Lena Yada

Last updated

Lena Yada
Lena Yada.jpg
Yada in 2009
Born (1978-11-12) November 12, 1978 (age 46) [1]
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. [2]
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2011;div. 2023)​
Children1
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Lena
Lena Yada
Ninja Yada
Billed height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) [3]
Billed weight108 lb (49 kg)
Billed fromLos Angeles, California
Trained by Ultimate Pro Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling [2]
Jesse Hernandez
DebutJanuary 4, 2008
Retired2009

Lena Yada-Draiman, [4] born November 12 1978, is an American model, actress, surfer and former professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she took part in the WWE 2007 Diva Search and was a member of the ECW brand.

Contents

Modeling career

Yada was the runner-up in the 2002 Ms. Venus Swimwear international pageant, [5] [6] she was also Miss Hawaiian Tropic Japan. [7] [8] She appeared in multiple magazines. She modeled for Bench Warmer trading cards, posing in the 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009 trading sets. [9] [10] [11] She took part in the 2005 Lingerie Bowl playing for the Dallas Desires.

Yada under the stage name of Reina featured in multiple softcore, fetish videos between the years of 2003-2011.

Yada was one of Sprite's campaign models when they changed their logo, featuring in official commercials and online advertisements. That same year and following year, she was the campaign model for Sheiki Jeans and for Western Star. [12] In 2010 she featured in the music video for Disturbed's single, The Animal.

Surfing career

Yada competed in the quarter finals of the 2007 World Title of Tandem Surfing, [13] placing thirteenth overall. [14] In March 2008, her and her surfing partner, Jason Lusk, placed fourteenth overall for the World Title. [15] She was ranked the eighth overall surfer in the world, in Tandem surfing. [7]

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment (2007-2008)

Yada first auditioned for the WWE 2005 Diva Search as a fan of professional wrestling, making it to the top 30 finalists before being cut. [1] She auditioned again in 2007 making the final 8 contestants, where she placed third overall. [16] [17] Despite being eliminated from the competition on the October 22 2007 episode of RAW, she was signed to a WWE contract on November 10 2007 and began training at WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling. Yada made her official WWE debut on the January 4 2008 episode of Smackdown! as a backstage interviewer, interviewing Big Daddy V and Matt Striker. [18]

After appearing once on Smackdown! on the January 8 2008 episode of ECW she was transferred to the brand, as the new backstage interviewer of ECW. Yada hosted a Diva Dance Off competition between Kelly Kelly and Layla, only to include herself and declare herself the winner of the contest. [19] She later competed in a best body contest against Kelly Kelly and Layla, turning heel in the process joining forces with Layla to attack Kelly Kelly who won the competition. [20] Yada then became the valet of Layla and Victoria, accompanying them to their matches on both ECW and Smackdown! while continuing as the backstage interviewer for ECW. [21] During her time on the ECW brand she coined the nickname "The Asian Sensation". On the June 16 2008 episode of RAW she competed in bikini contest, which was won by Maria. In August 2008 she teamed with the UncoverTheCure charity and WWE, running in L.A.'s Underwear Affair, raising $600. [22] Yada competed in the WWE 2008 Cyber Sunday , Divas annual Halloween Costume Contest, where she dressed as a Ninja, losing to Mickie James who was dressed as Lara Croft. [23] On the November 3 2008, 800th special episode of RAW , Yada won her in-ring debut in a 16-diva tag team match, when Beth Phoenix pinned Mae Young despite this being Yada's in-ring debut she was never tagged in to the match. [24] On November 10 2008, Yada was released from her WWE contract just one week after her in-ring debut after she declined to move to Tampa, Florida as requested by the company due to her father falling ill. [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] Her second and final match with the company was for FCW in a 6-diva tag team match where she teamed with Alicia Fox and Roucka, losing to the team of Angela, Eve Torres and Jenny Quinn. [31] [32]

Independent circuit (2008-2009)

In the summer of 2008 Yada began training at the Ultimate Pro Wrestling facility, based in California. [2] Yada made her singles match debut at Pro Wrestling Revolution, a part of ChickFight, on June 6 2009, where she defeated Christina Von Eerie with a schoolgirl roll-up. [33] That same year she was in attendance at TNA's Bound For Glory pay-per-view as a friend of Tara, [34] [35] it was rumored by wrestling dirt sheets that she was set to debut for the company as the valet of Kevin Nash. [36]

In 2021 Yada returned to wrestling for a one night only appearance at Ring of Honor as the official host of the ROH Women's Tournament Town Hall. [37]

Personal life

On September 25 2011, Yada married David Draiman, the lead singer of heavy mental bands, Disturbed and Device. [38] [39] Their son was born in September 2013, [40] the couple divorced in 2023. [41]

Filmography

Film and television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 Son of the Beach Nokia1 episode
2004Naked in the 21st CenturySelf; model
2005Casting Ripe Live!Self; model
Lingerie Bowl Dallas Desire
2007VH1's The ShotRed carpet model [42]
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry Hooters Girl
WWE 2007 Diva Search Self; contestant3rd place, 8 episodes
2008SqueegeesBikini girlTV film
Music videos
YearTitleArtistRole
2010The Animal Disturbed Self

References

  1. 1 2 "Yada's official website". Lena-Yada.org. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  2. 1 2 3 "Lena Yada's profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
  3. ↑ Shields, Brian; Sullivan, Kevin (2009). WWE Encyclopedia . Dorling Kindersley. p.  184. ISBN   978-0-7566-4190-0.
  4. ↑ Hartmann, Graham (October 12, 2012). "Lena Yada-Draiman – Hottest Rockstar Wives". Loudwire . Retrieved January 20, 2018.[ permanent dead link ]
  5. ↑ "News Archive – July – September 2001". Pageant News Bureau. Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  6. ↑ "To be or not to be (famous)". Pageant News Bureau. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  7. 1 2 "Diva Search Finalist Speaks On The Contest, Playboy, WWE & Much More". Canvas Chronicle. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Hawaiian Tropic model Lena Yada". Depositphotos. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 2, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved December 24, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ↑ "Celebrity Pictures, Entertainment News Photo Galleries and Videos | WireImage". www.wireimage.com. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Model Lena Yada poses with her Sheiki Jeans ad at the Playboy Mansion..." Getty Images. February 4, 2008. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  13. ↑ "World Title of Tandem action hots up as final approaches". Surfers Village. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  14. ↑ "2007 ISA Ranking". International Tandem Surfing Association. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  15. ↑ WTT 2008. ITSA Tandem. Retrieved on March 9, 2008.
  16. ↑ "Contestants". WWE. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  17. ↑ "Lena Yada | WWE". www.wwe.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  18. ↑ "SmackDown! results". Online World of Wrestling. January 4, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  19. ↑ "ECW results". Online World of Wrestling. January 8, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  20. ↑ "ECW results". Online World of Wrestling. January 22, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  21. ↑ "Lena Yada: Photos | WWE". www.wwe.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Lena Yada runs in L.A.'s Underwear Affair | WWE". www.wwe.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  23. ↑ "WWE Cyber Sunday". www.prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Raw results". Online World of Wrestling. November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 17, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  25. ↑ "Kenny Dykstra, Elijah Burke and Lena Yada released". World Wrestling Entertainment. November 10, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  26. ↑ Hart, Danny (November 21, 2023). "Former WWE Diva explains why she left after only one TV match". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  27. ↑ Russell, Skylar (November 22, 2023). "Lena Yada Discusses Her Release From WWE In 2008, Says It Was 'Bittersweet'". Fightful | WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  28. ↑ Melanie (November 13, 2008). "Story Behind Lena Yada's Release". Diva Dirt. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  29. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (November 3, 2023). "Lena Yada looks back at her WWE release, says commitment to company was questioned but she understands why". POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPW. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  30. ↑ "Daddy's little girl: Lena Yada | WWE". www.wwe.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Matches « Lena Yada « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  32. ↑ "Lena Yada: Profile & Match Listing - Internet Wrestling Database (IWD)". www.profightdb.com. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  33. ↑ "Former WWE Diva, Lena Yada takes on Christina Von Eerie in San Francisco". Archived from the original on June 6, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  34. ↑ "411MANIA". Lena Yada on Becoming Travel Buddies With Victoria After Joining WWE. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  35. ↑ Russell, Skylar (November 21, 2023). "Lena Yada Recalls 'Hitting It Off' With Victoria, 'I Felt At Home With Her, She Was Like A Sister'". Fightful | WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  36. ↑ Melanie (October 20, 2009). "Lena Yada Coming to TNA for Kevin Nash's Valet Search?". Diva Dirt. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  37. ↑ Wilkinson, Nick (July 29, 2021). "Miranda Alize promises that Alex Gracia knows none of her weaknesses; Lena Yada kicks off ROH Town Hall". Diva Dirt. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Lena Yada got married". Online 24Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  39. ↑ Childers, Chad (May 4, 2013). "David Draiman Announces Child on the Way, Calls for Unity in Metal World". Loudwire. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Disturbed's David Draiman: Still Angry After All These Years". Yahoo. August 20, 2015.
  41. ↑ "DISTURBED's DAVID DRAIMAN Opens up About His Recent Divorce: 'I Need the Music Right Now More Than I Ever Have'". April 15, 2023.
  42. ↑ "The Shot | Show Cast, Episodes, Guides, Trailers, Web Exclusives, Previews | VH1.com". Archived from the original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2009.
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