Enter The Bellatrix Zone: The Female Terminator

Cheerleader Melissa heads back to England for the first time in 5 years.

For years, no one has ever underestimated Cheerleader Melissa; whether she's either Raisha Saeed or Alissa Flash, she brings her brand of intensity and aggressiveness. “I was born into the business. My Father wrestled professionally from 1984-86. I still can remember sitting next to my mother watching Dad wrestle,” Melissa said about her early years in an interview a few years ago. “Since then, we have always kept in contact with our friends and family in the business. Growing up, I was very athletic. I competed in sports such as amateur wrestling and martial arts. Being around the business so much, I too became interested in becoming a professional wrestler. Dad supported me in whatever I wanted to do.”

Trained by not only by Bill Anderson, she learned from Christopher Daniels, Robert Thompson, Bryan Danielson (Known to WWE audiences as Daniel Bryan) and Mariko Yoshida, she brings a technical game while utilizing high-flying moves, brawling, and submission wrestling to her arsenal. "It was a great experience working with all of them, but the best was the very different styles I learned," she said in an interview last year. "In the beginning, Billy Anderson guided me and Christopher Daniels trained me on the fundamentals. During my time training in Japan, Mariko Yoshida trained me on Japanese style with lots of submissions and technical wrestling. When I returned to the US, I trained with Daniel Bryan and Robert Thompson who were both all-around amazing trainers."

Melissa has made a complete name for herself all over the world.

For 13 years, Melissa has made herself a solid name with the help of ClickWrestle.com as well as her home promotion for 7 years, SHIMMER Women Athletes. "The main thing I remember from the early days in Shimmer, was the excitement in the air with having so many talented females in one location. It truly was something very special that was the beginning of a great era for female pro wrestling and I am proud to say that I have been on every Shimmer DVD since the start," she says about the early years of SHIMMER.

In 2008 she made her Total Nonstop Action Wrestling debut as the mysterious Raisha Saeed, manager and speaker for the dominant Awesome Kong. The association between Melissa and Kong go way back before their TNA careers. “That was an idea that was already created in one of the (TNA) writers’ minds,” Melissa said. “They were looking for the right person to fill the role, but the funny thing was that I was actually approached by WWE before the Muhammad Hassan era with almost the exact same Raisha Saeed character. Back then, there were two other people involved so it was supposed to be a tag team with a manager and a female. It was looking really good, but then at the last second they decided to go in a different direction with the Arab-American route instead of the straight Arab route. And when they went in that direction, it cut the possibility of having the female role to that, although I did get to dress up in that character and do a couple of test runs with it.

“…Fast forward a couple of years later and TNA came up with that character by themselves. People want to believe that a monster character like Awesome Kong doesn't have a voice so someone else should speak for her but also be mysterious. Word got back to their creative team that I had done something similar to that character and it just happened to fit.”

A year later in 2009, Alissa Flash took on the TNA scene, but her stay in TNA was not good and left in 2010. “It’s pretty much an extension of Cheerleader Melissa,” she explained. “I don’t think there’s that much difference between the two characters. However, if you remember, I had a match with Daizee Haze on Impact as Cheerleader Melissa and I think TNA creative were a little confused by that. When you hear about Cheerleader Melissa, perhaps you expect to see like a super happy Dallas Cowboys looking cheerleader and instead you get this strong looking brunette coming out and going crazy on people. I just don’t think that translated well with TNA. They liked my style and my aggressiveness, but they were just like ‘That cheerleader thing doesn’t work with your wrestling style.’ So that’s how they eventually came up with the Alissa Flash character for me.”

But how does Melissa tell those two apart from one another?

"Raisha Saeed was a very mysterious character that acted as the voice for Awesome Kong in TNA. Everyone had their own view or opinion about Raisha which was the beauty of the character. Alissa Flash was a tough and strong woman…honestly, she’s Cheerleader Melissa without the pom-poms…"

Melissa appears regularly in River City Wrestling in San Antonio as Alissa Flash.

On November 29, 2009, Melissa appeared as Alissa Flash for the Texas based promotion River City Wrestling, winning their major title legitimately on August 7, 2010. She has won their Tag Team title, and the International Tile; making her the first female to win the triple crown in that promotion. To be wrestling in the city that has legends like Tully Blanchard, WWE Hall of Famer “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels; as well as San Antonio Spurs legends like “The Iceman” George Gervin, “The Admiral” David Robinson, and Tim Duncan; it's an honor. "I really LOVE San Antonio and San Antonio has been very good to me. Not only is it an honor to wrestle in a city with great wrestling history, but the fans are very kind and amazing! San Antonio fans make the trips worth it every time," she says.

Melissa won the SHIMMER Title in 2011 from Madison Eagles.

On October 2, 2011; Melissa finally captured the SHIMMER Title after 44 volumes of trying to win it. "I wouldn’t say it was difficult, as it is a passion for me to keep going no matter what, under any circumstances. If you love what you do, it will never seem like work and all the bruises and struggle was worth it for me," she said.

But in 2012, she lost the belt to none other than Saraya Knight in controversial fashion. As Saraya put it bluntly; "I did what I had to do to get my hands on Melissa, I waited 5 years for that opportunity, It was a bonus she went into my match as a Champion and I was ecstatic when I took her belt, and from a submission!! I think it was well deserved and I patted myself on my back!"

Melissa's story is never complete without the involvement of Saraya Knight.

If anybody didn't know, Saraya and melissa have been going at it for over 5 years, when Melissa nearly ended Saraya's career when a cola can sliced Saraya's kneecap, ending the match right then and there. But their first match between the two was memorable, and showed signs of hatred, kind of like the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. "Well I was her opponent at Chickfight 7 and we were in the first round, I was knocked out of the competition after I got twisted in the ropes by my neck and was hanging there on the outside until people managed to separate the top and 2nd rope so my head could be released, I was hanging and fighting for breathe for about a minute or so and whilst I was in trouble Melissa was trying to smash my head in and stop the guys from getting me free. The first encounter was memorable," Saraya said.

When asked if she any plans to win the gold again, Melissa replied, "Plans to win it again? Of course I do! I always have a plan up my sleeve and one day that gold will be back around the Cheerleader’s waist!"

One amazing move worked wonders for Melissa.

That plan went to fruition in APril of this year, when Saraya and Melissa battled it out in a steel cage where Melissa broke out a super hurricanrana off the top of the cage as well as landing her missle dropkick and the Air Raid crash to pick up the win as well as the SHIMMER Title for the second time. The girl made no mistake about it...her plan was ultimately successful.

Melissa has had lots of supporters and detractors throughout her career.

A lot of people in the wrestling industry has had a lot to say about Melissa, some negative, some positive.

“I think she’s beautiful and an amazing performer, not many are as good as her. She’s just no match for Perfection,” said Shanna, a fellow female wrestler from Portugal.

Fellow CAC member and legendary announcer Jim Ross had this to say about Melissa; “Shes worked hard to make herself better. Wish she’d get a break.”

When I asked about LuFisto, one of Melissa’s classic opponents…and sometimes tag partners, whether or not she has the highest respect for her, she states, “I always had. She’s an amazing competitor.”

“A pioneer for the Wrestling industry. I came across her from watching a match she had on HEAT against Victoria and have been a fan ever since,” says Jezabeth, a young wrestler out of Great Britain.

Former SHIMMER star Davina Rose, who wrestled with Melissa before and now goes by Bayley in the WWE, says she’s “Very respected in the world of women’s wrestling.”
When I was talking about a match that featured Melissa and Hailey Hatred, the most decorated female wrestler today, I hoped that one day they’ll face off again, and she replied; “me too, she’s a great opponent.”

“Melissa’s technique is so good, and she has power and stamina. She is a smart wrestler. I love Melissa!” Mariko Yoshida, one of her trainers and opponents during her career, said in a Dirty Dirty Sheets interview.

Rebecca Knox has had said this about Melissa; "A tough competitor and a remarkable lady who has done so much for the female wrestling industry."

Current SHINE Champion Rain said that Melissa is "Tough as nails. Also, reminds me of odd shaped cookies."

A rising wrestler from New Zealand named Evie has had her say about the Cheerleader; "Amazing talent, someone I have looked up to. Would love the opportunity to wrestle her."

Even Rhia O'Reilly can never forget that dangerous curbstomp of Melissa's.

Even Bellatrix stars like Rhia O'Reilly has said one thing about her signature Curbstomp; "That curb stomp is lethal!"

And the Queen of Europe Queen Maya has said that Melissa "Was part of the greatest rivalry in recent women's wrestling history with Saraya Knight. Her cage match with her was like an epic field battle. I'm eager for an opportunity to prove my mettle with her."

Melissa brings to Bellatrix prestige.

What Melissa brings to the table is her aggressiveness and her technical prowess. Throughout her 13-year career, Melissa has been in 311 matches with 156 wins under her belt and a solid winning percentage of 50.2%. The best year in her career was her SHIMMER Title campaign in 2011 earning her a 68.4% winning percentage. Her worst? In 2002, with a winning percentage of 35.7%. In SHIMMER, where she has her success, she has a 65.5%, being the only active wrestler to appear on every volume since 2005. In TNA, she has little success, with a winning percentage of 26.2%.

The reigning SHIMMER Champion is always looking good.

What does the future hold for Melissa? "We never know what the future holds…but I’ll tell you one thing…the future looks good!!" she says. Nothing can be sure yet, as the 30-year-old athlete still has lots of mileage to go, she still feels she isn’t finished quite yet. “My journey isn’t over yet,” Melissa says, “it’s just beginning.”

Besides, her fans will still support her, even if she's a heel or a face. "I just want to say how grateful I am to every one of my fans of the support I have received through out the past years of my career. Its the fans that truly keep me motivated and make every bump/bruise worth my love for Professional Wrestling. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

And we couldn't agree more.

Enter The Bellatrix Zone: Enter The Rush Zone

The Rush Revolution is coming for you, England!

Winnipeg has a great hockey history as well as wrestling history, as the Winnipeg Jets won three Avco Cups while in the World Hockey Association and has had a loyal following in the 80s and mid 90s before moving to Phoenix. As wrestling history applies, it is the hometown of WWE legend Chris Jericho as well as the rising star in the indy scene, the One and only Courtney Rush. A 6-time champion currently holding the Bellatrix World Championship as well as a few Canadian Wrestling promotions women's titles, Rush has been and always will be one of a kind. Battling with the likes of Allysin Kay, Cheerleader Melissa, Cherry Bomb, Sara Del Rey and Kellie Skater; the Rush Revolution has one stop she hasn't been yet: England, where she will be defending the belt at Epic Studios in Norwich, the home of Bellatrix Female Warriors on October 6.

A fun-loving side of Courtney Rush everyone likes.

Beginning as a student at Scott D'Amore's school in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; Rush began her career as P.J. Tyler due to the fact she is an Aerosmith fan. In January 2008 she made her debut, only to lose to Haley Rogers, otherwise known as Cat Power. She would later avenge this loss in July of 2008. While the talent was good for the young up-and-comer to develop, it was only a matter of time before SHIMMER started calling. While she joined the roster under the Sparkle lineup, she made her SHIMMER debut in March of 2011.

Courtney Rush and Sara Del Rey formed a team in 2012 that captured SHIIMER Tag Team gold. It didn't go so well months later.

While proving to herself as well as the fans in SHIMMER, Rush shined in singles matches; but when Sara Del Rey was looking for a tag team partner, out of the blue came Courtney Rush. They gelled a bit winning the SHIMMER Tag Team Titles in March or 2012, but they actually crumbled when SDR turned her back and cost both of them the titles to the Canadian Ninjas, made up of Nicole Matthews and Portia Perez; months later at an NCW:FF show.

The Bellatrix World Title makes a nice pillow for the reigning champion/

After that betrayal, Courtney went directly back to singles competition, picking up a few solid wins. In March of this year, Courtney got the opportunity of a lifetime as she faced off against Allison Danger for the Bellatrix World Title. It was hard fought, but in the end, the Winnipeg Suplex Machine got the victory and the gold. In SHIMMER Volume 55, Rush even challenged reigning SHIMMER Champion Cheerleader Melissa, but with bad results. The two faced off again in last month's NCW:FF, but it got real ugly when they were both DQ'd.

The Boss teaches Courtney a lesson.

Courtney will bring her brand of excitement in England, with her positive personality and a fiery work ethic. Out of her 143 matches, Courtney managed to have 71 wins under her belt, including a 49.7% winning percentage. Her best year was in 2012, when she had a solid 59.3% winning percentage and her worst year was her sophomore year in 2009, only to have a 37.9% winning percentage. No matter the statistics, what Rush brings to the table for Bellatrix is something extraordinary.

Always thinking, so you don't have to.

Courtney is in her 5th year in the indrustry, and as the years progress, so have her skills. She is far from her early days as a young P.J. Tyler, and that's only the beginning.

The best of the best is right here in Winnipeg. And The Rush Revolution has only begun to take shape.

Gridiron Dolls

As we get close to football season in the good ol' US of A, I wanted to get this out in the open. With women showing that they are better than the men in the ring, they also prove that they are also worthy on the gridiron.While that is an argument, here is my list of the current crop of women in the ring who might need a secondary sport to...you know, channel their aggression.

Allysin Kay-Cornerback

The current WSU Tag Team Champion and AIW Women's Champion is no stranger to making big time hits in the ring, but what if she could do things on the football field? Her style should mirror that of current Lions DE Ndamukong Suh as well as Nnamdi Asomugha because she can make the big hits count late in the games and shut down any receiver at any give time. She can also be a shutdown cornerback as well channeling Raider great Lester Hayes and former Jet turned Buc Darrelle Revis, bringing a whole new dimension in the game.

We might as well call her "Judge Allysin."

Cheerleader Melissa-Strong Safety

Let's face it...When the Female Terminator delivers her signature shoulder block and she screams at you, you know she's suitable as a strong safety because of the big hits she delivers. Not only will she stop receivers and pick off quarterbacks, she can make big time plays on defense as well. The 5'8" dynamo does not back down from anybody, so that will be to her advantage. Much like former San Francisco great Ronnie Lott, she can play free safety and cornerback, making her a versatile defensive back in the game. Don't count out her return game neither, if that might help out.

Imagine that...Cheerleader Melissa as a football player...That's one thing you gotta wonder, isn't it?

Courtney Rush-Wide Receiver

Chad Johnson made a habit of performing dance moves in the end zone after a touchdown. Why not Courtney Rush? In her native Canada, Canadian Football is one of the most successful sport in Canada, and her hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers is one of three fan-owned teams in the Canadian Football League. With Rush as a wideout, she can make spectacular catches as well as making solid tackles whenever there's a fumble or an interception. When she gets to the end zone, she might do a little Gangam Style for the loyal fans. Just don't go overboard or there's gonna be flags on the field.

Saraya Knight-Middle Linebacker

Brute force comes in all sizes, but Saraya Knight is no pushover in the ring. But what if that translate on the football field? Maybe the likes of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady needs to fear this gal, considering she can be downright mean in the ring. Much like the days of Dick Butkus and Mean Joe Greene, the Dutchess of Mean can really put a lot of hurt on ball carriers...like it or not.

Portia Perez-Running Back

Portia is good at running. Nuff said.

Sammy Guevara: May Be The Best Ever, But Not The Best In The World

When River City Wrestling fans see Sammy Guevara, they see a talented kid on the rise. But for the hypocritical Internet Wrestling Community, they see nothing but a Justin Bieber wannabe. I know there will be Guevara fans as well as the Belieber Army but I only speak my opinion. Nothing else. Lotta respect for Sammy, but he should drop the Bieber act and grow up.

He always says he's the "Best Ever" and the records speak for themselves; he's the RCW International Champion and he's on a roll these days. Not bad for a wrestler who patterns himself as Justin Beiber. But truth be told, there are plenty of fans who believe that Sammy should grow up a bit, and change his entrance music to something that's less offensive to the grown-up wrestling fans. He should look up to guys like Ric Flair and Harley race instead of a boring musician.

There are those individuals who either look up to Justin Bieber as a wrestler or use his music as their theme music, that's embarrassing for them and the sports. Look at what football great Eric Dickerson said about about Bieber's freeway incident that involved former New York Jet Keyshawn Johnson:

"I live in Calabasas too and Justin Bieber needs to slow his ass down."

If that wasn't enough, look at the backlash from those who have too much free time on thier hands on Twitter:

But face it, people can speak their minds and be respectful but not this bunch. They all show their loyalty to Bieber and this is gonna go as a war between Good Old-Fashioned All-American Fun and sycophancy.

Bieber's for kids. Wrestling is for men.

If you think Guevara is the Best in the World, here's two words to add to your disappointment:

Welcome To The Titanic, Brad Maddox!

Last night on Monday Night Raw, we all saw the absurd and respectfully ridiculous announcement that shook up the flagship show of the WWE; the firing of Vickie Guerre as General Manager of the brand and the promotion of the most absurd personality in WWE history in my opinion, Brad Maddox.

Not only did the Internet Wrestling Community were voicing their opinion on the announcement chairman Vince McMahon had made, but there was a lot of people who gave that decision a thumbs-down. It was McMahon's way to “give us what we wasn't," but in reality he doesn't know what we want. What we want is a competent GM who can give us fans what we wasn't, not a bumbling idiot who couldn't fight his way out of a paper bag. This is why WWE is losing its touch with the fans, the ones who put their hard earned money to go to these events. It's a letdown on the entertainment side, and an even bigger letdown on the business side.

With TNA butchering the payroll with Hulk Hogan around and WWE is run by corporate monkeys, the only alternative is Ring Of Honor our your local promotion. The mainstream companies have finally lost its reality on the biggest assets of all: the fans. It's us fans who watch each show every week to see the action, and for them to pull the wool over our eyes makes yours pretty upset.

Good luck on the sinking ship, Brad. You're gonna need it.

TN-Ain't The Same

July 3rd is a day in what is probably the worst decision in TNA history, the entire company dumped Madison Rayne, Crimson, Taeler Hendrix, Christopher York, Joey Ryan, and Alex Silva and to nobody's surprise, re-signed their color commentator Taz. Those moves were cost-cutting measures, but to me it was like they were not only focusing on former WWE talent, which of course is a waste of space; but throw out those with lots of potential.

One guy said, “TNA boggles the mind." Another said, “It looks like TNA is trying to break away from OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling, TNA's minor league promotion)." I think it could be both considering the lack of young talent in this God-forsaken company and the use of former WWE talent as well as some old school WCW talent and many others that take up plenty of airtime.  Even Hulk Hogan and his daughter Brooke are taking up airtime. This not a reality show, this is wrestling, but you can't blame the writers for this baloney. In fact, every member of the IWC want both Hogans of their TV's for young, up and coming talent as well as talented veterans who know what they're doing. I know I'm gonna piss off the entire IWC, but I know when I'm being heard. And I know what to say too.

TNA is nothing short of a poor man's WCW, but in time, fans will forgive the company as well as TNA Head of Talent Relations Bruce Pritchard for these screw-ups. But not right now, due to the angry IWC and plenty of die-hard TNA fans.

Dirt Sheet Dirtbag: Why Dave Meltzer Is Making The IWC Angry

When you hear the name Dave Meltzer, you hear nothing but his own piece of work “The Wrestling Observer Newsletter." But when you also hear the name Dave Meltzer, you'll hear nothing but rumors and inside information, and it pisses every member of the Internet Wrestling Community right off the bat.

Sure he has been in the business since most of us were in diapers or teenagers from the 1980s, and he was instrumental in creating the WON Hall of Fame; but in this time and age, there are plenty of disgusted individuals who believe that Meltzer's meddling will not only infuriate the entire IWC, but in this business in general. Take it from me; I sure didn't want to be a dirty sheet scumbag like him during my time with the wrestling mega-site The Online World of Wrestling, but due to a few misunderstandings, I was kicked out, forcing me to go back to writing for other sites, particularly Wrestle Enigma and Pro Wrestling Powerhouse. Boy, did that ever work out.

Words of advice, folks: Never, under any circumstances, be a dirt sheet scumbag like Dave Meltzer.