Sara Del Rey
{{Short description|American professional wrestler}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = Sara Del Rey
| image = Sara Del Rey ROH.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Del Rey in 2011
| birth_name = Sara Ann Amato{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/24/16298186.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130101023641/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2010/11/24/16298186.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 1, 2013|title=Sara del Rey out to prove she's 'Queen of Wrestling'|date=November 24, 2010|last=Van der Griend|first=Blaine|access-date=December 3, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|11|13|mf=y}}{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/s/sara-del-rey.html|title=Sara Del Rey's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=December 27, 2007}}
| birth_place = Martinez, California, U.S.
| names = The American Angel
Nic Grimes
Nikki
Sara Amato{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/how-sara-amato-is-changing-divas-division-26194085|title = Meet the NXT Women's division's secret weapon}}
Sara Del Rey
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}
| weight = {{convert|160|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
| trainer = Donovan Morgan
Robert Thompson{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=19664|title=Joe Babinsack looks at Sara Del Rey|author=Joe Babinsack|publisher=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|access-date=December 27, 2007|date=May 25, 2007}}{{subscription required}}
Bryan Danielson
All Pro Wrestling
Inoki Dojo
| retired = September 2012
| partner = Claudio Castagnoli (2011-present)
}}
Sara Ann Amato (born November 13, 1980) is an American professional wrestling trainer and retired professional wrestler, best known by her ring name Sara Del Rey. She was a mainstay for Chikara, Ring of Honor (ROH) and Shimmer,{{cite web|url=http://worldwide-wrestling.de/interview_saradelrey_englisch.html |title=Interview with Sara Del Rey |publisher=Worldwide-Wrestling.de |access-date=December 27, 2007 |author=Brian |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029122419/http://www.worldwide-wrestling.de/interview_saradelrey_englisch.html |archive-date=October 29, 2007 }} but also appeared for many other independent promotions in the US, including IWA Mid-South and All Pro Wrestling,{{cite web|url=http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/Nikki/N.asp|title=Sara del Rey's profile|publisher=G.L.O.R.Y. Wrestling|access-date=December 27, 2007}} as well as Mexico's Lucha Libre Femenil. Del Rey also taped several matches, competing under a mask and using the name Nic Grimes, for the MTV promotion Wrestling Society X.
Del Rey was the inaugural Shimmer Champion and co-holder of the Shimmer Tag Team Championship with Courtney Rush, making her the promotion's first double champion. In 2012, she became the fourth woman to make it to Pro Wrestling Illustrated's list of top 500 wrestlers in the world.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/35134-cm-punk-named-1-in-the-2012-pwi-top-500|title=CM Punk named No. 1 in the 2012 PWI Top 500|last=Martin|first=Adam|work=WrestleView|date=August 21, 2012|access-date=August 22, 2012}} She is employed by WWE as the Assistant Head Coach and producer of their developmental territory at NXT, based in the WWE Performance Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/new-nxt-head-coach-and-assistant-head-coach-named-27411186|title=New Head Cat and Assistant Head Coach named for NXT, WWE's developmental system|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|access-date=May 22, 2015}}
Early life
As a child, Amato considered herself a fan of professional wrestling, citing Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior as two of her favorites due to their high energy characters and matches. She did not watch it for several years, but became interested again during high school. Amato admits that in high school, she was "really shy and kind of awkward and scared of social situations", which made her doubt whether she would actually make it as a professional wrestler. She briefly attended college following her graduation from high school, but disliked it and decided to become a professional wrestler instead. She initially trained with All Pro Wrestling's boot camp, and was trained by Tommy Drake, Donovan Morgan, and Micheal Modest. In the beginning, Amato had to spend hours training, as wrestling did not come naturally to her. Tommy Drake was later interviewed, admitting Sara was not naturally talented and he didn't think she would make it, but he later said "I was so happy I was wrong, as she was a genuine person and the definition of a book that you don't judge the cover of. She worked her butt off to prove me and everyone else wrong, and that's why she deserves to be where she is". She later went on to train in Japan.
Professional wrestling career
=Japanese and Mexican promotions (2002–2007)=
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}In 2002, Amato tried out for the Japanese promotion Arsion founded by Aja Kong, and she considers it a highlight of her career.
On February 15, 2005, she won Impact Zone Wrestling's Women's Championship by defeating Adrenelyn on an event in Japan.{{cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/saradelray.htm|title=Sara Del Rey's profile|publisher=Gerweck.net|access-date=December 27, 2007}} Later in 2005, she toured Japan again, and released a video that depicts six of her matches entitled "Sara Del Rey Japan Tour 2005". She also wrestled in Mexico, using the gimmick "The American Angel", in which she wore a wrestling mask. She was unmasked in a match in the Lucha Libre Femenil promotion on December 16, 2005. She later donned a mask once again as Nic Grimes, the storyline sister of Vic Grimes for Wrestling Society X.
=Shimmer Women Athletes (2005–2012)=
Del Rey debuted for Berwyn, Illinois–based Shimmer Women Athletes at their inaugural show in 2005, where she wrestled Mercedes Martinez to a twenty-minute time limit draw. At Volume 2, she won a four-way elimination match against Daizee Haze, Lacey and Martinez, by lastly eliminating Haze.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=2|title=Shimmer Volume 1 & 2 Results|publisher=RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On February 12, 2006, she was able to defeat Haze in the main event of Volume 3, and then Rain at Volume 4.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=3|title=Shimmer Volume 3 & 4 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} In the main event of Volume 5, Del Rey pinned Mercedes Martinez in a singles match. Later in the night, The Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew challenged Martinez to a tag team match, and Del Rey agreed to be Martinez's partner. At Volume 6, Del Rey and Martinez were defeated by Rain and Lacey.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=4|title=Shimmer Volume 5 & 6 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On October 22, Del Rey defeated the debuting Nattie Neidhart. After the match, she was challenged by Martinez to a rematch at Volume 8, which Sara agreed to. In the main event of Volume 8, Del Rey lost to Martinez, and suffered her first singles loss in Shimmer.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=5|title=Shimmer Volume 7 & 8 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
File:Sara Del Ray Champion - 101307.jpg in October 2007]]
On April 7, 2007, Del Rey defeated both Cheerleader Melissa and Nikki Roxx in the main events of Volume 9 and Volume 10, leading her to the Shimmer Championship tournament.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=6|title=Shimmer Volume 9 & 10 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On June 1, Del Rey advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament by first eliminating Cindy Rogers, and then Alicia. At Volume 12, she defeated Sarah Stock, and went on to defeat Lacey in the finals to become the first ever Shimmer Champion. Later in the night, she teamed with Nikki Roxx to defeat the Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=7|title=Shimmer Volume 11, 12 & 13 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Del Rey made her first successful title defense against Lacey in a rematch at Volume 14.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=8|title=Shimmer Volume 14 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Del Rey defeated Amazing Kong at Volume 15, and Sarah Stock in a two out of three falls match at Volume 16.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=9|title=Shimmer Volume 15 & 16 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} At Volume 17, Del Rey teamed up with Allison Danger in a losing effort to the team of MsChif and Cheerleader Melissa. At Volume 18, MsChif challenged Del Rey to a championship match, which Del Rey accepted. Later in the night, Del Rey lost the Shimmer Championship to MsChif, ending her reign at 329 days.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=10|title=Shimmer Volume 17 & 18 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
On July 5, 2008, Del Rey took part in a 21-woman number one contender's battle royal, but she was eliminated by Portuguese Princess Ariel. Del Rey then attacked Ariel, leading to a match between the two at Volume 19, which Del Rey won. At Volume 20, Del Rey defeated Serena Deeb.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=11|title=Shimmer Volume 19 & 20 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On October 19, Del Rey was challenged by Deeb to a rematch, which once again was won by Del Rey. At Volume 22, Del Rey was challenged once again by Deeb, but this time she did not accept.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=12|title=Shimmer Volume 21 & 22 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} On May 2, 2009, Del Rey defeated Madison Eagles of the Pink Ladies. Later in the night, she and Amazing Kong attacked Shimmer Champion MsChif, only to be scared off by Cheerleader Melissa. At Volume 24, Del Rey teamed up with Amazing Kong to defeat MsChif and Melissa, becoming the number one contenders to the Shimmer Tag Team Championship. However, at Volume 26, Del Rey and Kong failed to capture the titles from defending champions Nevaeh and Ashley Lane after being disqualified. The duo proceeded to attack the champions after the match, but they were forced to leave the ring by Serena Deeb and Mercedes Martinez. Later that night, Del Rey and Kong defeated Deeb and Martinez.{{cite web|url=http://wrestlefuse.com/shimmer/modules.php?name=Calendar&op=view&eid=13|title=Shimmer Volume 23, 24, 25 & 26 Results|publisher= RottNKorpse|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=September 21, 2009}}{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
On November 8, Del Rey defeated Jessie McKay. Later that night, she was disqualified in a match against Ayako Hamada, but Hamada ordered that the match be restarted, which Del Rey won. At Volume 33, Del Rey defeated Nevaeh. At Volume 34, she was defeated by Jessie McKay in a three-way match that also included Hamada. At Volume 35, Del Rey defeated Rachel Summerlyn, with help from Daffney. At Volume 36, Del Rey competed in an 8-woman tag team elimination match, but was eliminated by Hamada. On March 18, 2012, Del Rey and Courtney Rush defeated Hamada and Ayumi Kurihara, the Canadian NINJAs (Nicole Matthews and Portia Perez) and Regeneration X (Allison Danger and Leva Bates) to win the Shimmer Tag Team Championship, making Del Rey the first woman to have held both of Shimmer's championships.{{cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1332168664 | title = Results of Shimmer Vol. 47 and 48 tapings | last=Cooper | first=Chad | date=March 19, 2012 | access-date=March 19, 2012 | work=WrestleView}} On July 7, Del Rey and Rush lost the titles to the Canadian NINJAs.{{cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1341769180 | title = Indy News #4: ROH Newswire, NCW Femme Fatales | last=Namako | first=Jason | date=July 8, 2012 | access-date=July 8, 2012 | work=WrestleView}}
=Chikara (2006–2012)=
File:Sara Del Rey at Chikara 2013.jpg in 2012]]
Del Rey had been wrestling for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–based Chikara since May 2006, mainly as a fan favorite. In November 2009, she was placed in her first major storyline in the company, when she turned into a villain and aligned herself with Claudio Castagnoli, Ares, Daizee Haze, Pinkie Sanchez, Tim Donst and Tursas to form the stable Bruderschaft des Kreuzes (BDK).{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/123128| title=Contemplating Chikara 11.28.09: Long Tall Weekend|access-date=October 24, 2010|last=Ford|first=Kevin|date=November 28, 2009|work=411Mania}} While in BDK, Del Rey began regularly teaming with Haze, and together the two of them picked up victories over tag teams such as The Osirian Portal (Amasis and Ophidian),{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/129175/The-CHIKARA-Special-2.07.10:-The-Cat%5C%5Cs-Out-Of-The-Bag.htm|title=The Chikara Special 2.07.10: The Cat's Out of the Bag|last=Ford|first=Kevin|date=February 7, 2010|access-date=October 24, 2010|work=411Mania}} Los Ice Creams (El Hijo del Ice Cream and Ice Cream, Jr.),{{cite web| url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1269358039.php?style=dark|title=Chikara: Results from weekend events|last=Martin|first=Adam|date= March 23, 2010|work=WrestleView|access-date=October 24, 2010}} The Throwbacks (Dasher Hatfield and Sugar Dunkerton),{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/DVDs_-_VGames_-_Books_25/article_43128.shtml|title=Radican's Chikara DVD review series: "Anniversario Zehn" – Pink Ant-Fire Ant, 8 Man Tag main event|last=Radican|first=Sean|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=August 15, 2010|access-date=October 24, 2010}} Amazing Kong and Raisha Saeed,{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/video_reviews/147874/100-Percent-Fordified:-CHIKARA---Chikarasaurus-Rex:-King-of-Show.htm|title=100 Percent Fordified: Chikara – Chikarasaurus Rex: King of Show|last=Ford|first=Kevin|date=August 4, 2010|access-date=October 24, 2010|work=411Mania}} and Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/17552/|title=Chikara Young LionsCup day one DVD report|last=Cambo|first=Rick|date=September 15, 2010|access-date=October 24, 2010|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On September 19, 2010, Del Rey wrestled Japanese joshi legend Manami Toyota in only her second match in the United States, when she and Claudio Castagnoli were defeated in a tag team match by Toyota and Mike Quackenbush.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/17865/|title=Latest Chikara DVD review including Manami Toyota appearing|last=Cambo|first=Rick|date=October 9, 2010|access-date=October 24, 2010|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} On October 23, Del Rey represented BDK in the torneo cibernetico match, where they faced a team of Chikara originals, and was eliminated from the match by Eddie Kingston.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/18049/|title=Chikara Torneo Cibernetico show review|last=Carroll|first=John|date=October 24, 2010|access-date=October 24, 2010|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} The following day, Del Rey and Haze defeated the Super Smash Bros. (Player Uno and Player Dos) in a tag team match to pick up their third straight victory and, as the first all–female tag team, earn the right to challenge for the Chikara Campeonatos de Parejas (tag team championship), at the time held by their stablemates Ares and Claudio Castagnoli.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1288376845|title=Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly|last=Boutwell|first=Josh|date=October 29, 2010|access-date=October 29, 2010|work=WrestleView}} However, Del Rey and Haze never got to cash in their points, as Ares and Castagnoli ordered them to defend them in a four-way elimination match on November 21, where they ended up being eliminated by Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw and losing all of their points.{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/163089/CHIKARA-Report-11.21.10-%E2%80%93-Philadelphia,-Pennsylvania.htm|title=Chikara Report 11.21.10 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|last=Higham|first=Joshua|date=November 21, 2010|access-date=November 22, 2010|work=411Mania}} In May 2011, Del Rey entered the 12 Large: Summit to determine the first ever Chikara Grand Champion. On July 31, Del Rey scored an upset win over BDK leader Claudio Castagnoli in a tournament match, after which both she and Haze were attacked by Castagnoli.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1312312490|title=Indy News #4: Chikara weekend results|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=August 2, 2011|work=WrestleView|access-date=August 2, 2011}} On August 3, Del Rey announced her resignation from BDK.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc2tZFYXcwQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/cc2tZFYXcwQ |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=Video des Kreuzes (8.3.11)|date=August 3, 2011|work=Chikara|access-date=August 3, 2011|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} On October 7, Del Rey was eliminated from the 12 Large: Summit, when she was defeated by Mike Quackenbush.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1318713356|title=Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly|last=Boutwell|first=Josh|date=October 15, 2011|work=WrestleView|access-date=November 1, 2011}} On November 12, Del Rey was part of Team Hallowicked in the eighth annual torneo cibernetico, facing a team of members of BDK and The Batiri. Del Rey eventually won the match by pinning her former stablemate Tim Donst.{{cite web|url=http://www.chikarapro.com/results.php|title=Past results|access-date=November 12, 2011|work=Chikara}} During December's JoshiMania weekend, Del Rey picked up wins over Japanese wrestlers Aja Kong, Tsubasa Kuragaki and Ayako Hamada. In early 2012, Del Rey began feuding with the Batiri stable, which culminated on June 2 at the Chikarasaurus Rex: How to Hatch a Dinosaur pay-per-view, where Del Rey and Saturyne defeated the Batiri by disqualification in a two-on-three handicap match. On July 28, Del Rey received her first shot at the Chikara Grand Championship, but was unable to dethrone the defending champion, Eddie Kingston. The following day, Del Rey was defeated by Icarus in her Chikara farewell match.
=Ring of Honor (2006–2012)=
In 2006, Del Rey feuded with Daizee Haze, whom she defeated on June 3, 2006 at a Ring of Honor (ROH) show. She was part of the team the Dangerous Angels, with Allison Danger, and the two competed as a team in ROH. One of the few female mainstays of ROH, Del Rey was a member of Sweet & Sour Inc., a faction of wrestlers managed by Larry Sweeney. During her time in the faction, she was paired with Chris Hero by Sweeney and dubbed the "Intergender Heavyweight Tag Team Champions", though in reality, the "titles" were never recognized by ROH. She walked out of the faction after Sweeney interrupted a match between her and Daizee Haze on the April 11 ROH show and berated her. On the next ROH show which took place the next day, Sweeney claimed, in storyline, that he was "grooming" Del Rey for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and she responded by saying she was a wrestler and not a Diva. She returned as a "proud member" of Sweet & Sour Inc. at the May 9 ROH show. After Sweeney's departure from ROH, Del Rey followed Chris Hero and became a member of The Kings of Wrestling.
File:Kings and Queen of Wrestling.jpg, Sara Del Rey and Chris Hero as The Kings of Wrestling in 2011]]
In the second episode of Ring of Honor Wrestling on HDNet, Del Rey defeated Daizee Haze. As part of the fourth episode, she lost in a tag team match, along with Sassy Stephie, against Haze and Nevaeh. She also took part in a three-way non-title match against Haze and Shimmer Champion MsChif, which Mschif won. She also appeared in a match on the 17th episode, when she and MsChif defeated the team of Haze and Nevaeh. On September 28, 2009, Del Rey won a match against Nikki Roxx.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1254545651.php#at|title=ROH on HDNet Results – 9/28/09|last=Martin|first=Adam|publisher=WrestleView|date=October 3, 2009|access-date=February 7, 2010}}
Del Rey returned at the June 29 tapings of Ring of Honor Wrestling, saving Adam Cole and Eddie Edwards from a beat down from Mike Bennett, Brutal Bob and Maria Kanellis.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1341085221|title=Spoilers: 6/29 ROH Sinclair TV tapings in Baltimore|last=Namako|first=Jason|work=WrestleView|date=June 30, 2012|access-date=July 10, 2012}} On August 11 at Boiling Point, Del Rey and Edwards defeated Bennett and Kanellis in a tag team match.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/otherppvs/article_64194.shtml|title=Radican's ROH Boiling Point iPPV report 8/11: Live report from Providence – Steen vs. Kingston title main event, Steen punches fans after main event|last=Radican|date=August 11, 2012|first=Sean|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=August 11, 2012}}
In 2020, Del Rey won an online tournament between several female wrestlers of ROH.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=136412 |title=Sara Del Rey Wins Women'S Bracket Of Honor Championship |publisher=PWInsider.com |date=2020-05-14 |accessdate=2022-05-13}}
=Jersey All Pro Wrestling (2009–2010)=
Del Rey debuted for Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW) at their very first show on January 10, 2009, where she defeated Daizee Haze. On the second show on May 9, she defeated Amazing Kong, and later in the night won a battle royal, becoming the number one contender to the inaugural JAPW Women's Championship. On June 27, she was able to defeat ODB in Jersey City, New Jersey to become the inaugural JAPW Women's Champion. She was also able to retain the title against Portia Perez at European Homicide on August 1. She made her second title defense against Hailey Hatred in Beachwood, New Jersey on September 12. At Halloween Hell, she squashed Roxie Cotton to make her third title defense. On November 13, Del Rey successfully defended the championship against Alissa Flash at a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) house show in Wayne, New Jersey.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1258223798.php?style=dark|title=11/13 TNA Results: Wayne, NJ|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=November 14, 2009|publisher=WrestleView|access-date=November 14, 2009}} The following day at JAPW Girl Power, Del Rey fought Cheerleader Melissa to a double disqualification, after Hailey Hatred attacked both Del Rey and Melissa. Later that night. it was announced that at the next JAPW show, the three women would face off in a three-way no disqualification match, with Del Rey's championship on the line.{{cite web|url=http://www.japw.net/news/news.php?a=260|title=WD: Quick Results from Girl Power and Notes|access-date=January 10, 2010|date=November 17, 2009|publisher=Jersey All Pro Wrestling}} Del Rey made a successful title defense against Sumie Sakai at Season's Beatings. On January 9, 2010, Del Rey won the three-way no disqualification match, thus retaining the championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.japw.net/news/news.php?a=277|title=Back Where It All Began Results & Notes|date=January 10, 2010|access-date=January 11, 2010|publisher=Jersey All Pro Wrestling}} On January 23, she defeated Madison Rayne at JAPW's 12th Anniversary Show to retain the championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1264357799.php?style=dark|title=Indy News #5: January 24 (JAPW)|date=January 24, 2010|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=January 24, 2010|publisher=WrestleView}} Del Rey continued to defend her title, and was able to defeat Hailey Hatred in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Wild Card, a JAPW show where the champions had to defend their titles against mystery opponents.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1269190722.php?style=dark|title=Haas wins gold in New Jersey|last=Gerweck|first=Steve|date=March 21, 2010|access-date=March 21, 2010|publisher=WrestleView}} She defended the title against Ayumi Kurihara at Old School on April 17,{{cite web|url=http://www.japw.net/forum/index.php?topic=1912.msg26321#msg26321|title=JAPW "Old School" Quick Results|date=April 18, 2010|access-date=April 18, 2010|publisher=djarahway}} and against Annie Social at Notorious Thunder on May 22.{{cite web|url=http://www.japw.net/forum/index.php?topic=2004.0|title=JAPW "Notorious Thunder" Quick Results|date=May 23, 2010|access-date=May 23, 2010|publisher=djarahway}} On July 3, Del Rey wrestled at another TNA house show, losing to Angelina Love in a match for the number one contender-ship to the TNA Knockouts Championship.{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_42338.shtml|title=7/3 TNA results in Asbury Park, N.J.: RVD vs. Styles, Lethal vs. Wolfe, Tables match |date=July 5, 2010|access-date=July 5, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}} On November 20, she retained the championship against Mia Yim, and against LuFisto at the 13th Anniversary Show on December 11. After Del Rey signed with WWE in July 2012, the JAPW Women's Championship was declared vacant, ending her reign at 1,108 days.
=NCW Femmes Fatales (2009–2010)=
On September 5, 2009, Del Rey took part at the debut show of NCW Femmes Fatales, where she defeated Cherry Bomb. Later in the night, after LuFisto's match, she attacked the owner of the promotion and challenged her to a match at the next show.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/09/09/10811156.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714092401/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/09/09/10811156.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Femmes Fatales debut hot in Montreal|date=September 9, 2009|last=Laparade|first=Patrick|access-date=December 3, 2010|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}} Del Rey took part in the tournament to determine the inaugural NCW FF Champion, but lost to LuFisto in the first round on June 5, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://ncw.qc.ca/ff/resultats/results_ff3.html|title=Résultats de NCW Femmes Fatales III|date=June 5, 2010|access-date=December 3, 2010|publisher=NCW Femmes Fatales|language=fr}}
=WWE (2012–present)=
On July 9, 2012, it was reported that Del Rey had signed a contract with WWE.{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/26458-wwe-signs-woman-star-theyd-have-never-considered-a-few-years-ago|title=WWE signs woman star they'd have never considered a few years ago|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=July 9, 2012|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|access-date=July 10, 2012}} In September 2012, Del Rey became the first ever female trainer in WWE's developmental territory NXT, based at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.{{cite web|title=NXT Wrestling – Trainers|url=http://www.fcwwrestling.info/NXT-Wrestling-Staff.html|publisher=NXT Wrestling|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531214919/http://www.fcwwrestling.info/NXT-Wrestling-Staff.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 31, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=Sara Del Rey-WWE Update|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/72286/sara-del-reywwe-update.html?p=1|work=PWInsider|access-date=June 7, 2013}} She is currently being referred to by her real name.{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/how-sara-amato-is-changing-divas-division-26194085|title=WWE's secret weapon: How Sara Amato is changing the Divas division|author=Clapp, John|website=WWE|date=March 12, 2014}}
On May 19, 2015, Amato was promoted to NXT assistant head coach by WWE, following the resignation of Bill DeMott. She is currently working side by side with the current NXT head coach, Matt Bloom.{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/93833/wwe-announces-two-appointments-in-running-nxtdevelopmental.html?p=1|title=WWE Announces Two Appointments in Running NXT/Developmental|author=Scherer, Dave|website=PWInsider|date=May 19, 2015|access-date=May 20, 2015}}
Personal life
Amato has cited Aja Kong as her inspiration.
Amato is in a long-term relationship with wrestler Claudio Castagnoli.{{cite podcast |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/3qO9wH0AzCpc1brsPcwQEp |title=Allison Danger |website=The Sessions |publisher= |host=Renee Paquette |date=7 July 2022 |time= |access-date=10 July 2022}}
Championships and accomplishments
File:Del Rey's Royal Butterfly.jpg in 2010.]]
Image:Sara Del Rey suplex.jpg against Leah von Dutch in 2011]]
File:Sara Del Rey and Claudio Castagnoli.jpg in 2009.]]
- Canadian Wrestling Revolution
- CWR Women's Championship (1 time)
- Chikara
- Torneo Cibernetico (2011)
- Impact Zone Wrestling
- IZW Women's Championship (1 time)
- Jersey All Pro Wrestling
- JAPW Women's Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/wtjapw.html|access-date=October 13, 2009|publisher=Solie's Title Histories|title=JAPW Women's Title History}}
- Ohio Championship Wrestling
- OCW Women's Championship (1 time){{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 4 of the top 50 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-female-50/2012.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2012|work=The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=December 29, 2012}}
- Ranked No. 430 of the top 500 wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2012.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2012|access-date=August 25, 2012|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}
- Pro Wrestling WORLD-1
- SUN Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/pa/e/world1/world1-wm.html|access-date=March 20, 2012|date=July 18, 2012|publisher=Wrestling-titles|title=Pro-Wrestling SUN Title}}
- Ring of Honor
- Undisputed World Intergender Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Chris Hero{{ref label|1|a|a}}
- ROH Year-End Award (1 time)
- Shimmer Wrestler of the Year (2007)
- Remix Pro Wrestling
- RPW Women's Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=73512|access-date=April 7, 2012|publisher=Cagematch|title=Remix Pro Royal Battle: Throw Down For The Pound 5}}
- Shimmer Women Athletes
- Shimmer Championship (1 time, inaugural)
- Shimmer Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Courtney Rush
Notes
{{note label|1|a|a}} Championship not officially recognized by Ring of Honor.
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Twitter}}
- {{Chikara profile|sara-del-rey|Sara Del Rey}}
- [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/sara-del-rey/ Online World of Wrestling profile]
- [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/HitTheRopesRadioShow/2009/06/17/Hit-the-Ropes-Radio-Show Hit The Ropes Radio - Interview]
- {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{Shimmer Championship}}
{{Shimmer Tag Team Championship}}
{{WWE personnel}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Del Rey, Sara}}
Category:21st-century American sportswomen
Category:21st-century female professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers
Category:American female professional wrestlers