Ivelisse Vélez Ivelisse Milagro Vélez ( September 21 , 1987 ) is a Puerto Rican professional wrestler . In 2011 , she was a contestant on " WWE Tough Enough " , but was eliminated from the competition due to injury . WWE signed her in November 2011 and Vélez adopted the ring name Sofia Cortez as she appeared in WWE ' s developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling as well as WWE NXT ; Vélez was released from the WWE in August 2012 . Professional wrestling career . Vélez began her wrestling career at the age of fifteen in the island of Puerto Rico . Soon after , she debuted in World Wrestling Council . She subsequently wrestled in the International Wrestling Association . After gaining experience , she began wrestling in the United States , starting on the Chicago independent circuit . She was eventually noticed by WWE and sent to Florida Championship Wrestling for further evaluation . She continued to work the indy scene in the U . S . before signing a contract with WWE . World Wrestling Entertainment ( 2011 - 2012 ) . Tough Enough ( 2011 ) . In March 2011 , Vélez was announced as one of the fourteen contestants for the revival of " Tough Enough " . On the May 10 episode , she was eliminated from the competition due to an injury . Florida Championship Wrestling ( 2011 - 2012 ) . After being cut from Tough Enough , on November 11 , 2011 , Vélez signed a contract with WWE . She made her debut under the name Sofia Cortez at a FCW house show in a 6 - women tag team match , teaming with Cameron Lynn and Audrey Marie to defeat Caylee Turner , Leah West and Raquel Diaz . She made her television debut on the December 25 edition of FCW , teaming with Caylee Turner to defeat Cameron Lynn and Kaitlyn . On the February 5 episode of " FCW television " Cortez teamed with Raquel Diaz in a losing effort to the team of Audrey Marie and Kaitlyn . On the March 11 episode of FCW television , Cortez formed an alliance with Paige and Raquel Diaz , with the trio attacking Audrey Marie . The following week on FCW " television " , Cortez teamed up with Paige losing to Audrey Marie and Kaitlyn . Cortez and Paige dubbed themselves the Anti Diva Army . NXT ( 2012 ) . In 2012 , Vélez , as Sofia Cortez , debuted on the July 4 episode of the sixth season of WWE NXT taped at Full Sail University , where she ( as a heel ) defeated Paige . On the July 25 episode of " NXT " , Cortez ( as a face ) defeated Natalya by count - out but suffered a post - match attack from Natalya . In August 2012 , Vélez announced that she had been released from her WWE contract . In her final match in WWE , Sofia reverted to her villainous persona in a loss to Tamina Snuka taped before her release . Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ( 2012 , 2013 ) . On October 11 , 2012 , Velez had a tryout match for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ; a losing effort to Tara . Velez returned to TNA on the February 28 , 2013 edition of Impact Wrestling ; defeating Lei ' D Tapa in a Gut Check Challenge match . Despite her victory , the Gut Check judges turned Velez down . Velez took part of the Knockouts Knockdown PPV on March 17 , 2013 ( aired September 6 , 2013 ) in a losing effort to Tapa . The same night , Velez also took part in the World Cup of Wrestling PPV ( aired December 6 , 2013 ) as a villain representing the Aces & Eights in a victorious effort against Mickie James , who represented Team USA . In the 5 - on - 5 elimination match for the TNA World Cup , Velez was eliminated by James . Shine Wrestling ( 2012 - present ) . Debut ; Valkyrie ( 2012 - 2013 ) . On November 17 , 2012 , Ivelisse debuted for Shine Wrestling at SHINE 5 in a losing effort to Athena . After the match , Ivelisse attacked Athena in the ring , establishing herself as a villainous character . On January 11 , 2013 , Ivelisse defeated Su Yung and later took part in forming the Valkyrie faction along with Allysin Kay , Taylor Made , April Hunter , and their leader Rain . Ivelisse defeated LuFisto in a highly praised match at SHINE 7 on February 22 , and was on the victorious end of an eight - woman tag team main event at SHINE 8 a month later . At SHINE 9 , Ivelisse lost to Jazz in a match for a spot in the SHINE Championship Tournament , but she would defeat the debuting Amber O ' Neal at SHINE 10 in May . An Injury to Jazz and vacant spots left by Allysin Kay ' s suspension and Taylor Made gave Ivelisse a second chance to qualify for the SHINE Championship Tournament , which she did by defeating Amazing Kong , Angelina Love , and Kimberly in one of two four - way qualifying matches that took place at SHINE 11 on July 12 . That same night , Ivelisse defeated Santana Garrett in the first round , but she lost to Mia Yim in the semifinals after Rain ' s attempt to interfere on Ivelisse ' s behalf backfired . At SHINE 12 on August 23 , Ivelisse competed in a # 1 Contender ' s three - way match against Yim and Jessicka Havok and lost to Havok . Ivelisse teamed up with the returning Allysin Kay in a victorious outing against Havok and Kong at SHINE 13 on September 27 . She teamed up with Kay again at SHINE 14 on October 25 in a losing effort against the Global Green Gangsters ( Kellie Skater and Tomoka Nakagawa ) for the SHIMMER Tag Team Championship . Ivelisse defeated Mia Yim at SHINE 15 on December 13 , and was named # 1 Contender for the SHINE Championship at the end of the show . SHINE Champion ( 2014 - 2015 ) . At SHINE 16 on January 24 , 2014 , Ivelisse defeated Rain to win the SHINE Championship , and after the match , she was attacked by Rain and the rest Valkyrie after being ousted from the faction , turning her into a babyface . Ivelisse was also attacked by the debuting Serena Deeb , who replaced her in Valkyrie . Ivelisse had her first title defense at SHINE 17 on February 28 , defeating Mercedes Martinez . At SHINE 18 on April 18 , Ivelisse defeated Saraya Knight to retain the title , and was again attacked by Valkyrie after the match . At SHINE 19 on May 23 , Ivelisse participated in a 10 - woman elimination tag team match , and was eliminated by Serena . At SHINE 20 on June 27 , Ivelisse competed to a time - limit draw against Serena in a match for the SHINE Championship . She defended her title successfully against Nevaeh at SHINE 21 on August 22 and against Madison Eagles at SHINE 22 on October 10 . On November 16 , 2014 , Ivelisse lost the SHINE Championship to Mia Yim during WWNLive ' s tour of China . Ivelisse confronted Mia Yim at SHINE 23 on December 5 before defeating Amanda Rodriguez via submission . She later saved La Rosa Negra from a post match attack from former Valkyrie cohort Taylor Made and got involved in the main event SHINE Championship match by attacking Nevaeh , causing Mia Yim to be disqualified . After the match , Ivelisse brawled with both women and attacked referees and Shine VP Lexie Fyfe , and had to be carried away by security . Return ( 2015 - present ) . At SHINE 27 on May 15 , 2015 , Ivelisse returned and challenged Santana Garrett to a match for the SHINE Championship . Ivelisse received her opportunity at SHINE 28 on July 24 , but failed to capture the title after the referee stopped the match due to her ankle injury . After the match , Ivelisse refused to shake Santana ' s hand . At SHINE 29 , Ivelisse and Amanda Rodriguez defeated Malia Hosaka and Thunderkitty . SHIMMER Women Athletes ( 2014 - present ) . On April 5 , 2014 , Ivelisse made her debut for SHIMMER Women Athletes at the SHIMMER 62 event in New Orleans ; defeating Kimber Lee in singles action . Lucha Underground ( 2014 – present ) . Vélez debuted on the November 5 , 2014 , episode of Lucha Underground , simply as Ivelisse , teaming with Son of Havoc in a loss to Sexy Star and Chavo Guerrero Jr . On February 8 , 2015 , Ivelisse , Son of Havoc and Angélico won a tournament to become the inaugural Lucha Underground Trios Champions . On the February 18 episode of " Lucha Underground " , Ivelisse earned her first singles victory against Angélico . < nowiki > < / nowiki > During the time Ivelisse , Havoc and Angélico held the championships , they defended and successfully retained them against The Crew ( Cortez , Castro and Bael ) in a ladder match on the May 20 episode of " Lucha Underground " , and against Cage , DelAvar Daivari and Big Ryck on the June 3 episode , despite Ivelisse suffering from a legitimate foot injury . Personal life . Velez played basketball and volleyball in high school . Before joining Tough Enough , she worked in Chicago as an assistant pet groomer . In Wrestling . Finishing moves Signature moves Wrestlers managed