12. Melina (MNM Vs Stevie Lee & Jason Bates - WWE Velocity, 21 May 2005)

Video: MNM Vs Stevie Lee & Jason Bates

Melina leads her the Tag Team champs to the ring

Moving to more recent times, this match features Melina in her role as valet to the WWE Tag Team Champions MNM. As well as going on to become an excellent wrestler, she also had some well-honed valet skills, as would be shown in this bout.

Looking sizzling in a cleavage-baring black number, Melina executes her trademark leg-splits ring entrance and places a kiss on the cheek of both Mercury and Nitro to instill confidence in her men. With the bell rung to start the match, she calmly takes her time to leave the ring.

Johnny Nitro starts the bout with Stevie Lee opening affairs for MNM's overmatched opponents. Surprisingly, Lee takes the initiative and tags in Bates to execute an impressive double-team suplex. Bates continues the momentum, as a worried Melina claps and encourages Nitro to take charge.

Ruthless and calculating....

Predictably, Nitro gains the upper hand and tags in Joey Mercury as Bates struggles to deal with their assaults. Meanwhile, Melina applauds the efforts of her charge. With Bates sufficiently softened up, a close-up on Melina shows the beautiful valet tapping her fingers on the apron and pondering her next move ringside, deciding that the time has come for her intervention.

Bates about to feel the wrath of Melina

Mercury drags Bates over to the middle rope within easy reach of Melina, choking him to the obvious anger of the referee. With the referee berating Joey, Melina can be seen calmly walking into position to eye up her prey at close quarters.

A hurtful slap out of view of the official

Reaching up to Bates to hold him still, she draws back her arm and executes an accurate slap to the face of the hurt wrestler, before pointing at the stricken opponent and launching a verbal torrent in his direction. The referee is totally unaware of Melina's attack as he deals with an annoyed Stevie Lee, as the valet departs the scene unnoticed.

A verbal volley completes the valet's work

Mercury continues his fine work, although a smart knee-drop from Bates on Mercury buys some respite. Thanks to Melina's encouragement, Mercury manages to tag in Johnny Nitro although Bates somehow tags in Stevie Lee. Normal service is resumed though as Nitro has his opponent hurt and tags in Mercury to pull off their Snapshot finisher and gain the three-count. Their beautiful valet then enters the ring to celebrate, looking disdainfully at the incapacitated Lee.

MNM and Melina victorious

A brief cameo of Melina's talents, this match was an excellent example of a valet sensing an opportunity and executing it to perfection. In what was at times a surprisingly even bout, the valet's ability to read when the attention of the referee was diverted proved invaluable, with Jason Bates feeling the full force of her right-hand slap. Her intervention, coupled with her vocal encouragements and berating of the official, helped MNM to gain the win and prolong their reign as champions.