Shelly Martinez, an American model, actress, and valet, opened up on the Ring The Belle podcast about how WWE still owes her money from her wrestling career.
A retired professional wrestler is famous for her appearance in ECW under the ring name Ariel and in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) as Salinas.
Highlights
- Shelly Martinez signed a developmental contract with WWE in April 2005 but was released on May 18, 2007.
- She blamed Dave Batista for her release and joined TNA before retiring from professional wrestling in May 2017.
- She mentioned WWE still owes her money from her wrestling career on the Ring The Belle podcast.
Shelly Leonor Martinez worked as a model and was introduced to a wrestling trainer after being cast in an independent film about wrestling.
She began her wrestling career in Southern California under the ring name Desire and appeared in several promotions, such as Revolution Pro Wrestling, Ultimate Pro Wrestling, and Empire Wrestling Federation.
In December 2004, she trained at WWE’s developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), and signed a developmental contract in April 2005.
However, Shelly joined the ECW in mid-2006 as a tarot-reading fortune teller and began appearing with Kevin Thorn in vignettes. WWE released her on May 18, 2007.
Shelly Martinez’s Struggles With Unpaid Wrestling Earnings
Even after 17 years, the former professional wrestler Shelly Martinez is in the limelight for her unpaid dues from WWE.
She appeared on the Ring The Belle podcast and mentioned WWE owes her money even if the amount is less than $100.
Imagine a world where Shelly Martinez returned to the WWE 10 years ago? It almost happened! While being a Rosebud for Adam Rose at a Live Event, she was told by Bray Wyatt that her name was discussed for being Sister Abigail.
— Female Locker Room (@femalelroom) December 21, 2024
(Full Awesome Interview on Ring The Belle) pic.twitter.com/fmNWBajJXf
Although her unpaid dues are in small figures, Shelly explained that she still wants it so that she can enjoy tacos, cannabis, and vodka.
She is an animal rights activist and also an advocate of medical marijuana.
Furthermore, she blamed Dave Batista for firing her from WWE in May 2007. They had an aggressive conversation backstage, during which he said unnecessary and uncalled-for things.
She was sure it could have been a legal problem for Batista and WWE if it was outside the wrestling. She believed wrestling was a man’s business, and they fired her when she fired back.
Kevin and I are going to go on live TV next. And I see that wrestler, while we’re waiting, whisper over to Batista. And I’m like, ‘Oh shoot. It’s on.’ And Batista goes, ‘Hey Shelly, how about you mind your business when you’re in catering?’
Shelly Martinez
I took a second and I thought, ‘I have an action figure coming out. I performed at WrestleMania. I guess this is a good day to get fired.’ And I said, ‘Last I checked, you weren’t even in catering. So why don’t you mind your own f*cking business?’
Dave developed a grudge against her after he overheard her conversation with Melina, and John Laurinaitis advised her to resolve their issue by shaking hands.
However, he wouldn’t shake hands with her and didn’t come to terms back then. She was a vampire girl in the fake ECW, and he was Batista, whom WWE wanted to accommodate.
After her release, she claimed that WWE tried to erase her from their records, and she wasn’t on their alumni page.
Nonetheless, she has restored friendly relations with Dave Batista as of 2025. They made amends and ended that negative energy a long time ago.
She now feels annoyed when people make fun of him in front of her.
After Leaving WWE, Shelly Martinez Performed In TNA
Shelly participated in a Knockout Gauntlet battle royal to crown the first TNA Knockout Champion in 2007 at Bound for Glory.
Later, she appeared as a masked member of the Latin American Xchange (LAX) and helped them win by attacking the Rock ‘n Rave Infection’s valet, Christy Hemme.
Under the ring name Salinas, she began accompanying Homicide and Hernandez to the ring as their valet. Her in-ring debut was against Awesome Kong, who quickly defeated her.
Afterward, she competed more frequently but opted to leave as TNA denied a pay rise in 2008.
Shelly used her real name and wrestled for the Perros del Mal promotion in Mexico. She was a part of the World Independent Ladies Division and World Wrestling Fan Experience in the Philippines.
She defeated Lucky O’Shea in her debut match for Championship Wrestling From Hollywood in August 2010 and appeared as Ricky Mandel’s storyline girlfriend.
Shelly announced her retirement from professional wrestling in May 2017.
In addition to wrestling, she has starred in American Pinups Vol. 2, Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too, Dead Things, and The Search for the Next Elvira.
In late 2011, she became the hostess for the horror news website MoreHorror.com. She has a passion for radio and started the show Funtime Radio with her sister, Danielle.
Additional Information
- 44-year-old, Shelly Martinez was born on February 9, 1980, in Chino, California.
- She has appeared as a contestant on the 2007 reality series “The Search for the Next Elvira.”
- As of 2025, she is possibly single but has dated Kris Pavone and JT Dunn.
