Elektra (wrestling)
{{short description|American professional wrestler (born 1970)}}
{{for|the professional wrestler who performed for WWE in the 2020s|Elektra Lopez}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Elektra
|image =
|caption =
|spouse = Big Dick Dudley (divorced)
|children = 1
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|11|12|mf=y}}
|birth_place = Brooklyn, New York, United States
|billed = New York City
|trainer = The Fabulous Moolah
Johnny Rodz
|retired = October 4, 2008 (final match)
}}
Donna Adamo (born November 12, 1970) is an American retired professional wrestling valet and professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Elektra. She is best known for her appearances with the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based promotion Extreme Championship Wrestling from October 1999 until its closure in April 2001. She is also known for her appearances in The Sopranos as a "Bada Bing Girl".{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/sopranos/stories/satindolls.html|title=The Bada Bing Girls step out|publisher=The Star-Ledger|author=Genovese, Peter|date=June 30, 2001|access-date=2013-07-21}}
Early life
Adamo grew up in New York City, where she worked as a child and adult model for Ford Models. Before deciding to become a professional wrestler, Adamo held a series of other jobs, including tending bar, working as a donut stuffer for Country Donuts, working as a booker for a modeling agency, working as a fitting model, performing as an oil wrestler at the strip clubs Billy Dean's and Goldfingers, and working as a booker for go go bars.{{cite web|url=http://www.elektraecw.com/bio.htm |title=Elektra's Stats |work=ElektraECW.com (via Wayback Machine) |date=December 6, 2000 |access-date=2013-07-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001206195300/http://www.elektraecw.com/bio.htm |archive-date=December 6, 2000 }}
Professional wrestling career
= Early career (1999) =
In the late 1990s, Adamo decided to become a professional wrestler. She was trained as a professional wrestler by The Fabulous Moolah in South Carolina and by Johnny Rodz in New York City. She debuted in 1999 under the ring name "Elektra".{{cite web|url=http://ecwwrestling.com/lockerroom/electrabio.asp |title=Elektra Bio |author=Johnson, Michael K. |publisher=Extreme Championship Wrestling |work=ECWWrestling.com (via Wayback Machine) |date=February 7, 2001 |access-date=2013-07-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010207204111/http://ecwwrestling.com/lockerroom/electrabio.asp |archive-date=February 7, 2001 }}
Elektra appeared on the April 5, 1999 edition of WWF Raw is War, playing one of The Godfather's "hos" during his match with WWF Intercontinental Champion Goldust.
=Extreme Championship Wrestling (1999–2001)=
Elektra debuted in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in October 1999 at Re-enter the Sandman, with Cyrus the Virus presenting her to Danny Doring as a replacement for Miss Congeniality.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_11197.shtml#.UexMTo32Zx0|title=ECW TV 5 Yrs. Ago|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|author=Powell, Jason|date=December 21, 2004|access-date=2013-07-21}}{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/DVDs_-_VGames_-_Books_25/article_14264.shtml#.Ue2Bto32Zx0|title=DVD Review: Burgan reviews Extreme Fan Cam 10/23/99|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|author=Burgan, Derek|date=August 1, 2005|access-date=2013-07-22}} She went on to act as a valet for Doring and his tag team partner, Roadkill, interfering in their matches and fighting with opposing valets such as Francine.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_11457.shtml#.Ue2G8I32Zx0|title=ECW TV 5 Yrs. Ago: Awesome vs. Tanaka, Justin Credible vs. Dreamer, Francine |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|author=Powell, Jason|date=January 10, 2005|access-date=2013-07-22}}{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_11633.shtml#.UexMLo32Zx0|title=ECW on TNN TV 5 Yrs. Ago: Mike Awesome, RVD, Tajiri, Dreamer, Raven, Crazy |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|author=Powell, Jason|date=January 24, 2005|access-date=2013-07-21}} Elektra became known for her ability to flex her pectoralis major muscles, which she would often do while delivering promos.{{cite episode | title = An interview with Elektra by The Radio Chick | series = The Radio Chick | credits = Leslie Gold | station = WNEW-FM | location = New York, New York | airdate = August 2001 }}
At Living Dangerously on March 12, 2000, Elektra turned on Doring and Roadkill, costing them a match against Lou E. Dangerously's New Dangerous Alliance (C. W. Anderson and Bill Wiles) by unbalancing Roadkill while he stood on the top rope. Later that night, Elektra delivered a promo in which she revealed that she had joined the New Dangerous Alliance.{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/mar13_liv.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721202610/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/mar13_liv.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 21, 2013|title=Living Dangerously boosts ECW|publisher=Canoe.ca|author=Powell, John|date=March 13, 2000|access-date=2013-07-21}} Elektra was subsequently nicknamed the "Director of Covert Operations" of the New Dangerous Alliance. At Hardcore Heaven 2000 on May 14, the New Dangerous Alliance came to the ring with Elektra wearing a Mike Awesome T-shirt (Awesome had abruptly left ECW for World Championship Wrestling the prior month and was an unpopular figure with ECW fans as a result).{{cite news|first=Jake|last=Black|title=Mike Awesome 1965 - 2007|work=The Wrestler|publisher=London Publishing|id=Volume 15, 2007|pages=53–55|date=May 2007}} After Lou E. Dangerously described Elektra as "the toughest woman in wrestling today", Jazz attacked the New Dangerous Alliance and tore off Elektra's T-shirt, leaving her in a swimsuit.{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/may15_ecwppv.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130808035317/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/may15_ecwppv.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 8, 2013|title=Credible retains title at Hardcore Heaven|publisher=Canoe.ca|author=Powell, John|date=May 15, 2000|access-date=2013-07-21}}
After the New Dangerous Alliance disbanded, Elektra aligned herself with E. Z. Money, Julio Dinero and Chris Hamrick (collectively known as Hot Commodity). At Anarchy Rulz 2000 on October 1, Elektra accompanied E. Z. Money to the ring for his match with Kid Kash. Following the match, The Sandman caned the members of Hot Commodity before spitting beer over Elektra.{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/oct2_anarchyrulz-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721205656/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/oct2_anarchyrulz-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 21, 2013|title=Jerry Lynn new ECW champ|publisher=Canoe.ca|author=Powell, John|date=October 2, 2000|access-date=2013-07-21}} At Massacre on 34th Street on December 3, Elektra received a Kryptonite Krunch from Nova prior to his bout with Julio Dinero.{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/dec4_ecw-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721205714/http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingPPV/dec4_ecw-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 21, 2013|title=Tag team bout steals Massacre show|publisher=Canoe.ca|author=Powell, John|date=December 4, 2000|access-date=2013-07-21}}
At the final ECW pay-per-view, Guilty as Charged 2001 on January 7, 2001, Elektra accompanied E. Z. Money and Julio Dinero as they unsuccessfully challenged Doring and Roadkill for the ECW World Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_46598.shtml#.UexCYY32Zx0|title=ECW PPV Flashback - 10 yrs. ago (01-07-01)|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|author=Keller, Wade|date=January 7, 2011|access-date=2013-07-21}} ECW staged its final show six days later and filed for bankruptcy on April 4, 2001.{{cite book|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|last1=Fritz|first1=Brian|last2=Murray|first2=Christopher|publisher=ECW Press|year=2006|isbn=978-1-55022-726-0}}{{cite book|title=The Rise and Fall of ECW|last=Loverro|first=Thom|page=[https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/233 233]|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/233}}
Four years after the closure of ECW, Elektra (alongside C. W. Anderson and Chris Chetti) appeared in the front row of the audience of the World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view ECW One Night Stand on June 12, 2005, with The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer pouring beer on her chest and licking it off during their entrance.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/13/1084768.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724180433/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/13/1084768.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 24, 2012|title=One great Night of hardcore hostalgia|publisher=Canoe.ca|author=Gramlich, Chris|date=June 13, 2005|access-date=2013-07-21}}{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_13570.shtml#.UexMOI32Zx0|title=WWE News: Matt Hardy responds to ECW PPV, more PPV notes, Paul Bearer signs with WWE|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|author=Keller, Wade|date=June 13, 2005|access-date=2013-07-21}}
=NWA Total Nonstop Action (2002)=
Elektra appeared on the inaugural NWA Total Nonstop Action pay-per-view on 19 June 2002, with Ed Ferrera and Don West announcing that she would take part in a "lingerie battle royal" to crown the first "Miss TNA" the following week.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_62479.shtml#.UfQhV432Zx0|title=PWTorch Flashback - TNA's first-ever show 10 years ago today (06-19-02)|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|author=Keller, Wade|date=June 19, 2012|access-date=2013-07-27}} On the second weekly TNA pay-per-view, which aired on June 26, 2002, Elektra faced Alexis Laree, Erin Bray, Francine, Miss Joni, Miss Sasha, Shannon and Taylor Vaughn in the lingerie battle royal. The final two women left in the match were Elektra and Vaughn, with Vaughn eliminating Elektra to be crowned "Miss TNA".{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Martin |title=Full NWA-TNA Pay Per View Results - 6/26 |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/messages1/2024.shtml |publisher=WrestleView |access-date=2007-08-27 |date=2002-06-26 }} This was Elektra's final appearance in TNA.
Satin Dolls and ''The Sopranos''
Since retiring from professional wrestling in 2002, Elektra has worked as a booker for the Satin Dolls strip club in Lodi, New Jersey.{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/photos/Photos_Locations_where_The_Sopranos_filmed_around_North_Jersey.html?photo=3&c=y|title=Locations where 'The Sopranos' filmed around North Jersey|publisher=North Jersey Media Group|work=NorthJersey.com|quote=Satin Dolls dancers and employees poses with a shrine to James Gandolfini where scenes of The Sopranos where filmed. Diana LoMoro, back left on pole, and Elektra, far right, were featured in episodes of the show.|date=June 2013|access-date=2013-07-27}}
During the 2000s, Elektra made uncredited appearances as an extra in multiple episodes of the television series The Sopranos as a stripper in the "Bada Bing" strip club, scenes for which were filmed in Satin Dolls. Elektra and fellow "Bada Bing" strippers Justine Noelle, Kelly Madison Kole, Luiza Liccini, Marie Athanasiou, Nadine Marcelletti, Rosie Ciavolino and Sonia Ortega appeared in a photo spread in the August 2001 issue of Playboy magazine.{{Citation | title = Girls of Bada Bing! | newspaper = Playboy | pages = 15–20 | date = August 2001}} Elektra intentionally lost muscle mass for the photoshoot. In June 2013, Elektra was interviewed by RTL Nieuws, expressing sadness at the sudden death of James Gandolfini, the actor who starred in The Sopranos.{{cite web|url=https://www.uitzending.net/gemist/198659/RTL-4/RTL_Nieuws.html |title=Amerika neemt afscheid van Tony Soprano |language=dutch |work=RTL Nieuws |url-access=subscription |date=June 20, 2013 |access-date=July 27, 2013}}
Personal life
Adamo was married to fellow wrestler Alex Rizzo, who she met while training under Johnny Rodz.{{cite episode | title = An interview with Elektra by Chairshots Radio | series = Chairshots Radio | credits = Rod Siciliano | station = WBLQ (88.1 FM) | location = Westerly, Rhode Island | airdate = 23 May 2002 | transcript = "(Elektra:) It's real funny actually on how we met. When I had come back from actually Moolah's camp in South Carolina. I really needed to learn to work like the American workers. Which would be off of the left because Moolah trains off to the right, more like to go to Japan or overseas, that's where there is more work for the women. So I started training at Johnny Rodz's school, which at the time was at the Galaxy Gym, it wasn't yet at Gleason's"}} The couple divorced prior to Rizzo's death in May 2002. They also have a daughter together.
Adamo is Italian American.{{cite web|url=http://donnaadamo.com/2012/12/04/the-other-woman/|title=The Other Woman|author=Adamo, Donna|publisher=DonnaAdamo.com|date=December 4, 2012|access-date=2013-07-21}}
Adamo studied gemology at the Gemological Institute of America.
Other media
Elektra appeared as a playable character in the videogame ECW Anarchy Rulz, released for the PlayStation and the Dreamcast in August 2000.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/913686-ecw-anarchy-rulz/faqs|title=ECW Anarchy Rulz|publisher=GameFAQs|access-date=2013-07-21}}
References
External links
- {{IMDb name|0010662|Elektra}}
- {{Professional wrestling profiles|cagematch=107|wrestlingdata=177|iwd=elektra-772}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elektra}}
Category:20th-century female professional wrestlers
Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:21st-century female professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers
Category:American child models
Category:American female professional wrestlers
Category:American professional wrestlers of Italian descent
Category:Dangerous Alliance members
Category:Professional wrestlers from Brooklyn