After six years in the WWE as an intern and then a wrestler, WWE Diva Rosa Mendes is now a manager for the tag team made up of wrestlers Primo and Epico. A Canadian wrestler and former model, Mendes is of Costa Rican and Czech descent. She spoke to me about her career in the WWE.
Was professional wrestling something you watched growing up?
I’ve loved watching wrestling since I was about 17. I started a little late. I always admired [WWE Diva] Trish Stratus. She has been my role model and my idol.
So, you wanted your career to emulate hers?
Absolutely. I also wanted to wrestler her, but she retired after I got into the WWE.
What was it like meeting her for the first time?
It was amazing. I went up to her and I was really nervous. I told her she was the reason I wanted to this businesses. I thanked her for all her hard work.
Do you miss wrestling?
Yes, I do, but at the same time I’m happy to be able to represent Primo and Epico and walk them to the ring and watch the magic they do. I feel like we are a great team. We get such a great reaction when we come out. I love the fact we represent the Latino community.
Do you like getting booed as much as you like getting cheered?
It’s a mixed feeling. Everyone loves getting cheered, but if we make someone angry and they boo us, at least we know we’re doing something right. I’d rather be cheered, but if they boo me, at least I’m entertaining them. I’d rather have smiles, but if I get frowns that’s OK, too.
How important is sex appeal for WWE Divas today? Is that appeal critical for a Diva to make it big in this industry?
I think we’re all different. It’s not like you have to be a bombshell. Some of us are from Canada, someone of us are Latina. It’s a very diverse little group of us.
Tell us about what life in Costa Rica is like.
We’ll my mom lives in Playa del Coco, so everyone surfs. It’s like a beach lifestyle. Everything is relaxed. Surfing is fun, but I like wrestling a lot better.
If Trish Stratus came out of retirement, could you beat her in a match?
Yeah, I could. (Laughs) It would be really hard. I’m really rusty, but I would work my butt off to impress her.