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Brandi Rhodes

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Brandi Rhodes
Rhodes in April 2016
Birth nameBrandi Alexis Reed[1]
BornCanton, Michigan,
United States[2]
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
Spouse(s)
(m. 2013)
Websitebeingbrandirunnels.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Brandi
Brandi Rhodes[3]
Eden[4]
Eden Stiles
Billed fromAnn Arbor, Michigan (TNA)
Trained byFlorida Championship Wrestling
DebutApril 2011

Brandi Alexis Runnels[1] (née Reed), known professionally as Brandi Rhodes,[6] is an American model, former ring announcer, news presenter, figure skater and professional wrestler currently signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). She is known for her time in WWE under the ring name Eden Stiles, where she served as a ring announcer on SmackDown, Main Event, and pay-per-views, and also appeared as a backstage interviewer/backup ring announcer for Raw.[4]

Early life

Brandi Alexis Reed was born and raised in Canton, Michigan, and has an older brother.[2] Reed graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[7] She worked as a local news reporter for two years before relocating to Miami, Florida to pursue a career in modeling and acting.[4] While living in Miami, Rhodes attended the University of Miami for a Master's degree in broadcast journalism.[2] Rhodes was a competitive figure skater for 17 years, beginning at the age of four.[2][7]

Professional wrestling career

WWE (2011)

In March 2011, Rhodes signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). The following month, she debuted under the ring name "Brandi", accompanying Lucky Cannon at an FCW house show. On May 12, she began working as a ring announcer on weekly episodes of Superstars. On July 11, Rhodes also began announcing duties on NXT, under the ring name "Eden Stiles". Rhodes filled in as the ring announcer for SmackDown on the July 15[8] and November 11 episodes.[9] Rhodes' only match took place on July 16 at FCW Summer SlamaRama, where she was involved in a battle royal, which was won by Sonia.[1] In December, at her request, Rhodes was released from her WWE contract.[10]

Return to WWE (2013–2016)

In November 2013, Rhodes announced on Twitter that she would be returning to WWE.[11] She retained the ring name Eden Stiles and resumed her role as a ring announcer, first appearing on NXT. In February 2014, Eden began a video blog, which ran until January 2015 and was published on the WWE website.[12] In October 2014, Eden became the regular ring announcer and backstage interviewer for SmackDown and Main Event.[4][13] In late-March 2015, Eden made her pay-per-view ring announcing debut at WrestleMania 31, as well as becoming the backup ring announcer for Raw, while Lilian Garcia was recovering from surgery.[14][15] On May 24, 2016, Rhodes was granted her release from WWE, just days after her husband Cody "Rhodes" Runnels also requested his release.[16][17]

Independent circuit (2016)

On June 3, 2016, it was announced that Rhodes would be in Cody Rhodes' corner in his match against Mike Bennett at "Wrestling Under the Stars" on August 26 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.[18] On October 10, it was announced that Rhodes will make her singles wrestling debut against Jordynne Grace at Pro Wrestling Magic on October 15.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2016–present)

On September 16, 2016, it was reported by TMZ that Rhodes had signed with TNA. Three days later, TNA confirmed Runnels' signing.[19] At Bound for Glory, Rhodes, alongside her husband Cody, made her TNA debut as a face, attacking Maria and her husband Mike Bennett to begin a feud between the two couples. Brandi made her in ring debut, in October, 28 in the episode Impact Wrestling alongside with her husband Cody against Maria Kanellis Bennett & Mike Bennett in Intergender tag team match

Other media

Rhodes has been featured in national advertisements for Budweiser and KFC, as well as Maxim.[4] Rhodes has launched her own line of swimwear called "Confection Swimwear".[7]

Personal life

Reed with her husband Cody Rhodes in April 2014.

Rhodes married professional wrestler Cody Runnels, best known by his ring names, Cody Rhodes and Stardust, in September 2013.

In wrestling

References

  1. ^ a b c "Eden Stiles: Profile & Match Listing". The Internet Wrestling Database.
  2. ^ a b c d Runnels, Brandi (August 11, 2015). "Let's Talk Part 2!". Being Brandi Runnels. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  3. ^ http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-divas/meet-brandi-rhodes-photos
  4. ^ a b c d e "Eden". WWE. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  5. ^ "Eden (@RealEdenWWE)". Twitter. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  6. ^ http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/there-s-life-after-wwe-for-brandi-cody-rhodes-072116
  7. ^ a b c "Confection Swimwear - Designer Swimsuits by Brandi Reed". Confection Swimwear. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  8. ^ Keller, Wade (July 17, 2011). "Keller's WWE SmackDown Report 7/15". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  9. ^ Parks, Greg (November 11, 2011). "Parks' WWE SmackDown Report 11/11". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  10. ^ "Eden Stiles Parts Ways With WWE, Says She Dating WWE Superstar". PWMania. December 21, 2011.
  11. ^ Johnson, Mike (November 2, 2013). "RHODES FAMILY DIVA SET TO MAKE WWE RETURN". PWInsider. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  12. ^ "EDEN'S VIDEO BLOG". WWE.
  13. ^ "Lilian and Eden are on the move!". WWE. October 20, 2014.
  14. ^ Tees, David (March 27, 2015). "FULL MONDAY NIGHT RAW REPORT". PWInsider. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  15. ^ "Lilian Garcia undergoes knee surgery". WWE. April 17, 2015.
  16. ^ "Eden released". WWE. May 24, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  17. ^ Caldwell, James (May 24, 2016). "Eden Stiles, wife of Cody Rhodes, announces exit from WWE; Goldust addresses his status". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  18. ^ Cody Rhodes on Twitter: Now I don't feel so outnumbered...it's a miracle #BennettsVRhodes
  19. ^ Caldwell, James. "TNA announces signing of Brandi Rhodes". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 19, 2016.