Jamine Benitez (b. 1980)
Alias:
Maria Toro
Mercedes Martinez
RETALIATION
Birthplace:
Waterbury, Connecticut, United States
Born:
November 17, 1980
is an American female professional wrestler. She is currently wrestling in many promotions through the Independent circuit. She has wrestled for Wrestlicious, SHIMMER, Evolve Wrestling, Impact Championship Wrestling, Women Superstars Uncensored, New York Wrestling Connection, Northern Championship Wrestling, Squared Circle Wrestling, National Wrestling Superstars, World Xtreme Wrestling, Full Impact Pro, IWA-MS, Ring of Honor, New England Championship Wrestling, and Jersey All Pro Wrestling. Mercedes got involved in professional wrestling after an injury sustained playing basketball in college. Mercedes was a standout basketball player in high school. She later transitioned to professional wrestling due to her love for contact sports. As Mercedes explained in an article for the Boston Herald in 2004, "Wrestling just came at the right time." Mercedes Martinez began her training under Jason Knight in October 2000. She defeated a male wrestler by the name of "Juice" in her first match on November 12, 2000. In 2001, she gained exposure under promoter Sheldon Goldberg. Goldberg subsequently formed a women's division in New England Championship Wrestling around Martinez, including bringing in foreign talent such as Yoshimoto Ladies Pro's Sumie Sakai. The duo traded the North American Women's Championship. Through 2003 and 2004, Martinez competed in various promotions in New England such as Connecticut Championship Wrestling, Combat Zone Wrestling, and Ian Rotten's IWA Mid South. In IWA, Martinez was brought in to face the star of the women's division, Mickie Knuckles.