Serena Deeb
Serena Deeb wrestling in Paris in March 2009
Ring name(s)	Mia Mancini[1] Paige Webb[1][2] Serena[1][3] Serena Deeb[4] Serena Mancini[1][5]
Billed height	5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)[4]
Billed weight	130 lb (59 kg)[4]
Born	(1986-06-29) June 29, 1986 (age 25)[6] Fairfax, Virginia[1]
Resides	Tampa, Florida[7]
Billed from	Fairfax, Virginia[4] Seattle, Washington[8]
Trained by	Al Snow[9] Rip Rogers[9] Danny Davis[9] Robert Gibson[9] Greg Gagne[9] "Dr. Death" Steve Williams[9] Lance Storm[9] Les Thatcher[9] Tom Prichard[9] Terry Taylor[9]
Debut	March 2005[6]

Serena Deeb (born June 29, 1986)^[6] is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment, appearing on the SmackDown brand and also known for her time with the developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling.^[5] under the ring name Serena. Deeb also made appearances in Ohio Valley Wrestling, where she was a six-time Women's Champion, and in Shimmer Women Athletes.

Professional wrestling career[link]

Ohio Valley Wrestling[link]

Training and debut (2005–2006)[link]

Deeb started her wrestling career in the OVW Wrestling School, training from March until November 2005 after relocating on her own money from Virginia to Kentucky to attend the school.^[10] She debuted on the November 4 OVW house show, teaming with Fuji Cakes in a losing effort against Shelly Martinez and Beth Phoenix.^[11] Phoenix and Martinez also defeated her in the beginning of January even with the new tag team partner of Venus (Rosa Salvage). She picked up her maiden victory over Martinez in a singles match in February and then Phoenix the following month. Her misfortune in tag team action continued though, as she and Fuji Cakes lost to Cherry Pie and Roni Jonah. Unhappy with the loss, Deeb changed her partners and teamed with Roadkill and Kasey James for a mixed tag team match with The Untouchables, including Cherry Pie, but lost once more. Later that month, a dark match between her and Phoenix went to a no contest after interference and was changed into a tag match, where Deeb alongside Martinez lost to Phoenix and Maria.^[12]

Deeb then began to feud with ODB.^[1] In early June, Martinez guest refereed a tag team match where she and Daisy Mae defeated ODB and Sosay. At OVW's Six Flags event, ODB scored a return victory as she and Venus defeated Deeb and Mae. This led to Deeb's television debut at the June 21 tapings during OVW's first bikini contest. Though she did not participate in the contest, she was nevertheless irked by the manner in which ODB attacked all of the women without provocation and ran out to save them, laying out ODB. She defeated ODB in a singles match at another Six Flags show at the end of June but the two continued to feud, exchanging victories in mixed tag team and six-man tag team matches.^[12] Eventually, ODB declared herself the inaugural Women's Champion after winning a fictitious tournament in Rio De Janeiro.^[13] ODB retained the title in an eight-woman Battle Royal on the September 6 television tapings^[12] but in a four-way match, Deeb finally managed to win the Women's Championship during the main event of the September 13 episode of OVW TV involving ODB, Beth Phoenix and Katie Lea.^[1][13][14]

Women's Champion (2006–2008)[link]

When she became champion, Deeb became the target of Beth Phoenix and managed to defend her belt successfully against her once on September 16's house show^[12] but lost a televised rematch on October 4.^[13] Serena instantly set her sights on winning back the belt and commandeered an all female six-man tag team victory over Phoenix and her team three days later before interfering in Phoenix's title defence, Spearing her to end the match in disqualification just as Phoenix was about to pin ODB.^[12] Though she would continue to interfere with Phoenix, Deeb never had the chance to win back the title as Katie 'The Kat' Lea won the championship in the penultimate round of a gauntlet match Phoenix had to contest, losing on the sixth match while a refreshed Kat only had Deeb to defend against.^[12][13] Deeb tried to contend with The Kat once more for the belt but the match ended in disqualification after interruption by Phoenix and Deeb closed out the year with a no-disqualification three way, with the belt not on the line, to settle the dispute between them which Deeb won.^[12]

During 2007, Deeb spent many weeks in a variety of tag team matches in an attempt to gain an opportunity at the Women's Champion and Phoenix too before competing in the Miss OVW Divalympics, though ODB would eventually win this competition. Deeb went on an undefeated streak in March and April but this was brought to a halt by Lea in May. On May 11 she and her team lost a 2/3 tug of war contest, but beat them in the wrestling tag match immediately afterwards.^[15] It would not be until September before she received another shot at the belt. Milena Roucka picked up the victory in this six-way match-up,^[13] while Deeb also lost a non-title singles match the following week in an attempt to prove her contendership.^[15] After spending the opening months of 2008 on a losing streak, Deeb disappeared in February from the promotion.^[16] During her hiatus Deeb got a nose job and breast implants in an attempt to get closer to a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.^[17] Deeb made an unnannounced return in late May when reigning champion Josie issued an open challenge, which Deeb answered to win her second title.^[13] At the June 4 TV tapings, Deeb made a speech announcing her intentions to defend the belt at all times, under 24/7 rules; during the speech Josie made her intentions clear by assaulting Deeb. Josie took advantage of the rule in early July when Deeb defended her belt successfully against Reggie,^[16] only for Josie to attack her straight afterwards and win the belt under the new ruling. Serena avenged this loss by similarly attacking Josie during a speech and winning the title back. The ruling proved too chaotic – at one point Deeb gave a speech during which Josie and Melody attacked her, almost double-pinning her only for Reggie to come out and pin all three of them to win the belt for a matter of minutes until Deeb speared Reggie and won it back^[16] - and by August the 24/7 ruling was deactivated after Deeb won the belt back for an unprecedented sixth time.^[13]

After this Deeb was scripted to take part in a brief story where wrestler Moose sought her affections, eventually winning a right to a date after defeating Lumpy Magoo in late September. After being rebuffed by Deeb on the date, Moose turned sour and tried to interfere in a championship defence against Josie only for Magoo, who was accompanying Deeb, to make sure his interference did not cost her the title. On October 29, Deeb teamed with Magoo and defeated Moose and Women's Championship contender Reggie in a tag team match.^[16] On November 12, Deeb lost the championship to Melody in a four-way match with Josie and Reggie.^[13][16]

The Insurgency (2009)[link]

In 2009, Serena became a villain for the first time in her career. This was signalled when she appeared on January 14 with The Insurgency (Ali Akbar, Turcan Celik and Bin Hamin) to help them win a non-title match against the Southern Tag Team Champions Totally Awesome. With Deeb in their corner, The Insurgency went on a winning streak, though Deeb herself could not emulate this as her title match with Melody on February 25 saw Melody retain the belt via disqualification.^[18] On the 500th episode of OVW, she challenged Melody once again, this time in a steel cage match, but failed to win the championship.^[19]

Shimmer Women Athletes[link]

Early feuds (2006–2007)[link]

On October 22, 2006, Deeb began working for Shimmer Women Athletes at Volume 5 where she lost to Amber O'Neal in her debut match after O'Neal used Deeb's tights to keep her down. She gained a victory in a rematch during Volume 6 with a roll-up pin.^[20] Despite this win, she went on a losing streak in both tag team and singles competition^[21] until she reversed Lexie Fyfe's Attitude Adjuster into a roll-up during Volume 10.^[22] Later at Volume 14: Hot Summer Nights Fyfe defeated Daffney and, after exposing her long-suffering knee injury, proceeded to assault her after the match with Experience tag team partner Malia Hosaka. Daffney's friend MsChif and Deeb, having history with Fyfe, came to clear the ring leading to a match-up between Hosaka and Deeb after the others had been chased off. Deeb pinned Hosaka after a spear^[23] but her revenge was short lived as The Experience pinned her after a double inverted suplex slam, despite help from Allison Danger.^[24]

Pursuit of the Shimmer Championship (2007–2009)[link]

Deeb failed to win the Shimmer Championship, but earned the respect of champion MsChif.

On route to the tournament to crown the inaugural Shimmer Champion, Deeb was involved in a car crash and thus could not participate. An interview with her opened Volume 12, where she revealed her desire to challenge the eventual Shimmer Champion having missed out on her tournament opportunity, but still could not maintain a winning streak, falling victim to Rain^[25] and later her tag team partner Jetta.^[24] After being eliminated from a 20-woman Battle Royal to determine the Shimmer Championship contender during Volume 19, Deeb pinpointed former champion Sara Del Rey for her next match, but came up short.^[26] Following this, Volume 21 opened with another interview where Deeb maintained she was championship material and blamed her loss to Del Rey on an injury. Her attempt to demand another match resulted in Del Rey calling her bottom of the barrel and refusing but an impromptu brawl turned into a sanctioned match where Deeb once again put up a strong effort, but lost. The event closed with Deeb talking backstage about how the defeat would not stop her in trying to become champion at which point MsChif, the Shimmer Champion, commended her drive and ambition and offered her a match on the condition of beating Del Rey.

At Volume 22 Del Rey's manager, Larry Sweeney, announced she did not need to face Deeb having beaten her twice already and that Del Rey's only goal was to reclaim the Shimmer Championship. After the main event closed, Del Rey hit the ring and attacked MsChif until Deeb appeared to fight in MsChif's corner; the referee quickly declared their impromptu bout another match where, after taking yet another severe beating, Deeb finally managed to defeat Del Rey. After another post-match assault, MsChif came to save Deeb making the event end with the Shimmer Champion raising Deeb's hand.^[27] Despite a storied build up over the years, including a seldom used video package to hype the main event, Deeb was unsuccessful in her match.^[28] Though she failed to win her title match, it seemed her rivalry with Del Rey wasn't over. As well as bouncing back over Cat Power,^[28] she had a competitive victory over Mercedes Martinez. After her match, Del Rey and Amazing Kong had a Shimmer Tag Team Championship shot against Ashley Lane and Nevaeh, which ended when they started using chairs against the champions. Despite having just wrestled, Martinez assisted Deeb in clearing the ring and keeping Del Rey at bay. Their attempts at Volume 26 to form a successful tag team saw them come undone against Del Rey and Kong's brutish power.^[29][30]

World Wrestling Entertainment[link]

On the May 19, 2009 episode of World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW on Sci Fi, Deeb was seen standing backstage while Finlay was walking to the ring.^[31] Though Deeb initially denied she signed with WWE,^[32] Shimmer promoter Dave Prazak confirmed that a contract had been negotiated on July 1, 2009.^[1][10]

Queen of FCW (2009–2010)[link]

Serena made her debut on July 15, 2009 at a Florida Championship Wrestling house show where she teamed with Maria and Angela Fong to win against the team of Natalya, Layla and Alicia Fox in a six Diva Tag match.^[1][33] In her televised debut match, Deeb defeated Layla.^[34] Her ring name was soon changed to Serena Mancini and once again to Mia Mancini,^[35] portraying the character of a mafia boss' daughter.^[36] On 14 August, Mancini pinned April Lee in a four-way match during the TV taping for FCW's fiftieth episode to win a future opportunity to compete against Angela for her Queen of FCW crown.^[1][37][38] She followed up on September 3, though it would not air until October 4, with a win over Angela to become the second Queen of FCW.^[1][39][40] While defending her crown, Mancini began taking on WWE Divas from the televised roster, defeating Tiffany,^[41] Natalya, Savannah^[36] and Gail Kim.^[35][42][43] Later in September, Mancini was involved in a backstage segment which was unacknowledged by the commentary team where a mysterious man told her to lose her match against Angela, though she would refuse to.^[44] At the February 4, 2010 FCW television tapings, AJ Lee defeated Serena, who incorporated her SmackDown character into the Mancini role, to become the new Queen of FCW.^[1] When Matt Martlaro announced that there would be a creation of the FCW Divas Championship, Serena competed in the tournament to determine the inaugural Champion, during which she defeated Aksana and AJ Lee en route to the final where she was defeated by Naomi Night.

The Straight Edge Society (2010)[link]

The Straight Edge Society (left to right): Serena, CM Punk and Luke Gallows.

On the January 22, 2010 episode of SmackDown, Deeb appeared, playing the part of an audience member, before jumping over the crowd barrier to join CM Punk's group of straight edge followers; as part of the initiation, she agreed to have her head shaved bald.^[45] In a later podcast interview with wrestling journalist Brady Hicks, Deeb would say of the head shaving: "It was a really unique opportunity. Seeing a woman getting her head shaved was so rare, you don’t see it all that often in the history of wrestling. Getting to do it as my debut was really, really cool, and really powerful. I was also very scared about what I was going to look like. There were a lot of uncertainties, but it ended up being really, really great for my career."^[46]

One week later, she reappeared with Punk and Luke Gallows, now as a member of villainous group the Straight Edge Society, for their match against D-Generation X for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship. However, Theodore Long changed the title match and instead set up a singles match between Punk and Triple H, during which she and Gallows attacked Triple H, disqualifying Punk in the process. On the July 2 episode of SmackDown, Serena unwillingly showed video security footage of her drinking alcohol at a bar as an alibi for Punk's whereabouts,^[3] raising the ire of The Society;^[47] she was forgiven by Punk the next week, though Gallows showed signs of disapproval.^[48]

This incident was the first of many signs of trouble within the group, leading to Serena's first televised match in WWE on August 20 (taped August 17). In a match where she and Gallows would be expelled from The Society if they lost, the duo took on Big Show and Kelly Kelly in a mixed tag team match, where Serena used a gutbuster to pin Kelly.^[49] On August 20 Deeb was released from her WWE contract, reportedly for not "living out" her straight edge persona in public.^[50][51][52] Because SmackDown was pre-recorded, her release was not revealed immediately, which gave her one last appearance, airing on August 27 as a valet to Punk and Gallows in separate matches.^[53]

Shimmer Women Athletes return (2010–2011)[link]

On September 11, 2010 at the Volume 33 taping for Shimmer, Deeb made an unannounced return to the promotion, answering Kellie Skater's open challenge and defeating her in a singles match.^[54] She then had a verbal confrontation with former partner Portia Perez who accused her of selling out by going to WWE^[55] which led to a match at Volume 35 where Deeb tapped to a crossface after the referee was distracted from seeing Serena's rope break.^[56] She then rekindled her rivalry with Sara Del Rey, who made a speech criticizing her, leading to Deeb main eventing Volume 36 in a Four-on-Four Tag Team Elimination match where Deeb was eliminated second after Tomoka Nakagawa.^[57] In March 2011, Deeb defeated Daizee Haze on Volume 37 and was victorious in a tag team match on Volume 38. Serena continued her rivalry with Portia Perez on Volume 39, defeating her via DQ. On Volume 40, Deeb defeated Portia Perez, Cheerleader Melissa, and LuFisto in a four corner survival match to earn a shot at the SHIMMER Championship. She got her shot on Volume 41 in October but was defeated by Madison Eagles. Deeb lost to Nicole Matthews on Volume 42 after interference from Portia Perez. Serena finished her rivalry with Portia on Volume 43 by defeating her in a no holds barred match.

Other promotions[link]

Due to Shimmer's working relationship with Ring of Honor, Deeb began to make occasional appearances for ROH in 2007 as part of February's Fifth Year Festival, she teamed up with MsChif in a losing effort to the Dangerous Angels (Danger and Del Rey).^[58] In the middle of the year she was similarly unsuccessful against Lacey at United We Stand and afterwards received a beating from her Age of The Fall partners Rain and Jimmy Jacobs until Haze saved her.^[59] She also came out on the losing end of a Shimmer guest match at 2008's Southern Hostility in a four corner survival match.^[58] She returned to ROH for their year-end internet pay-per-view Final Battle 2010 teaming with long-term rival Del Rey against Daizee Haze and Amazing Kong, winning the match after taking out Kong with a spear to let Del Rey pin Haze.^[60]

Deeb appeared at Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's pay-per-view Slammiversary in June 2008, where she took part in Awesome Kong's $25,000 Fan Challenge in a three minute squash match, as did fellow OVW and Shimmer wrestler Josie, who signed a contract with the company.^[1][61]

In November 2008 at a Pro Wrestling Syndicate show, Deeb wrestled Daffney for the vacant NWA France Women's Championship, which she won. After winning the title,^[62] Deeb travelled to France to defend the belt under the International Catch Wrestling Alliance the following month. At Revolution V in Lille, she defended the belt against three time champion Bella Punk.^[63] Despite landing her Spear finisher, Punk's accomplice Gangrel turned the lights out in the arena from which Punk took advantage and pinned Deeb after a spike DDT. Deeb accompanied Joe E. Legend in the main event against Gangrel, which the latter won.^[64]

Deeb found herself back in France during March 2009 for American Wrestling Rampage's nine-day tour of France. For most of the events, Deeb wrestled fellow Shimmer wrestler Portia Perez, who was the only other woman on the tour. After two losses, Deeb managed to pick up a victory^[65] but would only gain one more from their eight singles matches.^[66][67] On the final night, she teamed up with Scotty The Hotty to gain a third victory over Perez and Chris Masters in a tag team match.^[68]

Also in early 2009, Deeb appeared in the fledgling all-female Wrestlicious promotion. In the camp show, Take Down she was known as "Webmistress" Paige Webb and debuted on the second episode of their television show which, while being recorded in early 2009, was not broadcast until March 2010 after she had begun to appear in WWE. In her first singles match she lost to "Ice Princess" Autumn Frost^[2] and won her first match on the fifth episode, where she teamed with Charlotte to take on the team of Hope and Faith.^[69]

In November 2010, Serena debuted for Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) with a victory over Traci Brooks on WSU's first internet pay-per-view (iPPV). Serena followed up by winning a Four Way match over Alicia, Portia Perez and Jana to become number one contender to the WSU Championship. Deeb would target WSU Champion Mercedes Martinez by attacking her after a title defense late that evening and cutting some of Martinez's hair. Serena received her title shot in the main event of WSU's 4 Year Anniversary show where she was defeated by Mercedes. On June 25, 2011 at The Uncensored Rumble IV event Serena defeated Nikki Roxx but was eliminated from the eponymous match by Lexxus, having made it to the final two.^[70]

In January 2011, Serena made her first excursion to Japan. While working for Yoshihiro Tajiri's promotion Smash, she wrestled Syuri at Smash.12 and won the match.^[71] She remained undefeated by beating Makoto on Smash.13, Kana on Smash.17, Tomoka Nakagawa on Smash.19 in the first round and Syuri on Smash.20 in the semifinals of a tournament for the Smash Diva Championship.^[71] On September 8, Serena suffered her first loss in Smash, when she was defeated by Kana in the finals of a tournament to crown the first ever Smash Diva Champion.^[72]

On April 19, 2011 Deeb wrestled a dark match in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, however she lost to Winter.

On October 22, 2011, Deeb announced that she was taking an indefinite break from wrestling, following her doctor's instructions after suffering a serious concussion.^[73]

Personal life[link]

Deeb's love of wrestling began when she was 11 after watching a World Wresting Federation show.^[14] Despite her love of wrestling, her main passion as a child, from the age of five until she actively pursued wrestling at 18, was association football.^[1][9] Serena Deeb graduated from Oakton High School, located in Vienna, Virginia, in 2004. Though she began training wrestling at 18, she coupled this with an academic career, reading for her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish until graduating in 2008 from Indiana University Southeast.^[1][9] She has a desire to learn more languages than Spanish and also enjoys Arabic, Thai and Italian food which matches her interest in travelling.^[14]

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • As Serena
    • Go To Sleep / Ode of Punk ( Fireman's carry gutbuster )^[49] – WWE and FCW
    • Spear^[14][74] – Independent circuit
  • As Serena Mancini / Mia Mancini
    • Mancini Code (Inverted front powerslam)^[36] – FCW

• Signature moves
  • Arm drag^[14][74]
  • Belly to belly suplex^[75]
  • Monkey flip^[14][74]

• Wrestlers managed
  • The Straight Edge Society (CM Punk, Luke Gallows and Joseph Mercury)^[3]

• Nicknames
  • "The Anti-Diva"^[75] (WWE)

• Entrance themes
  • "Crash" by Gwen Stefani (Shimmer)^[76]
  • "Flashdance... What a Feeling" by Irene Cara (Shimmer)^[77]
  • "This Fire Burns" by Killswitch Engage (WWE)

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Deeb with the GLCW Ladies Championship.

• Florida Championship Wrestling
  • Queen of FCW (1 time)^[1][35]

• Great Lakes Championship Wrestling
  • GLCW Ladies Championship (1 time)^[78]

• Memphis Championship Wrestling
  • MCW Women's Championship (1 time)^[9]

• Ohio Valley Wrestling
  • OVW Women's Championship (6 times)^[13]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked her #16 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2011^[79]

• Pro Wrestling Syndicate
  • NWA France Women's Championship (1 time)^[64]

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Serena Deeb

• Official website
• Serena Deeb on Myspace
• Lady Sports interview

Kia Stevens
Stevens at a TNA show in September 2008
Ring name(s)	Amazing Kong[1] Awesome Kong[1] Kharma[2][3] Margaret[1]
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[4]
Billed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[5][6]
Billed weight	272 lb (123 kg)[5][6]
Born	(1977-09-04) September 4, 1977 (age 34)[1] Carson, California[7]
Billed from	Tokyo, Japan[6]
Trained by	Jesse Hernandez[4]
Debut	October 20, 2002[4]

Kia Michelle Stevens^[1] (born September 4, 1977), better known by her ring names Amazing Kong, Awesome Kong and Kharma, is an American professional wrestler who is signed with WWE. She is a five time World Champion, having won the WWWA World Championship, NWA World Women's Championship and AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Women's Championship and a two-time TNA Knockout Champion. Her success is not limited to singles wrestling, as she frequently teamed with Aja Kong to form the tag team Double Kong who held tag team championships in four different promotions, along with winning the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship with Hamada. She was also ranked first in the inaugural list of Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 50 Females.

She began her professional wrestling career in 2002 after appearing on a reality television show. She primarily wrestled in Japan for the first five years of her career, holding numerous championships there. In 2006 she began wrestling in her native United States again, appearing on the independent circuit before appearing on national television with TNA Wrestling where she was a driving force in the foundation of their Knockout division.

Professional wrestling career[link]

Joanie Laurer, known during her WWF career as Chyna, served as Stevens' primary inspiration to become a professional wrestler.^[8] In 2002, Stevens appeared on the Discovery Health Body Challenge as a contestant trying to lose weight in hopes of becoming a professional wrestler.^[9] Afterward, Stevens trained at the School of Hard Knocks out of San Bernardino, California.^[4][10] Soon, she was able to have her first professional match in the Empire Wrestling Federation.^[4]

Japanese promotions (2002–2007)[link]

After putting on an impressive showing at a tryout, Stevens was invited to further her training in the dojo of joshi puroresu (female Japanese wrestling) promotion All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW).^[4][10] While there she underwent a rigorous training schedule, became fluent in Japanese, and engaged in training for mixed martial arts but chose to pursue professional wrestling.^[10] She was given the ring name Amazing Kong by Masatsugu Matsunaga, who needed a replacement for Japanese female wrestler Aja Kong in several matches.^[11] Stevens, as Kong, worked for multiple women's promotions in Japan, and she defeated Ayako Hamada for the WWWA World Heavyweight Championship in late 2004.^[4] Later, Stevens cited Hamada as one of her favorite opponents.^[11]

In 2004 Kong debuted for the joshi promotion Gaea Japan in a match against Aja Kong. In the battle of American Kong versus Japanese Kong on April 30 at Limit Break. At the promotion's ninth anniversary event Aja Kong won the match but gained enough respect for Amazing Kong that the two attacked both competitors in the main event, revealing themselves as a new tag team named Double Kong.^[12] The duo soon made their presence felt when they challenged Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka for the AAAW Tag Team Championship on May 5 and won.^[13] The team defended the championship successfully all Summer, eventually losing to Manami Toyota and Carlos Amano on September 20.^[14] Going into 2005, Kong main evented the final Gaea show before the promotion closed down. In the final match of Fifth Anniversary, Kong teamed with Ayako Hamada and Mayumi Ozaki in a winning effort against Akino, Dynamite Kansai and Gami with Ayako picking up the victory.^[15]

After the closure of Gaea, Double Kong went on to wrestle for a number of Japanese promotions including Hustle, where they were given the comedic gimmicks of Margaret and Erika which involved, among other things, wrestling in a yellow tutu.^[10] They won the predominantly male Hustle Super Tag Team Championship from June until October 2006.^[4][16] They were also the final team to hold WWWA World Tag Team Championship before AJW shut down.^[10] In early 2007, Kong also won the AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Women's Championship in Tokyo, Japan and held it from January to May.^[4] She lost it to Nanae Takahashi in a three way match, which also included Wesna.^[17]

Shimmer Women Athletes[link]

Championship pursuits (2006–2010)[link]

Her success in Japan attracted the attention of United States promotion Shimmer Women Athletes, who began regularly booking her for their DVD tapings in Kong's homeland from May 2006. Her debut came on Volume 5 with a win against Nikki Roxx.^[18] She defeated Roxx again on Volume 14: Hot Summer Nights in a rematch.^[19] The rematch was Kong's fifth successive win which led her to challenge for the Shimmer Championship in October 2007 against inaugural champion Sara Del Rey, for the Volume 15 taping. Del Rey retained to give Kong her first Shimmer loss, albeit via count out.^[20]

Kong then began another winning streak, losing only to Ariel by disqualification after using a chair on Volume 17 which set back her chances of being given another championship match. She was placed in a Four-Way Contendership match on Volume 21; during the match Mercedes Martinez used her Fisherman Buster finisher on Cheerleader Melissa but before she could be pinned, Kong dragged Martinez to the floor and the two battled it out while Ariel stole the win to receive a championship match.^[21] This incident led to a grudge match between Martinez and Kong on Volume 23, which Kong won.^[22] On the following show, instead of a Shimmer Championship match, Kong was put in a contendership match for the Shimmer Tag Team Championship, forming a brief alliance of convenience with Del Rey, who herself was having issues with their opponents MelissChif (Cheerleader Melissa and Shimmer Champion MsChif). After winning the match,^[23] they faced the reigning champions Ashley Lane and Nevaeh in the following match, and once again Kong was disqualified after using chairs on her opponents. An assault continued until Martinez and Serena Deeb, who was feuding with Del Rey, appeared to help out the Tag Team Champions. This occurrence led to another tag team match with Kong and Del Rey picking up a victory over Martinez and Deeb.^[24]

Wanting to focus on her singles career again, Kong wrestled LuFisto on Volume 27 in a match to take on the Shimmer Champion. It ended in a double count-out, with the two brawling outside the ring through the building and even during the next match in the show. This meant the championship match on Volume 28, in November 2009, would be a three-way elimination match including the champion MsChif.^[25] Kong eliminated LuFisto early on with an Amazing Bomb, essentially leading to a rematch of Kong and MsChif's critically respected Volume 9 match.^[26][27] In this match, however, MsChif took a return win after kicking out of the Amazing Bomb and delivering all of her signature finishing moves on Kong to become the first woman to pin Kong in Shimmer.^[25] She appeared for one more appearance in September 2010 for the Volume 35 event, answering an open challenge by Kellie Skater with an emphatic victory.^[28]

Ring of Honor (2007, 2010)[link]

Owing to Shimmer being a sister promotion of Ring of Honor (ROH), Kong was noticed by ROH and scouted to appear on both products. On 15 September 2007 she made her debut for ROH at their Man Up pay-per-view (PPV). Teaming with Daizee Haze in a tag team match, they defeated Sara Del Rey and Lacey.^[29]

Kong returned to ROH on May 8, 2010 to take part in the promotion's annual Supercard of Honor V. Once more she wrestled Del Rey, this time in a singles match which she lost after Del Rey used a weighted elbow pad thrown to her by Kings of Wrestling stablemate Chris Hero, sparking a rivalry between the two.^[30] Kong returned to settle the score with Del Rey two months later at Hate: Chapter II on July 23. The Kings of Wrestling were in the midst of a rivalry with the Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark), and so Kong teamed with them in a six-person tag team match, where they defeated Del Rey, Hero and their stablemate Claudio Castagnoli, though Kong did not secure the pin. Consequently, they had a singles rematch the following night, with Kong finally defeating Del Rey one-on-one.^[31][32] At the end of the year, ROH held their live PPV Final Battle 2010, which saw Del Rey challenge Daizee Haze to bring more competition to ROH. Haze responded by bringing Kong back for the December 18 match against Del Rey and her partner Serena Deeb. In the match Del Rey pinned Haze, while Deeb successfully neutralized Kong with a spear.^[33]

Independent circuit (2007–2010)[link]

Amazing Kong wrestling for the National Wrestling Alliance in 2010.

After growing success in Shimmer, Kong began appearing on the American independent circuit bringing with her the AWA World Women's Championship from Japan. She put it on the line in a champion versus champion match against MsChif's NWA World Women's Championship on May 5, 2007 becoming a joint champion with her win.^[4][34] A rematch between the two in September, exclusively for the NWA belt after Kong lost the AWA title in May, headlined the NWA No Limits 3rd Anniversary Show which saw Kong retain the title.^[35] Kong defended the belt in a number of promotions throughout the year but 11 months later, in April 2008, MsChif won back the title via countout under a special stipulation to retain Kong's stature.^[36] The following year, Kong once again challenged for the NWA World Championship at NWA Charlotte's Valentine's Day themed inaugural show, Thorns & Roses, in the penultimate match of the evening. With Daffney in her corner, MsChif and saved herself from the Awesome Bomb by using her green mist, disqualifying herself to retain the belt in the process.^[37]

In June 2007, Kong toured Great Britain under the ChickFight promotion, wrestling guest matches under that banner for other promotions. The tour started on June 15 in Wales for Celtic Wrestling, where she picked up a victory over ChickFight stalwart Cheerleader Melissa.^[38] The following day Kong debuted for Real Quality Wrestling (RQW) and took part in a Four-Way RQW Women's Championship match, that saw Wesna win the belt from reigning champion Eden Black, with Jetta also coming up winless.^[39] The following day Kong competed in Chickfight IX, the ninth and final all-women knockout tournament under the ChickFight banner. She received a bye via forfeit, owing to a severe injury Cheerleader Melissa had given her opponent Sweet Saraya at RQW the night before, which allowed her to be fresh against Blue Nikita. After defeating Nikita in the semi-final, she faced dethroned RQW Champion Eden Black and won the trophy.^[40]

After achieving notoriety on national television, Kong received more bookings including for the all-female company Women Superstars Uncensored in March 2008. She appeared at their First Anniversary Show answering an open challenge made by Rick Cataldo and Roxxie Cotton, defeating them both in a handicap match within a minute. Later in the same event she teamed with Amy Lee and defeated Angel Orsini and Shimmer rival Mercedes Martinez. Despite picking up the victory, Kong felt that Lee stole the glory of a win from her and went to attack Lee; this led to an Amy Lee's Rules match in the main event of Dawn of a New Day which Kong won after Lee passed out, refusing to submit. The two had a rematch at Army of One which Kong lost by disqualification after hitting a referee leading to a deciding rubber match contested under Last Man Standing rules. At the Second Anniversary Show, Kong narrowly beat Amy Lee after charging at Lee with a chair only for Lee to pass out to the ground and Kong to hit the ropes and knock the chair back into herself. Judging Lee to have been down one count before Kong, Kong won the match but bowed to Lee afterwards out of respect.^[41]

After winning this match, Kong was given a match against Martinez for the WSU Championship in December 2009 at a WSU and National Wrestling Superstars co-hosted event.^[41] Kong received another chance at the title at Evolve 5: Danielson v Sawa for the Evolve promotion but still could not bring an end to Martinez's two year reign.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling[link]

Knockout Champion (2007–2009)[link]

Awesome Kong (right) with her manager Raisha Saeed.

Stevens debuted on the October 11, 2007 episode of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)'s flagship show Impact! under the tweaked name Awesome Kong as part of TNA's attempt to bolster their Knockout division. After defeating Gail Kim,^[4] Kong participated appeared at the Bound for Glory PPV. There she took part in a 10-Knockout Gauntlet match to crown the first TNA Women's Knockout Champion but she was eliminated by the combined effort of Angelina Love, ODB and eventual winner Gail Kim.^[42] Two months later at Turning Point, she lost a Women's Knockout Championship match to Kim via disqualification after shoving the referee and Awesome Bombing him.^[43] This incident led to a No Disqualification match for the Women's Knockout Championship at Final Resolution in January 2008, which Kong also lost.^[4] On the next episode of Impact!, airing 10 January, Kong debuted an anonymous manager wearing a niqāb, later named Raisha Saeed; with her help Kong finally won the Women's Knockout Championship.^[4] At Lockdown, Kong and Saeed teamed up for the first time, losing a Tag Team Cage match to Kim and ODB.^[44]

On the 8 May episode of Impact! Kong began a regular $25,000 challenge to females in the audience who wanted to challenge her for the Women's Knockout Championship. The audience members, played by planted wrestlers, failed to defeat her but one challenger, Taylor Wilde, kept returning and on 10 July she won both the $25,000 and Women's Knockout Championship on her third attempt.^[4][45] Kong then failed to regain the championship from Wilde during a rematch at Victory Road.^[46] On October 23, during a live episode of Impact! Kong defeated Wilde to become a two-time Knockout Champion.^[4] Two weeks later Wilde's tag team partner Rhaka Khan turned on her and aligned herself with Kong and Saeed.^[47] The alliance of Kong, Saeed and Khan became known as The Kongtourage, with a fourth wrestler named Sojourner Bolt joining later.^[48] Wilde then found a new partner in Roxxi, who helped her defeat Kong and Saeed in a tag team match at Turning Point.^[49] Going into 2009, Bolt became the contender for Kong's championship and left the Kongtourage with Khan.^[50][51] Kong retained her title against Bolt at Destination X in April.^[52]

Kong having her hair cut during her rivalry with The Beautiful People.

On the March 26 episode of Impact!, Kong and Saeed were defeated by villainous tag team The Beautiful People (Angelina Love and Velvet Sky), and after the match The Beautiful People tried to cut Kong's hair as part of their makeover gimmick.^[53] They continued to target Kong's hair and eventually accomplished the task on the April 16 episode of Impact! which transitioned Kong into a fan favorite by attempting to retaliate.^[4] The tension built to a Three-Way Cage match at Lockdown for the Women's Knockout Championship with Kong defending against Angelina Love and continual rival Wilde. In the match, Kong lost the championship after Velvet Sky, on the outside, tied Kong's hair to the cage preventing her from breaking up Love's pin on Wilde.^[54] After losing the title, Kong defeated Love's allies Sky, Madison Rayne and Cute Kip in separate Stretcher matches ahead of their rematch.^[4] Love, however, retained the title against Kong at Sacrifice.^[4]

Knockouts Tag Team Champion (2009–2010)[link]

In August 2009 Kong and Saeed entered the tournament to crown the inaugural TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions. In the first round of the tournament, the team was able to defeat The Main Event Mafia (Traci Brooks and Sharmell) after Saeed blind tagged Kong and pinned Brooks, much to Kong's dismay.^[55] Three weeks later they were eliminated from the tournament by their long term rival Taylor Wilde and her partner Sarita when Wilde pinned Saeed.^[56] Subsequently, Kong began rivalries with Tara and Knockout Champion ODB. At Bound for Glory, Kong had her last match for the Knockout Championship against Tara and ODB, but Saeed inadvertently cost Kong match while interfering.^[57] On the following episode of Impact! Kong faced Saeed in a grudge match and powerbombed her through the entrance stage, signalling the end of both their partnership and the Saeed character.^[58] After interfering in two of Tara's matches, Kong and Tara wrestled at Turning Point in a Cage match, which Tara won.^[59]

On the December 17 episode of Impact! Kong formed a tag team with Hamada as they won a three-way non-title match against The Beautiful People (Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky) and the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions Taylor Wilde and Sarita, when Kong pinned Rayne.^[60] On the first Impact! episode of 2010, Kong and Hamada defeated Sarita and Wilde to win the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship.^[61]

In a non-storyline incident Bubba the Love Sponge claimed on his January 19 radio show that Stevens had attacked him while backstage for the tapings of Impact! the previous day due to his negative comments concerning the Haiti earthquake relief project. Kong, who had been a driving force in the wrestling community in raising funds for Haiti, was reportedly sent home from the tapings following the altercation.^[62] It was later reported that the same day as Bubba's radio show, Stevens asked for her release from TNA, but it was not granted.^[63] After she refused to take part in TNA's January 2010 tour of the United Kingdom, the company suspended her.^[64] The following month, Stevens filed a lawsuit against Bubba for an alleged threatening phone call.^[65] She was reportedly released from TNA on 1 March.^[66] On the March 8 episode of Impact! it was announced that Kong and Hamada were stripped of the Knockouts Tag Team title after allegedly failing to defend them in 30 days,^[67] even though their previous defense had taken place just 21 days prior, against Madison Rayne and Velvet Sky.^[68] On March 22, TNA confirmed Stevens' release, while also claiming that she had requested her release due to personal reasons, but she later said it was due to monetary issues and recent changes to TNA management.^[69][70]

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2010–present)[link]

On December 29, 2010, it was reported that Stevens had signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).^[71][72] From April 11, 2011 onwards, vignettes aired during WWE television with Stevens, whose face was concealed by shadows and her signature braids, dismembering female dolls while cackling maniacally.^[73] During the April 25 episode of Raw, Stevens' face was shown for the first time in the vignettes, and her new ring name was revealed as Kharma.^[3] Kharma made her debut on May 1 at Extreme Rules, attacking Michelle McCool after a match where she had lost her WWE contract,^[74] and she continued to attack different WWE Divas on both Raw and SmackDown in the following weeks.^[75][76] On the May 23 episode of Raw, Kharma interrupted a tag team match but rather than attack everyone, she uncharacteristically broke down crying.^[77] The following week, Kharma spoke for the first time to reveal she was pregnant and thus forced to take a leave of absence from WWE.^[78] During the promo, she was interrupted by The Bella Twins (Brie and Nikki). After they insulted her, Kharma said she'd hope they would still be in WWE when she returned, in order to get payback over their remarks. During her absence, she was included as a downloadable playable character in the WWE '12 video game.^[79]

Kharma made a surprise return in the 2012 Royal Rumble match as the twenty-first entrant. She intimidated Michael Cole into eliminating himself before eliminating Hunico only to be thrown out by Dolph Ziggler, after she gave him an Implant Buster.^[80]

Personal life[link]

Stevens grew up in Carson, California and has a younger brother.^[7] Prior to becoming a professional wrestler, she was employed as a social worker.^[9] She also owned a business that put vending machines in several high schools.^[7] Stevens' family and friends helped her fund her career in wrestling, when she went to train in Japan.^[7] She is also an investor in Nu Skin Enterprises, a line of skin and nutritional products.^[7]

On December 22, 2010, Stevens was arrested in Hillsborough County, Florida for driving without a valid license. She was charged with a second degree misdemeanor and released less than two hours later on $1,000 bond.^[81]

On May 30, 2011 Stevens announced that she was pregnant with her first child.^[82] Stevens announced that she had given birth to a baby boy named Jamie on December 31, 2011.^[83] She later stated that the child had died before she could give birth and that she announced the birth as a success due to her emotional state at the time. She also stated her intention to start a foundation for women who have experienced the loss of an unborn child.^[84]

In wrestling[link]

Kong executing an Amazing Press diving splash on Tyler Black at an NWA Midwest event.

Kong using her Awesome Bomb on Roxxi Laveaux.

• Finishing moves
  • Amazing Bomb (Independent circuit / Japan) / Awesome Bomb (TNA) (Sitout powerbomb)^[6][85]
  • Amazing Press^[6] (Independent circuit / Japan) / Diving splash^[86] (TNA)
  • Implant Buster (Lifting double underhook facebuster)^[1]

• Signature moves
  • Accordion Rack (Bow and arrow backbreaker rack)^[87]
  • Body avalanche^[88]
  • Gorilla press slam^[1]
  • One handed^[89] or a two handed chokeslam^[90]
  • Running splash^[91]
  • Short-range lariat^[89]
  • Spinning backfist^[6]

• With Hamada
  • Finishing moves
    • Falling powerbomb (Kong) / Missile dropkick (Hamada) combination^[61]

• Managers
  • Raisha Saeed^[1]

• Entrance themes
  • "Empire March" by Dale Oliver (TNA)^[92]
  • "Bad Karma" by Jim Johnston (WWE)^[93]
    

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling
  • WWWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[4]
  • WWWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Aja Kong^[1]
  • Japan Grand Prix (2003)^[94]
• AWA Superstars of Wrestling
  • AWA Superstars World Women's Championship (1 time)^[4]
• Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Women's Wrestling (Active) Award (2011)^[95]
• ChickFight
  • ChickFight IX^[40]
• GAEA Japan
  • AAAW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Aja Kong^[1]

Kong as TNA Knockout Champion.

• HUSTLE
  • Hustle Super Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Erika^[16]
• Ladies Legend Pro Wrestling
  • LLPW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Aja Kong^[1]
• NWA Midwest
  • NWA World Women's Championship (1 time)^[4]
• NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling
  • NEO Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Haruka Matsuo (1), and Kyoko Kimura (1)^[1]
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked her #1 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2008^[96]
  • PWI Woman of the Year (2008)
• Pro Wrestling World-1
  • World-1 Women's Championship (1 time)^[1]
• Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
  • TNA Women's Knockout Championship (2 times)^[4]
  • TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Hamada^[61]

References[link]