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Lena Yada

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Lena Yada
Yada in 2009
Born (1978-11-12) November 12, 1978 (age 46)[1]
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.[2]
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 2011; div. 2023)​
Children1
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Lena
Lena Yada
Ninja Yada
Billed height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[3]
Billed weight108 lb (49 kg)
Billed fromLos Angeles, California
Trained byUltimate Pro Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling[2]
Jesse Hernandez
DebutJanuary 4, 2008
Retired2009

Lena Yada-Draiman[4] (born November 12, 1978) is an American former model, actress, professional tandem surfer, valet and professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Modeling and surfing

Yada was first runner-up in the 2002 Ms. Venus Swimwear International pageant[5][6] and is also a former Miss Hawaiian Tropic Japan.[7]

Yada modeled for Bench Warmer International Trading Cards beginning in 2004. She was featured in trading card sets again in 2006, 2008[8] and 2009.[9] As a Bench Warmer model, Yada has attended red carpet events to promote the cards.[10]

Yada competed in the quarter finals of the 2007 World Title of Tandem Surfing,[11] making it to rank thirteenth.[12] In March 2008, her pair was ranked 14 for the 2008 WTT.[13]

Yada was one of Sprite's campaign models when they changed their logo and could be seen in commercials, online advertising and in movie theaters. Yada was also a campaign model two years in a row for Sheiki Jeans (whose past campaign model included Jenna Jameson) and for Western Star. Yada's latest project was lead for Disturbed's music video "The Animal".

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment (2005–2008)

Yada first came to WWE auditioning for the 2005 WWE Diva Search and made it to the Top 30.[1] She auditioned again in 2007 and made it to the final eight and placed third overall in the competition.[14] On the October 22, 2007, edition of Raw she became the sixth contestant eliminated. On November 10, 2007, however, Yada was signed to WWE and made her SmackDown! television debut on January 4, 2008, as a backstage interviewer, interviewing Matt Striker and Big Daddy V.[15]

After appearing only once on SmackDown!, on January 8, Yada was transferred to ECW. She hosted a "Diva Dance Off" between Kelly Kelly and Layla El, only to suddenly include herself at the end and crown herself the winner.[16] She later became a heel and joined forces with Layla against Kelly Kelly, who had defeated them in a "Best Body" contest.[17] Yada continued as a valet to both Victoria and Layla for the next couple of weeks, but then Yada returned to her role as a backstage interviewer. In the Summer of 2008, Yada began in-ring training at the Ultimate Pro Wrestling facility in California.[2]

Yada participated in the Cyber Sunday annual Halloween Costume Contest. Yada was dressed as a Ninja. On November 3, 2008, on the 800th episode of Raw, Yada won her in-ring televised debut in a 16-wrestler tag team match after then WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix pinned Mae Young, although, she was never tagged in.[18] On November 10, 2008, she was released from her WWE contract just a week after her in-ring debut.[19]

Independent circuit (2009)

After the WWE, Yada won her first singles match against Christina Von Eerie at Pro Wrestling Revolution's show on June 6, 2009, in San Francisco as part of ChickFight, pinning Christina with a schoolgirl roll-up.[20]

Personal life

On September 25, 2011, Yada married David Draiman, the lead singer of heavy metal bands Disturbed and Device.[21][22] Their son was born in September 2013.[23] They divorced in 2023.[24]

Filmography

Year Film/Television Role Role Notes
2002 Son of the Beach Nokia[25] 1 episode
2004 Naked in the 21st Century Herself[25]
2005 Casting Ripe Live Herself[25]
2007 VH1's The Shot Red Carpet Model[26] Episode 7
2007 I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry Hooters Girl[25]
2008 Squeegees Red Bikini Girl[25]

References

  1. ^ a b "Yada's official website". Lena-Yada.org. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Lena Yada's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  3. ^ Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia. Dorling Kindersley. p. 184. ISBN 978-0-7566-4190-0.
  4. ^ Hartmann, Graham (October 12, 2012). "Lena Yada-Draiman – Hottest Rockstar Wives". Loudwire. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "News Archive – July – September 2001". Pageant News Bureau. Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  6. ^ "To be or not to be (famous)". Pageant News Bureau. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  7. ^ "Diva Search Finalist Speaks On The Contest, Playboy, WWE & Much More". Canvas Chronicle. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  8. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved December 24, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Celebrity Pictures, Entertainment News Photo Galleries and Videos | WireImage". www.wireimage.com. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  11. ^ "World Title of Tandem action hots up as final approaches". Surfers Village. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  12. ^ "2007 ISA Ranking". International Tandem Surfing Association. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  13. ^ WTT 2008. ITSA Tandem. Retrieved on March 9, 2008.
  14. ^ "Contestants". WWE. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  15. ^ "SmackDown! results". Online World of Wrestling. January 4, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  16. ^ "ECW results". Online World of Wrestling. January 8, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  17. ^ "ECW results". Online World of Wrestling. January 22, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  18. ^ "Raw results". Online World of Wrestling. November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 17, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  19. ^ "Kenny Dykstra, Elijah Burke and Lena Yada released". World Wrestling Entertainment. November 10, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  20. ^ "Former WWE Diva, Lena Yada takes on Christina Von Eerie in San Francisco". Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  21. ^ "Lena Yada got married". Online 24Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  22. ^ Childers, Chad (May 4, 2013). "David Draiman Announces Child on the Way, Calls for Unity in Metal World". Loudwire. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  23. ^ "Disturbed's David Draiman: Still Angry After All These Years". Yahoo. August 20, 2015.
  24. ^ "DISTURBED's DAVID DRAIMAN Opens up About His Recent Divorce: 'I Need the Music Right Now More Than I Ever Have'". April 15, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Lena Yada's profile". IMDb. Retrieved May 23, 2008.
  26. ^ "The Shot | Show Cast, Episodes, Guides, Trailers, Web Exclusives, Previews | VH1.com". Archived from the original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
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