Ember Moon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ember Moon
Ember Moon Feb 2017.jpg
Moon in February 2017
Birth nameAdrienne Reese[1]
Born (1988-08-31) August 31, 1988 (age 33)[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 byWWE Performance Center
Lance Archer[5]
Booker T[1][6]
Skandor Akbar[1][5]
Rodney Mack[6]
Debut2007[7]

Adrienne Reese[1] (born August 31, 1988) is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her time in WWE where she performed under the ring name Ember Moon.

Moon previously wrestled on the independent circuit under the ring name Athena, performing regularly for promotions such as Ring of Honor Wrestling (ROH), Shimmer Women Athletes, Women Superstars Uncensored, and Anarchy Championship Wrestling, for which she is a three-time ACW American Joshi Champion. Prior to her main roster debut, Moon worked in WWE's developmental system, NXT, where she is a former NXT Women's Champion. Moon is the first person to win both the NXT Women's and NXT Women's Tag Team Titles.

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 and Anarchy Championship Wrestling (2007–2012)[]

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 for the promotion under the ring name Trouble in 2007. Under the ring name Athena, she debuted for Professional Championship Wrestling (PCW) on November 10, 2007, teaming with Mace Malone in a losing effort to Claudia and Mike Foxx.[7] She began wrestling regularly for PCW throughout early 2008, and unsuccessfully challenged the PCW Tag Team Champions Jerome Daniels and Nobe Bryant for the title on May 17, with partner Brandon Collins.[7]

Athena also wrestled for various other Texas-based promotions, most notably Anarchy Championship Wrestling (ACW), based in Austin.[7] On February 21, 2010, she challenged Rachel Summerlyn for the ACW American Joshi Championship, but failed to win.[7] On May 29, she defeated Summerlyn to win the American Joshi Championship in a three-way match also involving Lillie Mae.[7] On June 12, she defeated Malia Hosaka.[7] The following day, Athena successfully retained the championship against Mae, but lost it to Summerlyn afterwards.[7] On September 19, she failed to win the championship from Portia Perez, and failed again on February 10 in a four-way match that also involved Perez, Amanda Fox and Jen-Alise.[7] In June 2011, she entered a tournament to determine the number one contender to the ACW American Joshi Championship; she defeated Angel Blue in the first round, Amanda Fox in the semi-finals, but lost to Rachel Summerlyn in the finals.[7] On September 18, Athena defeated Lady Poison to win the American Joshi Championship for a second time.[7] On October 23, she successfully retained the championship against Barbi Hayden, Lillie Mae, and Portia Perez in four-way match, and went on to defeat Mae and Jessica James to retain the title on November 4. On November 6 and December 11, respectively, she successfully retained the title in a six-way match. On January 15, 2012, Athena lost the championship to Angel Blue.[7] In June, she entered the 2012 ACW Queen of Queens tournament, in which she defeated Su Yung in the first round, Christina Von Eerie in the semi-finals, and Jessicka Havok in the final to win the tournament.[7] She won the ACW American Joshi Championship a third time on January 18 by defeating Su Yung, but vacated the title on August 23 after leaving the company.

Shimmer Women Athletes (2010–2015)[]

Athena debuted in the all-female, Illinois based promotion Shimmer Women Athletes at Volume 33 on September 11, 2010, teaming with Bonesaw in a losing effort to Jessica James and Rachel Summerlyn.[7] Over the next two days, Athena lost to Tenille at Volume 34, and Nevaeh at Volume 36.[7]

She returned to Shimmer on October 1, 2011, at Volume 42, defeating Jessie McKay and Mia Yim in a three-way match.[7] At Volume 43, she fought Mercedes Martinez to a double count-out, and defeated her by disqualification at Volume 44.[7] At Volume 45, she defeated Martinez by pinfall, and went on to defeat Sassy Stephie at Volume 47, and Ray at Volume 48. At Volume 49 in October, Athena unsuccessfully challenged Saraya Knight for the Shimmer Championship. At Volume 50, she defeated Tomoka Nakagawa. At Volume 55, she defeated Taylor Made, and at Volume 57, she defeated Kimber Lee. At Volume 62, Athena defeated Candice LeRae. At Volume 64, she defeated Cherry Bomb, and Kay Lee Ray at Volume 65. In the main event of Volume 68, Athena wrestled in a four-way match against Madison Eagles, Cheerleader Melissa and Nicole Matthews for the Shimmer Championship, which was won by Matthews.[7] At Volume 72, she defeated Mia Yim in a two out of three falls match.

Women Superstars Uncensored (2011–2015)[]

Athena debuted for Women Superstars Uncensored (WSU) at WSU The Final Chapter on January 11, 2011, losing to Niya.[7] She returned to WSU on March 5 at their 4th Anniversary Show, defeating Leva Bates. At their 5th Anniversary Show on March 5, 2012, she once again defeated Bates.[7] In April, Athena entered the 2012 J-Cup Tournament and defeated Kimber Lee in the first round, but lost to Brittney Savage in the finals. At WSU Y.O.L.O. on April 28, she lost to Rain.[7] At WSU An Ultraviolent Affair on February 9, 2013, she failed to win the WSU Championship from Jessicka Havok.

At the 2013 WSU King and Queen of the Ring tournament in May, Athena teamed up with AR Fox; they defeated Ezavel Suena and Latin Dragon in the first round and Addy Starr and Matt Tremont in the second round to advance to the finals, in which they defeated Drew Gulak and Kimber Lee.[7] After a hiatus due to injury, Athena returned to WSU on February 7, 2014, defeating Hania the Howling Huntress. The following day, she lost to LuFisto in a WSU Championship number one contender's match. On February 21, 2015, Athena defeated Hania the Howling Huntress in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. On May 9, 2015, she defeated Niya to become the number one contender to the WSU Spirit Championship.[7]

Other promotions (2012–2015)[]

Athena debuted for All American Wrestling (AAW) on March 16, 2012, teaming with Christina Von Eerie and MsChif to defeat the team of Sara Del Rey, Portia Perez, and Nicole Matthews.[7] At the Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW) event Girls Night Out 7, Athena defeated Sassy Stephie. She wrestled for the Canadian promotion NCW Femmes Fatales on November 3, defeating Cheerleader Melissa and Angie Skye to earn a shot at the NCW Femmes Fatales Championship later that night, which she lost to defending champion Kalamity.[7] Athena debuted for Shine Wrestling at the SHINE 5 iPPV on November 16, defeating Ivelisse Vélez. She debuted for Ring of Honor (ROH) in February 2013, losing to MsChif.[7] At the AIW event Girls Night Out 8, she defeated Kimber Lee in a Climb the Rank qualifying match, and lost a four-way match to Veda Scott later that night. She returned to ROH on April 6, defeating Cherry Bomb, MsChif, and Scarlett Bordeaux in a four-way match. At the ROH event In the Heart of Texas on June 1, she defeated Barbi Hayden. At the ROH event Reclamation Night 1 on July 11, she defeated MsChif, but lost to her the following night at Reclamation Night 2 in a four-way match.[7]

At the AIW event Girls Night Out 12 in March 2014, Athena defeated Mia Yim. She then defeated Allysin Kay in a no countout, no disqualification match to win the AIW Women's Championship.[7] She successfully retained the championship at AIW All In on July 26 against Heidi Lovelace. At AIW Battle of the Sexes that same day, she defeated Louis Lyndon. At Girls Night Out 14, Athena defended and retained the championship against Veda Scott, and at the October 12 ACW event against KC Warfield and Paige Turner. On April 24, 2015, she retained the title in a four-way match that also involved Veda Scott, Candice LeRae, and Mickie James.[7] At AIW Faith No More on September 11, she lost the championship to Heidi Lovelace.[11]

WWE (2015–2021)[]

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.[12] She made her in–ring debut at an NXT house show on October 10 in a tag team match.[1][13] She performed as Adrien Reese[13][14][unreliable source?] or Adrienne Reese from October 2015 until June 2016.[15][unreliable source][16] At NXT TakeOver: The End on June 8, 2016, she defeated Peyton Royce during a dark match under her new ring name, Ember Moon.[16] After a series of introductory vignettes, Moon made her television debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, defeating Billie Kay.[17] Throughout the following months, Ember Moon went on a winning streak both in tag team[18] and singles matches[19][20][21][22][23] until losing to NXT Women's Champion Asuka at NXT TakeOver: Orlando on April 1.[24] In May Moon sustained a shoulder injury after being thrown out of the ring by Asuka, and could not wrestle in a fatal four-way match for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Chicago; the match was subsequently changed to a triple threat match between Asuka, Nikki Cross, and Ruby Riott.[25]

Moon returned on the June 21 episode of NXT and defeated Peyton Royce.[26] On August 19 at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, Moon was once again defeated by Asuka, who successfully retained the NXT Women's Championship.[27] In August, Asuka had to vacate the NXT Women's Championship due to an injury.[28] On November 18, Moon won the vacant NXT Women's Championship in a fatal-four way match, defeating Royce, Nikki Cross, and Kairi Sane. Asuka then made a surprise appearance and handed the championship to Moon.[29] On the December 27 episode of NXT, Moon successfully defended her title against Sonya Deville. After the match, Moon was confronted by Kairi Sane, who was then attacked by the debuting Shayna Baszler. At NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, Moon retained her title against Baszler, despite suffering a (kayfabe) arm injury. The following night, she participated in the first women's Royal Rumble match at the 2018 Royal Rumble. She entered at #23 and was eliminated by Asuka, the eventual winner.[30] At NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, Moon lost the NXT Women's Championship to Baszler via technical submission, in her last NXT match.[31]

Main roster (2018–2020)[]

On the April 9, 2018 episode of Raw, immediately after WrestleMania 34, Moon made her official main roster debut, teaming with Raw Women's Champion Nia Jax to defeat Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. 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.[32] She returned at WrestleMania 35 in the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal, from which she was eliminated by Lana.[33] During the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up, Moon was moved to the SmackDown brand.[34] In June, she participated in her second Money in the Bank ladder match but was unsuccessful.[35]

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.[36] 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.[37]

Return to NXT (2020–2021)[]

In September 2020, vignettes advertising a mysterious figure on a motorcycle appeared on NXT on consecutive weeks.[38] The mystery figure took off her helmet and it turned out to be Moon, who made her return at NXT TakeOver 31. She appeared following Io Shirai's successful defense of the NXT Women's Championship against Candice LeRae, staring at the champion while also sharing a smile with her. On November 28, 2020, Ember would join Team Shotzi with Shotzi Blackheart.[39] From there on, Moon would be teaming with Blackheart and wrestle in the first ever women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, where they lost to Dakota Kai and Raquel González in the finals. On March 10 episode of NXT, Moon and Blackheart challenged Kai and González for the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship, successfully defeating them to the win the tag team titles.[40] At NXT Takeover: Stand & Deliver, they successfully retained the titles against The Way (Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell). On the May 4 episode of NXT, Blackheart and Moon dropped the titles to The Way 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 an episode of NXT Ember Moon was defeated by Kay Lee Ray. On November 4, Reese was released from her contract along with various other superstars, ending her six-year tenure with the company.[41]

Return to the indies (2022–present)[]

Reese, now going by her old ring name Athena, would challenge Thunder Rosa for the Warrior Wrestling Women's Championship on February 12.[42] At the event, Rosa retained the title after the two wrestled to a 30-minute draw.


Personal life[]

Reese is married to fellow professional wrestler, Matthew Palmer.[43][unreliable source?][44][45] 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. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b c "Ember Moon". WWE. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Athena". Shine Wrestling. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Johnson, Mike (October 28, 2015). "WWE Officially Announces A Number Of Signings Including Tough Enough Competitors & Evolve Alumni". PWInsider. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af "Athena". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "PressReader.com – Connecting People Through News". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c 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. ^ "AIW 09/11/15 Faith No More Results". Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
  12. ^ Johnson, Mike (September 11, 2015). "WWE signing updates". PWInsider. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  13. ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (October 22, 2015). "NXT Tapings: Finn Balor defends his belt against Apollo Crews". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  14. ^ Wolkenbrod, Rob (October 22, 2015). "Recent WWE NXT Signing Makes Debut at TV Taping (Photo)". Daily DDT. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ a b 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.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Did Ember Moon hit the Eclipse on Asuka?". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  25. ^ "Will Asuka's historic reign make it past TakeOver's Triple Threat Match?". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  26. ^ "Ember Moon def. Peyton Royce". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  27. ^ "Did Ember Moon Eclipse The Empress of Tomorrow at TakeOver?". Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  28. ^ "Asuka Vacates NXT Women's Title – WWE Main Roster Awaits". August 25, 2017.
  29. ^ "NXT TakeOver WarGames results, recap, grades: Title changes, incredible main event".
  30. ^ "Only two women from NXT women entered the Royal Rumble". January 29, 2018.
  31. ^ 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.
  32. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Ember Moon to Undergo Surgery on Elbow Injury Suffered at WWE Royal Rumble". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  33. ^ Zucker, Joseph. "Carmella Beats Sarah Logan to Win Women's Battle Royal at WWE WrestleMania 35". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  34. ^ 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.
  35. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Bayley Wins 2019 WWE Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  36. ^ "Sean Ross Stats for the Wrestling Week Ending 9/13 | Fightful Wrestling".
  37. ^ Ashly, Kristen (November 19, 2019). "Ember Moon Gives Injury Update On WWE Backstage". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  38. ^ Middleton, Marc. "Latest Message From Mystery WWE NXT Superstar Returning At Takeover (Video)". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  39. ^ "New challengers to Io Shirai emerge in shocking fashion at NXT TakeOver 31". WWE.com. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "Report: Karrion Kross, Ember Moon Among WWE Stars Released from Contracts". The Bleacher Report. November 4, 2021. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  42. ^ 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.
  43. ^ "Athena, The Wrestling Goddess, The NeXT step". Pinned down Plus. September 20, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  44. ^ "Matthew Palmer Proposes To Adrienne Reese (Athena)". Youtube.
  45. ^ WWE (August 19, 2017), Ember Moon and her family get ready for TakeOver: Brooklyn III: Exclusive, Aug. 19, 2017, retrieved September 10, 2017
  46. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "ACW Televised Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". www.cagematch.net. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  47. ^ "Asuka es la mejor luchadora de 2017 según PWI". MedioTiempo (in Spanish). November 2, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  48. ^ Namako, Jason (May 12, 2013). "5/11 WSU iPPV Results: Voorhees, New Jersey (Havok vs. Callihan)". Wrestleview. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
  49. ^ "NXT Women's Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved November 18, 2017.
  50. ^ "NXT Women's Tag Team Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved March 11, 2021.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""