Waterbury native and professional wrestling legend Mercedes Martinez will be inducted into the Women’s Wrestling Hall of Fame this weekend.
Martinez, who was born Jazmin Benitez, grew up in Waterbury and went to school at John F. Kennedy High, where she played both basketball and softball. She later attended Post University in Waterbury, where she majored in criminal justice.
The 45-year-old Martinez, who’s announced she’s retiring this year, made her pro wrestling debut in 2007, and went on to carve out her place in women’s wrestling history. She won the Ring of Honor Women’s world title, was a two-time Shimmer independent wrestling champion, a TNA knockouts champion, three-time Women Superstars United Champion.
Martinez wrestled in major wrestling organizations All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) and WWE, where she made her debut in 2017 and wrestled again in 2020-21. She will join Jasmin St. Clair, Linda Dallas, Amy Lee, Saraya Knight, Missy Sampson, Florida legend Deb Malenko, and Mickie Knuckles in the 2026 Hall of Fame class. The induction event will double as a food drive hosted by Veteran Pro Wrestling and Wrestling 4 Vets.