Melanie Cruise

Melanie Goranson (born January 7, 1987) is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Melanie Cruise, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She is best known for her appearances in SHIMMER and POWW Entertainment.[2] She currently performs for several Northern United States-based independent promotions and was the first Resistance Pro Wrestling Women's champion.

Melanie Cruise
Cruise post-match in 2016
Birth nameMelanie Goranson
Born (1987-01-07) January 7, 1987[1]
Elk Grove Village, Illinois, United States[1]
ResidenceChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mel
Melanie Cruise
Billed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Billed weight175 lb (79 kg)
Billed fromChicago, Illinois
Trained byJimmy Blaze
Debut26 April 2008

Personal

Goranson is a native of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, the daughter of James "Jim" Goranson and Wendy Goranson. She competed in track and basketball at Elk Grove High School in Illinois and competed on the track team at Western Illinois University, before starting her wrestling career. Her siblings are all athletes. Her brother Jim was an All-State football player for Elk Grove High School in Illinois, who went on to play college football at University of Illinois and Georgetown University. Her younger sister Danielle "Dani" Goranson was an All-State softball player for Elk Grove, going an impressive 83-17 with a 1.20 ERA and 284 strikeouts in four seasons. Dani went on to play college softball at Michigan State University from 2013-16. Her other sister Nikki played college softball at Robert Morris. Her brother Mike wrestled for the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served and earned a Purple Heart. Their father James "Jim" Goranson coached softball at Regina Dominican High School in Wilmette, Illinois from 2011-13 and 2017-18, and also coached softball at Oakton Community College for two seasons. She has one child.

Career

POWW Entertainment (2008-2012)

Trained by Ruff Crossing, Jimmy Blaze and Scott Spade, she debuted for POWW on April 26, 2008. It was a tag team match teaming up with Kanoa to go against Traci Brooks and Chris Cairo. After she took part in a Triple Threat Match also including Mia Martinez and The Great Cheyenne, the eventual winner. Because Cheyenne won the match and didn't beat Cruise, they started a feud, eventually ending in Cruise beating Cheyenne in a best of three falls match. After that Melanie Cruise started another feud with Taylor Made, defeating her also in a Street Fight Match by landing The Cruise Control onto a garbage can. Melanie still competes for POWW in 2012 and is currently involved in a feud with Stacey Shadows

Shimmer Women Athletes

She made her first appearance for SHIMMER Women Athletes back on Volume 21 SPARKLE as she defeated Cherry Bomb in a Dark Match to win a future spot in the Main Roster.[2][3] She made her DVD debut on Volume 23 where she was defeated by "The Scream Queen" Daffney after her Daff Knees. She then aligned with Annie Social and Wesna Busic forming the Social Club. After missing Volume 24 she came back as part of Volume 25 losing to Nikki Roxx after a Barbie Crusher. Later in the night she took part in a Fatal 4 Way including Jennifer Blake, Kellie Skater and Jessie McKay (eventual winner).[4] On November 8 she teamed with Wesna Busic to defeat the Former SHIMMER Tag Team Champions Ashley Lane and Nevaeh. She continued her winning streak by defeating the debuting Kimberly Kash on Volume 28.[5] Since her tag team partner Wesna Busic retired she started teaming up with her manager Annie Social and as part of the Volume 29 they lost a #1 Contender Tag Team Match against the team of Nikki Roxx and Portuguese Princess Ariel. Later that night however they scored their first victory as a team against Jessica James and Rachel Summerlyn. On Volume 31 Melanie Cruise scored a huge win against Allison Danger thanks to the help of her manager Annie Social. In the after match the duo continued to attack Allison until Jennifer Blake made the save. As part of Volume 32 they lost a Tag Team Grudge Match against the Ultimate Punch (Jennifer and Allison).[6]

Supreme Wrestling Entertainment

She made her debut with Supreme Wrestling Entertainment on May 25, 2011 in Rubicon, WI. She took on and defeated Nikki St. John. She had originally been scheduled to take on Taylor Made, but Melanie Cruise had "Made Sure" Taylor didn't make it to the show, so she was replaced by Nikki. Melanie Cruise and Nikki St. John once again squared off on July 4, 2011. This time Nikki St. John got the win. She once again returned to SWE on August 6, 2011 at the West Bend Harley-Davidson 65th Anniversary Bash in West Bend, WI in a losing effort against TNA Impact Wrestling Knockout Traci Brooks. On December 17, 2011 Taylor Made finally got her hands on Melanie Cruise, but Cruise took the victory. The feud between Melanie Cruise and Nikki St. John continued on July 4, 2012 where Melanie picked up another victory on Nikki. Then on September 1, 2012 in a shocking event, Nikki beat Melanie with help from the crafty Chazz Moretti. It was immediately announced that Nikki was the newest member of the Moretti Agency.

Global Force Wrestling (2015)

On July 9, 2015, Cruise made her debut for Global Force Wrestling (GFW), unsuccessfully challenging Santana Garrett for the NWA World Women's Championship.[7]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)

Cruise made her All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut on the December 4, 2019 episode of Dynamite; joining the group of The Nightmare Collective, lead by Brandi Rhodes and including Awesome Kong and Dr. Luther. However, the angle was poorly received by fans and was dropped in February after Kong left the promotion to film GLOW.[8][9][10]

Championships and accomplishments

References

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