candice michelle: more than eye candy

More than eye candy

Becoming one of the sexiest women on television is a rigorous task in the world of sports-entertainment—just ask the hundreds of thousands that applied and weren’t accepted in this year’s $250,000 Diva Search. But, for RAW Diva Candice Michelle, obtaining Diva status simply isn’t enough.

The stunning brunette that graced the cover of Playboy aspires for more than recognition for her physical attributes.

“It’s such a preconceived notion that I’m the girl that came from Hollywood and I’m an actress and I’m a model—but in reality I’m a girl who likes to get down and dirty and play sports and have fun,” she said.

And Candice has been getting down and dirty, in a grungy, underground training facility in the outskirts of Los Angeles called the Barrio.

The environment seems more suitable for barbarians, not a WWE Diva. There are chicken coops in the corner, burned out TVs scattered about and a broken down ice cream truck parked near the ring—which is a collection of boards covered by a flimsy mat.

Still, she insists that type of atmosphere is part of what’s pushing her to excel, and her commitment to improve hasn’t gone unnoticed.

WWE Legend and former member of the Four Horsemen, Arn Anderson, has been helping Candice train. What especially impressed him was that she trained on her days off and ventured into a rundown area like the Barrio.

“She wants to become a valuable part of this company and become a good wrestler; she’s doing her best and I’m proud of everything she’s accomplished,” said Anderson.

He notes her attitude – especially her self discipline – as something that others who wish to succeed in sports-entertainment should emulate.

“She takes guidance; she takes constructive criticism,” said the WWE Legend. “Candice is one of those girls that you tell her one time and she will go out do her best to make it happen.”

Anderson noted her improvements have been vast since he began training her, saying that when she first signed with WWE, she was like many of the spectators that see WWE on television and think it’s something anyone can do.

They think they can do this…until they crawl through those ropes and they find out they don’t have a clue. That’s where she started,” said Anderson , “and she’s come a long way.”

Still, even with all of her hard work, there’s always room for improvement.
“She’s got to get 200 percent better before we’re going to be happy and where she wants to be and where we want her to be,” he said.

When Candice signed with WWE, she was told by the Chairman that the opportunity for her to shine would be there; while her looks alone could probably carry her, she decided not to settle for anything less than WWE’s top prize.

“[Mr. McMahon] said, ‘I give you guys the platform to become a star, but you have to make yourself a star,’ and it just really hit home with me,” she said. “So, if I’ve got to go down to the chicken coops and get in the ring then that’s what I’ve got to do. It’s just giving me that extra oomph to go after the Women’s Championship."