Britani Knight

Britani Knight
Britani Knight.jpg
Knight in November 2010
Ring name(s) Britani Knight[1]
Paige[2]
Saraya[3][4]
Billed height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2][5]
Billed weight 120 lb (54 kg; 8.6 st)[1]
Born (1992-08-17) 17 August 1992 (age 20)[2][6]
Norwich, England, United Kingdom[1]
Resides Tampa, Florida, United States[7]
Billed from Norwich, England[2][6]
Trained by Saraya Knight[1]
Ricky Knight[1]
Zak Zodiac[1]
WAW Academy[1][1]
Jason Cross
Debut 2005[8]

Saraya-Jade Bevis[3][4] (born 17 August 1992) is an English professional wrestler, better known by her former ring name Britani Knight. She is signed to WWE, where she performs in its developmental territory NXT Wrestling under the ring name Paige.[2]

Early life

Bevis is part of a professional wrestling family. Her parents, Sweet Saraya and Ricky Knight, are professional wrestlers, as are her older brothers, Roy and Zak.[1][4] The family runs the World Association of Wrestling (WAW) promotion. In July 2012, Channel 4 produced a documentary about the Knights entitled The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family.[9]

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Professional wrestling career

World Association of Wrestling (2006–2011)

Singles competition (2006–2011)

Bevis was trained at the WAW Academy by her family, Klondyke Kate and Jason Cross. She made her debut in 2006 for World Association Of Wrestling (WAW) when she teamed up with her mother, Sweet Saraya and lost to Destiny and The Pink Lady, Kharisma and Pixie were also involved.[10] During her time at WAW she would team up with and take on various members of her close family. In December 2007, Knight took part in a tournament where the winner would become the first WAWW British Champion, she made it all the way to the final but was eliminated by Jetta.[11] Knight would also lose a fatal four way match for the championship which included Jetta, Sweet Saraya and her former tag team partner, Melodi.[10] In August 2008, Knight lost a three way match to Jetta where the winner would become the number one contendor to the RQW Women's Championship.[10] On August 31, 2009, Knight defeated her mother, Sweet Saraya, in a best of three match to become the WAWW British Champion. In the rematch the result was the same, two pinfalls for Knight and one for Saraya.[10] In 2010, she took part in one night ladies tournament which she won by defeating Sweet Saraya.[10] Once again, she took on Saraya but this time it was for the HEW Women's Championship and this time Saraya won.[10] On 11 November 2011, Knight won an elimination match to become the first WAWW Hardcore Champion.[10] However, her jubilation was to be short lived as she lost the WAWW British Championship a few days later to Liberty.[11]

The Norfolk Dolls (2006–2008)

Bevis, using the name Britani Knight, would begin to team up with Melodi to form the Norfolk Dolls.[12] In their first match together in June, they lost to Nikki Best and The Pink Lady. The Norfolk Dolls would go on a large winning streak, if you discount handicapped matches, remaining undefeated until the beginning of 2007 in tag team competition.[12] During this time they would compete not only for WAW but also Premier Promotions and others.[12] At World Association Of Women's Wrestling, the female only side project of WAW, the Norfolk Dolls defeated the Legion of Womb to become the first WAWW Tag Team Champions, they held the championship for about a year before vacating it.[12] Their final match together as a tag team took place in French promotion International Catch Wrestling Alliance where they lost to Bulla Punk and Sweet Saraya.[12]

Pro-Wrestling: EVE (2010–2011)

Bevis, using the ring name Britani Knight, made her debut for the European all-female promotion on 8 May 2010, along with her mother Saraya Knight. She did not start well for the promotion; although she appeared in the main event at the first taping, she lost to Greek wrestler Blue Nikita.[13] She also lost to Jetta in what was purportedly her opponent's last tour of wrestling.[13] On 16 October 2010 she had her first win against Shanna. On 8 April 2011 she participated in a two-night tournament to crown the first ever Pro-Wrestling: EVE Champion. In the first night, she won a Last Chance Battle Royal, then defeated Jenny Sjödin in the quarter final match. The next day, she defeated Jetta in the semi-final match, and later in the finals defeated Nikki Storm to win the Pro Wrestling EVE Championship.[14] On 4 June 2011 at the XWA War On The Shore 7 show, she lost the Pro Wrestling EVE Championship to Sjödin.[15]

Shimmer Women Athletes (2011)

Bevis (again billed as Britani Knight) made her United States wrestling debut for the all-female promotion Shimmer Women Athletes on 26 March 2011, at the tapings of Volume 37, alongside her mother and tag team partner Saraya Knight. She and her mother (billed as the Knight Dynasty) were managed by the returning Rebecca Knox and made an open challenge, which was answered by Nikki Roxx and Ariel. The Knight Dynasty won the match via disqualification after Saraya tried to hit Ariel with brass knuckles and Ariel grabbed them and got caught hitting Saraya with them.[16] Later that same day, at the tapings of Volume 38, the Knight Dynasty unsuccessfully challenged the Seven Star Sisters (Hiroyo Matsumoto and Misaki Ohata) for the Shimmer Tag Team Championship.[16] Prior to reporting to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), Knight took part in her final Shimmer tapings on 1 and 2 October 2011. After several losses, which included the Knight Dynasty again failing to win the Shimmer Tag Team Championship, Saraya slapped Knight. This resulted in Knight brawling with her mother, before challenging her to a match.[17][18] On Volume 44, Knight wrestled her final Shimmer match, defeating Saraya in a No Disqualification match.[18]

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2011–present)

Developmental territories and feud with Summer Rae (2012–present)

Bevis received try-outs with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) tryout, and another in April 2011.[19] In September 2011, it was reported that Bevis had signed a contract with WWE and would report to their developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).[20]

Bevis made her debut for FCW at a house show on 5 January 2012, using the ring name Saraya.[3][4] Bevis' ring name was then changed to Paige as she made her television debut in a backstage appearance on the 26 February episode of FCW TV.[21] From March 2012, Paige formed an alliance with Sofia Cortez, dubbing themselves as the Anti-Diva Army.[22][23] On the 19 March episode of FCW TV, Paige made her televised in-ring debut in a tag team match alongside Cortez, which the duo lost to Audrey Marie and Kaitlyn.[24] Paige and Cortez then formed a brief association with Rick Victor.[25] On the 6 May episode of FCW TV, Paige pinned Raquel Diaz, the FCW Divas Champion in a non-title triple threat match, which also involved Audrey Marie.[26] This earned Paige a title shot against Diaz on the 27 May episode of FCW TV, where Diaz's chicanery led to Paige being disqualified and Diaz retained her title.[27] Dissension was teased within the Anti-Diva Army as Paige moved on to feud with Audrey Marie; Paige lost to Marie on the 10 June episode of FCW TV after Cortez interfered against her, signalling the end of the alliance.[23] On the 1 July episode of FCW TV, Paige was disqualified during a match with Marie.[28] On the final episode of FCW TV on 15 July, Paige and Marie ended their feud with Marie victorious in a no disqualification match.[29]

In July 2012, Bevis, as Paige, debuted on the third episode of the sixth season of WWE NXT taped at Full Sail University, where she lost to Sofia Cortez.[30] From September 2012, Paige would go on a singles winning streak defeating the likes of Audrey Marie,[31]Sasha Banks, Emma, Aksana and notably multiple wins over former WWE Divas Champion Alicia Fox.[32]

On the 30 January episode of NXT, Paige was attacked by ring announcer Summer Rae due to Rae's jealousy of Paige's popularity and success.[33][34] On the 13 February episode of NXT, a vengeful Paige interrupted a scheduled match to attack Rae, but suffered a shoulder injury in the process, which Rae exploited later that episode to defeat Paige in a match.[35] Paige returned to NXT on the 13 March edition, following a match between rival Summer Rae and Emma, and cleared Summer from the ring. On the April 3 episode of NXT, Paige teamed with Sasha Banks to defeat Summer Rae and Audrey Marie after Summer walked out on Audrey Marie.[36] On the April 17 episode of NXT while Paige was challenging Summer to a match, Summer attacked Paige backstage & accepted the challenge.[37]

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In wrestling

Knight executing a suplex on Amy Cooper in Swiss Championship Wrestling.
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Championships and accomplishments

  • Diva-Dirt
    • NXT Diva of the Year (2012)[45]
  • German Stampede Wrestling
    • GSW Ladies Championship (1 time)[46]
  • Swiss Championship Wrestling
    • SCW Ladies Championship (1 time)[51]
  • World Association of Women's Wrestling
    • WAWW British Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Melodi[52]
    • WAWW Ladies Hardcore Championship (1 time)[citation needed]
  • World Association of Wrestling
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References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Britani Knight". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Paige". Florida Championship Wrestling. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  3. ^ a b c Martin, Adam (6 January 2012). "New UK female wrestler debuts in FCW this week". WrestleView. Retrieved 6 January 2012. 
  4. ^ a b c d Wilkes, Joe (13 January 2012). "Norwich wrestler Britani Knight aka Saraya-Jade Bevis signed to America's WWE proving ground, in Tampa, Florida". Norwich Evening News 24. Retrieved 14 January 2012. 
  5. ^ a b c d e "Britani Knight". Pro Wrestling EVE. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  6. ^ a b "Paige – Internet Wrestling Database Profile". IWP. 
  7. ^ "RealPaigeWWE – Twitter". Twitter. 
  8. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=5535
  9. ^ "The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family". Channel 4. Retrieved 23 September 2012. 
  10. ^ a b c d e f g http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=5535&view=&page=4&gimmick=&year=&promotion=211&region=&location=&arena=&showtype=&worker=&text=
  11. ^ a b http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=5535&view=&page=4&gimmick=&year=&promotion=243&region=&location=&arena=&showtype=&worker=&text=
  12. ^ a b c d e http://www.cagematch.net/?id=28&nr=690&page=2
  13. ^ a b Burton, Lee (12 May 2010). "Eve debut is quite a Knight". The Sun. Retrieved 22 September 2011. 
  14. ^ a b "EVE championship tournament results". Pro Wrestling EVE. Retrieved 11 April 2011. 
  15. ^ "Saraya Knight severs ties to Pro Wrestling EVE (now with interviews, EVE statement and more fallout)". Ringbellesonline.com. Retrieved 4 June 2011. [unreliable source?]
  16. ^ a b c Martin, Adam (28 March 2011). "Indy News #2: SHIMMER Vol. 37, 38, 39, 40 results". WrestleView. Retrieved 28 March 2011. 
  17. ^ Martin, Adam (2 October 2011). "Report of the Shimmer Volume 41, 42 tapings". WrestleView. Retrieved 2 October 2011. 
  18. ^ a b Martin, Adam (3 October 2011). "Shimmer Volume 43, 44 taping results". WrestleView. Retrieved 3 October 2011. 
  19. ^ "HULK HOGAN'S NEW VENTURE, TONIGHT'S SMACKDOWN TAPING, TRYOUT SCHEDULED AND MORE". PWInsider. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2012. 
  20. ^ "WWE's latest developmental signing". Pro Wrestling Torch. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011. 
  21. ^ Namako, Jason (27 February 2012). "FCW Results – 2/27/12". WrestleView. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  22. ^ Namako, Jason (12 March 2012). "FCW Results – 3/12/12". WrestleView. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  23. ^ a b Namako, Jason (11 June 2012). "FCW Results – 6/11/12". WrestleView. Retrieved 23 September 2012. 
  24. ^ Namako, Jason (19 March 2012). "FCW Results – 3/19/12". WrestleView. Retrieved 20 March 2012. 
  25. ^ Brummitt, Matt (15 April 2012). "Brummitt's FCW TV Report 4/8: WWE Developmental TV coverage – Claudio vs. Steamboat, Ross & Regal commentary, Regal-Ambrose feud, Hero promo, new gimmicks for O'Brian & Harris". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 15 April 2012. 
  26. ^ Namako, Jason (9 May 2012). "FCW Results – 5/6/12". WrestleView. Retrieved 8 June 2012. 
  27. ^ a b c d Namako, Jason (31 May 2012). "FCW Results – 5/27/12". WrestleView. Retrieved 8 June 2012. 
  28. ^ Trionfo, Richard. "FCW TELEVISION REPORT FOR 7/1: TWO WEEKS UNTIL AMBROSE/REGAL II; FATAL FOUR WAY FOR FCW TITLE AND CESARO/STEAMBOAT NEXT WEEK". PWInsider. Retrieved 23 September 2012. 
  29. ^ Trionfo, Richard. "FCW TELEVISION REPORT 7/15: THE SERIES ENDS NOT WITH A WHIMPER OR A BANG . . . IT ENDS WITH A KNEE TREMBLER". PWInsider. Retrieved 23 September 2012. 
  30. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 7/4 – Week 3: Chris Hero (Ohno) debuts, Vader's son, Bateman, six-man main event; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 14 July 2012. 
  31. ^ a b James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT RESULTS 9/5: Hero (Ohno) vs. Steamboats feud, Ross interviews new NXT champ, Clay, Usos, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 15 September 2012. 
  32. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 9/19 - Week 14: Hero (Ohno) sparring sessions, Barreta returns, stand-out Divas match, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 18 October 2012. 
  33. ^ a b James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT RESULTS 1/30: Tournament continues, Bo Dallas in main event, returns of Bateman, A-Ry & Mason Ryan". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 15 February 2013. 
  34. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 2/6 - Week 32: Tag Tournament continues, Bo Dallas's main-roster debut carries over, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 24 February 2013. 
  35. ^ a b c James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT RESULTS 2/13 - Week 33: First NXT tag champions crowned, Paige vows to take over the show". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 24 February 2013.  On the 13 March episode of NXT, she made her return trying to attack Rae afer her match with Emma.
  36. ^ http://www.diva-dirt.com/2013/04/05/nxt-watch-april-3rd-2013-the-feuds-combine-as-summer-and-audrey-face-paige-and-sasha/
  37. ^ http://www.diva-dirt.com/2013/04/18/nxt-watch-april-17th-2013-paige-issues-a-challenge-plus-the-emmalution-finally-explodes/
  38. ^ a b c "NXT Watch (March 20th, 2013): A Returning Paige Meets a Debuting Bayley and Audrey Marie Seeks Cryptic Revenge". Diva-Dirt. Retrieved March 21, 2013. 
  39. ^ James, Justin. "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 12/12 - Week 25: Rollins defends NXT Title, Paige in action, Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 30 December 2012. 
  40. ^ Short, Josh. "Short’s WWE NXT Review: Kassius Ohno vs. Trent Barreta, Big E Langston vs. Camacho, Luke Harper vs. Mike Dalton, Paige vs. Alicia Fox". PROWRESTLING.NET. Retrieved 3 February 2013. 
  41. ^ a b "NXT Watch (January 9th, 2013): Emma Wants to Dance, but Paige Wants to Destroy". Diva-Dirt. Retrieved January 16, 2013. 
  42. ^ a b c d e "NXT Watch (December 13th, 2012): Sasha Banks Debuts, But Can She Overcome Paige?". Diva-Dirt. Retrieved December 16, 2013. 
  43. ^ a b c d e f g "NXT Watch (November 22nd, 2012): Alicia Fox and Paige Duke it Out, But Who Emerges with a Victory?". Diva-Dirt. Retrieved November 25, 2013. 
  44. ^ "NXT Watch (January 31st, 2013): Summer Makes a Statement, Sasha Learns a Secret". Diva-Dirt. Retrieved Feb 4, 2013. 
  45. ^ "Diva Dirt Fan Awards 2012: NXT Diva of the Year". Diva-Dirt. Retrieved 2 January 2013. 
  46. ^ "Ringbelles Roundup (8 February)". Ringbelles. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011. [unreliable source?]
  47. ^ "HEW profile". 
  48. ^ "HEW Championship history" (in German). Cagematch. Retrieved 2011-04-11. [unreliable source]
  49. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2012". The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 2012-12-29. 
  50. ^ "HEW Final Fight: The Christmas Spectacular results" (in German). Cagematch. Retrieved 2011-04-11. [unreliable source]
  51. ^ "Charity Night Fight Results 2011". Swiss Championship Wrestling (in German). 5 May 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011. 
  52. ^ "The Knight Dynasty". freewebs.com. 
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Last modified on 22 May 2013, at 21:15