Nia Jax
Nia Jax | |
---|---|
![]() Jax in April 2016 | |
Birth name | Savelina Fanene[1] |
Born | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States[1] | May 29, 1984
Alma mater | Palomar College |
Family | Anoaʻi |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Nia Jax[2] Lina Fanene[1] Zada[1] |
Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3] |
Billed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
Billed from | San Diego, California[3] |
Trained by | WWE Performance Center[3] |
Debut | May 14, 2015[1][4] |
Savelina Fanene[1] (born May 29, 1984) is an American model and professional wrestler[4] currently signed to WWE under the ring name Nia Jax,[2] performing on the Raw brand.
Early life
Fanene was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is the daughter of Joseph and Renate Fanene. She attended Palomar College in San Marcos, California, where she played college basketball.[4] While living in California, Fanene was a model.
Professional wrestling career
WWE
NXT (2014–2016)
Fanene was signed by WWE in early 2014 and was assigned to their developmental territory, NXT, based at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.[4] She made her in-ring debut on May 7, 2015 at an NXT house show under the ring name Zada, where she and Devin Taylor were defeated by Bayley and Carmella.[1] In August, her name was changed to Nia Jax.[1][5]
After a series of introductory vignettes throughout September,[6][7][8][9] Jax made her debut on the October 14 episode of NXT, defeating Evie.[10] Following her debut, Jax went on a winning streak, defeating various enhancement talents and NXT Diva Carmella,[11] whilst establishing herself as a villainess.[12][13] In November, Jax formed an alliance with Eva Marie,[11] and started her first rivalry, with Bayley, over the NXT Women's Championship.[14][15][16] Jax earned a title match on December 16 at NXT TakeOver: London, where she was unsuccessful in winning the title.[17]
On the January 27, 2016 episode of NXT, she returned to the ring after a month of inactivity due to a storyline injury, with a win over Liv Morgan.[18] On the February 10 episode of NXT, Jax assisted Eva Marie in an attack on Carmella and Bayley after their championship match, until Asuka made the save,[19][20] which led to a tag team match on the February 24 episode of NXT, where Jax and Marie scored the victory.[21] On the May 25 episode of NXT, Jax won a triple threat match over Carmella and Alexa Bliss to become the number one contender to Asuka's NXT Women's Championship.[22] Jax received her title match on June 8, at NXT TakeOver: The End, but was unsuccessful in capturing the title.[23] On the July 20 episode of NXT, Jax was defeated by Bayley, in what would be her last match in NXT.[24]
Raw (2016–present)
After being drafted from NXT to Raw as part of the 2016 WWE draft which took place on July 19,[25][26] Jax made her main roster debut for the brand on July 25, where she defeated local competitor Britt Baker,[27] and went on to start another streak by defeating multiple competitors.[28][29] On the September 5 episode of Raw, Jax had a backstage confrontation with Alicia Fox,[30] resulting in a match between the two on the September 12 episode of Raw, which would end in a no contest after Jax speared Fox through the ringside barricade.[31] On September 25 at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view kick-off show, Jax defeated Fox.[32] On the October 31 episode of Raw, Jax would defeat Bayley in singles competition after being announced as a participant for the Raw Women's team at the Survivor Series pay-per-view.[33] At Survivor Series Nia Jax was eliminated via submission by Becky Lynch though Team Raw defeated Team SmackDown.
Other media
Jax made her WWE video game debut in WWE 2K17 as a pre-order playable character.[34]
Personal life
Fanene is of Samoan and German ancestry,[35] and a member of the famous Anoaʻi family. She is a cousin of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.[4][36] A fan of professional wrestling since her childhood, Fanene decided to pursue a career in wrestling after watching Johnson perform at WrestleMania XXVIII.
On August 2, 2014, Fanene and her aunt, Ata Maivia-Johnson (mother of Dwayne Johnson), were hit head-on in the latter's Cadillac Escalade by a drunk driver as they were driving home from a charity event in Clermont, Florida. Fanene and Maivia-Johnson were hospitalized with injuries after the incident.[37] The other driver involved was subsequently charged with driving under the influence.[38]
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
- Bearhug,[10][11] sometimes while applying a hammerlock[21]
- Cobra clutch[17][18][21]
- Canadian backbreaker rack[12]
- Headbutt[11][13][21]
- Elbow drop, sometimes done repeatedly in succession[12][22][39]
- Hair-pull whip[16][18]
- Hip attack to a bent over opponent[10][11][13]
- Modified spinebuster[10][11][13]
- Running body avalanche to an oncoming or cornered opponent[11][16][17][39]
- Shoulderbreaker to an oncoming opponent[16][17][21]
- Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker[11]
- Entrance themes
Championships & accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 23 of the top 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2016[41]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Nia Jax". The Internet WrestlingDatabase. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ a b Twiss, Andrew (August 7, 2015). "TYLER BREEZE VS. SOLOMON CROWE HEADLINES, EVA MARIE, ENZO & COLIN, DEMPSEY & MORE: 8/7 WWE NXT IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA RESULTS". PWInsider. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Nia Jax". WWE. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Stefano, Mocella (May 14, 2015). "The Rock's Cousin Lina Fanene Makes Her NXT Debut". The Sportster. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ Witner, Emerson (August 22, 2015). "WWE NXT TakeOver live results & main card: Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens, Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, Samoa Joe, Jushin "Thunder" Liger". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ Justin James (September 2, 2015). "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 9/2 - Week 178: Dusty Rhodes Tag Tournament kicks off, Gargano & Ciampa debut on NXT, Joe & Balor form team, more; Overall Reax". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ Justin James (September 9, 2015). "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 9/9 - Week 179: Finn Balor & Samoa Joe vs. Lucha Dragons, Ciampa & Gargano also in Dusty Tag Classic match, more; Overall Reax". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
- ^ James, Justin (September 16, 2015). "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 9/16 - Week 180: Bayley returns to Full Sail as Women's champ, big set-up for "Takeover," Dusty Tag Classic continues, Adam Rose dumps on NXT, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ "WWE NXT results 9/23: Vaudevillains defend NXT Tag Titles, Kana/Asuka formally introduced, Breeze, Eva Marie, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Trionfo, Richard (October 14, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: NUMBER ONE CONTENDERS FOR ALL TITLES ESTABLISHED, NIA JAX DEBUTS, AND BAYLEY TALKS ABOUT THE IRON MAN MATCH". PWInsider. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Trionfo, Richard (November 18, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH, A LOT OF STUFF FOR NEXT WEEK, TAG CHAMPS IN ACTION, THE PLAN IS AFOOT, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Trionfo, Richard (October 28, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: GABLE AND JORDAN VERSUS GARGANO AND CIAMPA, JOE VERSUS BREEZE, MORE WITH APOLLO CREWS, REMEMBER HORSEMAN ATTACKS?". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Trionfo, Richard (November 11, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: TAG TITLE MATCH, BAYLEY AND ALEXA IN SIX PERSON TAG ACTION, SAMOA JOE EXPLAINS HIMSELF, THE ASCENSION ARE BACK NEXT WEEK, AND WHAT IS GOING ON WITH NIA JAX AND EVA MARIE?". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
- ^ James, Justin (November 25, 2015). "11/25 WWE NXT Results – Bayley defends Women's Title, Balor-Joe contract signing, more". PW Torch. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
- ^ Trionfo, Richard (November 25, 2015). "#WWE #NXT REPORT: EVA MARIE VERSUS BAYLEY . . . DID THE IMPOSSIBLE HAPPEN?, A CONTRACT SIGNING, A LOT OF ATTACKS BEFORE AND AFTER MATCHES, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved November 25, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Trionfo, Richard (December 2, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: JOE VS. CIAMPA, MATCHES MADE OFFICIAL FOR TAKEOVER, WERE THE VAUDEVILLAINS READY WILLING AND GABLE?, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Richard, Trionfo (December 16, 2015). "COMPLETE NXT TAKEOVER LONDON COVERAGE: FINN BALOR VERSUS SAMOA JOE, BAYLEY VERSUS NIA JAX, TAG TITLE MATCH, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c d Jason, Namako (January 27, 2016). "WWE NXT Results - 1/27/16 (#1 Contenders Triple Threat)". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ Richard, Trionfo (February 10, 2016). "WWE NXT REPORT: WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH . . . PLUS SOME EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, GARGANO VERSUS CORBIN, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved February 10, 2016.
- ^ Richard, Trionfo (February 17, 2016). "WWE NXT REPORT: WHO IS THE NUMBER ONE CONTENDER?, EIGHT MAN TAG MATCH, ASUKA IN ACTION, ALEX RILEY RETURNS TO THE RING, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Richard, Trionfo (February 24, 2016). "WWE NXT REPORT: WILLIAM REGAL MAKES HIS DECISION, AMERICAN ALPHA, WOMEN'S TAG MATCH IN MAIN EVENT, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
- ^ a b Richard, Trionfo (May 25, 2016). "WWE NXT REPORT: MORE MATCHES FOR TAKEOVER, VIDEO PACKAGES FOR THE CAGE MATCH, AND A NEW TAG TEAM DEBUTS". PWInsider. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ Richard, Trionfo (June 8, 2016). "WWE NXT TAKEOVER REPORT: FIRST EVER NXT CAGE MATCH, A LEGEND DEBUTS, AMERICAN ALPHA VERSUS REVIVAL, IS CIEN GREATER THAN TEN?, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
- ^ Richard, Trionfo (July 20, 2016). "WWE NXT REPORT: BAYLEY VERSUS NIA JAX, AMERICAN ALPHA VERSUS AUTHORS OF PAIN, RHYNO VERSUS SAMOA JOE, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
- ^ Richard, Trionfo (July 19, 2016). "COMPLETE SMACKDOWN DRAFT REPORT: WHO WENT WHERE?, WHICH NXT WRESTLERS GOT PROMOTED?, WHO IS THE WWE CHAMPION GOING INTO BATTLEGROUND, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ "2016 WWE Draft results: WWE officially ushers in New Era". WWE.com. July 19, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
- ^ Richard, Trionfo (July 25, 2016). "WWE RAW REPORT: A BIG RAW DEBUT, WOMEN'S TITLE MATCH, A NEW TITLE IS ANNOUNCED, POKEMON GO GETS THE GOLDEN TRUTH TREATMENT, NEW DAY CELEBRATION, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ^ a b Richard, Trionfo (August 1, 2016). "WWE RAW REPORT: MIXED TAG MATCH, A NEW TEAM FORMS, AN OLD TEAM ENDS, BROCK LESNAR RETURNS, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
- ^ a b Richard, Trionfo (August 15, 2016). "WWE RAW REPORT: TONIGHT IT IS FOR HONOR, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FIND A DEMON KING?, BEST OF SEVEN BEGINS ON SUNDAY, A TEAM REUNITED . . . A TEAM BREAKS UP . . . IS IT THE SAME TEAM I AM TALKING ABOUT?". PWInsider. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ Tedesco, Mike (September 5, 2016). "Alicia Fox confronts Nia Jax over brutal beatdown of friend". Wrestleview. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
- ^ Caldwell, James (September 12, 2016). "9/12 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live TV Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
- ^ http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2665819-wwe-clash-of-champions-2016-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights/page/2
- ^ Tedesco, Mike (October 31, 2016). "WWE RAW Results – 10/31/16 (Live from Hartford, Goldberg returns, Hell in a Cell fallout, Survivor Series teams)". Wrestleview. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
- ^ Matthew, Artus (July 14, 2016). "2K to release collectible NXT Edition of WWE 2K17". WWE.com. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
- ^ "Lina Fanene". Twitter. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ Nsubuga, Jimmy (August 11, 2014). "The Rock posts shocking picture of car crash involving mum and cousin". The Metro. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ "The Rock Police Chase Preceded Mom's Head-On Car Accident". TMZ. August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ "The Rock Woman Who Crashed into Mom's Car Charged with DUI". TMZ. August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
- ^ a b Richard, Trionfo (June 22, 2016). "WWE NXT REPORT: NAKAMURA AND BALOR IN THREE WEEKS, BAYLEY RETURNS, ONEY LORCAN IN ACTION, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "WWE: Force of Greatness (Nia Jax) - Single". iTunes. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ "Charlotte Tops PWI Female 50". Wrestling Forum. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
External links
- Nia Jax on WWE.com
- Nia Jax on X
- Nia Jax's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database