It is an absolute wild time in the world of professional wrestling. The proliferation of streaming services has allowed wrestling from all over the world to be accessible to fans within the matter of seconds. Shows are now consistently drawing big numbers both on weekends, and weekdays. Television is booming with wrestling — currently you can tune into four uniquely different wrestling programs on three networks.
One of those shows in MLW Fusion on beIN Sports– the weekly hour-long series from Major League Wrestling (MLW for short). In the short year MLW has been on the air this thought-to-be Florida-based show has toured the U.S. and inked some of the biggest names in independent wrestling, and lucha libre to be a part of their exciting, tightly produced product.
However, one of the focal points of MLW since they got on the air was not an indie darling, or a lucha legend, or even an active in-ring competitor for MLW — it is a woman with less than two year’s experience in the business named Salina de la Renta.
From the moment she walked onto MLW’s programming, Salina de la Renta has commanded the screen. Her role as the impresario of the heel stable Promociones Dorado has been the straw that stirs the drink for MLW. Just like classic managers like Bobby Heenan, Skandar Akbar, and Gary Hart she is a charismatic presence that draws that seemingly every part of the show runs through somehow. She has been at the heart of nearly every main event feud in the promotion, and each week you see her just get more comfortable in her role — relishing in every boo and insult hurled her way.
As MLW gets ready for their SuperFight show at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday February 2, we spoke at length with Salina to talk about how she broke into wrestling, how her performing arts background prepared her to be a focal point of a company, her work as a commentator, and the experience of working with some of the legends of pro wrestling.
Let’s start from the beginning. How were you chosen to be one of the centerpieces of Major League Wrestling?
In the beginning, I met with Court (Bauer). He didn’t know me as a person, but he knew my work [as a wrestler prior to joining MLW]. I hadn’t really been around long, but what he saw was little promos that I cut in the ring, and perhaps a couple of matches. He told me he was going to give me the opportunity of a lifetime — which I agree that’s what it was.
In the beginning he brought me in with something in mind, but it wasn’t as big as it’s become. My performance allowed me to get where I am.
You trained under MLW official Mister Saint Laurent (MSL). Can you talk about how you go into the wrestling business, because I’ve read you weren’t a lifelong fan, it was something you discovered later in life.
That’s correct. My entire life I wanted to be an actress. I have a huge performing arts background but I didn’t know professional wrestling whatsoever. When I say I didn’t know — it wasn’t like I knew it but didn’t watch it — I legitimately didn’t know what it was. I mean, I knew John Cena and WWE, but I knew nothing else. Oh, I also remember The Boogeyman eating worms.
When I moved to Florida I wanted to pursue my career in screenwriting and filmmaking. I was in college and one of my professors told me I had to study reality television. That’s how I discovered Total Divas. That was the first thing I saw of wrestling. I loved it. So I looked into wrestling, and I decided this is what I want to do. Within a week I signed up to a school that was run by Mister Saint Laurent, who is the Vice President of MLW.
How long were into wrestling before Court and company reached out to you to be a part of MLW?
I think it was maybe a year or a year and a half.
Wow, you were relatively new in wrestling, and you were put into this role. Now you do have this performance background — do you think that helped you succeed in such an integral whereas someone with less experience may not have?
For what I do it definitely helps. I’ve been in performing arts my entire life. And when I say my entire life, I mean my entire life. I played Baby Jesus when I was born. My mom was really big into acting, and she wanted to be a Broadway actress.
My entire life was was training to become a performer, and how to become a better character. 80% of my time I’m thinking — How I can become a better character? How can I be more evil? How can I better? I’m always trying to find something new that people watching TV haven’t seen so I try studying a lot. The work I’ve put into acting, singing, dancing, modeling has definitely helped me land the role that I did.
You have a very unique managerial presence. You’re the center of attention, but you never overshadow who you’re bringing to the ring. That’s not an easy thing to do. Who do you study both in wrestling, and the world of pop culture that have helped you develop Salina de la Renta.
I’m not going to sit here and lie and say I study all these wrestling personalities. That’s not what I do. I definitely have looked into Missy Hyatt, Konnan, Huracan Castillo, The Invader, and Zelina Vega. This is not meant as a disrespect to other wrestling managers. Of course I watch all the MLW shows and their talent because I do [Spanish language] commentary. I study Tony Schiavone for commentary.
Outside of wrestling I look at [Robert Carlyle’s portrayal of] Rumpelstiltskin and the cast of Once Upon a Time. Everybody that plays an evil character has such a unique way of playing their roles. I’m looking at [Jeremy Piven’s performance] as Ari Gold from Entourage. I also look at [the Lifetime series] UnReal and [Shiri Appleby’s performance] the female producer character of that show. I’m also studying The Godfather, and El Chapo is next.
You work with, whether it’s managing or working against, some of the legends of lucha libre and independent wrestling — Konnan, LA Park, and Low-Ki.
I do study Konnan a lot. My thought is if I know someone as well as I know myself then I know how they’re going to react, and how I should be reacting to them. It’s still hard because he’s so good. So it’s difficult sometimes to come up with something really good because he never repeats himself. He’s pretty creative.
Like I said you work with and against some legends. Who has helped you the most whether directly or indirectly during your time in MLW?
I can’t say one person has helped me more or not. MLW is a family. There’s no competition, we’re a team. Everybody’s there to help. Alex Greenfield, who’s a producer for MLW, has helped me a lot. Konnan for sure — I’ve learned so much from him. He’s always working, so if he’s there, there’s always something to learn. Low Ki has a discipline and that’s something I learned from. I’m a future-driven person, and I learned I could do more because of him. He pushes me to better. LA Park, who has become one of my closest friends, is so positive. He’s religious, and I like how he interacts with people. Court Bauer has helped me so much. MSL, Bruce Prichard, Tony Schiavone, and so many others have helped me. I’m blessed to be around people who are legends in this business.
When thing you mentioned earlier was that you are indeed a trained wrestler. On Twitter Court Bauer mentioned that women’s wrestling would come more into focus in MLW in the near future. Will we see you step into the ring?
I got into wrestling to be a wrestler, not a famous shit talker. It’s my job and it’s the best job in the world. I want to wrestle but I had a bad injury last year [an ACL tear]. So I’m recovering from that. That’s why I have a cane, and wear flats.
You do Spanish language commentary for MLW Fusion on beIN sports. You’ve talked about wrestling training, your performance background — but talk about transitioning to commentary which is a totally different beast.
That was the hardest thing I’ve done in my career. Imagine being new to the business and trying to scramble and learn about as much about the business as I can so I can do a good job? I never wanted the audience to be like, ‘Oh, Salina doesn’t know what she’s talking about.’ I put a lot work in to my job. I love this job so much because I think I finally understand what’s going on and I have such a good chemistry with the two other commentators. Working with MLW and beIN Sports is amazing because not a lot of people can say I work for the show AND the network.
A question I ask a lot of wrestlers is — do you feel like right now is one of the best times to be a pro wrestler, and a pro wrestling fan?
I definitely think so. But I think it’s actually the best time to be a pro wrestler, a manager, and a woman. It’s either or for a lot of women. Some are focused on wrestling. Some are focused on managing. I believe if you’re multi-talented, and you’re focused, you’re a bigger asset. The more you can offer a company it’s the bigger money, the bigger role, and the bigger star you can be.
Salina de la Renta will manage multiple wrestlers this Saturday at MLW SuperFight at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday February 2. This show will have a live broadcast on beIN Sports. Click here for tickets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5kvxjXoKyA
