- 05/31/2016 (2:48:00 pm)
- Bob Mulrenin
…
Appearances deceive when it comes to Velvet Sky.
The 34-year-old Jamie Szantyr, who has performed as Velvet Sky since 2007, is perhaps the most gorgeous woman in pro wrestling. Yet, despite the allure of her looks, Szantyr’s most compelling feature is her relentless drive.
“I dedicated my youth to my training,” said Szantyr. “I was on the indies for six years before I got the call from TNA. Back then, I would send VHS tapes, which sounds a little archaic now, to promoters in hopes that I’d get a call. I was so determined to get that call. I didn’t care if I had to live at home, or quit a job that wouldn’t give me weekends off, I wouldn’t stop.”
Szantyr is linked romantically to Mark LoMonaco, better known in the business as Bubba Ray Dudley. Both have a knack for catching others off-guard with their many talents, and Szantyr explained that her 6'4", 320-pound boyfriend is actually an extremely talented chef.
“Who would ever thought this big, bad-a-- Bubba Ray Dudley could cook?” asked Szantyr. “But he can cook a mean meal. He is amazing in the kitchen.”
The two started dating during their time together in TNA, and Szantyr admitted that the way into her heart is through her stomach.
“My family loves him, and we have these family dinners where he cooks for everybody,” Szantyr explained. “By the time they come over, the food is cooking and the aroma is in the air.
Bubba Ray and Devon Dudley are the most decorated tag team in wrestling history, having won tag titles around the world on 23 separate occasions. The duo recently celebrated their twentieth anniversary together. Szantyr is fully aware that she may never replace Devon, though she is perfectly content in her relationship with LoMonaco.
“I am so grateful to have Mark in my life,” said Szantyr. “We talk about wrestling a lot together and he has an amazing mind for the business, but he is also an incredible person. He’s very supportive of me and so inspiring. He is so motivating and helps me believe in myself.”
After originally enrolling at Eastern Connecticut State University, Szantyr decided to leave school to fully embrace her calling as a professional wrestler. She worked five days a week just to wrestle on the weekends, and after nearly ten years as one of TNA’s most popular wrestlers, she is ready for the next challenge–the WWE.
“That is why I sacrificed right from the beginning,” explained Szantyr. “That is why I left college, and the reason why I wrestled every weekend. The indie scene is not glitz and glamour, but a chance with the WWE is the reason I did this from the very beginning. I would totally embrace any opportunity with the WWE.”
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