The Legacy Of Rosa Mendes' WWE Career (& What She's Doing Nowadays)

Highlights

Rosa Mendes broke into wrestling after finishing in Diva Search, had successful career despite limited impact on storylines.
Rosa started with a modeling career, partially won competitions before transitioning to wrestling and WWE.
Today, Rosa is semi-retired, focusing on family, Christianity studies, and open to a WWE return for Royal Rumble match.

Former WWE Superstar Rosa Mendes came to the company after being a part of the 2006 Diva Search contest. She broke into the wrestling business not long after failing to win the contest, as she was eventually signed by the company to a developmental contract. Before her chance at becoming a WWE Superstar, Rosa did pursue a modeling career after becoming the first American to win the "Piel Dorada", a major Latin American modeling contest. After her career was over, what became of Rosa Mendes? What is she up to today? Today, we have the answer to all those questions.

Height:	5'8"
Weight:	125lbs
Billed From:	San Juan, Puerto Rico
Age:	44
Trained By:	Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE Performance Center
Wrestling Debut:	November 2006
Retirement:	January 2020 (semi-retired)

A Look Back At The Surprisingly Long WWE Career Of Rosa Mendes

Despite rarely making an impact on storylines, Rosa Mendes somehow managed to have a WWE career lasting 11 years.

Rosa Mendes' Life Before The Wrestling Business

Rosa Mendes Had A Background In Kickboxing And A Modeling Career

Rosa Mendes (real name Milena Roucka) grew up in Vancover, British Colombia, despite being billed in the wrestling business from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is also of Czech and Costa Rican descent. Rosa was described as being a bit of a tomboy growing up and often got into fights in school, resulting in her suspension. As she got older, Rosa got into kickboxing and decided to train herself in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.

Rosa began a modeling career after dropping out of college, winning the "Piel Dorada", which is one of the biggest Latin-American modeling competitions in the world, also becoming the first North American-based contestant to win such a competition in 2004. The following year, she competed in and won the Hawaiian Tropics Ms. Indy 500 competition. After her modeling career began to wind down, she began Trident and Lux Soap commercials. She even earned a modeling and a small role in the video game Need for Speed: Most Wanted in 2005.

Rosa Mendes & 9 Other WWE Wrestlers Who Almost Never Won

While they did sometimes pull off a rare upset, these wrestlers never really won matches during their WWE career.

Rosa Mendes Debuted As Part Of The 2006 WWE Diva Search Competition

Rosa Mendes Was Part Of 'Total Divas'

Rosa Mendes cites Trish Stratus as her biggest inspiration for becoming involved in the wrestling business, as she entered the 2006 WWE Diva Search contest. Despite losing the contest, she was eventually signed by WWE in 2007 and began training in WWE's developmental program based out of Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). After building her skill set and experience in OVW, she moved on to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). During her time in both territories, she wrestled and competed for the respect women's championships but failed to win the titles. She would later become associated with FCW General Manager, Abraham Washington, as well during her time there.

Rosa made her main roster debut in 2008, managing "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix under the obsessed fan gimmick. Despite wrestling, much of Rosa Mendes' success in WWE came as a valet/manager for various superstars, such as Beth Phoenix, Zack Ryder, Alicia Fox, Tamina, Epico, Primo, and Fandango. She also had a prominent role on the reality series, Total Divas, in 2015.

By the following year, Rosa Mendes would transition over as a WWE correspondent (briefly), then would go on maternity leave after giving birth to her first child. In 2017, Rosa Mendes departed WWE, going into semi-retirement as she decided to focus on her personal life and being a mom.

In 2018, Rosa would make a comeback to pro wrestling by competing for MCW Pro Wrestling, competing in a mixed-tag match alongside former WWE Superstar, Adam Rose, as they defeated Joe Keys and Gia Scott.

Rosa Mendes & 9 Other WWE Wrestlers Who Were Signed For Way Too Long

WWE wrestlers like Rosa Mendes and Eva Marie were signed to contracts for way too long. These stars stayed with WWE longer than they were worth!

Rosa Mendes' Life After WWE

Rosa Mendes Would Be Open To A Royal Rumble Return

Since entering semi-retirement from the wrestling industry beginning in 2020, Rosa Mendes lives a quiet life focusing on her Christianity studies and being a mom. During an interview with Ring the Belle in 2022, Rosa gave fans an update as to what she's been up to lately, which included a tease that she would "open" to returning to WWE for a one-off appearance in a future Women's Royal Rumble match.

Rosa Mendes appears to be doing very well for herself these days and is putting her faith in God and Christianity, along with her love for family and helping others. Despite not becoming a champion in the wrestling business, she has become a champion in the heart of God and her loving family.