Michelle Leigh McCool (born January 25, 1980) is an American professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the SmackDown brand. Michelle is a "self-professed" Women's Champion.
McCool was then sent to WWE's developmental facility, Deep South Wrestling (DSW), where she wrestled, performed interviews, hosted segments, and provided color commentary.
McCool originally worked as a middle school teacher in Palatka, Florida. She, however, joined WWE in 2004 after participating in the 2004 WWE Diva Search. In her initial on-screen role, she acted primarily as a personal trainer and occasional wrestler.
She also acted as the manager to the team of K. C. James and Idol Stevens, collectively known as The Teacher's Pets, in 2006 after changing her on-screen character to that of a teacher. At The Great American Bash in 2008, she became the inaugural WWE Divas Champion, holding the title for approximately five months. She then won the WWE Women's Championship at the The Bash in 2009, becoming the first person to have held both titles.
On the December 26, 2008 episode of SmackDown!, McCool lost the Divas championship to Maryse.
McCool then formed an alliance with Layla, and entered into a feud with Mickie James, which resulted in a five-on-five Elimination match at Survivor Series, which her team lost. James then became #1 Contender for McCool's championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, where McCool successfully retained her title. McCool lost the Women's Championship to James at the Royal Rumble.
She regained the Womens Championship on the February 26 edition of SmackDown when special guest referee Vickie Guerrero interfered, costing James the Championship. She, however, lost the title to Beth Phoenix at Extreme Rules.
On May 14, 2010, McCool faced Phoenix in a 2–on–1 Handicap match with Layla on her team, but Layla pinned Phoenix and won the Women's title. On the following SmackDown, McCool was announced as the 'Self-professed' Co-Women's Champion along with Layla, though WWE recognizes only Layla as the official champion.
McCool was married to Jeremy Louis Alexander, whom she began dating in high school. The couple divorced in 2006. McCool married fellow wrestler Mark Calaway on June 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas.
