Coordinates	12°2′36″N77°1′42″N
Name	Gail Kim
Names	Gail KimLa Felina
Alt	An Asian female with dark hair wearing a dark blue top posing for a picture.
Height
Weight
Birth date	February 20, 1977
Birth place	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Resides	Tampa, Florida
Billed	Tampa, FloridaToronto, Ontario, CanadaKorea
Trainer	Ron HutchinsonRob EtcheverriaFit Finlay
Debut	December 2000
Website	http://www.thegailkim.com/ }}

Gail Kim (born February 20, 1977) is a Canadian professional wrestler of Korean descent. She is best known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

She began her career wrestling as La Felina on the Canadian independent circuit, before joining WWE in 2002 as Gail Kim. In her WWE debut match, she won the WWE Women's Championship. After being released by WWE in 2004, Kim joined TNA in September 2005. There, she joined the tag team America's Most Wanted as their valet. After the dissolution of the group, Kim performed as a singles wrestler, eventually going on to become the inaugural TNA Women's Knockout Champion in October 2007. She later left TNA in August 2008, to return to WWE in March 2009. She announced on August 5, 2011 that she had quit WWE via her Twitter account.

Personal life

Gail Kim was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on February 20, 1977. Kim majored in kinesiology at the University of Toronto before transferring to Ryerson University and changing her major to nutrition. Prior to signing with WWE, Kim undertook breast augmentation surgery. After signing, she had her implants enlarged. While performing for WWE, one of her implants ruptured, which resulted in her being sidelined for two weeks. Kim posed topless for a cell phone ad campaign in South Korea. In 2007, Kim was listed on ''Forbes''' top 40 list of "America's Most Eligible Bachelorettes". In 2009, Kim was a part of the cast of the independent psychological thriller entitled ''Royal Kill''.

Professional wrestling career

Early career and training

After obtaining her degree from Ryerson University, Kim decided to become a professional wrestler and joined Ron Hutchinson's "School of Pro Wrestling" in Toronto. She received supplementary training from Rob Etchevarria at the "Squared Circle Pro Wrestling Gym". She debuted in December 2000, wearing a mask and wrestling as "The Queen of the Cats" La Felina in the Southern Ontario-based Apocalypse Wrestling Federation. She, however, was eventually unmasked by Tracy Brooks in a "Mask versus Hair" match. Kim worked on the Canadian independent circuit for two years, wrestling for promotions such as Border City Wrestling.

World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2004)

Kim was introduced to World Wrestling Federation (WWF) employee Nora Greenwald (known on-screen as Molly Holly) by Jason Sensation in 2001; Greenwald encouraged Kim to send her videos and tapes to WWF officials, which eventually led to her contract. In October 2002, she was hired by the WWF, now renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). She spent eight months training in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and appearing in house shows and dark matches before being called up to the main roster. After several weeks of vignettes showcasing ''Matrix''-like effects aired on ''Raw'', Kim debuted on June 30 as a fan favorite, with a ''Matrix''-inspired outfit.

Her first televised WWE match was a seven-woman battle royal in Buffalo, New York on the June 30, 2003 episode of ''Raw'' with the WWE Women's Championship, then held by an injured Jazz, on the line. Kim won the match by lastly eliminating Victoria. Kim held the title for four weeks, before losing it to Molly Holly on the July 28, 2003 episode of ''Raw''. Subsequently, Kim formed an alliance with Holly to take on Trish Stratus, who was later assisted by Lita. At WWE's Unforgiven PPV event on September 21, 2003, Stratus and Lita defeated Kim and Holly in a tag match. The four women continued to feud until November, when Kim was sidelined with a broken right collarbone. Kim returned to ''Raw'' in April 2004 and immediately reforged her alliance with Holly. At WWE's Bad Blood PPV event on June 13, 2004, she faced Lita, Stratus, and Victoria in a Fatal Four-Way for the WWE Women's Championship, which was won by Stratus.

Kim participated in a battle royal on October 19, 2004 at WWE's Taboo Tuesday PPV event, which was won by Stratus. She, however, was released by WWE on November 3, 2004 as a result of cost cutting. Kim was caught off guard by her release and was told that management wanted to take the women's division in a new direction.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2005–2008)

America's Most Wanted (2005–2007)

Following her release and the expiration of her 90-day no-compete clause, Kim made sporadic appearances on the independent circuit, including at Michigan's All World Wrestling League and in Japan. She also competed in Korea and Mexico before being signed by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) promotion on September 6, 2005. She made her TNA debut on the October 8, 2005 episode of TNA's television program ''TNA Impact!'', aligning herself with Jeff Jarrett and America's Most Wanted (AMW) (Chris Harris and James Storm) and taking on the role of AMW's and Jarrett's manager. Kim made her in-ring debut on July 16, 2006 at TNA's Victory Road PPV event in a Six Man Mixed Tag Team match with AMW against A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, and Sirelda. However, her team ended up on the losing end of the contest. At TNA's Hard Justice PPV event on August 13, 2006, Kim defeated Sirelda in a standard wrestling match.

In early 2007 after the dissolution of AMW, Kim began a more active role as an in-ring competitor in TNA. This began with an on-screen feud with her former alliance, Storm, and his new manager Jacqueline. The first encounter between the group was on February 11, 2007 at TNA's Against All Odds PPV event in a Mixed Tag Team match, which Kim and her partner, Petey Williams, lost. On March 11, 2007 at TNA's Destination X PPV event, Storm and Jacqueline won a rematch against Williams and Kim in a Double Bullrope match. Kim went on to defeat Jacqueline in a Six Sides of Steel cage match on April 15, 2007 at TNA's Lockdown PPV event. Their feud came to an end on the May 3, 2007 episode of ''TNA Impact!'', when Kim defeated Moore under street fight rules.

Singles competition (2007–2008)

After the conclusion to her feud with Moore, Kim made two minor TNA PPV appearances before outlasting nine other competitors in a ten-woman gauntlet match to crown the first TNA Women's World Champion on October 14, 2007 at TNA's Bound for Glory PPV event. She made her first title defense on November 11, 2007 at TNA's Genesis PPV event; there she successfully retained the now renamed TNA Women's Knockout Championship by defeating Roxxi Laveaux, ODB, and Angel Williams. Kim then began a feud with Awesome Kong over the championship. Their first encounter occurred on December 2, 2007 at TNA's Turning Point PPV event, which resulted in Kim retaining due to a disqualification by Kong. On January 6, 2008 at TNA's Final Resolution PPV event, Kim defeated Kong in their second encounter to retain the championship under no disqualification rules. In their third and final encounter on the January 10, 2008 episode of ''TNA Impact!'', Kong defeated Kim to win the TNA Women's Knockout Championship.

During the January 24, 2008 episode of ''TNA Impact!'', Kim was awarded the 2007 TNA Knockout of the Year award. Kim competed in a three way match on March 9, 2008 at TNA's Destination X PPV event against Kong and ODB, which Kong won. On April 13, 2008 at TNA's Lockdown PPV event, she teamed with ODB to defeat the team of Raisha Saeed and Kong in a tag team match. On May 11, 2008 at TNA's Sacrifice PPV event, Kim won a TNA Knockouts Makeover Battle Royal, which involved a battle royal and then a ladder match, to become new one contender TNA Women's Knockout Championship. Kim competed for the championship on the May 15, 2008 episode of ''TNA Impact!'', however failed to win the title.

At TNA's Slammiversary PPV event on June 8, 2008, Kim teamed with ODB and Roxxi to defeat The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky) and Moose in a Six Woman Tag Team match. Kim defeated Love on July 13, 2008 at TNA's Victory Road PPV event. Kim then teamed with ODB and Taylor Wilde to defeat the team of Kong and The Beautiful People on August 10, 2008 at TNA's Hard Justice PPV event in her last TNA PPV match. Kim's final TNA match aired on the August 21, 2008 episode of ''TNA Impact!'' in a losing effort to Kong under street fight rules. Kim left TNA in mid-August 2008 after the terms of her contract expired.

Return to World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2009–2011)

After her contract expired with TNA, Kim re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) promotion in late-2008. She made her return on the March 27th edition of ''SmackDown'', when she interrupted a WWE Divas Championship match between Michelle McCool and Maryse by attacking both competitors. Kim made her in-ring return on the March 30 edition of ''Raw'' on the winning team of an 18-Diva tag team match. Kim participated in a 25-Diva Miss WrestleMania battle royal on April 5, 2009 at WWE's WrestleMania XXV PPV event. On the April 17 edition of ''SmackDown'', Kim defeated then-Divas Champion Maryse. This earned her a championship match the following week, which she failed to win.

On the June 29 edition of ''Raw'', Kim was traded to the Raw brand as part of a 15 wrestler tri-brand trade between Raw, SmackDown, and ECW. A few weeks later on the August 10 edition of ''Raw'', she gained another title shot by winning a Fatal 4-Way match, that also involved Beth Phoenix, Kelly Kelly, and Alicia Fox, to become number one contender. She was unsuccessful in winning the championship on the August 17 edition of ''Raw'', when she faced then-champion Mickie James. At the Bragging Rights pay per-view on October 25, Kim, with Melina and Kelly Kelly, represented Raw in a losing effort to McCool, Phoenix, and Natalya, representing SmackDown. Kim was on the winning side of a five-on-five Survivor Series Elimination match on November 22 at the Survivor Series pay per-view.

In early 2010, a tournament was held for the newly vacated Divas Championship. Kim defeated Jillian Hall and Fox to make it to the finals, where she faced Maryse for the vacant title. The finals were held on the February 22 edition of ''Raw'', which Maryse won to become the new champion. The finals were originally to be held on February 21 at the Elimination Chamber pay per-view, but the match was changed to the team of Maryse and Kim versus Team Lay-Cool (McCool and Layla), which was won by the latter. Kim was apart of the losing side of a 10-Diva tag team match at WWE's WrestleMania XXVI PPV event on March 28. At the Fatal 4-Way pay per-view on June 20 Kim challenged for the Divas Championship in a Fatal 4-Way match that also involved then-champion Eve, Maryse, and Fox; however, Fox won the contest.

In early 2011, Gail Kim became the on-screen girlfriend of Daniel Bryan and began accompanying him to the ring. At that time Bryan was menaged by The Bella Twins and after they discovered Daniel Bryan kissing his new girlfriend, Gail Kim backstage, they assaulted Gail Kim. On January 30 at the Royal Rumble, the Bella Twins once again assaulted Kim. On the following night on ''Raw'', Gail was at ring side during Daniel Bryan's match against Tyson Kidd. After the match, the Bellas entered the ring, Nikki slaped Bryan and Gail attacked her.

On the August 1 edition of Raw, Gail Kim participated in a Battle Royal to determine the number one contender for the Divas Championship, however, shortly after the match began, she eliminated herself. She later explained that WWE had instructed her to get herself eliminated from the match within the first minute, so she decided to take the easy way out and just eliminate herself. On August 5, Gail Kim announced on her Twitter page that she had quit the WWE following the incident. Kim later indicated that WWE did not grant her release, but will instead force her to stay with the promotion for the remainder of her contract.

In wrestling

Finishing moves

''Christo'' / ''Flying Dragon'' (Tilt-a-whirl headscissors armbar)

''Eat Defeat'' (Inverted stomp facebreaker) – WWE; 2009–2011

''Happy Ending'' (Straight jacket neckbreaker slam) – TNA; used as a regular move in WWE

Hurricanrana pin – WWE; 2002–2004

Over the shoulder back to belly piledriver – TNA

Signature moves

Corner crossbody

Diving leg drop

Diving hurricanrana

Diving senton splash

Diving somersault neckbreaker

Diving Tornado DDT

Dragon sleeper

Flying forearm smash

Front dropkick, sometimes from the top rope

Hurricanrana

Jumping butt drop to an opponent leaning through the ring ropes

Over the shoulder single leg boston crab

Springboard arm drag

Springboard or diving crossbody

Swinging neckbreaker

''Toronto Slam'' (Double leg slam)

Wrestlers managed

America's Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm)

*Molly Holly

Jeff Jarrett

Eve Torres

*Daniel Bryan

Entrance themes

"International Woman" by Dara Shindler (WWE; 2002–2004)

"Unstoppable" by Dale Oliver (TNA; 2005–2008)

"Strong and Sexy" by Jim Johnston (WWE; 2009–2011)

Championships and accomplishments

Apocalypse Wrestling Federation

Diva of the Year (2001)

Funking Conservatory

FC Women's Championship (1 time)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI ranked her #3 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2008

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

TNA Women's Knockout Championship (1 time)

Knockout of the Year (2007)

World Wrestling Entertainment

WWE Women's Championship (1 time)

Lucha de Apuesta record

{|class="wikitable sortable" width=100% |- !style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=5%|Wager !style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Winner !style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Loser !style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Location !style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=15%|Date !style="background: #e3e3e3;" width=20%|Notes |----- align="center" |Hair || Gail Kim || Roxxi Laveaux || Orlando, Florida, United States || ||Hair vs. Hair ladder match, held at TNA Sacrifice |}

References

External links

Online World of Wrestling profile

WWE profile

Twitter page

Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian expatriates in the United States Category:Canadian film actors Category:Canadian female professional wrestlers Category:Canadian people of Korean descent Category:Sportspeople from Ontario Category:People from Tampa, Florida Category:People from Toronto Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets Category:Ryerson University alumni Category:University of Toronto alumni

ca:Gail Kim de:Gail Kim es:Gail Kim fr:Gail Kim it:Gail Kim nl:Gail Kim ja:ゲイル・キム pl:Gail Kim pt:Gail Kim ru:Ким, Гейл simple:Gail Kim th:เกล คิม tr:Gail Kim vi:Gail Kim

Kim may refer to:

Names

Kim (given name)

Kim (surname)

Kim (Korean name)

Kim, Vietnamese form of Jin (surname)

Places

KIM, IATA code for Kimberley Airport in South Africa

Kim, Colorado, United States

Kim, a town near Surat, Gujarat, India

Camp Kim, Seoul, South Korea, a US military facility

Media

''Kim'' (novel), by Rudyard Kipling

''Kim'' (film), a 1950 American adventure film

''Kim'' (TV film), a 1984 British film

"Kim" (song), by Eminem

Other uses

Kim people of Chad

* Kim language

Gim (food), also spelled kim, Korean for edible seaweed

Tropical Storm Kim, eight tropical Pacific Ocean cyclones

KIM-1, a microcomputer

Kingdom Identity Ministries, a Christian organization

See also

Khim

KIMM

da:Kim de:Kim es:Kim eo:Kim fr:Kim ko:킴 it:KIM hu:Kim (egyértelműsítő lap) nl:Kim ja:キム no:Kim pl:Kim pt:Kim ru:Ким fi:Kim (täsmennyssivu) sv:KIM (olika betydelser) tr:Kim

Coordinates	12°2′36″N77°1′42″N
Name	Velvet Sky
Names	Velvet SkyTalia MadisonMiss TaliaTalia DollTalia
Height
Weight
Birth date	June 02, 1981
Birth place	New Britain, Connecticut
Resides	Waterbury, Connecticut
Billed	The Big Apple
Trainer	Jason KnightKevin Landry
Debut	2003
Retired	}}

Jamie Szantyr (born June 2, 1981) is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a former TNA Knockout Tag Team Champion with her former Beautiful People partners Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich. She also works outside of TNA as Talia Madison.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Prior to debuting, Szantyr was trained by Jason Knight and Kevin Landry at the ''House of Pain Pro Wrestling Dojo''. After completing her training, she began working as a valet and wrestler on the independent circuit using the ring names Miss Talia, Talia Doll, and Talia Madison. On the independent circuit, she formed a tag team known as T&A; with April Hunter. She was booked to her first wrestling championship during her time in World Xtreme Wrestling, getting the WXW Women's Championship after winning a battle royal on May 29, 2004.

Szantyr made a few appearances in World Wrestling Entertainment in 2005 and 2006. On the February 24, 2005 edition of ''WWE SmackDown!'', she appeared as an extra during the JBL "Celebration of Excellence" party. She was then defeated by Victoria on July 11 in a match taped for ''WWE Heat''. On January 2, 2006, she and Trinity were planted in the front row of the audience to be selected to dance with The Heart Throbs after their match in another ''Heat'' segment. She also auditioned for the 2007 Diva Search, but did not make the final eight.

As Talia Madison, she held Defiant Pro Wrestling Women's title, which she got on April 8, 2006 after defeating Alere Little Feather and Nikki Roxx in a three-way match. Later that year, she debuted in MXW Pro Wrestling and defeated Alere Little Feather at Brass City Battle. She also wrestled in Women's Extreme Wrestling both as Talia Doll and Talia Madison, where she mainly worked in tag team matches. She found championship success here as half of The Simple Girls/The Madison Sisters with her (kayfabe) sister Nikki Madison, and as the "T" half of the T&A; tag team with April Hunter, defeating Team Blondage's Amber O'Neal and Lollipop to get the title on WEW's April 6, 2006 pay-per-view. She also held the WEW World Women's title (as Talia Madison), defeating Angel Orsini on May 5, 2007.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007–present)

When Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) announced the creation of their women's division in 2007, Szantyr, using her Talia Madison ring name, was announced as one of the ten wrestlers in a 10-woman Gauntlet match to crown the first TNA Women's World Champion at Bound for Glory pay-per-view. Before the show she made non-wrestling appearances on the October 5 episode of ''TNA Today'' and the October 11 ''Impact!'', standing at ringside for the debut match of Amazing Kong along with the other gauntlet match participants. In the weeks following the gauntlet match, her ring name was changed to Velvet Sky.

The Beautiful People (2007–2011)

At the December Turning Point pay-per-view, Sky and Angelina Love were paired together and dubbed "Velvet Love Entertainment", later renamed to "The Beautiful People". After defeating ODB and Roxxi Laveaux early in the show, Love and Sky assisted Gail Kim in her match against Awesome Kong. They assisted Kim again after another match against Kong on the December 6 edition of ''Impact!'' and at Final Resolution pay-per-view, helping to stop a brawl post match.

On the March 13 edition of ''Impact!'', Sky and Love attacked Roxxi Laveaux and later that night Gail Kim, thus becoming heels for the first time in TNA. At Lockdown, Sky and Love participated in the first ever "Queen of the Cage" match, which was won by Laveaux when Laveaux pinned Love inside the cage. Sky and Love participated in the Make Over Battle Royal-Ladder Match at Sacrifice, which was won by Gail Kim. A pre-match stipulation determined that the loser of the ladder match portion of the match would have their head shaved, unless this was Gail Kim, otherwise Love would have her head shave. Sky and Love later added another factor to their gimmicks, placing brown paper bags over opponents heads. Soon after, Moose joined The Beautiful People, but she was quickly removed from the stable and the TNA roster after suffering an injury on the independent circuit. On July 17 episode of ''Impact!'', Sky won a Knockouts Battle Royal for number one contendership to the Women's Knockout Championship, but lost the title match the next week as well as two more title matches immediately following to then champion Taylor Wilde.

The Beautiful People began associating with Cute Kip, who become known as their "fashionist". At Bound for Glory IV, The Beautiful People and Cute Kip were defeated by ODB, Rhaka Khan, and Rhino. In March 2009 the team gained a new member in Madison Rayne, while Kip was "fired" from the stable twice in the following month before finally becoming a road agent for the company. Sky was in Love's corner when she defeated Kong and Wilde to claim the TNA Women's Knockout Championship at Lockdown. Sky was also in Love's corner at Slammiversary where she helped her defeat Tara by spraying hairspray in her eyes. At Hard Justice Sky, along with Angelina Love, competed in a tag match against ODB and Cody Deaner in a losing effort when Deaner pinned Sky causing Love to lose the Championship to ODB.

After this loss, Madison Rayne was kicked out of The Beautiful People, with the pair vowing revenge in the upcoming tournament for the TNA Knockout Tag Team Championship. The last of the four quarter final matches pitted The Beautiful People against Madison Rayne and a mystery partner. This mystery partner was later revealed to be the returning Roxxi. Regardless, The Beautiful People won the match and advanced to the semi-finals.

Since that match was taped, Angelina Love had been released from her TNA Wrestling contract due to work visa issues. On the last episode of ''Impact!'' taped before her release Love and Sky advanced to the finals of the tag team tournament by defeating Tara and Christy Hemme after interference from Madison Rayne. Afterwards Rayne apologized to both Sky and Love, and was then welcomed back into the Beautiful People. At No Surrender Sky and Love's replacement Rayne were defeated in the finals of the tournament by Sarita and Taylor Wilde. On October 1 Love's replacement Lacey Von Erich made her debut and joined the Beautiful People. Love would return to the company on the January 14, 2010, edition of ''Impact!'', but instead of re-joining the Beautiful People, she attacked them, thus turning face. On the March 8 Monday night edition of ''Impact!'' Sky and Rayne defeated the teams of Love and Tara and Sarita and Taylor Wilde in a three-way match to win the vacant TNA Knockout Tag Team Championship, after interference from Daffney. The three members of the Beautiful People will defend the titles under the Freebird rule. On the April 5 edition of ''Impact!'', Sky was one of the four winners of the very first LockBox Showdown Elimination Tag Match. The box she opened contained a contract for Sky to challenge anyone of her choosing at any time, regardless of the stipulation. Sky then announced that she would be using her contract to face the new Knockout Champion Angelina Love in a Leather and Lace match the following week. With Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne scheduled to receive a shot at the Knockout Championship at Lockdown, the Beautiful People turned the Leather and Lace match into a three-on-one beatdown in order to soften Love up for the pay-per-view the following Sunday. At the pay-per-view Rayne and Sky defeated Love and Tara, with Rayne becoming the new Women's Knockout Champion. Sky faced Love once again on the June 24 edition of ''Impact'' and won via disqualification after being dropped with a DDT on a steel chair, just like Von Erich the previous week.

On June 27, 2010, Szantyr announced that she had signed a long–term contract extension with TNA. In the summer of 2010, Sky began showing signs of a face turn, when Rayne began talking down to her and Von Erich, declaring that she did not need either of them and then recruited a mystery woman hiding behind a motorcycle helmet to help her in her feud with Angelina Love. On the July 22 edition of ''Impact!'' Sky refused to go along with Rayne, the mystery woman and Sarita, when they all got done assaulting Love and Taylor Wilde, Von Erich on the other hand chose to leave with the trio. On July 27, at the tapings of the August 5 edition of ''Impact!'', Sky and Von Erich lost the TNA Knockout Tag Team Championship to Hamada and Taylor Wilde, when Rayne's and the mystery woman's interference backfired. The following week Sky turned face by attacking the mystery woman during Rayne's title match with Angelina Love and in doing so caused a distraction, which cost Rayne the Women's Knockout Championship. On the August 19 episode of ''Impact!'', Sky reunited with Angelina Love, accompanying her to the ring and helping her successfully defend the Women's Knockout Championship against Rayne, who was with the mysterious biker woman. After the match Sky and Love were beaten down by Rayne and the mystery woman. Rayne's mysterious ally was finally unmasked as Tara on the September 2 edition of ''Impact!'', when the two of them defeated Sky and Love in their first match together in a year. At No Surrender Sky defeated Rayne in a singles match. Lacey Von Erich would join Sky and Love in the Beautiful People, after being saved by them from Rayne and Tara on the September 16 edition of ''Impact!''. She, however, would leave the promotion two months later on November 11. In October Sky entered a feud with Sarita, who would score back–to–back pinfall victories over her on the October 28 and the November 4 editions of ''Impact!'', first in a six knockout tag team match and then in a singles match. On the December 9 edition of ''Impact!'' Sky and Love defeated Sarita and Daffney in the first round match of a tournament for the vacant Knockout Tag Team Championship, but Sky was still unable to pin Sarita. Two weeks later, Sarita attacked Sky prior to her and Love's tournament final match. As a result, Winter, who had been stalking Love for the past months, stepped up, took Sky's place in the match and teamed with Love to defeat Madison Rayne and Tara for the Knockout Tag Team Championship. The following week Sarita defeated Sky in a Strap match. On the January 27 edition of ''Impact!'', Sky brawled with Winter, claiming she was trying to break up the Beautiful People. Sarita pinned Sky once again on the February 17 edition of ''Impact!'', in a tag team match, where she teamed with Rosita and Sky with Love. After the match Sky challenged Sarita to a one–on–one match, where she agreed to put her career on the line. On the March 3 edition of ''Impact!'' Sky was finally able to defeat Sarita in a singles match, salvaging her career in the process. On March 13 at Victory Road, Sky inadvertently cost Love and Winter the Knockout Tag Team Championship in a match against Sarita and Rosita. On the March 24 edition of ''Impact!'', Winter, seemingly having control over Love's actions, prevented her from saving Sky from a beatdown at the hands of Sarita and Rosita. On the April 7 edition of ''Impact!'', Love, still under Winter's spell, turned on Sky during a Knockout Tag Team Championship match against Sarita and Rosita and left her to be pinned by the champions, effectively ending the Beautiful People.

Singles career (2011–present)

On the April 28 edition of ''Impact!'', Love defeated Sky via submission in a singles match, no-selling all of her opponent's offense during the match. On the May 5 edition of ''Impact!'', Sky pinned Winter in a two–on–three handicap match, where she teamed with Kurt Angle to face Winter, Love and Jeff Jarrett, announcing her intention of becoming the TNA Women's Knockout Champion in the process. On the May 19 edition of ''Impact Wrestling'', Sky defeated Love and Winter in a two–on–one handicap match, but was afterwards attacked by the returning ODB, who claimed that she had gotten fired from TNA the previous June because of her. Sky and ODB faced each other in a singles match on the June 9 edition of ''Impact Wrestling'', with Sky emerging victorious. The following week, Sky and Ms. Tessmacher failed in their attempt to win the Knockout Tag Team Championship from Rosita and Sarita due to outside interference from ODB. Afterwards, Sky was beaten down by ODB and her new tag team partner, Jacqueline. On the June 12 edition of ''Impact Wrestling'', Sky and Tessmacher were defeated by Jacqueline and ODB in a tag team match. The feud was seemingly ended on the July 7 edition of ''Impact Wrestling'', when Sky defeated ODB and Jacqueline in a two–on–one handicap match, forcing both of them out of TNA as per stipulation of the match. On the July 21 edition of ''Impact Wrestling'', TNA Women's Knockout Champion Mickie James awarded Sky a shot at her title, but before the match could take place, James was attacked by Angelina Love and Winter. When Sky tried to make the save, she was attacked by the returning ODB and Jacqueline, who were then in turn attacked by the also returning Traci Brooks.

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (2011)

On June 18, 2011, Sky made her debut for Mexican promotion Asistencia Asesoría y Administración at TripleManía XIX, where she teamed with Angelina Love, Mickie James and Sexy Star to defeat Cynthia Moreno, Faby Apache, Lolita and Mari Apache in an eight woman tag team match.

Personal life

In high school, Szantyr competed in cheerleading, softball, cross-country, and track. Szantyr was previously in a relationship with former WWE superstar Gregory Helms, but the two have since broken up. Szantyr is currently dating fellow TNA performer Joshua Harter, better known as Chris Sabin.

Other media

She was featured on MTV's ''Made'' alongside A.J. Styles, Taylor Wilde, and Angelina Love. On January 24, 2009, she appeared as a soccerette on British television program ''Soccer AM'', along with Angelina Love. In November 2010 she was a contestant on an all TNA week of ''Family Feud'', teaming with Angelina Love, Christy Hemme, Lacey Von Erich and Tara against Jay Lethal, Matt Morgan, Mick Foley, Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam.

In wrestling

Finishing moves

*As Talia/Talia Madison

*''Blonde Ambition'' / ''Diva Drop'' (Diving neckbreaker)

*''Re-Talia-tion'' (Straight jacket sitout rear mat slam)

*As Velvet Sky

*''Beauty Mark'' (Double knee backbreaker) – 2009

*''Skyliner'' (Straight jacket sitout rear mat slam)

*Snap DDT

Signature moves

Grabs a hold of the wrists of an opponent on their back and then performs multiple stomps on the opponent's chest, driving their back of the head into the mat

Northern Lights suplex

Octopus stretch, while biting the trapped arm, sometimes into a sunset flip

Reverse bulldog

Snapmare followed by a shoot kick to the back of the opponent's head

Tilt-a-whirl headscissors takedown

Triangle choke

With Angelina Love

*Finishing moves

*''Makeover'' (Russian legsweep (Sky) / Running bicycle kick (Love) combination)

*Simultaneous roundhouse kicks to the abdomen (Sky) and the back of the leg (Love)

*Signature moves

*''Hollering Elbow'' (Double elbow drop, with theatrics)

With Madison Rayne

Double Russian legsweep

Double straight jacket sleeper slam

With Lacey Von Erich

Double DDT

Wrestlers managed

The Brain Surgeons

Simon Diamond

Romeo Roselli

Matt Striker

John Walters

Alere Little Feather

*Jason Knight

Angelina Love

Cute Kip

Madison Rayne

Entrance themes

*"Goodies" by Ciara (WXW)

*"Just a Lil Bit" by 50 Cent (Independent circuit)

"I'm About to Freak" by Dale Oliver (TNA)

"Angel On My Shoulder" by Dale Oliver (TNA)

Championships and accomplishments

Defiant Pro Wrestling

DPW Women's Championship (1 time)

Georgia Wrestling Alliance

GWA Ladies Championship (1 time)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

PWI ranked her #21 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2010

TNT Pro Wrestling

TNT Women's Championship (1 time)

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

TNA Knockout Tag Team Championship (1 time)¹ – with Lacey Von Erich and Madison Rayne

Universal Wrestling Association

UWA Women's Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Ariel

Women's Extreme Wrestling

WEW World Championship (1 time)

WEW World Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with April Hunter (1) and Tiffany Madison (1)

World Xtreme Wrestling

WXW Women's Championship (1 time)

¹Sky defended the title with either Von Erich or Rayne under the Freebird Rule.

References

External links

TNA Official Website - Velvet Sky Profile

Glory Wrestling profile

Lethal Women of Wrestling profile

Online World of Wrestling profile

Slammin Ladies profile

Slam! Sports profile

Official Website

Spanish Fansite

Category:1981 births Category:American female professional wrestlers Category:American professional wrestlers of Italian descent Category:American people of Polish descent Category:People from New Britain, Connecticut Category:People from Waterbury, Connecticut Category:American people of Italian descent Category:Living people Category:American cheerleaders Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets Category:WWE Diva Search contestants

ca:Jamie Szantyr de:Velvet Sky es:Jamie Szantyr fr:Velvet Sky it:Velvet Sky nl:Velvet Sky pl:Velvet Sky pt:Velvet Sky simple:Velvet Sky tr:Velvet Sky

Coordinates	12°2′36″N77°1′42″N
Name	SoCal Val
Names	Miss ValerieSoCal ValSoCal ValerieValerieValerie Wyndham
Height
Weight
Birth date	March 27, 1986
Birth place	Beverly Hills, California
Resides	Orlando, Florida
Billed	Southern California
Debut	March 2002
Retired	}}

Valerie Elizabeth Wyndham (born March 27, 1986) is an American professional wrestling valet, better known by her ring name, SoCal Val. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Career

Independent circuit

Wyndham was approached by a promoter at a wrestling show and offered the possibility of being a manager. She debuted in March 2002 for the Golden State Championship Wrestling independent promotion in Anaheim, California. She acted as the manager of Pinoy Boy. She promptly betrayed him by berating him after he was defeated by Scott Lost and then left with Lost. From the age of fifteen, she acted as a manager, ring girl, and timekeeper. She appeared for several other promotions in Southern California before her family moved across the country to Orlando, Florida when she was sixteen. Wyndham developed the character of SoCal Val, a wealthy, petulant, ruthless villain, who was based on Stephanie McMahon of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), whom Wyndham admired.

In addition to working for multiple independent promotions, Wyndham appeared with WWE in early 2005 on ''SmackDown!'' as part of a vignette featuring Luther Reigns. She regularly appears with the Orlando based promotion TNA Wrestling, working variously as a ring girl and merchandise model beginning in June 2005. She appeared at TNA's No Surrender pay-per-view on July 17, 2005 alongside ring announcer Jeremy Borash and used to be an interviewer on the now defunct ''TNA Global Impact!''.

As a part of Women's Extreme Wrestling (WEW), Wyndham started out as an "executive" under Francine Fournier. Wyndham later wrestled Francine in a Kiss My Foot match, which Wyndham lost. She later became the General Manager of WEW. In 2007 she starred in RingDivas second feature film, ''Girls of War''.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2006-present)

In August 2006, SoCal Val officially signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). On August 18, SoCal Val got kicked out by the Women's Extreme Wrestling promotion at their PPV taping event ''Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal''. On the December 14, 2006 episode of ''Impact!'', Kurt Angle dragged her in the ring and threatened to break her ankle until Jim Cornette talked him into letting her go. On the March 8, 2007 episode of ''Impact!'', SoCal Val got injured after receiving the Black Hole Slam from Abyss.

In 2008, Val entered into an on-screen relationship with Jay Lethal with signs of Sonjay Dutt also showing affection for Val. Lethal lost his X Division championship to Petey Williams after a Canadian Destroyer on the April 17 episode of ''Impact!''. As part of the storyline, at Slammiversary, Val was scheduled to marry Lethal, but their wedding was ruined when Sonjay Dutt claimed he should marry Val and attacked Lethal. At No Surrender, she became a heel by giving Lethal a low blow, allowing Dutt to get the victory. In the following weeks, Val's actions were explained by transitioning her character into a gold digger, claiming that Dutt's father was the richest man in India. In 2009, Dutt was released thus ending the storyline.

She returned to her previous role as a ring girl on the April 2, 2009 edition of ''Impact!''. She began working as a backstage interviewer beginning on the Sacrifice pre-show. On the October 8, 2009 edition of Impact!, Val was briefly assaulted by Awesome Kong, who had come to the ring during Tara's match against ODB with a sledgehammer that she intended to use to kill Tara's pet tarantula, Poison. Although Kong made Val position Poison on the floor outside the ring for her to smash with her sledgehammer, Tara was able to attack Kong and stop her from inflicting any damage.

In June 2010, Wyndham began working as the ring announcer on ''Xplosion''.

Other media

In July 2006, Val was contacted by ''Playboy'' about doing a spread for the magazine. She commented about it on her MySpace blog, saying: "It's a very serious thing to consider and the jury is still out on how I am going to handle this one. I've spoken to the people in my life whose opinions I value most, and each has been very supportive. For that I am grateful....but this is one I'm going to have to decide all on my own." She ended up declining the offer. She has also been in advertisements for Morphoplex. In 2009, Val appeared in a video promo for the ''F.E.A.R. 2'' game, dressed as an Armacham FEAR AWAY nurse.

In wrestling

Finishing moves

*''SoCal Slap'' (Bitch slap)

Wrestlers managed

:*Billy Fives :*Bobcat :*Chasyn Rance :*Claudio Castagnoli :*Danny Doring :*Francine :*Kaz :*Jason Blade :*Jay Lethal :*Jazz :*Jeff Morrison :*Kenny King :*Lacey :*The Naturals :*Phil Davis :*Prince Iaukea :*Rain :*Sal Rinauro :*Scoot Andrews :*Sean Davis :*Shocker :*Sonjay Dutt :*Steve Corino :*Super Dragon

Entrance themes

:*"Magnify" by Dale Oliver (TNA)

References

External links

Official Website

Official Online Store

Official Twitter

TNA profile

Category:1986 births Category:American female models Category:American female professional wrestlers Category:Living people Category:People from Beverly Hills, California Category:People from Orlando, Florida Category:Professional wrestling announcers Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets

es:Valerie Wyndham nl:SoCal Val