ODB

Our resident philosopher profiles the new TNA Knockout Champion.

Training and Early matches

Jessica Kresa grew up in Minnesota and played Ice Hockey in high school and college. In fact, she was the captain of her high school's first all-girl hockey team. Jessica became a fan of wrestling as a young child, watching both the AWA and WWE. During her second year in college, Jessica hired a personal trainer to get her ready for a wrestling career. She received her early professional training under the guidance of the legendary Eddie Sharkey. She worked independent shows in and around Minnesota under various ring names, including Kresica and Jessica/Jessie James. She often faced small man, like Daivari or Ken "Mr. Kennedy" Anderson in the ring.

Becoming a B*tch

In 2003, Jessica got her first national exposure by working with TNA. There was a rap star, at the time, who worked as O.D.B (Ol' Dirty Bastard). Jessica took the ring name of O.D.B., which stood for One Dirty B*tch. It also would stand for One Dirty Broad and One Dirty Babe, during her career. On her first run in TNA, ODB faced off against Trinity and Traci Brooks.

After a couple more years working the indy scene, ODB came to the attention of WWE scouts. She was offered a developmental deal in Ohio Valley Wrestling. ODB created the OVW Women's title, since OVW didn't have one, at the time. She would hold the title for a couple of months, before dropping it to Serena Deeb. A few months later, ODB would take the title of "Miss OVW". She did have a bit of help from Victoria "Alicia Fox" Crawford. ODB won her second women's title from Katie Lea (Burchill). She would drop the belt to the woman now known as Rosa Mendes. ODB was quietly released from OVW and WWE not long after dropping the belt.

Back to TNA

After leaving the WWE, ODB was offered a spot on the 2007 Bound For Glory Pay-per-view. She competed in the 10 Knockout Gauntlet to determine the first Knockout champion. She would be eliminated by Roxxi, who would eventually lose to the first Knockout champion, Gail Kim. ODB was set to be a major heel in the Knockout division but the crowd just adored the tattooed, drunken powerhouse. ODB played up her character to levels that no one in WWE or TNA could have imagined.

During the first Impact of 2008, ODB bested 7 other Knockouts in a Gauntlet match to become the number one contender to the TNA Knockout title. The title was now held by Awesome Kong. ODB challenged for the title at both Against All Odds and Destination X, losing both matches. During the summer of 2008, ODB joined Rhaka Khan and Rhino to battle Angelina Love, Velvet Sky and Kute Kip (James) aka The Beautiful People. ODB would later join the Frontline to battle against the Main Event Mafia.

After the Mafia/Frontline storyline faded out, ODB shifted her focus to the Kongtourage (Kong, Raisha Saeed and Rhaka Khan). ODB was victorious in almost every contest against the group. The one exception was taking the Knockout title from Kong. ODB then decided to find some lucky person to spend the night with her. The finalists were: Shark Boy, and some sleazy unnamed guy and Cody Deaner. She chose Cody, who was supposedly a male counterpart to her "trailer park" mentality. ODB then began to train Cody to be a "Rassler".

During this time, Angelina Love took the Knockout title. ODB and Cody teamed against Love and Velvet Sky at Hard Justice. The winner of the match would become the new Knockout champion. Cody scored the pin and kept the belt, instead of giving it to ODB. That led to a battle between Cody and the entire Knockout division. ODB took the lead and challenged her former boyfriend for the title. She would go on to feud with Kong and Tara over the title. On November 2, 2009, Dixie Carter announced that ODB had signed a new multi-year contract with TNA. There had been small rumors that ODB was considering an offer from WWE. Since resigning, ODB has continued her feuds with Tara and Kong. ODB took a major heel turn in late December, attacking Tara on her (ODB's) talk segment. Tara would defeat ODB for the Knockout title on December 20 at Final Resolution. On the December 31st edition of Impact, ODB survived an 8-woman Tournament to become the number one contender to the Knockout title. On the January 4, 2010 special Monday night episode of Impact, ODB regained her title from Tara.

In Conclusion:

  ODB has been a solid wrestling star for 8 1/2 years. She is a two-time TNA Knockout champion. She is also one of the most colorful characters in wrestling, and that's not just due to the massive amount of tattoo ink that covers her body. You can check out the different eras in ODB's career by checking out the video clips at ClickWrestle.com. More biographical info and photos are available at OnlineWorldofWrestling.com.

Peace

--Jay Shannon TheHeadLocker@SBCGlobal.net