Tag: Madison Rayne

Madison Rayne Announced In-Ring Retirement

Madison Rayne has officially closed the book on her in-ring wrestling career.

Following her match on the January 1st episode of ROH on HonorClub, Rayne announced that she is retiring from active competition. The longtime veteran teamed with Deonna Purrazzo to take on Billie Starkz and Diamante, and while the match itself was significant, it was what came afterward that truly marked the moment.

In a backstage segment, Rayne addressed the camera and confirmed that the bout represented the end of an era for her. She reflected on her journey in the business and made it clear that this wasn’t a sudden decision, but rather a meaningful conclusion to a career that has spanned two decades.

Rayne signed with AEW in 2022, taking on a dual role as both an on-screen performer and a coach backstage. Over the past few years, she’s spoken openly about how mentoring younger talent helped her “re-find” herself at this stage of her career. That perspective played a major role in how she chose to step away from the ring.

Ending her career alongside Deonna Purrazzo was also intentional. Rayne noted that teaming with Purrazzo felt like the perfect way to wrap up her 20-year run, sharing the ring with someone she deeply respects while spotlighting the future of women’s wrestling at the same time.

Best known to many fans for her time in TNA as a former Knockouts Champion, Rayne’s influence has extended far beyond titles. Her transition into a coaching role suggests that while she may be done wrestling matches, her presence in AEW and ROH isn’t going anywhere.

Madison Rayne may be stepping away from in-ring competition, but her impact on the next generation is just getting started.

Madison Rayne Comments On Her First Day Working For AEW

Madison Rayne is feeling good following her first full day in AEW.

“Today was such an incredible day,” Rayne said in a post on Twitter.

AEW announced on Wednesday that Rayne has joined the company as a coach in its women’s division. Her hiring was announced as part of a list of promotions that expand AEW’s talent relations department — Sonjay Dutt and QT Marshall were promoted to Vice Presidents of Show and Creative Coordination, Pat Buck was promoted to Vice President of Talent Development, and Tony Schiavone was promoted to Senior Producer and Special Advisor to Talent.

Rayne’s official debut is being advertised for Friday night’s live episode of “AEW Rampage”. AEW CEO Tony Khan has said he’s open to the idea of Rayne wrestling matches for AEW. Rayne’s last match to be broadcast by her former employer, Impact Wrestling, was a loss to Masha Slamovich during the July 21 episode of “Impact on AXS TV.” Another match from the most recent set of tapings against Mia Yim has yet to air.

Rayne spent the better part of the last 14 years in Impact, formerly known as TNA. She’s one of the most decorated women in the company’s history — a five-time Impact Knockouts Champions, one of only four women to hold the title on five or more occasions, and her 404 cumulative days as Knockouts Champion rank as the third most in history. Rayne’s last reign on top of the Knockouts division ended in 2014.

Rayne was also recently one-half of the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions alongside Tenille Dashwood. The pair held the titles for more than 100 days before this past June, when they were dethroned by Taya Valkyrie and Rosemary at the Slammiversary pay-per-view. It was the third time in Rayne’s career that she held the Knockouts Tag titles, having previously won them with Gail Kim and as part of the Beautiful People alongside Velvet Sky and Lacey von Erich, who defended the belts interchangeably as a trio under the Freebird Rule.

https://twitter.com/MadisonRayne/status/1555053121126154241

Matt Striker And D’Lo Brown Revealed As New Impact Announce Team, Josh Mathews Promoted

Impact Wrestling has announced that a new broadcast team will start this Saturday with the Hard To Kill pay-per-view.

Matt Striker will serve as Impact’s new play-by-play announcer, while D’Lo Brown will handle color commentary duties. Striker and Brown will call the weekly Impact TV show, and pay-per-view events.

Striker noted that he’s excited, nervous, thankful and humbled to be returning to TV.

“I’ve always loved professional wrestling. It is a love that unites so many people,” Striker said in the official press release. “Pro wrestling is a sport and I want to be mindful to call it as such. I’ve learned and grown so much since I began, and I thank the fans – and the critics – for that.

“It is not lost on me the opportunity that is before me – I can once again lend my voice to the sport that I love. In doing so, I’m poised to describe, analyze, and witness the most advanced athletes the sport has ever seen. I am excited, nervous, thankful, and humbled. I cannot wait to get out there. You will always be able hear the fan in me.”

Brown also said he’s very excited to join the commentary team after working behind-the-scenes for the company.

“I’m very excited to join the IMPACT Wrestling broadcast booth and I know working alongside Matt Striker will be a lot of fun,” Brown said. “I believe in IMPACT Wrestling, with its amazing roster of skilled Superstars and Knockouts – and can’t wait to have the best seat in the house to call all the action.

“I’m humbled to follow the IMPACT broadcasting path of Don West and Mike Tenay, and most recently Don Callis, Madison Rayne and certainly Josh Mathews. I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity. I know there are big shoes to fill, but Striker and I will do our best.”

Striker and Brown are replacing Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne. Mathews has signed a new multi-year contract with the company and is being promoted to Senior Producer of the weekly Impact TV show and pay-per-view events. Rayne will give an update on her future at Saturday’s pay-per-view. The veteran Knockout provided color commentary in 2020 but is reportedly leaving the company for a job outside of pro wrestling.

“My play-by-play career has spanned nearly 20 years – from WrestleMania to Bound For Glory to incredible moments from IMPACT Wrestling on AXS TV,” Mathews said in the press release. “Producing will allow me to have a bigger role in the overall production of our weekly show, PPVs and IMPACT+ Specials.

“This transition has been a great process, Matt and D’Lo are bringing a fresh energy and are ready to go. It was a special year in 2020, and both Madison Rayne and I will always be grateful for the opportunity and look forward to these exciting changes.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Former Knockouts Champion Madison Rayne Returning To IMPACT

Madison Rayne wasn’t a free agent for long after parting with ROH … as Impact has already announced she’s coming back.

IMPACT made the announcement via social media on Friday.

The “Killa Queen” last wrestled for Impact at Slammiversary XVI in July of 2018. She competed in WWE’s Mae Young Classic the following month, then signed with ROH in September.

In case you missed it, Madison parted ways with ROH this week as she was reportedly unhappy with the creative direction of her character.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Madison Rayne Departs From ROH

Madison Rayne has received her release from Ring of Honor, according to PWInsider.

Rayne was reportedly unhappy with her creative direction and met with ROH to discuss the situation. The two sides decided to part ways, it was considered an amicable parting and Rayne is free to wrestle for any promotions going forward.

Rayne initially signed a one-year deal with ROH last September after having a successful run as a free agent in 2018.

Last year, the former Impact Knockouts Champion would work for WWE (Mae Young Classic), Impact Wrestling, ROH, and at “All In.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Madison Rayne Injured At Last Night’s Tapings

Source: WrestlingINC

TNA is back this evening with a nearly live episode of Impact, but they may be without a former Knockouts champion in Madison Rayne.

According to Squared Circle Sirens, who have broken several stories in the past (namely NXT tryout participants), Madison Rayne suffered an arm injury at last night’s TNA One Night Only tapings. Rayne participated a four-way match at the tapings, then was helped by trainers and doctors and then helped to the back. We confirmed the news with several people within TNA.