Known as “The Professional,” Erika Hammond is an African American woman with a background in the sports industry. Currently a national level ice skater, Hammond has made her name as one of the premier athletes of her time. For those in her position, representing a country on an international stage can be a daunting task, and it is not uncommon for Olympic caliber players to struggle in this category, especially given their lack of playing time due to injury or national team duty. But in recent times, with increased focus on diversity in sports and increased exposure to media spotlight, many athletes are now getting the opportunity to showcase their talents on an equal basis.
The Professional, or former Miss Professional, went to St. John’s College in Los Angeles, California in the late 1980s. Following a short stint with the University of Alabama, where she struggled to earn a degree, she signed a contract with MTV to play exotic dance routines on the worldwide television series “So You Think You Can Dance.” Following her first season on the popular show, producers had an idea that the talented athlete should challenge the ice skating world with a professional wrestling match. The result was the now-famous Professional, who in addition to competing in the Wrestling match also gained a signature role as a commentator for the show.
Following her excellent performance in both of the aforementioned shows, Ms. Hammond was nominated for Dancing with the Stars: Season 2, and later was selected as an official United States Olympic Team Womens Team representative. Following her stellar performance, it was clear that this talented athlete was ready for stardom, and from there, her professional wrestling career took off. She currently is a world-class figure skater, working with a company called World Class Entertainment. While she does not currently have plans to wrestle professionally, she does intend to pursue other avenues of interest, such as directing, writing, and teaching.