Alex Marvez's weekly look at professional wrestling

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Valerie Wyndham couldn't have a more apropos middle name.Elizabeth.Wyndham -- aka So Cal Val in TNA Wrestling -- has shined while emulating one of the industry's most beloved valets. When TNA management transformed Jay Lethal into a carbon copy of Randy Savage last year, it was inevitable that he would be paired with a character based on the "Macho Man's" wife and manager The Lovely Elizabeth (the late Elizabeth Hulette).Hulette and Savage (real name Randy Poffo) were pro wrestling's top couple from 1985-92 in World Wrestling Entertainment. Hulette then divorced Savage and later resurfaced in World Championship Wrestling before dying of a drug overdose inside the home of then-boyfriend Lex Luger (aka Larry Pfohl) in 2003. She was 42. Wyndham was a sound choice to become the next "Elizabeth" in late 2007. She possesses the same demure baby-face charisma that connects with fans. Plus, Wyndham had already studied Hulette extensively while aspiring to become one of grappling's top female personalities."Even though I'm young, it was not, 'Oh god, now I have to go back and take a look,'" the 22-year-old Wyndham said in a telephone interview. "I'd seen pretty much everything already. Jay and I did go back and watch tapes to refresh our memories and say, 'We should do this and try to put our spin on it.'"TNA recently placed its own twist on the Savage-Elizabeth marriage that headlined WWE's 1991 Summer Slam pay-per-view show. Lethal (Jamar Shipman) and So Cal Val were set to tie the knot on last month's Slammiversary card when "best man" Sonjay Dutt attacked the groom and professed his love for Wyndham. Lethal and Dutt (Retesh Bhalla) are now set to fight for Wyndham's affection on Sunday's Victory Road pay-per-view show emanating from Houston.Admittedly, Wyndham sometimes felt unloved by TNA matchmakers while trying to find her niche. Since joining the company in 2005, Wyndham only had a bit role on TNA Impact telecasts (Thursdays, 9 p.m. Eastern, Spike TV) as ringside eye candy. She also did backstage interviews and modeled TNA merchandise before finally getting her big break with Lethal."I always assumed an opportunity would arise because so many girls and guys go in and out of storylines," Wyndham said. "I hear people complaining while wishing for the same thing. We all would get down about it, but at the same time, everyone can't have a prominent role all the time."Despite her age, Wyndham already has extensive wrestling experience. She already has accompanied more than 100 different grapplers since breaking into the business as a 15-year-old in Southern California.Wyndham has worked extensively on the independent circuit and draws inspiration from some of the industry's top female talent. Among those singled out by Wyndham are Hulette, WWE heiress Stephanie McMahon, former Extreme Championship Wrestling valet Francine Fournier and Missy Hyatt, who was one of grappling's top 1980s villains."Elizabeth presented a classy aspect, while Missy was the first spoiled little rich girl," Wyndham said. "I really fashioned my (previous) character that way as a bratty socialite."While legitimately known as one of the industry's most fan-friendly performers, Wyndham would love to introduce the shady persona she has showcased on the independent circuit into TNA. That could happen if she sides with Dutt at Victory Road."It's funny because I've been a heel about 80 percent of the time in my six-plus years in wrestling," Wyndham said. "I find myself out there in TNA trying to do heelish things. I have to pull back the reigns and say, 'This isn't you right now.'"People think the baby-face thing comes naturally to me but it's actually the opposite. You can't do as much creatively. For a lot of males in the audience, their first reaction is to cheer a pretty girl. It's a little more challenging to get them to hate you, especially as a dressed-up girly type."Booker T vs. Samoa Joe headlines Victory Road. For more information, visit www.tnawrestling.com. (Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro wrestling column for Scripps-Howard News Service. Contact him at alex1marv@aol.com.)