Rosa Mendes Explains Her Longevity In WWE & More

Rosa Mendes spoke with Channel Guide Magazine promoting tonight’s Total Divas season premiere. Chekc out the highlights:

On auditioning for Diva Search in 2006: “I haven’t watched wrestling religiously, but I’ve always loved wrestling. When I would flip the channels, if I would see a girl’s match, I would watch. I never knew how to get into wrestling, but I thought, “Wow, it would be so cool to actually be a Diva.” I loved Trish Stratus, and she’s always been an idol of mine. I used to read a lot of fitness magazines, and before she even became a wrestler, I was following her career. Then I heard about this Diva Search and I though, “I have an opportunity to actually get into this business? That’s amazing!” I found out about it — apparently they had thousands of girls trying to enter this contest. I was picked as part of the final eight, and I came in 4th place, and got a contract, and I trained for 3-1/2 years before I debuted on TV.”

On working WWE developmental in OVW: “It was the biggest culture shock of my whole entire life. I’m actually so happy and grateful that I got a contract, because it completely de-spoiled me. I was this model that had everything, I thought I was God’s gift. Then I get into this business, where I don’t know anything about anything, and I’m like bumping in the ring, and I’m like, “Oh my gosh … .” Things came easy in my life always. I played basketball, was good at basketball. I got good grades, and everything was very easy. This was the most difficult and most challenging thing in my life. I think that’s where passion for it came in, because I thought, “Wow! This is like the hardest thing ever, and it hurts … .” Being a model and getting into wrestling, you’re not going to be welcomed with open arms. That was a challenge, too, and that made me want to fight more. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

On why she’s lasted this long on the main roster: “I think it’s really, really important for people to change. I always change my hair color. I come up with new ideas. Whatever I’m feeling and how my personality is, I bring it to the table, so I think it’s really important for a Diva to evolve. You can’t stay the same and keep the same gear and keep the same hair. I love trying out new things. Some things don’t really work and you learn the hard way, but some things work. I think that what’s helped me in my career is that I’m always working hard. I’m always changing stuff, changing it up, and I think that re-excites the audience. I think they see this new person come through the curtain after two years or one year, and they see this new kind of dynamic. I think that’s helped me stay in the WWE.”

100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTOS): Pre-Workout “SELFIE” Of Rosa Mendes!