WWE legend Melina has candidly discussed her struggles with being sexualised during her wrestling career, while reflecting on the unexpected impact of her iconic split entrance. The 46-year-old former Women's Champion, who will appear at Manchester's Bowlers Exhibition Centre on February 21 and 22 for the For The Love of Wrestling convention, remains one of the company's most memorable performers.
The Unanticipated Legacy of a Signature Move
Speaking exclusively to Metro, Melina revealed she first discovered her ability to perform splits during school track and field activities, never anticipating how significant this would become in her wrestling persona. "It didn't occur to me how big it would be," she admitted. "I didn't think about it. I also didn't think about how it would be sexualised at times. I didn't think any of it through."
Melina explained her initial inspiration came from watching Olympic gymnastics, thinking simply: "I was able to do it, this is cool." The former champion expressed genuine surprise at her entrance's enduring influence, noting: "It never occurred to me that that would be as big as it is, and how it would influence other girls... It's amazing to see."
Navigating Fan Reactions and Media Scrutiny
The wrestling star wasn't prepared for certain fan reactions to her entrance, which featured her performing splits on the ring apron while wearing a small skirt. "It didn't occur to me that when you go to live on Raw or SmackDown, that people would be taking pictures," Melina revealed. "Thank goodness they were able to change the shots so that people don't see the behind."
Despite the unexpected attention, Melina maintains a philosophical perspective: "But still, people were taking pictures, so I didn't think it all through. But at the same time, it is an experience." She smiled while reflecting: "Although these things weren't what I expected and I didn't know how to deal with it. You learn and you adapt, and you change a negative into a positive."
Wrestling in a Different Era
During her seven-year WWE tenure between 2004 and 2011, Melina operated in a substantially different environment than today's women's division. She recalled participating in lingerie competitions and now-defunct Bra and Panties Matches, insisting there was genuine skill required to make such segments work effectively.
"How do you have a match and make it look creative, trying to take people's clothes off?" she questioned. "Like, it is an art, you have to have creativity and [figure out] how to get into things, out of things. You don't just do it, you have to flow into it."
Personal Challenges and Professional Growth
Melina also discussed struggling with compliments and attention during her career, often feeling reduced to her physical appearance rather than her wrestling ability. "People telling me I'm pretty, all that stuff, 'What do you want? Why are you saying that? You're just telling me I'm ugly,'" she admitted.
The wrestling veteran explained her thought process: "I didn't understand it fully and didn't know how to deal with it. Sometimes part of it's kind of like, 'Oh, it's just people responding to the skirt, whatever. It's not really me as a person, it's not because people really think I'm pretty.'"
Career Highlights and Fan Appreciation
Despite winning championship gold and working with legends like Mick Foley during her Monday Night Raw tenure, Melina expressed surprise at being viewed as more than just her brother's "annoying little sister." Events like For The Love of Wrestling help her appreciate the positive impact she's had on fans.
"At the time, you don't see that, because you're the character," she recalled. "Especially when you're a heel, in your mind, everybody hates you, and that's just the life you live, 'Everybody hates me.' The fans make me appreciate all the things that I didn't get to in that moment because I was too busy working. And then I get to see it through their eyes."
Championship Victory and Creative Decisions
One particularly memorable moment was defeating Beth Phoenix for the Women's Title, though Melina confessed she initially argued against the career highlight with Vince McMahon. "I had mixed reactions," she revealed. "Instinctually, the first thing I thought was, 'No, not yet. Like, it's not time. I still have a lot to learn. I still need to build up my repertoire, my presence. I need to have people believe that I could win.'"
She ultimately accepted the championship opportunity, recognising her villainous persona would make the storyline effective regardless. "That's the beauty of being a heel, it doesn't matter if you are the female Bret Hart or not," Melina explained. "They're gonna hate you no matter what, because you screwed somebody over!"
Current Relationship with WWE
Melina maintains strong connections with WWE, having attended last summer's all-women Evolution show from the front row, though she isn't rushing to sign a new contract. "I am blessed that they do invite me back for shows. We have a good relationship," she stated. "But when it comes to signing a contract that takes time. There's so much I want to do in life."
The wrestling legend expressed enduring affection for the company that launched her career: "I love WWE, it has a special place in my heart. They believed in me, and they allowed me to do my work. Nobody else did that. So I will always be grateful to them and love them in my own way, and be a WWE girl."
Melina continues to embrace her wrestling legacy while looking forward to her upcoming appearance at Manchester's For The Love of Wrestling convention, where fans can celebrate her contributions to sports entertainment alongside other wrestling luminaries.
