Jessie Ward
Birth nameJessie Lynn Ward
Born (1979-12-16) December 16, 1979
West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma materEmerson College
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2013)​
Children1
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Jessie
Billed height5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[1]
Billed weight105 lb (48 kg)[1]
Trained byAl Snow
Ivory
Tazz
Hardcore Holly
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Debut2002

Jessie Lynn Whitney (née Ward; born December 16, 1979) is an American television producer and retired professional wrestler.

Professional wrestling career

Ward with Vince Russo outside of the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri on April 15, 2007.

Ward was one of the contestants on the World Wrestling Federation reality television program Tough Enough II, wherein thirteen would-be wrestlers trained under WWF employees Al Snow, Ivory, Tazz, Hardcore Holly, Chavo Guerrero Jr. and John Gaburick for fourteen weeks. The trainers would select two winners by a process of elimination, and the winner would receive a WWF developmental contract. Ward joined the series at the outset in February 2002.

On the March 28, 2002 episode of Tough Enough, Ward's hands and legs went numb after she took a bump. She visited a doctor as a result, and was diagnosed with vasovagal syncope and given a heart rate monitor to wear throughout the following day. On the April 11 episode, she opted to leave the program as she was suffering from continuous pain and lethargy.[2][3][4][5]

Shortly after dropping out of Tough Enough, Ward was hired by the WWE in October 2002 as a stage manager. She worked on Tough Enough III and travelled full-time with the RAW and SmackDown! rosters until February 2004 when she decided to go back to college to finish her degree.

Television production career

Ward enrolled at Emerson College majoring in their visual media arts program with a concentration in television/video. While in school, Ward briefly worked for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as an assistant director in September 2004 and returned to TNA on a full-time basis in July 2005 when she began working under head director David Sahadi.[2][6] She stayed with TNA until May 2007, graduating cum laude that same year.

Ward produced an independent film, Thumbnail, in late 2007. She joined Powderhouse Productions in June 2008 producing shows such as The Works on The History Channel, Mega Engineering and Best in the Business on The Discovery Channel, Extreme Bathrooms and Extreme Houseboats on Travel Channel, Masters of Innovation on Plum TV, as well as the Animal Planet programs Dogs 101, Cats 101, America's Cutest Dog, America's Cutest Cat, Dogs vs Cats and Must Love Cats.[7]

In November 2011, Ward left Powderhouse Productions and became a full-time freelance television producer. Since then, her credits have included Cajun Pawn Stars, North Woods Law, Big Brother and many other television programs.[7]

Personal life

Ward married professional wrestler Tommaso "Ciampa" Whitney in September 2013. They have a daughter.

References

  1. 1 2 "Tough Enough Kids". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  2. 1 2 Short, D. (May 1, 2007). "Where are they now? - Looking at how WWE's Tough Enough competitors have done since appearing on the show". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  3. ↑ DeGeorge, M. (July 10, 2002). "WWF Tough Enough 2, Episode 4: Personality Parade". Reality News Online. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  4. ↑ "WWF Tough Enough (28 March 2002)". March 28, 2002. Retrieved May 19, 2007.
  5. ↑ "WWF Tough Enough (11 April 2002)". March 28, 2002. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  6. ↑ Dykens, B. (June 14, 2002). "WWE Tough Enough Cast Reunion". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved May 19, 2007. Jessie, who withdrew due to poor health now works for the production department of WWE.
  7. 1 2 "Reality Staff - Resume - Jesse L Ward".
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