Chelsea talks "Tough Enough" experience and working for her WWE dream

Tears filled the eyes of Chelsea Green after she was eliminated this week on WWE “Tough Enough” on USA Network.

The Canadian was sent on her way because Paige used her save for the season on GiGi. Being a diva is all the competitor has wanted for some time, which is why the disappointing result struck her hard.

“This is my dream, and I want this so bad,” she said.

“Then I have to think everything happens for a reason. Just like I was asked on the show for a second time, it is fate and whatever is meant to be will be. I kind of have to take this as a learning experience and move on and keep working.”

Green,24, was brought in to replace Dianna in the third week of the show. Much like Patrick, she was seen as a favorite due to her existing training experience.

“I was not on this to be on a TV show and for people to get to know me in that sense,” she said.

“I was on it for people to get to know me as a wrestler and as this character I wanted to portray myself as. I don’t think that was a negative quality. Maybe it didn’t get me to the end in this situation. But down the road, that may be why I get to the end.”

After she wasn’t part of the initial cast Green went back to Canada and continued her training. She was given three days notice from WWE about an opportunity to come back for the competition.

“I had my mattress strapped on top of my Jetta and was driving across Canada to further my training and move to a different province,” she recalled.

“Then I got the call. I just pulled a u-turn and headed straight back home, unloaded the car and game on. I was ready for it.”

The new addition was familiar with the other competitors in the “Tough Enough” barracks from the tryouts. She also watched the show. This gave her an idea of what the finalists had gone through, day-to-day life and the challenges

“Mentally, I felt like I had been there even though I wasn’t there,” Green said.

“I felt I trained hard enough at home that I could keep up with them when I got there…I think naturally when I walked in they were a little put-off. How could you not be? It’s a competition. It’s like what they said to me before that if there is anyone who deserves this opportunity and second chance it was me. I came into the tryouts with the experience and the knowledge. I wasn’t going to throw that in their face, but I was definitely going to use that to my advantage. So I think they were a little nervous.”

Green quickly entered the mix and was tested during the challenges. The driven athlete soldiered on, even after injuring her ankle

“I think I’m going to take away from this the realization of how mentally strong I am,” Green said.

“Not so much physical because I know how much I’m capable of physically. Mentally, to be thrown in this situation with no real notice and to live in the barracks and be surrounded by essentially strangers and be forced to perform at your peak. Mentally it was draining, but it was such a good experience. I found out how strong I am mentally that I don’t think there is anything I can’t do anymore.”

Green will also never forget the chance she had to work out in the WWE Performance Center alongside some of the biggest names in the industry.

“It’s something that is indescribable,” Green said.

“These are all your childhood heroes surrounding the ring you are in and giving you the advice nobody in the world can get. It was amazing. I was so excited to get that experience to pick all of their brains…Everyone brought something different to the table. I think I connected with Lita the best because she was a woman. She was able to get in the ring and go through the drills with myself and the other competitors. It was nice to have that one-on-one time with Lita.”

Growing up Green idolized another celebrated WWE Hall of Famer in Trish Stratus. The Toronto bombshell caught her eye when she would watch with her little sister.

“Every girl that watched wrestling and watched Trish Stratus wanted to be like her,” she said.

“It’s just a matter of who is actually going to get the training and work their butt off and actually become a wrestler. Trish Stratus definitely inspired me.”
Green discovered respected veteran Lance Storm and his Storm Wrestling Academy in 2013. The rookie would go five days a week for three months before setting out on the independent scene. She began honing her skills as Jaida.

“I was wrestling at least once or twice a week,” Green said.

“I’ve been doing that now for over a year-and-a-half. It’s one of those things where I knew this is what I wanted to do, so I put 110 percent into it. This has been my life for the past two years. It’s kind of given me a little bit of a head start on this journey. So I’ve been able to get an inside scoop from Lance and doing extra work with WWE as to what you need and what it really takes to be a diva and superstar. I think going into this competition knowing what it takes and that it was not going to be easy has really helped me.”

A unique opportunity presented itself with WWE a year ago where she landed an onscreen role to play in a storyline. Green appeared as Daniel Bryan’s physical therapist Megan Miller. Stephanie McMahon accused Bryan of cheating on wife Brie Bella with Miller. Green says a Bella slap actually legit popped an eardrum and gave her a nice concussion.

“I was lucky enough to play this amazing role, and I took full advantage of it,” she said.

“I wanted to make sure that when I left that arena I was going to get as far as I could with WWE…It was absolutely terrifying, but it was one of those things that if you are a natural or want to be able to do it, you have to take advantage of the opportunity. This is when you have to do it. Getting in the ring in front of hundreds and thousands of people in the arena and millions watching on TV, it was kind of a do or die moment. Luckily, I did alright.”

With “Tough Enough” behind her, she remains motivated as ever in achieving her ultimate goal of making it in WWE.

“I think I’m going to head back and spend a little bit of time with my family,” Green said.

“Then I’m going to get straight back into training. I’m going to make sure that I’m training in the ring with Lance everyday and working as hard as I can in the gym. I want to get a coach for outside the ring as well because that plays a huge part in it. I’m going to do as much as I can to make sure I get to the top as quickly as I can. At this point all I can do is train.

“I know that I love this. I know this is what I’m meant to do. So I won’t stop. I’m just going to keep going. They can tell me no for the next 10 years, but it’s not going to stop me. I’ll keep training and get there.”