Britt Baker

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Britt Baker
WMC AEWBAKER-CHAMP.jpg
Birth nameBrittany Baker
Born (1991-04-23) April 23, 1991 (age 30)
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materPennsylvania State University
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)(Dr.) Britt Baker (D.M.D.)[1]
Billed height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)[2]
Billed fromPittsburgh, Pennsylvania[3]
Trained byMarshall Gambino[4]
Super Hentai[4]
Candice LeRae[4]
Johnny Gargano[4]
Debut2015[4]

Brittany Baker (born April 23, 1991) is an American professional wrestler and dentist. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she performs under the ring name Britt Baker and is a one-time AEW Women's World Champion. Born in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, Baker made her debut as a professional wrestler in 2015 and attended the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine from 2014 to 2018. The following year, she became the first woman signed to AEW.

Early life[]

Brittany Baker[5] was born on April 23, 1991, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.[6][7] She studied behavioral medicine with a minor in human development and family studies at Pennsylvania State University.[8] She began her professional wrestling training in June 2014, when she enrolled in the International Wrestling Cartel training academy in South Hills, Pennsylvania,[8] training under the tutelage of Super Hentai and Marshall Gambino.[4] That same year, Baker enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine,[9] graduating in May 2018.[10] While studying dentistry, she trained in Absolute Intense Wrestling in Cleveland, Ohio, under Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae.[4]

Professional wrestling career[]

Early career (2015–2018)[]

Baker made her professional wrestling debut at an International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) event in 2015.[4] She appeared on WWE Raw as a jobber in 2016, losing to Nia Jax in a squash match.[11] On December 10, 2016, she became the inaugural IWC Women's Champion when she defeated April Sera, Marti Belle, and Sonya Strong in a four-way elimination match.[12] She was defeated by LuFisto for the title in July 2017.[13] On September 1, 2018, Baker competed in a four corner survival match against Madison Rayne, Chelsea Green, and Tessa Blanchard at the All In pay-per-view event, which was won by Blanchard.[14] She regained the IWC Women's Championship by defeating LuFisto and Ray Lyn in a three-way match in October, only to drop it again in November to Katie Arquette.[15]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)[]

On January 2, 2019, it was reported that Baker had signed with newfound promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW),[16] being the company's first contracted female wrestler.[17] She made her debut for the promotion on May 25 at its inaugural pay-per-view, Double or Nothing, where she defeated Nyla Rose, Kylie Rae, and Awesome Kong in a four-way match.[18][19] On July 13, she competed in a tag team match alongside Riho at Fight for the Fallen, where the two were defeated by Bea Priestley and Shoko Nakajima.[20] Baker suffered a legitimate concussion due to a kick by Priestley during the match,[21] which incited a storyline rivalry between the two.[22] On August 31, Baker competed in the Women's Casino Battle Royale for an opportunity at the AEW Women's World Championship at the All Out pre-show, during which she eliminated Shazza McKenzie, ODB, Brandi Rhodes, Mercedes Martinez, and Priestley before she herself was eliminated by Rose.[23] Baker went on to defeat Priestley in singles competition at the Full Gear pre-show on November 9.[24]

At Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea Part Deux: Second Wave, which aired on Dynamite on January 22, 2020, Baker turned heel after she berated commentator Tony Schiavone following her victory over Priscilla Kelly.[25] In May, Baker injured her leg during a tag team match, in which she and Rose went on to defeat Hikaru Shida and Kris Statlander, later stating that she would return in a wrestling role in September at All Out.[26] Baker then began a rivalry with Big Swole, which involved Swole abducting her and tossing her into a dumpster during an episode of Dynamite.[27][28] In July, she underwent surgery on her nose to repair a deviated septum.[29] At All Out, Baker lost to Big Swole in a Tooth and Nail match, which was taped at her dental office.[30] In November 2020, Baker began a feud with Thunder Rosa.[31] The two competed against each other at Beach Break in February 2021, where Baker was victorious.[32] That same month, she participated in the AEW Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament as part of the U.S. bracket, defeating Madi Wrenkowski in the first round but losing to Rose in the semifinals.[33][34] The feud concluded on the March 17 episode of Dynamite in the program's first main event to feature women, during which Rosa defeated Baker in an unsanctioned Lights Out match.[35] The match received praise from critics.[36][37][38]

At Double or Nothing on May 30, Baker defeated Shida to win the AEW Women's World Championship for the first time.[39] On the premiere episode of Rampage on August 13, Baker held on to the title by defeating Red Velvet, after which she introduced Jamie Hayter as her ally.[40] Baker successfully defended her title for the fifth time when she defeated Tay Conti at Full Gear.[41] At Revolution in March 2022, Baker debuted a new AEW Women's World Championship belt and retained the title over Rosa.[42] On Dynamite later that month, Baker lost the AEW Women's World Championship to Rosa in a steel cage match.[43]

Professional wrestling style and persona[]

Baker's legitimate profession as a dentist is often referenced as part of her character in AEW, so much so that Pro Wrestling Torch observed that "it became a parody".[44] The character was originally described as "happy",[45] but following her heel turn, it has been described as "too proud" and "delusional".[46][47] The character also began referring to herself as a "role model".[48] Using the name Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. in AEW, Baker says she intentionally incorporated "Dr." and "D.M.D." despite the tautology of employing both to enhance "her character's obnoxiousness".[49][50] She uses a fusion of a scissored armbar and the mandible claw, which attacks an opponent's mouth, as a finisher, named Lockjaw.[51] She associates with Tony Schiavone, whom she calls one of her best friends, and fellow professional wrestler Rebel, who accompanies her during her matches.[3][52]

Personal life[]

Baker is a member of the American Dental Association.[10] In addition to working as a professional wrestler, she is employed as a dentist at a private practice in Winter Park, Florida.[53] She said in 2018 that dentistry was her "forever dream job", adding that she intended to continue practicing alongside her wrestling career and afterwards.[1] She stated that she has an agreement with her employing office for it to remain closed on Wednesdays to allow her to travel for Dynamite.[54]

Baker is in a relationship with fellow AEW professional wrestler Adam Cole.[3]

Championships and accomplishments[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Sapp, Sean Ross (November 7, 2018). "Exclusive: Britt Baker Has Heard Your Isaac Yankem Jokes, Remembers Shayna Baszler & Joey Janela Cracking Teeth". Fightful. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "Dr. Britt Baker". FITE TV. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Bishop, Matt (May 31, 2021). "Britt Baker's win caps a 'growing process'". Slam! Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Sugue, Michael Joseph (January 31, 2021). "Before They Were Famous: Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D". Last Word on Sports. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  5. ^ Radican, Sean (January 8, 2019). "AEW Double or Nothing rally recap – Jericho, PAC, Janela, MJF, Baker signed, details on women's division, two specials announced". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on February 18, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  6. ^ @RealBrittBaker (February 1, 2019). "Just a friendly reminder that I was born and raised in #Punxsutawney PA! My parents still live there! #GroundhogDay