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Cheerleader Melissa
Cheerleader Melissa
Cheerleader Melissa
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Melissa Anderson (born August 17, 1982)[2] is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Cheerleader Melissa. She is best known for her work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where she worked as Alissa Flash and Raisha Saeed. She is currently performing on the independent circuit for promotions such as Shimmer Women Athletes, where she is a former two-time Shimmer Champion. In 2013, Anderson was ranked number 1 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual Top 50 Females list.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Anderson's father wrestled professionally in the early 1980s. Growing up she became a fan of her father's work and began showing an aptitude for sports, particularly soccer, as well as joining Palmdale High School's athletics and amateur wrestling team as one of only four girls.[8][10] When only 15, she had already become involved in the wrestling business, traveling to San Bernardino frequently to train in and work for the wrestling school of Billy Anderson, her father's former tag team partner, as well as involving herself in the running of things and before long she made her debut front of stage.[10] Despite touring so young, Anderson still studied and gained her high school diploma largely through the help of e-mailing teachers; she also credits the Internet for helping her become famous while only wrestling in front of small crowds.[8]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Training

[edit]

While training at Billy Anderson's school, she met the Ballard Brothers (Shannon and Shane) who were using the gimmick of hockey players, similar to the Hanson Brothers from the film Slap Shot.[8] They were looking for a valet and due to their sporting gimmick, Anderson took on the role of a heel and the gimmick of a cheerleader.[8] They toured the West Coast, mostly appearing with All Pro Wrestling (APW) where she would interfere in matches, often using high-flying moves.[8] As Cheerleader Melissa she also received training from Christopher Daniels for a short period of time before moving on to APW where she trained under the tutelage of Robert Thompson and "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson.[9]

After gaining experience from ring side, Cheerleader Melissa eventually had her first proper match on her 17th birthday against Lexie Fyfe in a losing effort at an outdoor carnival event.[11] In 2001, she entered into Ultimate Pro Wrestling and lost a tag team match alongside Looney Lane which led to a feud between the two. The first loss in the tag team match would be her only one with the company as she went on to win a grudge match between the two followed by a succession of mixed tag matches, first with Shannon Ballard and then alongside both Ballard Brothers, beating Lane and Frankie Kazarian in the mixed tag team match as well as Nova in the final six-person intergender tag match.[12] The following year, in the summer of 2002, Anderson was personally invited to wrestle and train for three months in Japan for the promotion Arsion. She was selected alongside Taylor Matheny who had recently received exposure in World Wrestling Entertainment's Tough Enough program, and thus Anderson received much internet attention by association.[8] Among the rigorous training schedule she wrestled what she claims to be some of her favorite matches, particularly a 15-minute draw against Rie Tamada and her loss to Mariko Yoshida.[11] Also as a present for her 20th birthday, she was allowed to tag team with veteran female wrestler Lioness Asuka.[8]

ChickFight

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Tournaments (2004–2007)

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After Anderson returned from Japan, she became a full-time wrestler. Moving on from her pre-Japan feud with Nikki, she continued to wrestle for APW winning its Above The Law Championship from Robert Thompson in July 2004. Under her reign it was renamed the Future Legends Championship, the title under which she lost it to Daizee Haze the following year before winning it back and retiring the belt.[13] In October, APW associated itself with the newly formed, all-female tournament-cum-promotion ChickFight (CF). In the first event, staged under the APW banner for their Halloween Hell weekend, Anderson made it through two rounds only to be defeated in a steel cage match for the final round by luchadora Princess Sugey.[14]

She would become a staple of ChickFight, appearing at the first ten of their major events, missing the eleventh event due to injury sustained less than a week before the show.[15] She made the final in the first two tournaments but exited the third in the first round after a double disqualification during a match with former rival Nikki, now under her better known name Sara Del Rey. Melissa won ChickFight V tournament, beating Jazz in the final,[14] and she also went on to win ChickFight VII: The UK vs The USA tournament when it moved from the United States over to the United Kingdom pinning "The Jezebel" Eden Black in the last match. However, the focus of ChickFight VII was on the controversial ending to her first match that saw Sweet Saraya's head hung in the ropes, Anderson continued to assault her despite being trapped until the referee ended the match and Saraya was stretchered from ringside. As Anderson celebrated her tournament victory Saraya reappeared and threatened her.[16][17] The feud was cut short during a pre-match brawl for Real Quality Wrestling (RQW) in June that saw the two brawl both in and outside of the building and ended with Anderson winning shortly after Saraya was thrown on an already utilized aluminum can, tearing through her ligament and leaving her hospitalized.[18] She was forced to forfeit her ChickFight IX: Our Final Chance match the following day and would not wrestle again for six months.[19]

Feud with Wesna (2007–2009)

[edit]
Melissa using the Kudo Driver on Wesna during their 45-minute draw

Meanwhile, Anderson had begun a new feud. She did not participate in the tournament at ChickFight VIII but instead had a rematch against Eden Black for the newly created Transatlantic Women's Championship, which she won. Later in the show she successfully defended the title against Croatian wrestler Wesna Busic.[20] The two had met years previously when her internet celebrity saw her invited to German Stampede Wrestling to face Wesna in a losing effort at International Impact I.[21] After defending her Transatlantic Championship at ChickFight VII, their next CF meeting saw Wesna defend her RQW Women's Championship fought under ChickFight Rules (no disqualification and falls count anywhere) which saw the two go to a forty-five-minute time limit draw. This left the two at 1–1 and so a decisive match was to be held at ChickFight X but this ended in controversy when Wesna claimed that her tap out was merely an attempt to grab the rope for a rope break; their rematch later that night saw Wesna pick up the victory leaving them drawn again at 2–2. CF XI was originally slated to be a two out of three falls match to find a decisive victory until Anderson pulled out due to injury.[15]

Their feud was picked up the following year for Shimmer Women Athletes at Volume 23 in May 2009. The company preluded the match with a video package showing their matches in Europe and announced that the winner would go on to face the Shimmer Champion at a later event. Towards the end of the bout, Annie Social came to the ring to distract Anderson allowing Wesna to use her CB4 Driver to pick up the victory.[22] Wesna lost her championship match at Volume 25 and, owing to the controversy of their previous match, Anderson wrestled Wesna again in Volume 26 in a Knockout/Submission match where Anderson picked up the victory, making them level once more.[23][24]

Pro Wrestling Revolution (2008–2014)

[edit]

Back in her home state of California, Anderson competed for the National Wrestling Alliance's Pro Wrestling Revolution (PWR) promotion in a series of matches fought under the ChickFight banner. After her first loss in an NWA World Women's Championship match against MsChif,[25] (see below) she went on a winning streak under the gimmicks of both Cheerleader Melissa and Raisha Saeed. This streak included a victory against Lacey Von Erich in one of her first matches,[26] as well as double victories over Christie Ricci,[27][28] Christina Von Eerie[29][30] and Rain,[31][32] the latter two under both characters. This long series of wins led to her, under the Alissa Flash name, competing against the luchadora Lady Apache to crown the inaugural PWR Women's Champion on January 30, 2010. In losing her first match in 20 months, she lost out on the championship.[33] A year later, on February 5 she wrestled in Shantelle Malawski's retirement match, picking up the victory.[34] On February 23, 2013, Melissa defeated Dark Angel to win the vacant PWR Women's Championship for the first time.[35] She lost the title to Ivelisse Vélez on April 21 at a pay-per-view held by the Puerto Rican World Wrestling League (WWL) promotion.[36][37] She regained the championship three weeks later at a PWR event on May 11.[38] On February 22, 2014, Melissa lost the PWR Women's Championship to Christina Von Eerie in a three-way match, which also included Savanah Riley.[39]

Shimmer Women Athletes

[edit]

Storyline with MsChif (2005–2010)

[edit]
Melissa and MsChif had a lengthy rivalry and then formed a tag team

After the success of ChickFight, Dave Prazak and Allison Danger set up Shimmer Women Athletes, a promotion with ties to Prazak's Ring of Honor intending to raise the credibility of women's wrestling on an international scale.[40] Her first match with the promotion was on November 6, 2005, for Volume 1 in a losing effort to MsChif, starting a wild feud between the two.[41] The loss saw Anderson demand a special attraction rematch—the match would be Shimmer's first hardcore match, fought under Falls Count Anywhere rules and helped Anderson gain the victory after nearly thirty minutes of wrestling on February 12, 2006, at Volume 4.[42] MsChif took her revenge at Volume 5 by distracting Anderson during a match with Allison Danger, causing her to lose the match.[43] Naturally the rivalry was not abated and their next match, main eventing Volume 6 on May 21, was declared a Last Woman Standing match with MsChif eventually coming out on top.[43] Further interferences took an interesting turn at Volume 7 when Anderson came out during MsChif's match against Rain. However, before she could interfere, Rain's partner Lacey pushed her to the ground while trying to distract the referee in order to allow Rain to use an illegal weapon; an incensed Anderson fought back against Lacey in time for the referee to see the foreign object in the ring and declare MsChif the winner via disqualification.[44] After Anderson had won her main event match, Lacey and Rain (The Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew), ambushed her with a beat down until MsChif ran out, saving her nemesis before leaving her to celebrate the victory.[44] The Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew had threatened Anderson for involving herself in their plans against MsChif and similarly threatened MsChif for being in the way of ambushing Melissa and, after declaring themselves the best tag team in the world, demanded a match with the two for Volume 8 which became the penultimate bout of the evening. The Home Wrecking Crew's experience won out over MsChif and Anderson when a double team maneuver led to MsChif being pinned; after the match Anderson and MsChif shook hands as a sign of respect.[44] The two soon showed they could work as a team though when they beat veterans The Experience (Lexie Fyfe and Malia Hosaka), with MsChif pinning Hosaka.[45]

The two would meet again three months later in England for RQW's 2007 No Pain, No Gain event challenging Eden Black for the RQW Women's Championship but both came up short.[46] The match served to build up interest for the aforementioned ChickFight VII: The UK vs The USA where Melissa would secure a victory against Black. She also beat MsChif in the semi-final.[17] At RQW's Taking On The World the three met again with MsChif and Black teaming up in a losing effort against Anderson and Black's nemesis Jetta.[47] In May 2008 MsChif put her NWA World Women's Championship on the line during Pro Wrestling Revolution's debut show but Anderson did not win the belt.[25][48]

These series of bouts against each other did not stop them teaming together when they main evented Volume 17 on April 26, 2008, taking on an erstwhile enemy of Anderson again in the form of Sara Del Rey, alongside her Dangerous Angels partner Allison Danger. This time it was Melissa making the pinfall after an Air Raid Crash.[49] Despite these string of successes, the tag team did not compete during the Volume 21 tag team gauntlet for the Shimmer Tag Team Championship,[50] but they reunited when MsChif was threatened by both Kong and Del Rey for her Shimmer Championship. With both Kong and Del Rey wanting title shots, the two tag teams were actually booked for a contendership match for the Tag Team Championship during Volume 24 on May 2, 2009, which Anderson and MsChif lost.[51] After this loss, Anderson went on a four match winning streak, including avenging a loss to Wesna Busic (see above).[24][52] On April 10, 2010, at the tapings of Volume 29, Anderson and MsChif received a shot at the Shimmer Tag Team Championship, but were defeated by the defending champions Nicole Matthews and Portia Perez.[53] The team's two back-to-back tag team losses led to Melissa dissolving her team with MsChif in order for her to focus on her singles career.[53]

Shimmer Champion (2010–2014)

[edit]
Martinez and Cheerleader Melissa as Shimmer Tag Champions

On Volume 30, Anderson was defeated by Madison Eagles in a match, where the winner would receive a shot at MsChif's Shimmer Championship.[53] The following day Anderson defeated Misaki Ohata on Volume 31 and Ayako Hamada in the main event of Volume 32, before demanding a title match from the new Shimmer Champion Eagles.[53] She received her title match on September 11, 2010, on Volume 33, but was defeated by Eagles.[54] The following day on Volume 36 Melissa pinned Eagles to win an eight-woman elimination tag team match, where she, Ayako Hamada, Ayumi Kurihara and Serena Deeb defeated Eagles, Daizee Haze, Sara Del Rey and Tomoka Nakagawa.[55] On October 2, 2011, at Volume 43, Melissa defeated Kana to become the number one contender to the Shimmer Championship.[56] Later that same day on Volume 44, Melissa defeated Madison Eagles to become the fourth Shimmer Champion. During her title celebration, she was attacked from behind by Nicole Matthews.[56] Melissa made her first two title defenses on March 17, 2012, defeating Nicole Matthews on Volume 45 and Portia Perez on Volume 46.[57] The following day, after successfully defending the Shimmer Championship against Jessie McKay on Volume 47, Melissa lost the title to Saraya Knight on Volume 48.[58] After pinning Knight to win a ten-woman elimination tag team match on October 28 at the tapings of Volume 50,[59] Melissa was granted a rematch for the Shimmer Championship the following day on Volume 52, but was defeated after being hit with the title belt.[60] On April 6, 2013, at the Volume 53 internet pay-per-view (iPPV) in Secaucus, New Jersey, Melissa defeated Knight in a steel cage match to win the Shimmer Championship for the second time.[61] Melissa made her first successful title defense a week later on April 13 at Volume 54, where she defeated Mercedes Martinez.[62] Later that same day on Volume 55, Melissa made another successful title defense against Courtney Rush.[63] The following day on Volume 56, Melissa made her third and final title defense of the weekend by defeating Kalamity.[64] Later that same day on Volume 57, Melissa took part in Allison Danger's retirement match, where she and Ayako Hamada faced Danger and Leva Bates. Melissa initially submitted Danger for the win, but the decision was reversed when Melissa turned heel and refused to let go of the hold after the match. Post-match, the evil Melissa completed her heel turn by attacking Hamada.[65][66] On October 19 at Volume 58, Melissa made her fourth successful title defense against Leva Bates. Post-match Melissa attacked both Bates and the retired Allison Danger, before being chased away by LuFisto.[67] Later that same day, after another successful defense against Hiroyo Matsumoto on Volume 59, Melissa was again run off by LuFisto, who was, as a result, named the next challenger for her Shimmer Championship.[68] The title match between Melissa and LuFisto took place on the following day's Volume 60 and saw Melissa retain the title.[69] Following the match, Melissa was taken to a local hospital, where she received ten stitches above her left eye. As a result, Volume 61 became the first Volume in Shimmer history, which did not feature a Cheerleader Melissa match.[70] On April 5 at the Volume 62 iPPV in New Orleans, Louisiana, Melissa successfully defended the Shimmer Championship against LuFisto in a two out of three falls match, following outside interference from Mercedes Martinez.[71] A week later on Volume 64, Melissa made another successful title defense against Japanese wrestler Yumi Ohka.[72] On April 13, Melissa first successfully defended the Shimmer Championship against Mia Yim on Volume 65, before teaming with Mercedes Martinez to unsuccessfully challenge the Global Green Gangsters (Kellie Skater and Tomoka Nakagawa) for the Shimmer Tag Team Championship on Volume 66.[73][74] On October 18, Melissa first made another successful defense of the Shimmer Championship against Kana on Volume 67, before losing the title to Nicole Matthews in a four-way elimination match, also involving Athena and Madison Eagles, on Volume 68.[75]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

[edit]

Raisha Saeed (2008–2009, 2023)

[edit]
Anderson as Raisha Saeed (left), Awesome Kong's (right) manager

On the edition of January 10 of TNA Impact! Anderson made her Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) debut as an unknown woman wearing a niqāb,[76] later named Raisha Saeed and billed from Syria. She was in Awesome Kong's corner when Kong defeated Gail Kim to win the TNA Women's Knockout Championship.[76] Her first pay-per-view appearance with the company was again in Kong's corner at Against All Odds, distracting Kong's opponent ODB to help her retain the Knockout Championship.[77] The situation with Kim and ODB intensified, leading to Anderson's first match as a competitor with the promotion. At TNA's all-steel cage event Lockdown, she and Kong took on Kim and ODB in a tag team match, where Saeed was pinned by ODB.[78] On the edition of July 3, 2008 of Impact!, Saeed lost a match against newcomer Taylor Wilde which saw Wilde become number one contender for the Knockout Championship despite outside interference from Kong.[79]

In September her costume became a focal point for angles as Saeed became a more regular in-ring performer. On September 4's Impact! ODB pinned her and then chased her backstage, coming out later with the burqa. Kong hit ODB in the back of the head while Saeed ran to reclaim her attire, her face masked by her hair at the time.[80] Later that month Roxxi used a burqa to disguise herself as Saeed while Kong was facing newcomer Mercedes Steele. After the match Roxxi removed her disguise and attacked Kong with a steel chair, while Saeed appeared at the top of the entrance ramp bound in ropes (implying that she had been abducted by Roxxi prior to the match).[81] Kong took revenge, pinning Roxxi in a tag effort also involving Saeed and Wilde, respectively,[82] but Roxxi would make a return pin on Saeed in a singles match weeks later.[83]

The Kongtourage

Kong and Saeed soon aligned themselves with Knockout Rhaka Khan. On the November 6 edition of Impact! Khan substituted for Roxxi as Wilde's tag team partner against Kong and Saeed in a match. In the event, the evil Khan turned against Wilde during the match to help Kong make the pinfall,[84] but her good luck was short lived as Kong and Saeed, with Khan in their corner, lost to Wilde and Roxxi in a tag team match at Turning Point.[85] Saeed lost to Christy Hemme on the edition of November 27 of Impact!,[86] allowing her to challenge for Kong's belt at Final Resolution but Saeed caused a disqualification, giving Hemme the win but retaining the belt for Kong.[87] Through December Khan and Saeed were joined in their support for Kong by newcomer Sojourner Bolt; the group dubbed themselves the Kongtourage and took on ODB, Roxxi and Hemme in a losing effort during a Street Fight on January 15.[88] Hemme was scheduled for a rematch at Genesis, however, she suffered a legitimate injury prior to the match and the Kongtourage impromptu number one contender match was made at the pay-per-view with ODB picking up the victory, teaming to gain a future title shot.[89] The Kongtourage finally picked up a victory over ODB in a four-on-one handicap match on January 29's Impact!.[90] The Kongtourage rapidly fell into disarray, though, when Bolt won a number one contender battle royal in early February,[91] and a fortnight later Khan expressed her dissatisfaction with the group leading to a tag match that Khan and Bolt, who were being portrayed as fan favorites now, won.[92] Saeed's attempts to interfere in the Knockouts Championship match at Destination X were unsuccessful but Kong still managed to retain her title.[93]

Kong eventually dropped the title to Angelina Love at Lockdown 2009.[94] After this loss, and with Kong unable to regain the championship, the team of Saeed and Kong were entered into the tournament to decide the inaugural Knockouts Tag Team Champions. In the first round, the team beat The Main Event Mafia's team of Sharmell and Traci Brooks. Saeed scored the pin over Brooks, tagging herself in after Kong had done much of the work causing Kong to stare angrily at Saeed.[95] They were less successful in the following round, losing to the eventual tournament winning team of Taylor Wilde and Sarita.[96] After inadvertently costing Kong the Knockout title at Bound for Glory,[97] the two of them faced off on the edition of October 22 of Impact! with Saeed now being referred to as a former manager. Kong won the match and then Awesome Bombed her through the entrance stage.[98] On September 9, 2023, Saeed made a one-night return at Impact 1000. She accompanied Awesome Kong on a 10-Knockout tag team match.[99]

Alissa Flash (2009, 2011, 2013)

[edit]

On the edition of May 1, 2008 of Impact!, Anderson appeared as her signature Cheerleader Melissa gimmick and defeated Daizee Haze in a singles match that was billed as a "try-out" for both women. However, she reappeared as Saeed later that night.[100] At May 26, 2009 Impact! taping, Anderson wrestled as "Future Legend" Melissa Anderson in a dark match where she was defeated by Awesome Kong.[5] Her television return occurred on the edition of July 16, 2009 of Impact! as she wrestled under the revised name of "Future Legend" Alissa Flash, losing to the debuting Sarita and attacking her afterward.[101] Flash's losing streak continued in the first round of the Knockouts Tag Team Championship tournament where she and Daffney lost to Sarita and Taylor Wilde.[102] As Flash, Anderson had a new outfit which included a streaks of make up around her eyes in tribute to Sherri Martel.[103]

She picked up her first victory on the edition of September 17 of Impact! by defeating Cody Deaner in an intergender Lumberjack match. The win, though, was largely due to interference from all the other Knockouts who were lumberjacks.[104] Frustrated at her lack of meaningful victories, Flash interrupted an interview with newcomer Hamada by voicing her frustration at the lack of fanfare her arrival in the company received in comparison to foreign Knockouts Sarita and Hamada. Flash then began to brawl with Hamada, throwing her down the bleachers of the empty arena.[105] The two met weeks later on October 8 Impact! in an eight-woman elimination tag team match; when both were legal members in the ring they brawled out onto the floor until they were counted out and eliminated.[106] The following week on Super Impact! the two met in a Falls Count Anywhere match which Flash lost after taking a moonsault from Hamada through a table.[107] She finally scored an unassisted singles win on November 12 against Traci Brooks.[108] After not being used by the company thereafter, Anderson requested her release which was granted on January 21, 2010.[109] On March 14, 2011, at the tapings of the edition of March 17 of Impact!, Anderson, as Alissa Flash, made a one night return to TNA, unsuccessfully challenging Madison Rayne for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship as part of her open challenge series.[110][111] On March 17, 2013, Anderson made another one night return to TNA to take part in the taping of the Knockout Knockdown pay-per-view, where she, as Alissa Flash, was defeated by Gail Kim.[112]

Other promotions (2005–present)

[edit]

As well as being a regular for APW, ChickFight, Shimmer and TNA, Melissa continues to tour the independent circuit working for a number of different promotions. She has had two stints in the National Wrestling Alliance affiliate Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling. In her second run, during September 2005, she had a short feud with Nattie Neidhart, taking her on in a singles match where Neidhart won using her Sharpshooter after some interference from Belle Lovitz. Enraged by interference, Anderson formed an impromptu tag team with Tiffany called Girls Gone Wrestling (GGW) and pinned Nattie after an Air Raid Crash. The following day she lost a SuperGirls Championship match against the reigning Rebecca Knox due to some interference, this time from Scotty Mac. GGW teamed up again to take Mac and his partner Ladies Choice in a Men vs Women tag match that Anderson won with a pin.[113]

Also in 2005 she wrestled at Givin Em The Bizness for Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South (IWA: Mid-South) in a six-way elimination match for the NWA Midwest Women's Championship against champion Ariel as well as MsChif, Mickie Knuckles, Sara Del Rey and eventual winner Daizee Haze.[114] In March 2006 she wrestled a string of matches for Pure Wrestling Association winning their Elite Women's Championship in a match against 21st Century Fox and defending it successfully against her but losing it back to her in a three-way match, also including Misty Haven.[115]

Anderson has participated in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) workouts with Ivory, Molly Holly and Jazz.[8] She also had a tryout match on the edition of May 26, 2006 of WWE Heat. Wrestling under her birth name, Anderson fell to a Widow's Peak by Victoria in Las Vegas, Nevada.[116]

On January 7, 2007, Anderson won Pro Wrestling World-1's inaugural Queen's Cup tournament. After beating Melissa Strips in the first round, she received a bye through to the final to face Allison Danger. During an autograph session, she attacked Danger to the point where she was said not to be able to compete, though Danger fought through her injury. By winning, Anderson earned herself a number one contendership for the AWA World Women's Championship.[117]

In an attempt to build a strong women's division, Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW) opened 2009 with January's Female Revolution. Under her Cheerleader gimmick, she beat Nikki Roxx and later appeared as Raisha Saeed also winning against Ariel. She appeared again in May losing a return match to Roxx but staying undefeated as Saeed against Daizee Haze.[118] She was scheduled for a rematch with Roxx on November 16 but after Roxx pulled out she defeated Hailey Hatred to earn a match against Sara Del Rey for the JAPW Women's Championship.[119] Anderson won the match by disqualification after Hatred interfered,[119] leading to a no-disqualification Three Way match in January 2010 at Back Where It All Began for the title in which Anderson was pinned by Del Rey.[120] Anderson met Del Rey later in 2010, on July 25, under the guise of her Raisha Saeed gimmick. It was during her Chikara debut in a tag team match, where she and Amazing Kong were defeated by Bruderschaft des Kreuzes (Haze and Del Rey).[121]

Anderson at an NCW Femmes Fatales show in October 2013

On July 3, Anderson appeared as Alissa Flash for the Texas-based promotion River City Wrestling (RCW). At Declaration of Champions, she wrestled RCW Champion Joey Spector in the main event to become the first female champion of the company.[122] The result was however nullified on July 12, after RCW Commissioner Jeromy Sage announced that the contract for the title match stipulated that the length was supposed to be 15 minutes, but the match was 15+1⁄2 minutes long.[123] A rematch was scheduled on August 7 with no time limits or disqualifications, Flash won the match and the championship.[124] On May 5, Flash teamed with Darci Drake to defeat San Antonio's Most Wanted in a lumberjack match to win the RCW Tag Team Championship.[125] They would hold the title for four months, before being defeated by Gulf Coast Connection (AJ Summers and Rudy Russo) on September 3. As a result of being pinned in the title match, Flash had to leave RCW for 90 days.[125] On February 4, 2012, Flash became River City Wrestling's first female Triple Crown Champion, when she defeated Rick David for the RCW International Championship.[126] She was stripped of the title on March 5, 2013.[126] On August 10, Flash defeated Angelina Love to become the inaugural RCW Angels Division Champion.[127]

In October 2010, Anderson began extending her profile internationally by making two appearances for Mexican promotion AAA, under her Alissa Flash ring name, picking up tag team victories over the Moreno sisters (Cynthia and Esther) and the Apache sisters (Faby and Mari).[128][129] On November 5, 2011, she made her debut for All Japan Pro Wrestling in Taiwan, teaming with Black Bushi and Dark Dragon in a six-person tag team match, where they were defeated by Bushi, Makoto and Último Dragón.[130] The following day, Melissa defeated Makoto in what was billed as the first ever women's wrestling match in Taiwan.[131] In December 2011, Anderson took part in TNA's Indian promotion Ring Ka King, performing as both Alissa Flash and Raisha Saeed.[132][133]

On March 16, 2014, Anderson, working under the ring name Melissa, returned to Japan to work for World Wonder Ring Stardom, unsuccessfully challenging Io Shirai for the World of Stardom Championship.[134] From August 24 to September 23, Melissa took part in Stardom's 2014 5★Star GP. After two wins, one draw and two losses, she failed to advance to the finals of the tournament.[135][136] During the stay, Melissa was also appointed the president of Stardom's newly established American branch. She would mainly be involved in booking foreigners for the promotion.[136] She returned to the promotion on June 14, 2015.[137] On July 11, Melissa teamed with Chelsea under the team name California Dolls to unsuccessfully challenge Thunder Rock (Io Shirai and Mayu Iwatani) for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.[138]

Lucha Underground (2015–2018)

[edit]

On October 29, 2015, it was announced that Melissa will star in the El Rey program Lucha Underground and would be making her debut in the upcoming tapings for the promotion's second season.[139][140] She made her debut on March 9, 2016, episode, under a mask and the ring name Mariposa, portraying Marty Martinez's sister.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

Anderson's favorite opponents include Mariko Yoshida (who innovated the Air Raid Crash finishing move that Melissa herself also uses), Wesna and Tiffany.[141] She won Attack of the Show!'s contest, "MySpace Girl of the Week", on September 6, 2006. She appeared on the show in person rather than the usual webcam format and went on to participate in later segments of the show.[142]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
Melissa with the Shimmer Championship belt in April 2014
Melissa with the Shimmer Tag Team Championship belt in 2019

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cheerleader Melissa

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from Grokipedia
Melissa Marie Anderson (born August 17, 1982), better known by her ring name Cheerleader Melissa, is an American professional wrestler renowned for her technical prowess and longevity in the independent wrestling scene. A second-generation wrestler—the daughter of 1980s grappler Doug Anderson—she debuted in 1999 as a manager in California's , with her first in-ring match on August 17, 1999—her 17th birthday—against Lexie Fyfe in a losing effort. She later managed the Ballard Brothers in before fully transitioning to in-ring competition. Over a career spanning more than two decades, she has competed internationally in promotions across the , , , , and , earning accolades such as two SHIMMER Championships (won in 2011 from and in 2013 from Saraya Knight in a steel cage match), the 2013 Female 50 top ranking, and induction into the Independent Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023. Anderson's early career focused on West Coast independents like (APW), where she captured the Future Legends Championship twice and the Above the Law Championship, and ChickFight, a women-only tournament series she won in 2006 and 2007. Her international exposure began with tours in for promotions like 4 Hope and All Japan Women's, showcasing her adaptability to strong-style wrestling. In 2008, she signed with (TNA), debuting as the hard-edged Alissa Flash in the Knockouts division and later portraying the masked manager Raisha Saeed for ; in the latter role, she co-won the Tag Team Championship in 2009. She departed TNA in 2010 amid creative frustrations but returned briefly in 2023 for the 1000 event, reprising the Raisha Saeed character. Beyond TNA, Anderson expanded her resume in Lucha Underground from 2016 to 2018 as the villainous Mariposa, sister to Marty "The Moth" , blending aerial maneuvers with dramatic storytelling in a masked . She also held the inaugural Trans-Atlantic Women's Championship and participated in high-profile tournaments like Stardom's 5 Star Grand Prix, earning the Technique Award in 2014 for her precise execution. Despite tryouts with in the early 2000s and sporadic appearances elsewhere, Anderson has remained a cornerstone of women's indie wrestling, advocating for athletic matches over gimmick-heavy bouts and influencing a generation of performers through her roles in SHIMMER tag teams and training under figures like her uncle Bill Anderson. As of 2025, she remains active on the independent circuit with selective bookings and recent matches.

Early years

Early life

Melissa Anderson was born on August 17, 1982, in , . She is the daughter of professional wrestler Doug Anderson and the niece of wrestler and trainer Billy Anderson. Raised in , she attended , where she excelled in soccer and was one of only four girls on the amateur wrestling team, experiences that influenced her energetic wrestling style.

Training and debut

Melissa Anderson began her professional wrestling training at age 15 under her uncle Billy Anderson at his school in . She later received additional training at the (APW) school in , from coaches including , Robert Thompson, and . This training period focused on building her technical skills and in-ring psychology in an era when women's wrestling opportunities were scarce on the independent circuit. During her time at APW, Anderson adopted the "Cheerleader Melissa" gimmick, which was inspired by her naturally energetic style and incorporated a aesthetic to create a vibrant, crowd-engaging persona that set her apart from more traditional wrestlers. The character emphasized high-energy performances and quick movements, reflecting her enthusiasm for the sport. Anderson debuted as a manager for the Ballard Brothers in California's on August 17, 1999, before making her in-ring debut later that day against Lexie Fyfe in , marking her transition to competitor status. This match showcased her agility and determination in a competitive environment. In her early outings on California independents like APW, Anderson secured victories that propelled her forward, including her first reign with the APW Future Legends Championship, which she won in July 2004 (renaming it from the Above the Law Championship). This accomplishment came through a combination of hard work and standout performances against established talent. As one of the few women breaking into the indie scene in the early , Anderson encountered challenges such as limited bookings for female matches, the need to train alongside and compete against men, and the overall marginalization of women's divisions in promotions focused primarily on male wrestlers. These obstacles required her to constantly demonstrate her versatility and resilience to gain recognition.

Professional wrestling career

Early independent circuit (2002–2005)

Following her debut in (APW), Melissa expanded her presence on the , competing in promotions such as the (EWF) and Alternative Wrestling Entertainment (AWE), where she honed her skills in mixed-gender and women's bouts. In 2002, she gained early international exposure by touring with the ARSION promotion, immersing herself in the high-impact wrestling style that was beginning to influence the U.S. women's division through technical precision and athleticism. This period marked her growth amid a burgeoning scene for female wrestlers, as she traveled to in 2003 for matches with German , building versatility against diverse opponents. Throughout 2003 and 2004, Melissa engaged in notable feuds within APW's Gym Wars series, often facing established talents in multi-woman and intergender contests that showcased her resilience. A key rivalry developed with , culminating in a December 6, 2003, victory for Melissa in Big Time Wrestling, highlighting her emerging technical prowess. She also participated in three-way dances and tag matches against competitors like Nikki and Desire, contributing to the evolution of women's roles in independent shows during an era inspired by imports. By 2004, her performances earned recognition, including the Cauliflower Alley Club's Future Legend Award, affirming her potential in the circuit. Melissa's championship success peaked in 2004 when she captured the APW Above The Law Championship from Robert Thompson on July 24, renaming it the Future Legends Championship under her inaugural reign, which emphasized emerging talent. She lost the title to on February 11, 2005, in Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, but reclaimed it on March 5, 2005, in APW's 10 Years In The Making event, marking her second reign. That same night, she defended it successfully against , solidifying her status as a top contender in the promotion's women's division before transitioning to larger opportunities.

ChickFight (2004–2009)

Cheerleader Melissa entered the ChickFight promotion during its inaugural tournament in October 2004, reaching the final before losing to Princesa Sugey in a steel cage match. She continued competing in the promotion's knockout-style events, which emphasized high-stakes single-elimination formats featuring international women's talent. In 2006, Melissa captured her first ChickFight title by winning the ChickFight V tournament on June 24 in , defeating Tanny Mouse, Yoshiko Tamura, and in the falls-count-anywhere final. This victory established her as a dominant force in the promotion's early years. Melissa's success continued with another tournament triumph at ChickFight VII on January 14, 2007, in , , marking the event's shift to a UK vs. USA format. She advanced by submitting in the quarterfinals via a tree of woe , then defeated and Lacey before knocking out Eden Black with a Kudo Driver in the final to claim the win. This event not only highlighted her technical prowess and striking ability but also introduced the ChickFight Trans-Atlantic Championship, which she won by defeating Black in a non-tournament match earlier in the show. Her performances in these tournaments showcased a blend of hardcore resilience and precise submission work, contributing to the promotion's growing reputation for intense, athlete-focused bouts. From 2007 to 2009, engaged in a heated with Wesna that began with a 45-minute time-limit draw in a title defense for the Trans-Atlantic Championship at ChickFight IX on June 17, 2007, in , , after an exhaustive exchange of strikes, suplexes, and near-falls. The feud escalated when Wesna won the ChickFight VIII tournament on October 6, 2007, across multiple events, including Wesna capturing the Real Quality Wrestling Women's Championship from in a hard-fought and subsequent defenses where reclaimed momentum through aggressive counters like the Air Raid Crash. The storyline peaked in late 2008 and early 2009 with rematches featuring brutal brawling and interference, culminating in a no-holds-barred confrontation at one of ChickFight's final shows, where retained her status as a top contender amid the promotion's winding down. ChickFight's all-women's format, bolstered by Melissa's high-profile victories and rivalries, played a pivotal role in elevating the visibility of in the after the promotion relocated its major events there in 2007. By pitting American stars like against British talents such as Saraya and Wesna, the series fostered cross-cultural exchanges that drew larger audiences and inspired local promotions to invest in female divisions, helping to professionalize and expand the scene during a period of limited mainstream exposure. Melissa transitioned out of ChickFight around 2009 as the promotion underwent significant changes, including reduced events and eventual closure due to financial and logistical challenges following its UK expansion. Her tenure left a lasting mark on the promotion's legacy of showcasing women's athleticism through tournament innovation and intense storytelling.

Shimmer Women Athletes (2005–2019)

Cheerleader Melissa debuted for on November 6, 2005, at the promotion's inaugural event in , where she faced in a singles match taped for Volume 1, losing via submission to the Desecrator. This encounter ignited a heated rivalry that defined much of her early tenure, spanning multiple high-stakes bouts from 2005 to 2010 and showcasing her aggressive, hard-hitting style against MsChif's unorthodox technical prowess. Key matches included Melissa's victory over MsChif in a Falls Count Anywhere bout on Volume 4 in February 2006, where she secured the win with an inverted cloverleaf after a brutal exchange that spilled outside the ring, and a Last Woman Standing loss to MsChif on Volume 6 later that year. The feud evolved into tag team dynamics by 2007, with Melissa and MsChif partnering to defeat The Experience (Lexie Fyfe and ) on Volume 12 and later and on Volume 17 in 2008, highlighting their chemistry as a formidable unit amid SHIMMER's growing roster of international talent. This rivalry, rooted in their prior clashes, elevated both wrestlers as cornerstones of SHIMMER's narrative-driven storytelling during its formative years. Melissa's pursuit of the SHIMMER Championship intensified in the late 2000s, culminating in her first reign on October 2, 2011, at Volume 44 in Berwyn, where she defeated champion Madison Eagles in the main event with a decisive pinfall following a series of near-falls and submission attempts. This victory marked her as the fourth champion in SHIMMER history and began a 168-day reign characterized by stiff, competitive defenses that solidified her status as a top heel. Notable defenses included submissions over Nicole Matthews on Volume 45, Portia Perez on Volume 46, and Jessie McKay on Volume 47, each match emphasizing Melissa's resilience and technical dominance in extended contests often exceeding 15 minutes. She lost the title to Saraya Knight on March 18, 2012, at Volume 48, in a grueling bout where Knight targeted Melissa's knee, exploiting an earlier injury to secure the pin. Melissa recaptured the SHIMMER Championship on April 6, 2013, at Volume 53 during weekend tapings, defeating Saraya Knight in a steel cage to become the first two-time , a historic milestone that underscored her endurance despite ongoing physical setbacks. Her second reign, lasting until October 2014, featured defenses against a diverse array of challengers, including in a hard-fought clash on Volume 56 that highlighted international crossovers, and (later Asuka) on Volume 67, where Melissa retained via Air Raid Crash after a 20-minute war of strikes and submissions. Other key victories came against on Volume 54 and in a two-out-of-three falls on Volume 62, maintaining her grip on the title through tactical brawling and high-impact maneuvers. The reign ended on October 18, 2014, at Volume 68, when defeated her in a four-way elimination also involving and , amid reports of lingering injuries from prior defenses that had hampered her mobility. Following a period sidelined by injuries sustained in 2013 and exacerbated during her title run, Melissa returned to SHIMMER in 2018, reforming a powerhouse with longtime rival-turned-ally . The duo captured the on October 21, 2018, at a joint event, defeating the reigning champions in a match that blended their complementary styles—Martinez's power with Melissa's precision. Their reign, spanning over a year, included successful defenses such as against The Twisted Sisters ( and ) on April 5, 2019, at Volume 113, where they retained via double-team submission after a chaotic brawl. The partnership emphasized veteran teamwork, with Melissa often isolating opponents for Martinez's finishers, and lasted until November 2, 2019, at Volume 115, when they dropped the titles to and (Team Sea Stars) in a fast-paced upset. This run highlighted Melissa's adaptability in her later career phase. Throughout her SHIMMER tenure, Melissa played a pivotal role in the promotion's rise, appearing in over 60 volumes and contributing to its DVD-based model that fueled tape-trading networks and live event attendance during the mid-2000s women's wrestling revival. Her consistent presence in main events and rivalries helped draw crowds to Berwyn's Eagles Club, with events regularly selling out 300-500 seats and generating buzz through grassroots distribution of Volumes 1-10, which introduced global audiences to talents like and . By 2019, her final active year, Melissa competed in her last SHIMMER matches during the November tapings, including a tag title loss that capped a 14-year arc and transitioned her toward sporadic appearances and mentorship roles.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Impact Wrestling (2008–2023)

Melissa Anderson debuted in (TNA) on the January 10, 2008, episode of Impact! under the masked persona of Raisha Saeed, portrayed as a mysterious figure from wearing a , serving as the manager for the dominant . In this role, Saeed accompanied Kong during her reign as Champion, interfering in matches and contributing to storylines that emphasized Kong's intimidating presence in the newly established women's division. As Raisha Saeed, she and won the Tag Team Championship on April 19, 2009, at , holding the titles until June 21, 2009, when they lost them to and Sarita. Saeed also aligned with , forming a faction that added layers to feuds involving top Knockouts like and , helping to solidify the group's dominance during TNA's early Knockouts era. Saeed's managerial duties occasionally extended to in-ring participation, such as matches alongside Kong and Khan against rivals like and , showcasing her hybrid role that blended work with physical involvement to enhance the division's intense, character-driven narratives. However, Anderson's involvement remained sporadic due to her ongoing commitments to independent promotions like , where she balanced multiple personas and schedules, alongside occasional injuries that limited full-time availability. TNA released her from her contract in late 2009. Later in 2009, Anderson appeared in TNA under the ring name Alissa Flash, debuting on the July 16 episode of Impact! in a losing effort against Sarita in the Knockouts division. As Flash, she competed in high-profile matches, including a dark match against Awesome Kong in May 2009 and encounters with Taylor Wilde during tag team and multi-woman bouts that highlighted the division's competitive depth. Flash's tenure was brief, though she made one-off appearances in 2011, challenging Madison Rayne for the Knockouts Championship on the March 17 episode of Impact!, and in 2013, facing Gail Kim at the One Night Only: Knockouts Knockdown event on March 17. Anderson made a surprise one-off return as Raisha Saeed for Impact Wrestling's 1000th episode, taped on September 9, 2023, and aired on September 14, where she accompanied to the ring for a 10-woman match pitting Knockouts legends against current stars, reigniting nostalgia for her foundational role in the division's history. Her dual personas as Saeed and Flash exemplified the versatility required in TNA's pioneering Knockouts , influencing the blend of athleticism and storytelling that elevated women's wrestling within the promotion.

Lucha Underground (2014–2018)

In , Cheerleader Melissa adopted the masked persona of Mariposa, debuting on the March 30, 2016 episode as the sinister sister of Marty "The Moth" Martinez and a key member of the Moth Tribe, a fictional ancient Aztec faction infused with lore set within the promotion's mystical Temple environment. Portraying a vengeful, insect-themed , Mariposa's character emphasized mask symbolism tied to and darkness, aligning with the show's cinematic blend of wrestling, horror, and mythology that distinguished its storytelling from traditional promotions. Her debut segment involved a brutal ambush on , igniting a personal feud rooted in obsession and torment, where Mariposa and her brother kidnapped and psychologically tortured Star in a dungeon-like setting to break her spirit. The rivalry with Sexy Star escalated through intense encounters, culminating in a high-stakes "No Más" match (an "I Quit" stipulation) during Season 2's Ultima Lucha Dos event on July 13, 2016, where Star overcame Mariposa's aggressive offense—including hair-pulling, leg submissions, and the signature Butterfly Effect finisher—to force a submission victory, solidifying Star's rise while highlighting Mariposa's role as a formidable heel in the women's division. Mariposa's arc continued into Season 3 with feuds in the midcard, notably a submission-focused bout against Ivelisse on the October 5, 2016 episode, where she targeted the leg with deep locks and received interference from Marty, only to lose via a sunset flip powerbomb; the post-match assault by the Moth siblings underscored their tribal loyalty and set up further Temple intrigue. She also competed in Aztec Warfare III on April 9, 2016, entering the battle royal-style elimination match early but being ousted by Matanza Cueto amid the chaotic, multi-man fray that embodied Lucha Underground's high-octane, narrative-driven chaos. Transitioning into Season 4 in 2018, Mariposa's storyline evolved to include intra-faction tension, as she briefly allied with Marty in tag matches like a mixed-teams victory over Fenix and Melissa Santos on September 20, 2017, before challenging her brother's authority. This led to a betrayal arc where Mariposa turned against Tribe, bribing promoter Cueto for opportunities and facing Azteca Jr. for the Gift of the Gods Championship on August 8, 2018, in a quick loss that showcased her opportunistic tactics. The peak came in a match against champion Marty Martinez on October 3, 2018, where familial bonds fractured in a hard-fought contest filled with strikes, submissions, and high-flying exchanges, though Martinez retained via pinfall after countering her . Mariposa also entered Aztec Warfare IV on June 13, 2018, wielding a stick against competitors like and Son of Havoc before her early elimination, contributing to the promotion's signature over-the-top battle royals. Throughout Seasons 2 through 4, Mariposa's presence enhanced Lucha Underground's women's and midcard divisions with her versatile performances in the Temple's atmosphere, blending technical grappling, brawling, and character-driven vignettes that amplified the show's cult-like appeal. Drawing from her prior television seasoning in , she adeptly navigated the scripted feuds and cinematic production elements. Her run concluded in late 2018 following the airing of Season 4, coinciding with the promotion's extended hiatus after tapings wrapped, marking the end of her Mariposa tenure.

Other promotions and later independent work (2008–present)

In addition to her major promotional runs, Cheerleader Melissa maintained a presence on the independent scene through Pro Wrestling Revolution (PWR) from 2008 to 2014, where she participated in local events and matches, including a high-profile singles victory over in Wilde's retirement bout on February 5, 2011. Her work in PWR often highlighted her technical prowess in West Coast house shows, contributing to her reputation as a versatile performer in regional circuits. Melissa expanded her independent appearances to other promotions, including All American Wrestling (AAW), where she competed in select bouts emphasizing her veteran status. She also featured prominently in , with notable matches such as a loss to on July 7, 2017, at Rise 3: , and participation in a fatal four-way elimination match against , Priscilla Kelly, and on August 10, 2019, at The Summit event co-promoted with SHIMMER and others. In Old School Championship Wrestling (OSCW), Melissa secured a significant win over on February 24, 2019, at the 13th Anniversary Show, earning #1 contendership to the OSCW Women's Championship, which she later captured from on April 14, 2019. Post-2019, Melissa continued selective independent bookings, including a tag team title defense at SHIMMER Volume 113 on April 5, 2019, where she and retained against and . Her activity extended into the 2020s with sporadic high-quality matches, such as a singles bout against on July 31, 2024, in an independent show that showcased their long-standing . Other notable independent outings from 2020 to 2025 included appearances in PODER~! Wrestling, where she faced Nicole Savoy in 2024, maintaining her focus on competitive, story-driven encounters amid a lighter schedule. As of 2025, at age 43, Melissa operates as a on the independent circuit, prioritizing selective bookings over a full-time grind due to the physical demands of the profession. This shift has allowed her to emphasize , drawing from her experience to guide younger talents like in their early careers. Her recent matches have earned strong acclaim, with Cagematch user ratings averaging 8.0 to 10.0 for bouts in 2024 and 2025, underscoring her enduring impact and skill in limited appearances.

Personal life and legacy

Personal life

Melissa Anderson was born on August 17, 1982, in , , where she spent her early years immersed in a wrestling-oriented family environment. As a second-generation wrestler, she is the daughter of Doug Anderson, a professional wrestler active in the who also served in the U.S. and the before passing away on July 3, 2021. Her uncle, Bill Anderson, also influenced her training in wrestling. From a young age, Anderson accompanied her parents to wrestling events, sitting ringside with her mother during her father's matches in the mid-to-late , which fostered her early interest in sports and performance. Anderson has maintained her residence in California throughout her life, continuing to be based in the state as of recent reports. Her ring persona as "Cheerleader Melissa" is a wrestling tied to her athletic background. In her personal pursuits outside wrestling, Anderson emphasizes fitness and physical conditioning, aligning with her athletic heritage. She maintains an active presence on , including under the handle @realfuturelegend, where she shares updates on her life and interests. Anderson has faced health challenges from injuries sustained during her athletic endeavors, notably a significant in at a SHIMMER event that required hospitalization and temporarily sidelined her activities. No public information is available regarding marriages, children, or philanthropic efforts.

Legacy and influence

Cheerleader Melissa emerged as a pioneering figure in the 2000s independent women's wrestling scene, helping to elevate the genre through her versatile in-ring style that incorporated elements from both American and Japanese traditions. Her extensive tours in , including matches against prominent wrestlers such as Io Shirai and in promotions like and All Japan Women's, allowed her to blend the high-impact, technical precision of Joshi with the storytelling and athleticism prevalent in U.S. indies. This cross-cultural approach not only expanded her own repertoire but also introduced international influences to American audiences, fostering a more globalized women's division during a time when such integration was rare. Melissa's involvement was instrumental in the growth of all-women's promotions like and ChickFight, where she competed in the inaugural events and helped popularize dedicated female showcases on the independent circuit. As a mainstay in SHIMMER's first 61 volumes and a participant in ChickFight's first ten tournaments, she contributed to establishing these platforms as vital spaces for women's athleticism and narratives, separate from mainstream male-dominated cards. Her consistent presence and high-profile matches underscored SHIMMER's importance to the broader advancement of women's wrestling, as she herself noted in emphasizing its role in creating opportunities for female performers worldwide. Her enduring reputation is reflected in industry recognitions, including topping the Female 50 rankings in 2013, a milestone that highlighted her as the premier women's wrestler of that year and cemented her status among peers. Tributes from fellow wrestlers often praise her as a trailblazer who bridged eras, with her physicality and dedication earning widespread respect in the indie landscape. In her later career, Melissa has taken on a role, training emerging talents such as WWE's and NXT's , providing guidance on technique and resilience that has shaped the next generation of performers. Known by her longtime moniker "The Future Legend," Melissa has transcended that label through sporadic but impactful returns, maintaining her relevance into 2025 with appearances in promotions like and independent events such as Poder. These outings, including a high-profile return as Raisha Saeed at TNA's 1000th episode in 2024 and a match against Nicole Savoy in 2024, continue to inspire and affirm her lasting influence on women's wrestling.

Championships and accomplishments

Major championships

Cheerleader Melissa is a two-time Shimmer Champion, with her reigns highlighting her dominance in the promotion's premier women's division. Her first reign began on October 2, 2011, at Shimmer Volume 44, where she defeated with a sunset flip to claim the title in . This 167-day reign included four successful defenses, notably against (Volume 45, Air Raid Crash submission), (Volume 46), and Jessie McKay (Volume 47), before losing to Saraya Knight via a controversial half crab submission on March 18, 2012, at Volume 48—her fourth defense overall. This period established Melissa as a resilient titleholder amid Shimmer's growing international roster. She also won the ChickFight Trans-Atlantic Women's Championship on January 14, 2007, defeating Eden Black in the final of the ChickFight VII tournament, holding it until her loss to Wesna on April 22, 2007. Her second reign, lasting 561 days from April 6, 2013, to October 18, 2014, remains one of the longest in the title's history and solidified her legacy as the first two-time champion after defeating Saraya Knight in a steel cage match at Volume 53. During this extended run, Melissa made 11 defenses, showcasing technical prowess and endurance against top competitors, including (Volume 54, via Air Raid Crash), in a two-out-of-three falls match (Volume 62), and in the main event of Volume 67 before dropping the belt to Nicole Matthews in the main event of Volume 68. These victories, often in high-stakes environments, underscored her role in elevating Shimmer's status as a cornerstone of independent women's wrestling. In tag team competition, Melissa partnered with to win the inaugural on October 21, 2018, during tapings for Volumes 107 and 108, defeating the Raging Wolves ( and ) in a tournament final. Their 370-day reign, ending on November 3, 2019, at Volume 116 when they lost to the Sea Stars (Vox and Exo), featured several defenses that highlighted their veteran synergy, including a retention against the Twisted Sisterz ( and ) at Volume 113. This partnership represented a passing-of-the-torch moment, blending experience with emerging talent in Shimmer's tag division. Early in her career, captured the APW Future Legends Championship twice, marking her breakthrough in the independent scene. Her first reign started in July 2004 when she won the APW Above the Law Championship from Robert Thompson and renamed it the Future Legends title; she held it into early 2005 before losing to . She regained it on February 19, 2005, at APW Gym Wars, only to vacate it later that year, with these short but impactful runs (totaling under a year combined) pioneering women's opportunities in APW's midcard. She later won the APW Women's Championship on May 4, 2014, defeating Chica Tormenta, , and in a four-way match. Among her other notable singles titles, Melissa won the AACW Women's Championship on November 10, 2007, by defeating in a falls count anywhere match, holding it for approximately two months before losing it on January 10, 2008—a reign that affirmed her hardcore style in the Midwest circuit. She also secured the AWS Women's Championship on June 30, 2018, defeating Kris Wolf, and defended it successfully multiple times over 322 days until dropping it to on May 18, 2019, in a three-way match also involving Ruby Raze, contributing to AWS's reputation for intense women's bouts. Additionally, in PWR, Melissa won the vacant Women's Championship on February 23, 2013, against , lost it briefly, then regained it on May 11, 2013, holding the second reign until February 22, 2014, when dethroned her; these combined reigns (nearly a year total) emphasized her versatility in regional promotions.

Tournaments and awards

Cheerleader Melissa achieved significant success in tournament formats early in her career, particularly within the ChickFight promotion. She won the ChickFight V tournament on June 24, 2006, defeating Tanny Mouse, Yoshiko Tamura, and in the final to claim the victory. In 2007, she captured the ChickFight VII title, defeating and US competitors in a transatlantic showdown format. These triumphs highlighted her dominance in single-elimination brackets, where she compiled a strong win-loss record, including 15 victories against 3 defeats across ChickFight events overall. Beyond ChickFight, Melissa excelled in independent tournaments. She won the World-1 Queen's Cup Tournament on January 7, 2007, advancing through the bracket to secure the honor. In 2011, she and tag partner triumphed in the NCW Amazones et Titans Tournament. Later, she claimed the GRPW Lady Luck Title Tournament in 2015, defeating in the final to also win the vacant ladies' championship. In Joshi promotions, Melissa participated in Stardom's 5 Star Grand Prix, earning the Technique Award in 2014 for her standout technical performances. Melissa's accolades extended to rankings and honors recognizing her impact. Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked her highly in their annual Female 50 list, placing her at No. 28 in 2008, No. 12 in 2009, No. 4 in 2010, No. 6 in 2011, No. 3 in 2012, No. 1 in 2013, and No. 4 in 2014. The honored her with the Future Legend Award in 2004 as the first woman recipient, followed by the Women's Active Wrestling Award in 2014. Additionally, named her match against Hudson Envy on May 30, 2015, as Match of the Year. She was inducted into the Nor Cal Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Independent Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023.

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  56. https://slamwrestling.net/interviews/lacey-von-erich-truly-is-a-knockout/
  57. https://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/cheerleader-melissa-1909.html
  58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGZ_F77dKsU
  59. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuy_j3twvjk
  60. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=603&page=10
  61. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/b81UEUXF3TE
  62. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=603&page=98
  63. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/doug-anderson/
  64. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Wrestling/CheerleaderMelissa
  65. https://www.instagram.com/realfuturelegend/
  66. https://prowrestling-revolution.com/melissa-tops-2013-pwi-female-50/
  67. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/xena-praises-cheerleader-melissa-says-she-virtually-trained-her-during-covid
  68. http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/titles/shimmerchamp.html
  69. https://www.clickwrestle.com/pro/10516/cheerleader-melissa-vs-eden-black
  70. http://www.shimmerwrestling.com/p/title-history.html
  71. https://www.diva-dirt.com/nicole-matthews-wins-the-shimmer-championship/
  72. https://www.diva-dirt.com/results-shimmer-volumes-107-108/
  73. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1139
  74. https://www.diva-dirt.com/cheerleader-melissa-wins-vacant-pwr-womens-championship/
  75. http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=1371
  76. http://www.profightdb.com/winlossrecord/cheerleader-melissa-1909.html
  77. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/cheerleader-melissa-be-inducted-indie-hall-fame-class-2023
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