot. I’ve had interesting moments where a person would ask me to sign my signature on them and then they would go and have it tattooed. I’ve had two people do that, or they ask me to sign their forehead, and the most interesting one, or one of the most interesting ones which means a lot because I’m like, “Aw that’s so sweet” is when people name their children after you, my name. That means a lot because I never thought that I’d be like, you know? Growing up I never thought I’d be one of somebody that means anything other than being me you know?

Eric – What was it like to wrestle on a WrestleMania?

Melina – To me it’s amazing. I prepared myself last year because that was my first moment, my first WrestleMania moment. I knew when I hit the ramp, I knew I was just going to stand there and absorb it, take it all in. It’s incredible to see all of those people. People come from around the world for this one day. That says something right there, and knowing that it’s not just the people that live in that city, it’s people from across the country, around the world, so it’s very surreal. To me, every moment whenever I go out that curtain is surreal. It’s like I always take in each moment but WrestleMania is the moment. I look forward to this year. Especially, it just seems to get bigger and bigger each year. It’s going to be amazing. All the stars are coming out. You’ve got Snoop Dogg M.C.

Eric – WWE fans may not be aware that you actually started in wrestling before joining the WWE, correct?

Melina – Yeah I totally did. That’s the whole reason I got into it was so I could wrestle. So I learned how to wrestle and I wanted to be a part of the WWE, and I can wrestle. When I managed that was a totally different world too. People think that managing is just standing out there. No, I learned a lot. There’s a lot to learn from managing, and yeah a person can go out there and just stand out there. But, I didn’t want to be that girl. I wanted to learn, I wanted to be a part of everything, I wanted to do whatever I can for the people I was managing, and it was a great experience. I think I learned a lot about wrestling as well from watching my boys wrestle. Whatever they were doing, I learned from that and took it for myself. I put in part of my wrestling ability as well.

Eric – Did you grow up as a wrestling fan?

Melina – Yes. I used to watch it when I was little with my brothers because it was part of a way to be with my brother you know? We could hang out by watching wrestling. The only time he didn’t beat me up was when we watched wrestling.

Eric – Who were your favorites?

Melina – It seems to be the same with everybody. I liked Rick Rude, Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, but the female wrestler that I loved was Sherri Martel. She was my all-time favorite. I always tell everybody, “She’s my all-time favorite.” I kind of model myself after her because she was everything in entertainment all wrapped up into one.

Eric – How discouraging was it not to make the final cast in Tough Enough?

Melina – Oh you don’t even know, I cried, well you probably do. They have footage of me crying. I cried because it was like maybe I wasn’t meant to do this. I really honestly thought that maybe they thought that I couldn’t do it, but Al Snow pulled me aside and said, “You know what? Don’t let this set you back. You can make it. I believe in you.” When he said that, it took all of that doubt that I had, “Maybe I can’t do this, maybe I wasn’t meant to do it” and made me think, “You know what? He said I can do it, I can do it.” So I just kept on trying.

Eric – I read somewhere that you are one of the few Divas that don’t have any aspirations of posing for Playboy. Is that true?

Melina – That is true. I always tell people that I’ll never say never because I don’t want to be one of those girls that one day does it and everyone says, “She said she’d never do it.” I’ll never say never but at this point in time I wouldn’t do it because I’d find it weird to have my family open up the magazine, or have somebody go up to my family, “Here’s your daughter.” That’d just be weird. Right now I want people to see me as Melina. I don’t want to be known as that girl who stripped in Playboy. I have a lot to show the world other than that.

Eric – Is it frustrating when the new girls come into the WWE and see the WWE as just a stepping stone?

Melina – I don’t blame them for getting this opportunity. Anybody would do it, like, I did it. When they signed me I don’t think they saw a wrestler, because at that point in time wrestlers were hardcore. I took that as, “You know what. They’re giving me this opportunity and I’m going to run with it. I’ll show them.” I’ll never know if some of these other girls will have the same mentality as me. I don’t blame them for taking the opportunity, but I do admit that there is frustration. Not frustration, I think it’s sad that they’ll never see the wrestling world the way I do. I’ll do my best to show them, because I want to give that to them, maybe they’ll understand where I’m coming from, and maybe I can help them get better. Sometimes when they don’t get it and they don’t want too, it’s saddening to see that. It’s sad because this is my art you know? But you know what? In time, it all comes out the way it should.

Eric – Were you surprised at how much Batista wrote about your relationship with him in his book?

Melina – Kind of yes and kind of no. Like, I was surprised to see it but knowing him, he wears his heart, he’ll tell people how he feels. He doesn’t hide anything, and he didn’t say as much as he would have said, and for reasons I guess? But in his way, he put the most important people in his life in that book, and that’s his way of saying that I’m an important person in his life.

Eric – Is it hard to date with the demands of the road schedule?

Melina – Oh, it’s very difficult. Like, right now I’m not dating at the moment because it’s hard. I think it is hard because you’re always on the road, and I think it’s hard to explain to somebody not to take it personally, “that it’s not that I don’t want to spend time with you, I just have to do this for my job,” and there are moments when you have free time and you are in the middle of something. It’s kind of like you’re on-call. They’ll call you up and say, “Can you do this, can you go here. We’re going to need you to do this.” You have to go, you have no other choice. I can’t plan things because in our business, you just can’t plan things. It just happens at the moment. It’s difficult but I believe that they’ll be the right person that’ll understand.

From what y'all can see, she's getting A LOT of publicity.

Flames Out
Dragon
 
Juicebox....when exactly the heck do you sleep??? How do you manage to go to school and be online the same time as me every night??? Are you homeschooled??
 
I agree completely. I'm exhausted everyday from school.

Mighty Norcal said:
oh. hm. I coulda sworn uve been on at this time more often, but I could be confused, and its prolly during other vacations. Ah the times of school , and vacation LOL. Summer just means that its hotter at work, for me. LOL

I sleep pretty late, even on weeknights, so that's probably why. LOL no AC at work eh?

Flames Out
Dragon
 
yea. I live um....below you, bout 2 hours. we have discussed. and yes, OUTSIDE. gets rather cold in the winter time. and, I guess you could say I "work" in a lot of places, all over the world. So ive encountered some rather unsavory conditions LOL. But its nice when its pretty outside, like in the fall.
 
HELL YES it HAILS!!!! LOL. on my FACE. it does everything down here. wind sleet, snow, hail. It gets rather rough through the winter time. You know how your knuckles dry out and crack from wind and cold??? My FACE has dried so bad from wind and cold that it cracked and BLED before. gooood tiiiiimes good TIMES lol.
 

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