Page semi-protected

Toni Storm

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Toni Storm
Toni Storm 2019.05.16 (cropped).jpg
Storm in 2019
Birth nameToni Rossall
Born (1995-10-19) 19 October 1995 (age 26)
Auckland, New Zealand
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Toni Storm
Storm[1][2]
Billed height165 cm (5 ft 5 in)[1][3]
Billed weight65 kg (143 lb)[1]
Billed fromGold Coast, Queensland, Australia[4][5]
Trained byDean Allmark[6]
Debut9 October 2009[1][3]

Toni Rossall (born 19 October 1995) is a New Zealand Australian professional wrestler best known by the ring name Toni Storm. During her tenure in WWE, Storm performed on the NXT UK brand where she held the NXT UK Women's Championship. She first gained attention in WWE from her 2017 and 2018 performances in the Mae Young Classic tournament. She progressed to the tournament's semi-finals in 2017, and won it in 2018 at the WWE Evolution pay-per-view (WWE's first all-women's PPV). In 2020–2021, she performed on the NXT and SmackDown brands before her release in December 2021.

Beyond WWE, Storm has performed in the Japan-based World Wonder Ring Stardom (aka Stardom), where she was the first non-Japanese wrestler to hold its world title (the World of Stardom Championship). She also held Stardom's SWA World Championship for a record-setting[7] reign of 612 days. In the UK-based Progress Wrestling, she held the Progress Women's Championship. In the Germany-based Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), she held its wXw Women's Championship twice.

Early life

Toni Rossall[6] was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 19 October 1995,[8] but moved to Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia with her mother at the age of 4 when her parents separated.[9] At age 10, while living on the Gold Coast, she discovered WWE on television and developed an interest for professional wrestling.

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Rossall began training at Impact Pro Wrestling's Australian affiliate (not to be confused with the United States-based Impact Wrestling) and debuted for the company under the ring name Storm on 9 October 2009,[1][3] when she was 13 years old.[10] After five years of honing her skills in Australia, she decided she wanted to become a better wrestler; at the age of 18, she convinced her mother to let her move to England, where she moved into her grandmother's home in Liverpool.[6][9] While in England, she trained under Dean Allmark.[6] She started working internationally in countries such as Finland, France, Germany, and Spain.[6] Storm took part in a WWE tryout camp in Melbourne on the 2014 WWE Australian tour and the 2015 WWE UK tour.[11][12]

Progress Wrestling (2015–2018)

Storm made her debut for Progress Wrestling on 14 April 2015, being defeated by Elizabeth.[13]

In May 2017, Storm became the first ever Progress Women's Champion after defeating Jinny and Laura Di Matteo in a three-way match.[14] This match marked the first time that female wrestlers competed in the main event of a Progress event. Throughout the year, Storm went on to successfully defend the championship numerous times against challengers like Kay Lee Ray, Laura Di Matteo and Candice LeRae. She lost the title to Jinny at Chapter 69: Be Here Now.

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2016–2018)

In 2016, she began working for the Japanese World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion, where she won the SWA World Championship on 24 July.[15] On 2 October 2016, Stardom officially announced that Storm had signed with the promotion.[16] After winning the 2017 Cinderella Tournament on 30 April,[17] Storm also won the 2017 5★Star GP on 18 September, becoming the first wrestler to win the two tournaments in the same year.[18] On 24 September, Storm became the new World of Stardom Champion in an unplanned finish, when Mayu Iwatani was legitimately injured during a title defense against her, prompting the referee to stop the match and award Storm the title.[19][20] On 9 June 2018 Storm lost the World of Stardom Championship against Kagetsu.

WWE

Mae Young Classic (2017–2018)

On 16 June 2017, WWE announced Storm as one of the first four participants of the Mae Young Classic.[21] Storm entered the tournament on 13 July, defeating Ayesha Raymond in the first round.[22] The following day, Storm defeated Lacey Evans in the second round and Piper Niven in the quarterfinals, before being eliminated from the tournament in the semi-finals by Kairi Sane.[23]

On 9 May 2018, Storm was advertised for the upcoming United Kingdom Championship Tournament events.[24] On 24 May, Dave Meltzer reported that Storm had signed a WWE contract. On 18 June at the United Kingdom Championship Tournament, Storm defeated Killer Kelly and Isla Dawn in a Triple threat match to become the #1 contender for the NXT Women's Championship.[25] The following day at the NXT U.K. Championship, Storm was defeated by the defending NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler.[26] On 28 October 2018, at WWE Evolution she defeated Io Shirai to win the 2018 Mae Young Classic.[27]

NXT UK and NXT (2018–2021)

On 26 August episode of NXT UK (aired on 28 November), Storm lost to Rhea Ripley in a final tournament match to determine the inaugural NXT UK Women's Champion.[28] In a rematch on 12 January 2019 at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Storm defeated Rhea Ripley to capture the NXT UK Women's Championship[29] and reigned as champion until 31 August 2019 at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff, where Storm lost her NXT UK Women's Championship to Kay Lee Ray, ending her reign at 231 days.

On 24 November 2019 on the NXT TakeOver: WarGames post-show Q&A session with Triple H, Storm was announced to be a part of the NXT Women's Survivor Series team by team captain Rhea Ripley. At Survivor Series, Storm was eliminated after Natalya and Sasha Banks aligned and locked in a Bank Statement/Sharpshooter Combination. At NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II, Storm competed unsuccessfully in a triple threat match for the NXT UK Women's Championship against Kay Lee Ray and Piper Niven. Storm participated in the women's Royal Rumble match at the namesake pay-per-view and entered at #20 but was eliminated by Shayna Baszler. Storm wrestled her last match in the brand on 27 February 2020 episode of NXT UK, against and lost to Kay Lee Ray in an "I quit" match. Storm will not challenge for the NXT UK Women's Championship as long as Kay Lee Ray is the champion.[30]

After a 8-month hiatus, on 4 October 2020 at NXT TakeOver 31, Toni returned to NXT following the NXT Women's Championship match between Io Shirai and Candice LeRae.[31] On 25 November 2020 episode of NXT, Toni attacked Ember Moon, turning heel. She then joined Candice LeRae's team with Dakota Kai, and Raquel González for NXT TakeOver: WarGames.[32] She competed in a triple threat match for the NXT Women's Championship involving Mercedes Martinez and reigning champion Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day in a losing effort.[33] On 10 March 2021 episode of NXT, Storm challenged Shirai for the title, where she was again unsuccessful.[34] At the NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver pre-show, Storm was defeated by Zoey Stark.[35]

SmackDown (2021)

Storm debuted on SmackDown on 23 July episode, defeating Zelina Vega.[36] She was defeated by Vega during the Queen's Crown tournament in the first round.[37] She would then be placed in the 5 on 5 Survivor Series elimination match at Survivor Series; eliminating both Carmella and Vega but was then eliminated by Liv Morgan.[38] Storm would then begin a program with SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair with Storm winning their first bout via disqualification. She then received her title opportunity on the Christmas Eve edition of SmackDown in a losing effort.[39] This was her last televised appearance in WWE as the following week on 29 December 2021, Storm requested a release from her WWE contract, which was immediately granted.[40] Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter indicated that while Storm didn't physically ask for her release she seemingly quit following a live event in Washington DC, where she competed in a Triple Threat against Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair. Meltzer noted that the reason why Storm left WWE was "burnout, essentially".[41]

Personal life

In June 2020, it was revealed that Rossall was dating Juice Robinson.[42] On 30 September 2021, Rossall revealed that she and Robinson were engaged.[43]

On 22 June 2021, Rossall came out as bisexual during her Takeover of the NXT Instagram account for Pride Month.[44]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Toni Storm " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Toni Storm". NZ Wrestling. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Toni Storm – Online World of Wrestling". Onlineworldofwrestling.com. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Toni Storm – Preston City Wrestling". Prestoncitywrestling.com. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  5. ^ "Storm". Pacific Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e Hurd, Sean (4 September 2017). "Mae Young competitor Toni Storm is proud of her humble wrestling roots". ESPN. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  7. ^ Barrasso, Justin (10 March 2021). "Old Rivals Toni Storm and Io Shirai Meet Again With NXT Women's Title on the Line". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 21 November 2021. ...which marked Storm's SWA world championship win, beginning a run with the title that is still the longest in Stardom history.
  8. ^ 5★Star GP2016参戦外国人選手. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). 4 July 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  9. ^ a b 【スターダム】トニー・ストーム 得意技の名前の由来は？. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  10. ^ "A debut at 13, wrestling around the world and living her dream: Toni Storm is wrestling's next big women's star". Fox Sports. 29 April 2018.
  11. ^ Dunn, David (6 August 2014). "WWE tryouts begin in Melbourne today". NZPWI. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  12. ^ "Women Receive WWE Tryouts During UK Tour". Diva Dirt. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  13. ^ "2015 Progress matches fought by Toni Storm". cagematch.net.
  14. ^ a b c "The Week in British Wrestling: SSS16 weekend was a hit". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  15. ^ ＜スターダム＞イオＶ３ならず 小川社長は長期欠場勧告も示唆. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 25 July 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  16. ^ 2016年10月2日 トニー・ストームがスターダム所属選手となる. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). 2 October 2016. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  17. ^ a b ストームがシンデレラＴ初優勝！イオの赤いベルト挑戦表明. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  18. ^ a b 【スターダム】トニー・ストームが春秋連覇「ワタシハサイキョー！」王座挑戦も決定. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). 18 September 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  19. ^ スターダム岩谷麻優、悪夢の左肘脱臼で無冠転落. Daily Sports Online (in Japanese). Kobe Shimbun. 24 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  20. ^ Meltzer, Dave (24 September 2017). "Daily Update: No Mercy odds, Mayu Iwatani injury, Jeff Hardy". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  21. ^ "Toni Storm among first names announced for WWE Mae Young Classic". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  22. ^ Williams, JJ (13 July 2017). "WWE Mae Young Classic taping spoilers: The tournament begins". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  23. ^ Williams, JJ (14 July 2017). "WWE Mae Young Classic taping spoilers: The finals are set". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  24. ^ Casey Michael (9 May 2018). "Toni Storm Advertised For WWE UK Tournament Shows". Squared Circle Sirens. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
  25. ^ "Toni Storm def. Killer Kelly and Isla Dawn in a Triple Threat Match to earn an NXT Women's Title Match against Shayna Baszler on Night Two". WWE. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  26. ^ Erskine, James (19 June 2018). "LIVE, ONGOING WWE UK CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT NIGHT TWO SPOILERS FROM LONDON". PWInsider. Archived from the original on 20 June 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  27. ^ "Toni Storm Wins Second Annual Mae Young Classic (VIDEO)". 28 October 2018.
  28. ^ "The first NXT UK Women's Champion to be crowned at NXT UK tapings this weekend in Birmingham". WWE. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  29. ^ "Toni Storm is the new NXT UK Women's Champion". 12 January 2019.
  30. ^ "Kay Lee Ray def. Toni Storm in an "I Quit" Match for the NXT UK Women's Championship". WWE. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  31. ^ Moore, John (5 October 2020). "NXT Takeover 31 results – Moore's live review of Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly for the NXT Title, Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae for the NXT Women's Title, Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Title, Santos Escobar vs. Isaiah Scott for the NXT Cruiserweight Title, Kushida vs. Velveteen Dream". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  32. ^ Moore, John. "11/25 NXT TV results: Moore's review of the ladder match to determine the WarGames match advantage, Ember Moon vs. Candice LeRae, Kushida vs. Timothy Thatcher, KO Show with Leon Ruff, Rhea Ripley promo". Pro Wrestling dot net. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  33. ^ Garretson, Jordan (14 February 2021). "Io Shirai def. Mercedes Martinez and Toni Storm to retain the NXT Women's Championship". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  34. ^ Moore, John (10 March 2021). "3/10 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole for the NXT Championship, Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm for the NXT Women's Championship, William Regal's big announcements, Xia Li vs. Kayden Carter". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  35. ^ Burdick, Michael (7 April 2021). "Zoey Stark def. Toni Storm (Pre-Show)". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  36. ^ Aguilar, Matthew (23 July 2021). "WWE: Toni Storm Debuts on SmackDown". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  37. ^ Beltran, William (8 October 2021). "SmackDown: Zelina Vega defeated Toni Storm". Súper Luchas. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  38. ^ Bryant, Nathan (21 November 2021). "Team Raw def. Team SmackDown in the 5-on-5 Women's Survivor Series Elimination Match". WWE. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  39. ^ Powell, Jason (25 December 2021). "12/24 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Charlotte Flair vs. Toni Storm for the Smackdown Women's Championship, 12 Days of Christmas gauntlet match for an Intercontinental Title shot, Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston, and King Woods vs. The Usos and Madcap Moss in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  40. ^ Lambert, Jeremy; Ross Sapp, Sean (29 December 2021). "Toni Storm Gone From WWE". Fightful. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  41. ^ Alvarez, Bryan (30 December 2021). "WOR: AEW and NXT, Toni Storm, ratings, Madden, more!". f4wonline.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  42. ^ Thomas, Jeremy (5 June 2020). "Toni Storm Confirms Relationship With Juice Robinson". 411Mania.com.
  43. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (30 September 2021). "Toni Storm And Juice Robinson Announce Engagement". Fightful. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  44. ^ C. Bell, Brian (23 June 2021). "WWE pro wrestler Toni Storm comes out as bisexual". Outsports. Vox Media. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  45. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (14 April 2012). "AAW Women's Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  46. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (4 December 2016). "British Empire Women's Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  47. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (26 April 2012). "PWAQ Women's Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  48. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (30 July 2011). "PWAQ Women's Underground Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  49. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 100 Female Wrestlers Results". Wrestling Travel. November 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  50. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (28 May 2017). "Progress Women's Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  51. ^ Barrasso, Justin (28 December 2018). "Top 10 Women's Wrestler of the Year (2018)". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  52. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (20 January 2018). "wXw Women's Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  53. ^ "wXw Femmes Fatales". Westside Xtreme Wrestling (in German). Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  54. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (24 July 2016). "SWA World Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  55. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip (24 September 2017). "World of Stardom Championship". CageMatch. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  56. ^ 2017年12月25日 スターダムアワード2017表彰式＆美闘陽子引退記念パーティーが開かれました. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). 26 December 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
  57. ^ Benigno, Anthony (28 October 2018). "Toni Storm def. Io Shirai to win the 2018 Mae Young Classic". WWE. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  58. ^ "NXT UK Women's Championship". WWE. Retrieved 16 March 2020.

External links

Retrieved from ""