Sharmell | |
---|---|
Birth name | Sharmell Sullivan |
Born |
Gary, Indiana, United States |
November 2, 1970
Residence |
Friendswood, Texas, United States |
Alma mater | Spelman College |
Spouse(s) | Booker T (m. 2005) |
Children | 3 |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Paisley Queen Sharmell Sharmell Sister Sharmell Storm |
Billed height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
Billed weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) |
Billed from | Houston, Texas |
Trained by |
WCW Power Plant Ohio Valley Wrestling Dave Finlay Molly Holly |
Debut | 1998 |
Retired | 2009 |
Sharmell Sullivan-Huffman (born November 2, 1970) is an American retired professional wrestling valet and professional wrestler. As the wife of Booker T she is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as Queen Sharmell until her release in 2007. She first came to prominence in the wrestling world as Storm a member of the World Championship Wrestling dance troupe the Nitro Girls and she also played a character called Paisley. Sullivan-Huffman performed for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Sharmell from 2007 until leaving the company in 2009.
Sullivan was valedictorian of Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, in 1988, and graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.
At age 20, Sullivan won the 1991 Miss Black America pageant (she was Miss Black Indiana), which was marred by accusations of rape by Miss Black Rhode Island, Desiree Washington, against pageant judge Mike Tyson. After winning the title, Sullivan began a career in professional dance, touring with several hip hop artists and R&B bands, including a 3½ year stint with James Brown.
Sullivan joined World Championship Wrestling's Nitro Girl dance troupe in December 1998 under the name Storm. When the Nitro Girls began becoming more involved in WCW storylines, she was made the valet for The Artist, re-dubbing herself Paisley. As Paisley, she made her in-ring singles debut against Tammy Lynn Sytch on the April 26, 2000, episode of WCW Thunder, winning with a DDT. Following The Artist's release from WCW, Sullivan began valeting for Kwee Wee. She also formed an alliance with fellow former Nitro Girl Tygress, and the two ladies frequently double-teamed the Misfits In Action's valet Major Gunns.