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Profile: Melina
Following a career as a model, Melina Perez began wrestling training in 2000 and tried out for Tough Enough III, making it to the final 25 before being eliminated in the final cut of the season's first episode. In March 2004 she debuted in WWE developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling, where she was quickly paired with Tough Enough III winner Johnny Nitro. Together with Joey Mercury (then known as Joey Matthews), the they became known as MNM, and would take their heel Hollywood A-List gimmick to WWE's SmackDown brand in April 2005.
Not only instrumental in MNM's three WWE Tag Team Championship reigns, Melina was considered by some as the focal point of the trio's act. From her bitchy persona, to her ringside screams, to her unique "splits-on-the-apron" ring entrance, the team's manager acquired much of the spotlight for herself.
It is reported, however, that she was also making waves backstage, drawing negative attention to herself in the locker room and drawing heat upon herself and real-life boyfriend Johnny Nitro. In May 2006, the couple turned on Joey Mercury and were "fired" from SmackDown as a way of moving them to the Raw brand, away from the friction. There, Melina would remain at Nitro's side in his plights over the Intercontinental Title, while also participating in the women's division herself. MNM would briefly reunite later in the year and into early 2007, until Mercury was released from the company.
In August 2006, Melina feigned a babyface turn to retain the on-screen trust of known real-life friend Mick Foley, only to trick him into joining the "Mr McMahon Kiss My Ass Club." After Foley went through with the deed, thinking he was saving her job, she gave him a low blow and "fired" him under the WWE Chairman's authority.
During a feud with Mickie James, Melina won her first WWE Women's Title in February 2007, and went on to successfully defend the gold against Ashley at WrestleMania 23. As the top female heel on Raw, she continues to juggle the responsibility of managing Nitro's career with battling her fellow Divas in the ring, riling up the fans at every turn.
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