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Hydrogen atom (center) contains a single proton and a single electron. Removal of the electron gives a cation (left), whereas addition of an electron gives an anion (right). The hydrogen anion, with its loosely held two-electron cloud, has a larger radius than the neutral atom, which in turn is much larger than the bare proton of the cation. Hydrogen forms the only cation that has no electrons, but even cations that (unlike hydrogen) still retain one or more electrons are still smaller than the neutral atoms or molecules from which they are derived.

An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass ("go") between electrodes in a solution, when an electric field is applied. It is the transliteration of the Greek participle ἰόν, ión, "going".

An ion consisting of a single atom is an atomic or monatomic ion; if it consists of two or more atoms, it is a molecular or polyatomic ion.

Anions and cations[link]

An anion (−) ( /ˈæn.aɪ.ən/ AN-eye-ən), from the Greek word ἄνω (ánō), meaning "up", is an ion with more electrons than protons, giving it a net negative charge (since electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged).

A cation (+) ( /ˈkæt.aɪ.ən/ KAT-eye-ən), from the Greek word κατά (katá), meaning "down", is an ion with fewer electrons than protons, giving it a positive charge. Since the charge on a proton is equal in magnitude to the charge on an electron, the net charge on an ion is equal to the number of protons in the ion minus the number of electrons.

General[link]

History and discovery[link]

The word ion is the Greek ιον (going), the present participle of ιεναι, ienai, "to go". This term was introduced by English physicist and chemist Michael Faraday in 1834 for the then-unknown species that goes from one electrode to the other through an aqueous medium.^[1][2] Faraday did not know the nature of these species, but he knew that since metals dissolved into and entered solution at one electrode, and new metal came forth from solution at the other electrode, that some kind of substance moved through the solution in a current, conveying matter from one place to the other.

Faraday also introduced the words anion for a negatively charged ion, and cation for a positively charged one. In Faraday's nomenclature, cations were named because they were attracted to the cathode in a galvanic device and anions were named due to their attraction to the anode.

Characteristics[link]

Ions in their gas-like state are highly reactive, and do not occur in large amounts on Earth, except in flames, lightning, electrical sparks, and other plasmas. These gas-like ions rapidly interact with ions of opposite charge to give neutral molecules or ionic salts. Ions are also produced in the liquid or solid state when salts interact with solvents (for example, water) to produce "solvated ions," which are more stable, for reasons involving a combination of energy and entropy changes as the ions move away from each other to interact with the liquid. These stabilized species are more commonly found in the environment at low temperatures. A common example is the ions present in seawater, which are derived from the dissolved salts.

All ions are charged, which means that like all charged objects they are:

• attracted to opposite electric charges (positive to negative, and vice versa),
• repelled by like charges
• when moving, travel in trajectories that are deflected by a magnetic field.

Electrons, due to their smaller mass and thus larger space-filling properties as matter waves, determine the size of atoms and molecules that possess any electrons at all. Thus, anions (negatively charged ions) are larger than the parent molecule or atom, as the excess electron(s) repel each other, and add to the physical size of the ion, because its size is determined by its electron cloud. As such, in general, cations are smaller than the corresponding parent atom or molecule due to the smaller size of its electron cloud. One particular cation (that of hydrogen) contains no electrons, and thus is very much smaller than the parent hydrogen atom.

Natural occurrences[link]

Ions are ubiquitous in nature and are responsible for diverse phenomena from the luminescence of the Sun to the existence of the Earth's ionosphere. Atoms in their ionic state may have a different color from neutral atoms, and thus light absorption by metal ions gives the color of gemstones. In both inorganic and organic chemistry (including biochemistry), the interaction of water and ions is extremely important; an example is the energy that drives breakdown of ATP. The following sections describe contexts in which ions feature prominently; these are arranged in decreasing physical length-scale, from the astronomical to the microscopic.

Astronomical[link]

The remnant of "Tycho's Supernova", a huge ball of expanding plasma. The outer shell shown in blue is X-ray emission by high-speed electrons.

A collection of non-aqueous gas-like ions, or even a gas containing a proportion of charged particles, is called a plasma. Greater than 99.9% of visible matter in the Universe may be in the form of plasmas.^[3] These include our Sun and other stars and the space between planets, as well as the space in between stars. Plasmas are often called the fourth state of matter because their properties are substantially different from those of solids, liquids, and gases. Astrophysical plasmas predominantly contain a mixture of electrons and protons (ionized hydrogen).

Related technology[link]

Ions can be non-chemically prepared using various ion sources, usually involving high voltage or temperature. These are used in a multitude of devices such as mass spectrometers, optical emission spectrometers, particle accelerators, ion implanters, and ion engines.

As reactive charged particles, they are also used in air purification by disrupting microbes, and in household items such as smoke detectors.

As signaling and metabolism in organisms are controlled by a precise ionic gradient across membranes, the disruption of this gradient contributes to cell death. This is a common mechanism exploited by natural and artificial biocides, including the ion channels gramicidin and amphotericin (a fungicide).

Inorganic dissolved ions are a component of total dissolved solids, an indicator of water quality in the world.

Chemistry[link]

Notation[link]

Denoting the charged state[link]

Equivalent notations for an iron atom (Fe) that lost two electrons.

When writing the chemical formula for an ion, its net charge is written in superscript immediately after the chemical structure for the molecule/atom. The net charge is written with the magnitude before the sign; that is, a doubly charged cation is indicated as 2+ instead of +2. However, the magnitude of the charge is omitted for singly charged molecules/atoms; for example, the sodium cation is indicated as Na⁺ and not Na¹⁺.

An alternative (and acceptable) way of showing a molecule/atom with multiple charges is by drawing out the signs multiple times; this is often seen with transition metals. Chemists sometimes circle the sign; this is merely ornamental and does not alter the chemical meaning. All three representations of Fe²⁺ shown in the figure are, thus, equivalent.

Mixed Roman numerals and charge notations for the uranyl ion. The oxidation state of the metal is shown as superscripted Roman numerals, whereas the charge of the entire complex is shown by the angle symbol together with the magnitude and sign of the net charge.

Monatomic ions are sometimes also denoted with Roman numerals; for example, the Fe²⁺ example seen above is occasionally referred to as Fe(II) or Fe^II. The Roman numeral designates the formal oxidation state of an element, whereas the superscripted numerals denotes the net charge. The two notations are, therefore, exchangeable for monatomic ions, but the Roman numerals cannot be applied to polyatomic ions. However, it is possible to mix the notations for the individual metal center with a polyatomic complex, as shown by the uranyl ion example.

Sub-classes[link]

If an ion contains unpaired electrons, it is called a radical ion. Just like uncharged radicals, radical ions are very reactive. Polyatomic ions containing oxygen, such as carbonate and sulfate, are called oxyanions. Molecular ions that contain at least one carbon to hydrogen bond are called organic ions. If the charge in an organic ion is formally centered on a carbon, it is termed a carbocation (if positively charged) or carbanion (if negatively charged).

Formation[link]

Formation of monatomic ions[link]

Monatomic ions are formed by the addition of electrons to the valence shell of the atom, which is the outer-most electron shell in an atom, or the losing of electrons from this shell. The inner shells of an atom are filled with electrons that are tightly bound to the positively charged atomic nucleus, and so do not participate in this kind of chemical interaction. The process of gaining or losing electrons from a neutral atom or molecule is called ionization.

Atoms can be ionized by bombardment with radiation, but the more usual process of ionization encountered in chemistry is the transfer of electrons between atoms or molecules. This transfer is usually driven by the attaining of stable ("closed shell") electronic configurations. Atoms will gain or lose electrons depending on which action takes the least energy.

For example, a sodium atom, Na, has a single electron in its valence shell, surrounding 2 stable, filled inner shells of 2 and 8 electrons. Since these filled shells are very stable, a sodium atom tends to lose its extra electron and attain this stable configuration, becoming a sodium cation in the process

Na → Na⁺ + e−

On the other hand, a chlorine atom, Cl, has 7 electrons in its valence shell, which is one short of the stable, filled shell with 8 electrons. Thus, a chlorine atom tends to gain an extra electron and attain a stable 8-electron configuration, becoming a chloride anion in the process:

Cl + e−
→ Cl⁻

This driving force is what causes sodium and chlorine to undergo a chemical reaction, wherein the "extra" electron is transferred from sodium to chlorine, forming sodium cations and chloride anions. Being oppositely charged, these cations and anions form ionic bonds and combine to form sodium chloride, NaCl, more commonly known as rock salt.

Na⁺ + Cl⁻ → NaCl

Formation of polyatomic and molecular ions[link]

An electrostatic potential map of the nitrate ion (NO−
3). The 3-dimensional shell represents a single arbitrary isopotential.

Polyatomic and molecular ions are often formed by the gaining or losing of elemental ions such as H⁺ in neutral molecules. For example, when ammonia, NH₃, accepts a proton, H⁺, it forms the ammonium ion, NH+
4. Ammonia and ammonium have the same number of electrons in essentially the same electronic configuration, but ammonium has an extra proton that gives it a net positive charge.

Ammonia can also lose an electron to gain a positive charge, forming the ion ·NH+
3. However, this ion is unstable, because it has an incomplete valence shell around the nitrogen atom, making it a very reactive radical ion.

Due to the instability of radical ions, polyatomic and molecular ions are usually formed by gaining or losing elemental ions such as H⁺, rather than gaining or losing electrons. This allows the molecule to preserve its stable electronic configuration while acquiring an electrical charge.

Ionization potential[link]

The energy required to detach an electron in its lowest energy state from an atom or molecule of a gas with less net electric charge is called the ionization potential, or ionization energy. The nth ionization energy of an atom is the energy required to detach its nth electron after the first n − 1 electrons have already been detached.

Each successive ionization energy is markedly greater than the last. Particularly great increases occur after any given block of atomic orbitals is exhausted of electrons. For this reason, ions tend to form in ways that leave them with full orbital blocks. For example, sodium has one valence electron in its outermost shell, so in ionized form it is commonly found with one lost electron, as Na⁺. On the other side of the periodic table, chlorine has seven valence electrons, so in ionized form it is commonly found with one gained electron, as Cl⁻. Caesium has the lowest measured ionization energy of all the elements and helium has the greatest.^[4] In general, the ionization energy of metals is much lower than the ionization energy of nonmetals, which is why, in general, metals will lose electrons to form positively charged ions and nonmetals will gain electrons to form negatively charged ions.

Ionic bonding[link]

Ionic bonding is a kind of chemical bonding that arises from the mutual attraction of oppositely charged ions. Since ions of like charge repel each other, they do not usually exist on their own. Instead, many of them may form a crystal lattice, in which ions of opposite charge are bound to each other. The resulting compound is called an ionic compound, and is said to be held together by ionic bonding. In ionic compounds there arise characteristic distances between ion neighbors from which the spatial extension and the ionic radius of individual ions may be derived.

The most common type of ionic bonding is seen in compounds of metals and nonmetals (except noble gases, which rarely form chemical compounds). Metals are characterized by having a small number of electrons in excess of a stable, closed-shell electronic configuration. As such, they have the tendency to lose these extra electrons in order to attain a stable configuration. This property is known as electropositivity. Non-metals, on the other hand, are characterized by having an electron configuration just a few electrons short of a stable configuration. As such, they have the tendency to gain more electrons in order to achieve a stable configuration. This tendency is known as electronegativity. When a highly electropositive metal is combined with a highly electronegative nonmetal, the extra electrons from the metal atoms are transferred to the electron-deficient nonmetal atoms. This reaction produces metal cations and nonmetal anions, which are attracted to each other to form a salt.

Chemical applications[link]

This section requires expansion.

Gas-like ions and solvated ions both have tremendous impact on chemical analysis and synthesis.

Mass spectrometry[link]

Catalysis[link]

Transition metal ions catalysis[link]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it.

Templated synthesis of organic compounds[link]

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it.

Common ions[link]

See also[link]

• Air ionizer
• Anode
• Cathode
• Ion beam
• Ion source
• Ionic radius
• Auroras
• List of plasma (physics) articles

References[link]

v t e Galvanic cells Non-rechargeable: primary cells Alkaline battery Aluminium battery Bunsen cell Chromic acid cell Clark cell Daniell cell Dry cell Grove cell Leclanché cell Lithium battery Mercury battery Nickel oxyhydroxide battery Silicon–air battery Silver-oxide battery Weston cell Zamboni pile Zinc–air battery Zinc–carbon battery Zinc–chloride battery Rechargeable: secondary cells Automotive battery Lead–acid battery Lead–acid battery (gel) Lithium–air battery Lithium-ion battery Beltway battery Lithium-ion polymer battery Lithium iron phosphate battery Lithium–sulfur battery Lithium–titanate battery Nickel–cadmium battery Nickel–hydrogen battery Nickel–iron battery Nickel–lithium battery Nickel–metal hydride battery Low self-discharge NiMH battery Nickel–zinc battery Potassium-ion battery Rechargeable alkaline battery Sodium-ion battery Sodium–sulfur battery Vanadium redox battery Zinc–bromine battery Zinc–cerium battery Kinds of cells Battery Wet cell Dry cell Concentration cell Flow battery Fuel cell Trough battery Voltaic pile Parts of cells Anode Catalyst Cathode Electrolyte Half-cell Ions Salt bridge Semipermeable membrane

Zema Ion
Zema Ion in 2012
Ring name(s)	Shiima Xion[1] Michale Montecarlo[2] Shiima Casanova Zema Ion[3]
Billed height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2][3]
Billed weight	170 lb (77 kg)[2][3]
Born	(1986-10-05) October 5, 1986 (age 25)[2] Los Angeles, California[2]
Resides	Chester, West Virginia
Billed from	Manila, Philippines[2][3]
Trained by	Super Hentai[2] Shirley Doe[2] Taz El Ferroz[1] Gran Apache
Debut	2004[2]

Michael Paris^[2] (born October 5, 1986) is a Filipino American^{[citation needed]} professional wrestler better known by his ring name, Shiima Xion.^[2] He is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he competes as Zema Ion, while also working both on the American independent circuit and in Mexico.^[2]

Professional wrestling career[link]

Early career[link]

Michael Paris claims that he grew up always wanting to become either a professional wrestler or a rock star. After discovering that he could not play guitar well, Paris began searching for wrestling schools in his area at age of 16.

In 2003, Paris began training to become a professional wrestler at the Coalition of Competition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under trainers Super Hentai, Shirley Doe, and Glenn Spectre.^[2] He trained there for 14 months before debuting as Shiima Xion, the "first Filipino male model of wrestling" on August 21, 2004 against Jason Gory in Wheeling, West Virginia.^[2] Shiima Xion competed throughout West Virginia and Ohio in the fall of 2004, since he was not old enough to compete in the state of Pennsylvania. Shortly after turning 18, however, Xion began competing regularly for the International Wrestling Cartel, as well as making appearances in Chikara, Far North Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Unplugged.^[2][4]

By early 2006, the Shiima Xion character had become more of a glam rock star than a male model, as Xion began wearing make-up to the ring, and had also changed his hair color from black to red/blonde.^[2] His bizarre hair style soon became his trademark, with Shiima becoming best known for hairspraying his hair during matches.^[2][4]

The androgynous character eventually caught the attention of Japanese wrestling promoter Sanshiro Takagi, who invited 19-year old Shiima to tour Japan with his company, Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) in the summer of 2006.^[2]

Shiima Xion was featured in the Introducing... article in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's The Wrestler, volume 19, 2007.^[2] The magazine was released on newsstands nationwide on December 4, 2007, with a two-page article spread on Shiima.^[4]

International Wrestling Cartel (2004–2008)[link]

Shiima Xion made his IWC debut on November 6, 2004 in Munhall, Pennsylvania.^[2] Shiima lost to Jason Gory, who was also making his IWC debut that night.^[2] The two feuded into 2005, culminating at IWC No Excuses on July 29, 2005.^[2] Gory won the feud, and the two would not wrestle again until IWC Super Indy V on April 15, 2006, in which Shiima defeated Gory with the Filipino Destroyer. Post-match saw the two shake hands for the first time in their near two-year long rivalry and eventually led to them forming a tag team known as BabyFace Fire (BFF).^[2][4]

BFF teamed for the first time on July 7, 2006, and were defeated by Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli. The team is best known for their scramble matches with the Gambino Brothers, Sexual Harassment, and the Cleveland Mafia. The second of these scrambles, which took place on December 9, 2006, saw BFF capture their first IWC Tag Team Championship.^[2] Xion & Gory held onto the belts until March 2007, in which The Gambino Brothers challenged the champions, despite both BFF members already competing in singles action earlier in the night.^[2] The challenge was accepted, and Xion was pinned by Marshall Gambino after interference from Jimmy Demarco.^[2] Later that year, after a violent feud with the Gambinos, BFF won their second IWC Tag Team Championship on December 8, 2007.^[2] They would hold onto the tag titles twice as long as their first reign, until Sexual Harassment defeated BFF for the belts in June 2008.^[2] They also lost their rematch in a huge TLC match in August 2008.^[4]

Shiima Xion has also had many notable singles matches in IWC, including battles against Homicide, A.J. Styles, Chris Sabin, Jerry Lynn, and Chavo Guerrero.^[2] On May 11, 2007 Xion competed in the IWC Super Indy VI tournament.^[2] He defeated Ruckus in the first round and Super Hentai in the semifinals before losing to Larry Sweeney in the finals.^[2] The next year, Xion competed in the IWC Super Indy VII tournament.^[2] In the first round, he defeated "Altar Boy" Luke Hawx.^[2] He then lost in the semifinals to the eventual winner of the tournament, Jerry Lynn.^[2] In September 2008, Xion defeated Marshall Gambino to qualify for another tournament, for the vacant IWC World Heavyweight Championship.^[2] Xion defeated Justin Idol, John McChesney, and Raymond Rowe to advance to the finals, where he defeated Jimmy DeMarco with a 630 splash to win the tournament on October 25 and 26, 2008.^[2][4]

Dramatic Dream Team (2006, 2009)[link]

Shiima Xion made his Japanese debut in a losing effort, as Xion and the MAC were defeated by CMLL/KO-D Tag Team Champions, Dick Togo and Nobutaka Moribe, on June 22, 2006 in Shinjuku, Japan.^[2] Xion also appeared in the Takayuki Mikami-produced Cruiser's Game fourth Special, teaming with Kudo and Susumu against Kagetora, Yuko Miyamoto, and Mannjimaru. Xion's only win on the tour was on July 2, 2006, in which Xion, Kudo, and Mikami defeated Harashima, Toru Owashi, and Yusuke Inokuma in Shimane, Japan.^[2][4] Xion returned to Japan on August 9, 2009, competing in a six-man tag team match on a joint show with Macky Puroresu Shop and Big Japan Wrestling. Xion won the match for his team.

Desastre Total Ultraviolento (2008–2009)[link]

Shiima Xion made his Desastre Total Ultraviolento debut on May 3, 2008 in Mexico City, Mexico in a tag match with Joe Lider against El Generico and Crazy Boy. Xion lost the match after a top rope brainbuster from El Generico. Xion returned to DTU on July 11, 2009 in Tulancingo, Mexico in a 3-way light tube deathmatch with Crazy Boy and Extreme Tiger. Xion lost after a Swanton Bomb from Extreme Tiger. Xion also competed in DTU`s "Fashion" event on on July 26, 2009 in Mexico City, where Xion challenged for the DTU championship in a 3-way match with Aero Boy and Ragde. Aero Boy became the new DTU champion after pinning Xion.

AAA (2009–present)[link]

Shiima joined the AAA roster in Summer of 2009, debuting on a Cuautitlan, Mexico TV taping in a six-man tag that feautured Shiima, Teddy Hart and Electro Shock going against La Parka, Jack Evans and Extreme Tiger. Shiima was pinned following a double stomp from Tiger.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2011–present)[link]

On June 23, 2011, Paris made an appearance on Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact Wrestling television show, working under the ring name Zema Ion, defeating Dakota Darsow and Federico Palacios in a three–way X Division match to advance to the tournament finals at Destination X, where a contract with the promotion would be at stake.^[5] At the pay-per-view, Ion competed in a four-way match against Jack Evans, Low Ki and the eventual winner of the match, Austin Aries.^[6] On July 24 it was reported that Paris had signed a contract with TNA.^[7] Zema Ion made his return to TNA on the August 11 edition of Impact Wrestling, appearing in a backstage segment, where Eric Bischoff introduced new rules to the X Division.^[8] The following week, Ion took part in a gauntlet match to determine the X Division rankings. After eliminating Mark Haskins from the match, Ion was himself eliminated by Jesse Sorensen, placing him fifth in the rankings.^[9] Ion returned on the September 28 edition of Impact Wrestling, working in a five man ladder match, which was won by Brian Kendrick.^[10] On the December 15 edition of Impact Wrestling, Ion started Best of Three Series with Anthony Nese to determine the third and final challenger for the X Division Championship at Genesis. Ion, now wrestling as a heel, won the first match of the series.^[11] Two weeks later, Ion defeated Nese in a Contract on a Pole match to win the series 2-1 and advance to the pay-per-view.^[12] On January 8, 2012, at Genesis, Ion was the second man eliminated from the X Division Championship match, which also included Austin Aries, Jesse Sorensen and Kid Kash. Ion then helped Aries defeat Sorensen and retain his title.^[13] On February 12 at Against All Odds, Ion defeated Sorensen in an X Division number one contender's match, after Sorensen was unable to continue after suffering a legitimate injury and was counted out.^[14] Ion received his shot at the X Division Championship on the March 8 edition of Impact Wrestling, winning the match via disqualification, after champion Austin Aries was caught using Ion's hair spray on him; as a result, Aries retained his title.^[15] Ion received another title shot on March 18 at Victory Road, but was defeated by Aries via submission.^[16] On the following edition of Impact Wrestling, Ion failed again to capture the X Division Championship after he fought Aries, Kid Kash and Anthony Neese to a no contest, following interference from Bully Ray.^[17] Ion received another shot at the X Division Championship on the May 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, but was again defeated by Aries.^[18]

Personal life[link]

Paris is a journalism major at West Virginia University.^[4] He is also half Filipino, half French.^[4]

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • 450° splash^[19]
  • 630° senton^[19]
  • Bible Black (Running double high knee to a seated opponent into a rana pin)^[19][20]
  • Filipino Destroyer (Inverted snapmare driver)^[2][19]
  • From Lust to Dust (Snapmare driver)^[2][19]

• Signature moves
  • Hostile Makeover (Belly to back suplex flipped into a high knee)^[21]
  • Mary Lou Retton Splash (Corkscrew somersault splash)^[2]
  • One Night Stand (Running inverted DDT) ^[2]

• Nicknames
  • "The Future of Fashion"^[19]
  • "The Virgin Slayer"^[2][19]
  • "El Matador"^[19]
  • "The Filipino Flex Factory"^[19]

• Entrance themes
  • "Kiss" by London After Midnight^[22] (Mexico)
  • "Hey Mamita" by Cartel de Santa (AAA)^[22]
  • "Kiss" by Dope Stars Inc. (IWC)^[22]
  • "Nymphetamine (Fix)" by Cradle of Filth (IWC)^[22]

Championships and accomplishments[link]

• Absolute Intense Wrestling

• AIW Absolute Championship (1 time, current)^[23]
• AIW Intense Championship (1 time)
• AIW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Shawn Blaze^[4]
• Battle Bowl (2011)^[23]
  
• Todd Pettengill Invitational (2011)^[23]

• Championship Wrestling Experience

• CWE Undisputed Championship (1 time)^[4]

• Far North Wrestling

• FNW Cruiserweight Championship (2 times)^[4]

• Independent Wrestling Association East Coast

• IWA East Coast Zero-G Crown (2008)^[4]

• International Wrestling Cartel

• IWC Super Indy IX Tournament (2010)
• IWC Super Indy Championship (2 times)
• IWC Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Jason Gory^[4]
• IWC World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)^[4]

• International Pro Wrestling

• IPW Texas Heavyweight Championship (3 times, current)^[4]

• New Era Pro Wrestling

• NEPW United States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Jason Gory^[4]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him #395 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2011^[24]

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

• TNA Wrestling profile
• Zema Ion on Twitter
• Profile at OWW.com

Cheryl Cole
Cole performing with Girls Aloud at Battle Abbey in 2008.
Background information
Birth name	Cheryl Ann Tweedy
Born	(1983-06-30) 30 June 1983 (age 28)
Origin	Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyneside, England
Genres	Pop, R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, dancer, model
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Fascination, will.i.am music[1]
Associated acts	Girls Aloud, will.i.am, Taio Cruz
Website	cherylcole.com

Cheryl Ann Cole (née Tweedy; born 30 June 1983), often known professionally as Cheryl, is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls Aloud.^[2] Cole has been part of the group's twenty consecutive top-ten singles (including four number one singles) in the UK and five platinum albums (two of which went to number one) and earned five BRIT Award nominations from 2005 to 2010. In 2009, Girls Aloud won "Best Single" with their song "The Promise". In 2009, Girls Aloud announced their musical hiatus and Cole went on to release two solo albums, which both went to number one in the UK: 3 Words (2009) and Messy Little Raindrops (2010). She achieved a number of hits, including two number one singles: "Fight for This Love" and "Promise This". Cole is set to release her third solo album A Million Lights on the 18 June 2012, with lead single "Call My Name" being released on the 10 June 2012.^[3]

Cole has become a recognised and photographed style icon;^[4][5][6] referred to as a fashionista by the press.^[7] She has been photographed for the covers of British Vogue,^[6] Elle^[8] and Harper's Bazaar, while also becoming the new face of cosmetic company L'Oréal.^[9] Cole was married to England footballer Ashley Cole from July 2006^[10] until September 2010, when she divorced him. ^[11][12] Cole became a judge on The X Factor in 2008,^[13][14][15] becoming the winning judge twice out of the three series she judged. In 2011, Cole left the UK version of The X Factor to judge the American version. However, Cole was sacked from the show.^[16][17][18] Cole's net worth was estimated at £15 million in April 2012.^[19]

Biography[link]

1983-2001: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Cole was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyneside, and grew up on council estates in the districts of Walker^[20] and Heaton.^[21] She is the fourth of five children of Joan Callaghan,^[22] and the eldest child of Gary Tweedy. Cole's parents never married each other; they separated when she was 11.^[23] She has a brother, Garry (born 1987, Newcastle)^[24] and three elder maternal half-siblings: Joseph, Gillian and Andrew.^[25]

As a small child in about 1990, she appeared in a television advert for British Gas.^[26]

As she was interested in dancing from an early age, Cole started sequence dancing at the age of four,^[27] before joining The Royal Ballet's summer school at the age of nine.^[28] She won modelling competitions, including the titles of Boots Group's "bonniest baby", Mothercare's Happy Faces Portrait competition, "Best Looking Girl of Newcastle", The Evening Chronicle's "Little Miss and Mister", and "Most Attractive Girl" at the MetroCentre.^[29] She also appeared in two British Gas adverts, an SCS advert, and an Eldon Square Christmas advert with younger brother Garry as well as appearing in dance recitals on some television shows.^{[citation needed]} She attended Walker Comprehensive School in Newcastle,^[30] and left at 16 with few qualifications. During her time there, she was suspended twice: once for fighting with another pupil and again for swearing on a bus.^[31] After leaving school in 1999, she took a job as a waitress in a restaurant.^[31]