Talia Madison

Velvet Sky is the captain of the Beautiful People trio. Before joining TNA, she worked the indies as Talia Madison. She is this week's Wrestler of the Week.

A solid background

Jamie Szantyr was a cheerleader and multi-sport athlete in high school. After graduating, she enrolled in Jason Knight's House of Pain wrestling school. She graduated with honors and was immediately thrown into several independent organizations. Due to her natural beauty and cheerleading background, she began her career as a valet under three different names: Miss Talia, Talia Doll and Talia Madison. She eventually turned to active wrestling. She formed a successful tag team with April Hunter. They were known as T&A, not to be confused with the WWE's Test and Albert (not that anyone would ever make that mistake).

During this same time, she won the WXW Women's title after surviving a Battle Royal. In 2005 and 2006, Talia made several appearance in the WWE, mostly as a background character or as a Talent Enhancer. She entered the 2007 Diva Search contest but was eliminated before making the Final Eight. After not making the cut, Talia went back to the indies, at least for a little while.

A new hope and a new name

In 2007, Talia was approached about joining the expanding TNA Knockout division. She first showed up at the 2007 Bound For Glory PPV, as Talia Madison, for the Gauntlet Match to determine the first Knockout champion. Shortly after that show, Talia was renamed Velvet Sky.

Sky was partnered with Angel Williams, who had been renamed Angelina Love. Their team was originally known as Velvet Love Enterprises. When the name got a luke warm reaction from fans, they got the new team name of...The Beautiful People. Love took the lead position for the duo. They began as faces, helping Gail Kim in her war against Awesome Kong. Eventually, they would turn on Gail and take their heel stance, that has lasted til this day.

The Beautiful People would eventually incorporate a "male stylist", Kute Kip (James). They would also expand their ranks to include Madison Rayne. The team splintered when Love won the Knockout title and Kute Kip was "fired". Love and Rayne began to team regularly. TNA teased a feud between Velvet and Angelina but nothing really became of it. Madison was also booted from the elite group.

When Angelina Love was released, following the expiration of her work visa, Velvet Sky became the leader of the reformed Beautiful People. She brought Madison back into the fold and eventually added Lacey Von Erich to the group. Velvet and Madison competed in the finals of the Knockout Tag Team title tournament. She became the only woman to compete in the finals of both the Knockout and Tag Team Tournamnents. Taylor Wilde and Sarita would defeat the Beautiful People to take the titles. Velvet, Madison and Lacey have continued to challenge for the Knockout Tag titles. While Velvet is currently not in the title picture, as it relates to the Knockout singles title, she could return at any time.

In Conclusion:

Velvet Sky/Talia Madison has served as a cornerstone of the Knockout division for close to three years now. She has also been a solid independent star. Clickwrestle.com has plenty of clips of her in action. Also be sure to check out all the photos and more background info over at OnlineWorldofWrestling.com

--Jay Shannon Jade89512@yahoo.com