The Northern Westchester Examiner

YHS Grad to Appear on Popular Pro Wrestling Reality Show

Rick Pezzullo
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Maybe being a runner-up can be as glamorous as finishing first.

Amanda Saccomanno, 24, a 2008 Yorktown High School graduate, is proving that as she prepares to make her debut on the E channel’s popular professional wrestling reality show Total Divas.

“I’m really excited for you guys to see all of us,” Saccomanno said from the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on the E channel’s periscope promoting the fifth season of Total Divas, which premieres at 9 p.m. “I’m excited for you guys to see a side of Mandy that you don’t know of.”

In August, Saccomanno, wrestling as “Mandy Rose,” finished second on the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) show Tough Enough competition on the USA Network  for a $250,000 contract.

She was initially chosen from more than 11,000 hopefuls to be among the final 13 competitors and one of only six women. One male and one female were given one-year contracts after the 10-week show where three professional wrestlers judged the wannabe superstars on their abilities but fans in the WWE Universe had the final say.

After falling short, Saccomanno vowed the fans hadn’t seen the last of her, and she was right as she landed a spot with the top WWE female wrestlers on a show that spotlights their personal lives outside the ring.

“All the divas are awesome. It’s definitely a struggle getting thrown in there being the newbie,” she said. “Definitely scary, I’m not going to lie. It’s a lot of fun finally being in the ring. It’s tough. It’s hard not coming from a wrestling background.”

Saccomanno earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology from Iona College. In 2014, Saccomanno was crowned “WBFF Diva Bikini Pro World Champion” in the largest and most prestigious “fitness and fashion” competition in the world. She recently partnered with USN (Ultimate Sports Nutrition), a worldwide leader in sports nutrition and bodybuilding supplements. Her workout routine includes weight training, Cross Fit, Pilates, dance and yoga.

During her promotion of Total Divas, Saccomanno said fans would meet her three older brothers and other family members but noted crews had yet to film in Yorktown, where she mentioned her favorite restaurant was Traditions 118.

“My favorite part about the show is probably spending time with all the divas and traveling around the world,” she said. “It’s definitely a great experience for me.”

 

 

 

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