Sara Del Rey

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Sara Amato
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Sara Del Rey
Inoki Dojo
Debut2001[2]
RetiredSeptember 2012

Sara Ann Amato (born November 13, 1980) is an American

IWA Mid-South and All Pro Wrestling,[3] as well as Mexico's Lucha Libre Femenil.[5] Del Rey also taped several matches, competing under a mask and using the name Nic Grimes, for the MTV promotion Wrestling Society X.[5]

Del Rey was the inaugural

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.[7] She is currently employed by WWE as the Assistant Head Coach and producer of their developmental territory at NXT, based in the WWE Performance Center.[8]

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.[1][3] 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.[1][3] She briefly attended college following her graduation from high school, but disliked it and decided to become a professional wrestler instead.[1] She initially trained with All Pro Wrestling's boot camp, and was trained by Tommy Drake, Donovan Morgan, and Micheal Modest.[3] 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 said he is so happy he 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.[6] She later went on to train in Japan.[1]

Professional wrestling career

Japanese and Mexican promotions (2002–2007)

In 2002, Amato tried out for the Japanese promotion Arsion founded by Aja Kong, and she considers it a highlight of her career.[5]

On February 15, 2005, she won Impact Zone Wrestling's Women's Championship by defeating Adrenelyn on an event in Japan.[5][9] 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.[1] She was unmasked in a match in the Lucha Libre Femenil promotion on December 16, 2005.[5] She later donned a mask once again as Nic Grimes, the storyline sister of Vic Grimes for Wrestling Society X.[1][5]

Shimmer Women Athletes (2005–2012)

Del Rey debuted for

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.[13]

Del Rey as the Shimmer Champion in October 2007

On April 7, 2007, Del Rey defeated both

Amazing Kong at Volume 15, and Sarah Stock in a two out of three falls match at Volume 16.[17] 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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20] 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.[21]

On November 8, Del Rey defeated

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.[22] On July 7, Del Rey and Rush lost the titles to the Canadian NINJAs.[23]

Chikara (2006–2012)

Del Rey appearing for Chikara in 2012

Del Rey had been wrestling for

The Batiri. Del Rey eventually won the match by pinning her former stablemate Tim Donst.[37] During December's JoshiMania weekend, Del Rey picked up wins over Japanese wrestlers Aja Kong, Tsubasa Kuragaki and Ayako Hamada.[37] 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.[37] On July 28, Del Rey received her first shot at the Chikara Grand Championship, but was unable to dethrone the defending champion, Eddie Kingston.[37] The following day, Del Rey was defeated by Icarus in her Chikara farewell match.[37]

Ring of Honor (2006–2012)

In 2006, Del Rey feuded with

The Kings of Wrestling
.

The Kings of Wrestling
in 2011

In the second episode of

Nikki Roxx.[38]

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.[39] On August 11 at Boiling Point, Del Rey and Edwards defeated Bennett and Kanellis in a tag team match.[40]

In 2020, Del Rey won an online tournament between several female wrestlers of ROH.[41]

Jersey All Pro Wrestling (2009–2010)

Del Rey in May 2009

Del Rey debuted for

TNA Knockouts Championship.[49] 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

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.[50] 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.[51]

WWE (2012–present)

On July 9, 2012, it was reported that Del Rey had signed a contract with WWE.[52] 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.[53][54] She is currently being referred to by her real name.[55]

Amato would change the way the WWE Women's Division was trained as she would teach the women the same moves that the men's roster would perform and not rely on hair-pulling and catfights.

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.[56]

Personal life

Amato has cited Aja Kong[1] as her inspiration.

Amato is in a long-term relationship with wrestler Claudio Castagnoli.[57]

Championships and accomplishments

Alexxus
in 2010.
Del Rey executing a belly-to-back suplex against Leah von Dutch in 2011
Claudio Castagnoli
in 2009.

Notes

a Championship not officially recognized by Ring of Honor.

References

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  4. ^ "Meet the NXT Women's division's secret weapon".
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Joe Babinsack (May 25, 2007). "Joe Babinsack looks at Sara Del Rey". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved December 27, 2007.(subscription required)
  6. ^ a b c Brian (2007). "Interview with Sara Del Rey". Worldwide-Wrestling.de. Archived from the original on October 29, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
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External links

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