Four years later, WWE alum Kaitlyn (Celeste Bonin) returns to the ring
What started as something therapeutic became the foundation for WWE alum Kaitlyn (Celeste Bonin) returning to the ring after a four-year hiatus.
In four years since leaving the company on good terms, WWE alum Kaitlyn (Celeste Bonin) dealt with the highs and lows of life, hitting the lowest of lows in 2017 – a divorce, depression and a drug issue.
Overcoming her obstacles and taking control of her life again, 2018 saw the return of Kaitlyn in a wrestling ring under her birth name.
Celeste Bonin, 31, main evented a Coastal Championship Wrestling show at the Coral Springs Charter School Gym in South Florida.
Start with some behind the scenes video, pre-show.
Sporting dark tights, dark boots, dark hair and a sleeve tattoo, a new Bonin presented a different look from her WWE days. She wrestled young standout Rachael Ellering (Rachel Evers from the WWE Mae Young Classic).
Ellering, 25, mature beyond her years in the ring, led the pair through the match, which featured a table spot. Bonin hoisted Ellering on her shoulders and then tossed the wrestling talent through the announce table outside the ring.
After the match — a victory for Bonin in front of family, friends and fans — Ellering grabbed the house mic and told the crowd she was honored to wrestle Bonin. Ellering noted she admired and was inspired by Bonin’s persona, the powerful Kaitlyn, in WWE.
Strength is the common denominator between the two. Prior to wrestling, Bonin competed in bodybuilding, Ellering in powerlifting.
Following the comeback match, Bonin walked around ringside — shaking hands, taking selfies and signing autographs.
She also kissed her mom, posed for selfies with friends and hugged Pablo Marquez, who ran the show.
Marquez, the president and head trainer of The Main Event Training Center, trained Celeste at the center in Fort Lauderdale. CCW, a long-time South Florida indie promotion, is run in conjunction with The Main Event Training Center.
Bonin, who built a business in South Florida in Boca Raton, began training at the Main Event Training Center to clear her mind from the daily grind of business and any personal matters. She found her inner-peace through the squared circle.
Initially, Celeste did not formulate plans of wrestling again, but once training became routine, she decided to give it a shot, and that shot went well.
Fans enjoyed the match.
She enjoyed the match.
Take 2
Inspiring others, growing her brand
A strong woman (physically and mentally), Celeste is running her own women’s fitness apparel company (Celestial Bodiez). She is also producing her own podcast as well as continuing to train at the Main Event Training Center. She plans to have another match in the future.
A former WWE Divas Champ, Celeste ranked No.5 of the Top 50 women wrestlers in 2013 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. She is an entrepreneur, bodybuilder, fitness competitor, model, and wrestler who won the NXT competition in 2010 — being mentored by Vickie Guerrero — to begin her WWE journey.
Celeste spent two months in FCW, WWE’s developmental wing in Tampa, before landing on the main roster. She did quite well, especially since she had no prior wrestling training and limited time in FCW. She learned on the fly while traveling as part of the main roster.
How well is quite well? On the 20th anniversary of Monday Night Raw in her hometown (Houston), Celeste won the WWE Divas title by beating Eve.
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Different from her foray with WWE, Celeste trained for a few months, preparing for her first match in four years. With more training, she can further develop her in-ring skills and ring psychology.
She is leaving the door open to all possibilities — in the ring and out.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CelesteBonin