Athena (wrestler)

Adrienne Reese[1] (born August 31, 1988) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Athena. She also appears in AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where she is the current ROH Women's World Champion in her first reign.

Athena
Reese in February 2017
Birth nameAdrienne Reese[1]
Born (1988-08-31) August 31, 1988[2]
Garland, Texas, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Matthew Palmer
​
(m. 2018)​
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Adrienne
Adrienne Reese
Athena[3]
Athena Reese
Ember Moon[4]
Billed height5 ft 2 in (157 cm)[4]
Billed weight120 lb (54 kg)[5]
Billed fromDallas, Texas[4][5]
Chicago, Illinois[5]
St. Louis, Missouri[5]
Trained bySkandor Akbar[1][5]
Action Jackson
Lance Archer[5]
Monty Brown
Booker T[1][6]
Rodney Mack & Jazz[6]
Debut2007[7]

Prior to AEW/ROH, she wrestled in WWE, where she worked under the name Ember Moon. While in their developmental territory NXT, she held the NXT Women's Championship and NXT Women's Tag Team Championship, being the first to have held both titles.

Before going to WWE, she wrestled on the independent circuit as Athena for promotions such as Shimmer Women Athletes, Women Superstars Uncensored, and Anarchy Championship Wrestling, for which she is a three-time ACW American Joshi Champion.

Early life

Reese was born in Garland, Texas on August 31, 1988. She attended Lakeview Centennial High School where she played tennis and softball as well as participating in the school's chess club and the mathlete program.[8] During her time in high school, Reese was maliciously bullied by her peers for her interests in video games and wrestling.[8][9]

When Reese was a younger child, she was introduced to wrestling by her grandfather during her visits to his house in the summer watching WWF's Raw is War or SmackDown!.[9]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2007–2015)

Reese was first introduced to professional wrestling by her grandfather, and she began training under Skandor Akbar in April 2007.[10] She later trained at Booker T's Pro Wrestling Alliance (now named Reality of Wrestling) based in Houston, Texas, and began wrestling as Trouble in 2007 and later, Athena.[7] Athena also wrestled for various other Texas-based promotions, most notably Anarchy Championship Wrestling (ACW), based in Austin where she won the women's title, ACW American Joshi Championship three times, as well the ACW Television Championship.[7] From 2010 to 2015, she also worked for the all-female promotions Shimmer Women Athletes and Women Superstars Uncensored.[7]

Between 2013 and 2015, Reese worked for Ring of Honor as part of a stable by the name of Team RnB alongside A.C.H.[11][12] who joined TaDarius Thomas[13] and then the two became a ROH tag team by the name of Adrenaline Rush consisting of A.C.H and TaDarius Thomas only.[14]

NXT (2015–2018)
Moon as the NXT Women's Champion in April 2018

In September 2015 Reese signed a contract with WWE, and was assigned to their developmental territory, NXT.[15] She wrestled as Adrien Reese[16][17] or Adrienne Reese from October 2015 until June 2016, when her name was changed to Ember Moon.[18][19] After a series of introductory vignettes, Moon made her television debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, defeating Billie Kay.[20] Throughout the following months, Ember Moon went on a winning streak both in tag team[21] and singles matches[22][23][24][25][26] until losing to NXT Women's Champion Asuka at NXT TakeOver: Orlando on April 1.[27] In May Moon sustained a shoulder injury after being thrown out of the ring by Asuka.[28]

After she returned on June,[29] she faced Asuka again for the championship at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, but was once again defeated.[30] In August, Asuka had to vacate the NXT Women's Championship due to an injury.[31] On November 18, Moon won the vacant NXT Women's Championship in a fatal-four way match, defeating Royce, Nikki Cross, and Kairi Sane.[32] As champion, Moon held the title for 140 days, feuding with Shayna Baszler. At NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, Moon retained her title against her, but lost it at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.[33]

Main roster (2018–2020)

Reese first appearance on the main roster happened at 2018 Royal Rumble, where she participated in the first women's Royal Rumble match.[34] After losing the NXT Women's Title, she was promoted to the main roster. At Money in the Bank, she participated in the Money in the Bank ladder match, but failed to win the briefcase. At WWE Evolution she participated in a battle royal and was the last participant eliminated by Nia Jax.

At the 2019 Royal Rumble event, Moon participated in the women's Royal Rumble match, entering at number six and lasting 52 minutes before being eliminated by Alexa Bliss. During the match, she suffered an injured elbow requiring surgery, keeping her out of action.[35] She returned at WrestleMania 35 in the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal, from which she was eliminated by Lana.[36] During the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up, Moon was moved to the SmackDown brand.[37] In June, she participated in her second Money in the Bank ladder match but was unsuccessful.[38]

Throughout June and July, Moon feuded with Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, who bullied her. After losing singles matches to both Deville and Rose on the June 25 and the July 2 episodes of SmackDown, respectively, Moon teamed up with SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley to defeat Rose and Deville on the July 16 episode, ending the feud. After the match, Bayley picked Moon as her challenger for SummerSlam. However, Moon lost the match and started a losing streak, going winless in five straight televised matches.[39] Moon would then suffer an ankle injury, and she was not in either of the draft pools for the 2019 WWE Draft in October. She appeared on the November 19 episode of WWE Backstage as an analyst and stated she would be out of action for an indefinite period of time.[40]

Return to NXT (2020–2021)

Resse was assigned back to NXT, where she came back with a new character. In September 2020, vignettes advertising a mysterious figure on a motorcycle appeared on NXT on consecutive weeks.[41] The mystery figure took off her helmet and it turned out to be Moon at NXT TakeOver 31.[42] She worked as a tag team with Shotzi Blackheart, participating in the first ever women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, where they lost to Dakota Kai and Raquel González in the finals. They won the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship on March 10 when they defeated Kai and González.[43] Despite they retained the titles at NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver against The Way (Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell), they lost it agaist them on the May 4 episode of NXT in a Street Fight, ending their reign at 55 days. At NXT TakeOver: In Your House, Moon challenged Raquel González for the NXT Women's Championship but was defeated. On November 4, Reese was released from her contract along with various other superstars, ending her six-year tenure with the company.[44]

Return to the independent circuit (2022)

Reese, now going by her old ring name Athena, would challenge Thunder Rosa for the Warrior Wrestling Women's Championship on February 12.[45] At the event, Rosa retained the title after the two wrestled to a 30-minute draw.

All Elite Wrestling (2022–present)

Athena made her first All Elite Wrestling appearance on May 29, 2022 at Double or Nothing. She appeared at the end of Jade Cargill's match, coming to the aid of Anna Jay and Kris Statlander.[46] On the June 3, 2022 episode of AEW Rampage, Athena wrestled in her debut AEW match against Kiera Hogan, winning via pinfall.[47] On September 4, at All Out, Athena challenged Cargill for the AEW TBS Championship, but was unsuccessful.[48] On September 21, at Grand Slam, Athena challenged the interim AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm in a four-way match which also invovled Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. and Serena Deeb, which ended with Storm retaining the title.[49]

Return to Ring of Honor (2022–present)

On the November 18, 2022, episode of Rampage, after pinning Madison Rayne, Athena attacked referee Aubrey Edwards, thus turning heel only for a returning Mercedes Martinez to make a save.[50][51] Since AEW President Tony Khan also owns Ring of Honor (ROH), Athena faced Martinez at ROH's event Final Battle, which took place on December 10, where she won the ROH Women's World Championship.[52]

Personal life

Reese is married to fellow professional wrestler, Matthew Palmer.[53][54][55] She is a fan of comic books and the 1960s Batman television series starring Adam West.[8] Reese cited Eddie Guerrero, Victoria, Trish Stratus, Lita, Taka Michinoku, Funaki, Rikishi, Too Cool, The Rock, Kurt Angle and Beth Phoenix as her influences.[9]

Championships and accomplishments
Moon is a former NXT Women's Champion

References
  1. Johnson, Mike (October 10, 2015). "NXT'S Newest Diva Makes Official Debut". PWInsider. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  2. "WWE Profile – Ember Moon". ESPN. April 11, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  3. "Athena: Profile & Match Listing". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  4. "Ember Moon". WWE. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  5. "Athena". Shine Wrestling. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  6. Johnson, Mike (October 28, 2015). "WWE Officially Announces A Number Of Signings Including Tough Enough Competitors & Evolve Alumni". PWInsider. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  7. "Athena". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  8. https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20180916/282471414765420. Retrieved February 11, 2019 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. Staszewski, Joseph (June 16, 2018). "Ember Moon: How WWE helped me burst out of my shell". New York Post. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  10. Saxton, Byron (September 1, 2016). "Ember Moon: Long journey to a dream". WWE. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  11. Anderson, Webb. "Ring of Honor TV Review 11/11/15 By Webb Anderson". Tjrwrestling.net. Retrieved November 16, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. Harvey, Marcus. "Team RnB Returns to ROH!". YouTube.com. Retrieved February 17, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. "TaDarius Thomas". Imdb.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. "Adrenaline RUSH". www.accelerator3359.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. Johnson, Mike (September 11, 2015). "WWE signing updates". PWInsider. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  16. Meltzer, Dave (October 22, 2015). "NXT Tapings: Finn Balor defends his belt against Apollo Crews". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  17. Wolkenbrod, Rob (October 22, 2015). "Recent WWE NXT Signing Makes Debut at TV Taping (Photo)". Daily DDT. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  18. Middleton, Marc (November 11, 2015). "Adrienne Reese Wins WWE NXT Dark Match, Stephanie McMahon Honored (Photos), Nikki Bella Surgery Note". WrestlingInc.com. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  19. Caldwell, James (June 8, 2016). "Pre-NXT Takeover Notes – Dark Match Result, Steel Cage set-up, new slogan, HBK backstage, main roster stars talk Joe-Balor NXT Title match". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  20. Richard, Trionfo (August 20, 2016). "NXT Takeover Brooklyn Report: Joe Versus Nakamura, Bayley Versus Asuka, Revival Versus Gargano And Ciampa, And Much More". PWInsider. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  21. Richard, Trionfo (November 23, 2016). "WWE NXT Report: Matches From Toronto, Comments From Participants At Takeover, And The Rematch Has Been Announced". PWInsider. Retrieved November 23, 2016.
  22. Richard, Trionfo (September 28, 2016). "WWE NXT Report: Asuka Faces Liv Morgan, The Dusty Classic Starts Next Week, Itami Versus Dorado, Ember Moon Versus Mandy Rose, And More". PWInsider. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  23. Richard, Trionfo (December 7, 2016). "WWE NXT Report: Joe Versus Nakamura From Japan, A Number One Contender Tournament Is Announced, A Big Debut, Sanity Is Missing A Member, And More". PWInsider. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  24. Richard, Trionfo (January 4, 2017). "WWE NXT Report: Matches From Melbourne Featuring Joe Versus Nakamura In A Steel Cage, Diy Versus Tm61, And More". PWInsider. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  25. Richard, Trionfo (January 25, 2017). "WWE NXT Report: A Taste Of What The Women Will Do On Saturday, Video Packages, And Some Wrestling Too". PWInsider. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  26. Richard, Trionfo (February 1, 2017). "WWE NXT Report: Corey Graves Tribute, Uk Champion In Action, Footage From Takeover, And More". PWInsider. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  27. "Did Ember Moon hit the Eclipse on Asuka?". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  28. "Will Asuka's historic reign make it past TakeOver's Triple Threat Match?". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  29. "Ember Moon def. Peyton Royce". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  30. "Did Ember Moon Eclipse The Empress of Tomorrow at TakeOver?". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  31. "Asuka Vacates NXT Women's Title – WWE Main Roster Awaits". August 25, 2017.
  32. "NXT TakeOver WarGames results, recap, grades: Title changes, incredible main event".
  33. Moore, John (April 7, 2018). "4/7 Moore's NXT Takeover: New Orleans live review – Andrade Almas vs. Aleister Black for the NXT Title, Ember Moon vs. Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women's Championship, Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa in an unsanctioned match, ladder match for the new North American Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  34. "Only two women from NXT women entered the Royal Rumble". January 29, 2018.
  35. Chiari, Mike. "Ember Moon to Undergo Surgery on Elbow Injury Suffered at WWE Royal Rumble". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  36. Zucker, Joseph. "Carmella Beats Sarah Logan to Win Women's Battle Royal at WWE WrestleMania 35". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  37. Trionfo, Richard (April 16, 2019). "WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT: NEW FACES, EIGHT WOMAN TAG MATCH, A NEW MEMBER OF THE NEW DAY (FOR A DAY), AND MORE". PWInsider.
  38. Chiari, Mike. "Bayley Wins 2019 WWE Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  39. "Sean Ross Stats for the Wrestling Week Ending 9/13 | Fightful Wrestling".
  40. Ashly, Kristen (November 19, 2019). "Ember Moon Gives Injury Update On WWE Backstage". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  41. Middleton, Marc (September 30, 2020). "Latest Message From Mystery WWE NXT Superstar Returning At Takeover (Video)". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  42. "New challengers to Io Shirai emerge in shocking fashion at NXT TakeOver 31". WWE.com. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  43. WWE.com Staff (March 10, 2021). "Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart def. Dakota Kai & Raquel González to win newly unveiled NXT Women's Tag Team Titles". WWE. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  44. "Report: Karrion Kross, Ember Moon Among WWE Stars Released from Contracts". The Bleacher Report. November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  45. Middleton, Marc (February 3, 2022). "Ember Moon To Face AEW Star In First Post-WWE Match, New Ring Name And Theme Revealed". Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  46. Powell, Jason (May 29, 2022). "AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Hangman Page vs. CM Punk for the AEW Championship, MJF vs. Wardlow, Thunder Rosa vs. Serena Deeb for the AEW Women's Title, Owen Hart Cup tournament finals, The Hardys vs. The Young Bucks, Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus vs. Ricky Starks and Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland for the AEW Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
  47. "AEW Rampage June 3 2022, Results". allelitewrestling. June 4, 2022.
  48. Powell, Jason (September 4, 2022). "AEW All Out results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. CM Punk for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. Britt Baker vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Hikaru Shida for the Interim AEW Women's Title, Chris Jericho vs. Bryan Danielson, Ricky Starks vs. Powerhouse Hobbs, "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry vs. Christian Cage, Casino Ladder Match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
  49. Powell, Jason (September 21, 2022). "9/21 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson for the vacant AEW World Championship, Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee vs. The Acclaimed for the AEW Tag Titles, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Jericho for the ROH Title, Toni Storm vs. Athena vs. Britt Baker vs. Serena Deeb for the Interim AEW Women's Title, Pac vs. Orange Cassidy for the AEW All-Atlantic Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  50. "AEW Books Surprising Heel Turn On Rampage". WhatCulture. November 19, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  51. "Athena Attacks Aubrey Edwards, Mercedes Martinez Returns On 11/18 AEW Rampage". Fightful. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  52. Powell, Jason (December 10, 2022). "ROH Final Battle results: Powell's live review of FTR vs. The Briscoes in a Double Dog Collar match for the ROH Tag Team Titles, Chris Jericho vs. Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH Championship, Mercedes Martinez vs. Athena for the ROH Women's Title, Daniel Garcia vs. Wheeler Yuta for the ROH Pure Rules Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  53. "Athena, The Wrestling Goddess, The NeXT step". Pinned down Plus. September 20, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  54. "Matthew Palmer Proposes To Adrienne Reese (Athena)". Youtube.
  55. WWE (August 19, 2017), Ember Moon and her family get ready for TakeOver: Brooklyn III: Exclusive, Aug. 19, 2017, retrieved September 10, 2017
  56. Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ACW Televised Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  57. "Asuka es la mejor luchadora de 2017 según PWI". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). November 2, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  58. Namako, Jason (May 12, 2013). "5/11 WSU iPPV Results: Voorhees, New Jersey (Havok vs. Callihan)". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  59. Kreikenbohm, Philip (December 10, 2022). "ROH Women's World Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  60. "NXT Women's Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  61. "NXT Women's Tag Team Championship". WWE. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  62. Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2022). "Warrior Wrestling 21 - Pay Per View @ Bendix Arena in South Bend, Indiana, USA". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  63. Kreikenbohm, Philip (April 23, 2022). "Warrior Wrestling Women's Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Adrienne Reese.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.