Mel Cervantes (July 22, 1986) is a Mexican-American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Thunder Rosa.
Early life[]
Mel Cervantes was born in 1986 in Tijuana, Mexico. She lived in places including San Marcos, Texas and San Ysidro, California. She graduated from Montgomery High School, in San Diego and later attended Laney College in Oakland. Cervantes studied Sociology at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California. She also attended the University of California, Berkeley. Cervantes spent some time working in the film industry.
Professional wrestling career[]
Early career (2014-2016)[]
Cervantes debuted as early as 2014, in a match for Supreme Pro Wrestling. Known mostly by the ring name Thunder Rosa, she went on to appear in western promotions including Gold Rush Pro Wrestling, All Pro Wrestling, Alternative Wrestling Show and numerous others. Thunder Rosa also wrestled internationally for two years in Japan's World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion from 2015–2016. Under the ring name Kobra Moon, she competed in the highly-popular Lucha Libre promotion Lucha Underground during 2015–2016 and 2018.
SHINE Wrestling (2017-2019)[]
Thunder Rosa debuted on October 20, 2017 during SHINE 46. There, she made her tag team debut with Holidead as team Twisted Sisterz. On that occasion, they challenged Ivelisse & Mercedes Martinez for the SHINE Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful. The Twisted Sisterz returned on July 20, 2018 at SHINE 52, during which they won a four-way tag team elimination match to win the Shine Wrestling Tag Team titles. Two months later at SHINE 53 the Twisted Sisterz retained the titles against members of team Cutie Pie Club Dementia D'Rose & Kiera Hogan. Two months later at SHINE 54, the Twisted Sisterz successfully retained the titles against team Las Sicarias (Ivelisse & Mercedes Martinez).
Returning on January 19, 2019 at SHINE 56, the Twisted Sisterz lost the Shine Wrestling Tag Team titles to team Rainbow Bright (Gabby Gilbert & Luscious Latasha). On March 16 at SHINE 57, team Twisted Sisterz competed in a rematch but did not succeed in winning the titles from team Rainbow Bright. At SHINE 58, Twisted Sisterz competed in a tag team lumberjill match for the tag team titles but did not succeed in defeating team Rainbow Bright.
Ring Of Honor (2018)[]
Rosa made her debut during the opening night of ROH State Of The Art event on June 15, 2018. There, she teamed with Kelly Klein in a tag match lost against Sumie Sakai and Tenille Dashwood. The following night of the State Of The Art event, Rosa wrestled her first ROH singles match, losing to Tenille Dashwood. Five months later, Rosa returned to ROH television during the December 15 episode of ROH. There, she debuted with Holidead once more as team Twisted Sisterz, defeating Britt Baker & Madison Rayne in a tag match.
The following year, the Twisted Sisterz returned on the January 12 episode of ROH, losing to Britt Baker & Madison Rayne in a tag team rematch. On January 25 during the second night of the ROH Road To G1 Supercard event, Twisted Sisterz defeated Madison Rayne & Sumie Sakai. Rosa also wrestled a singles match at the event, losing to Sumie Sakai. On the March 16 episode of ROH, Rosa lost a singles match against Madison Rayne.
Ladies Night Out (2018-2019)[]
Thunder Rosa debuted on August 18, 2018 during Ladies Night Out 3, defeating an opponent named Angela. She returned three months later on November 17 at Ladies Night Out 4, losing to Ivelisse.
The following year, Thunder Rosa returned on February 23, 2019 at Ladies Night Out 5, where she lost a singles match against Taya Valkyrie.
National Wrestling Alliance (2019-2020)[]
Rosa debuted on the November 5 episode of NWA Powerrr where she defeated Ashley Vox. She was a frequent tag team partner to Marti Belle during the months of November and December 2019. Rosa made her NWA pay-per-view debut on December 14 at Into The Fire defeating Tasha Steelz.
On January 24, 2020 at Hard Times, Rosa won her first title after defeating Allysin Kay to become the new NWA World Women's Champion. Her final match was during the February 25 episode of NWA Powerrr where she won via count-out against Melina to retain the World Women's title.
All Elite Wrestling (2020-present)[]
Rosa made her first match appearance on the Septmber 2 episode of AEW Dynamite defeating Serena Deeb. She made her pay-per-view debut during the second annual ALL OUT event where she lost a title match to the reigning AEW Women's World Champion Hikaru Shida. During the September 16 episode of Dynamite, Rosa successfully defended her NWA World Women's title, defeating Ivelisse. Rosa made her AEW Dark debut on the December 22 episode in a match defeating Jazmin Allure. She returned to television on the January 5 episode of AEW Dark defeating Ashley Vox. She returned the following month on the February 2 episode of AEW Dark where Rosa defeated Dani Jordyn. During the February 10 episode of Dynamite, Rosa competed in the United States Bracket of the AEW Women's World Championship Elimination Tournament where she advanced in the first round after eliminating Leyla Hirsch.
Personal life[]
In February 2019 Cervantes successfully became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
In wrestling[]
- Finishing and signature moves
- La Rosa
- Inverted DDT
- Snake Sleeper (Dragon sleeper)
- Vertigo
- Diving Double Stomp
- Complete Shot to Koji Clutch
- Fire Thunder Driver
- Teams and stables
- Nicknames
- "La Mera Mera"
- "The Unstoppable"
- Entrance themes
- "Unstoppable" by Kat DeLuna
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Allied Independent Wrestling Federations
- AIWF International Women's Championship (1 time)
- East Bay Pro Wrestling
- EBPW Ladies Championship (1 time)
- Gold Rush Pro Wrestling
- GRPW Lady Luck Championship (1 time)
- Inspire Pro Wrestling
- Inspire Pro Twin Dragon Connection Championship (3 times) – with Steve O Reno (1), and Juicy Thunder (1), and Raychell Rose (1)
- Lucha Underground
- Lucha Underground Trios Championship (1 time) with Daga & Jeremiah Snake
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked her #43 in the 2016 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #97 in the 2019 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI ranked her #5 in the 2021 PWI Top 150 Females
- PWI ranked her #3 in the 2022 PWI Top 150 Females
- PWI ranked her #65 in the 2024 PWI Top 250 Females
- Vendetta Pro Wrestling
- Vendetta Pro International Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Holidead as Twisted Sisterz
External links[]
| 2016 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Charlotte Flair • Sasha Banks • Asuka • Becky Lynch • Bayley • Jade • Natalya • Gail Kim • Sexy Star • Sienna • Ivelisse • Madison Eagles • Nicole Savoy • Rosemary • Allie • Nicole Matthews • Kimber Lee • Candice LeRae • Paige • Heidi Lovelace • Evie • Cheerleader Melissa • Nia Jax • Santana Garrett • Naomi • Dana Brooke • Madison Rayne • Kay Lee Ray • Alexa Bliss • Lufisto • Amber Gallows • Marti Belle • Emma • Taylor Made • Vanessa Kraven • Su Yung • Ember Moon • Tessa Blanchard • Jessicka Havok • Shayna Baszler • Crazy Mary Dobson • Malia Hosaka • Thunder Rosa • Carmella • KC Spinelli • Veda Scott • Jessica James • Xandra Bale • Kaitlin Diemond • Eva Marie |
