Hubbry Logo
Beth PhoenixBeth PhoenixMain
Open search
Beth Phoenix
Community hub
Beth Phoenix
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Beth Phoenix
Beth Phoenix
Beth Phoenix
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Elizabeth Copeland (née Kociański; born November 24, 1980), better known as Beth Phoenix, is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her tenure in WWE, where she is a former WWE Divas Champion and a three-time WWE Women's Champion.

Key Information

Kociański had a successful amateur wrestling career in high school, winning several tournaments before being trained for professional wrestling by the All-Knighters. After her debut in May 2001, she wrestled for numerous independent promotions. She also appeared at the inaugural Shimmer Women Athletes shows. In 2004, she began working for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and signed a developmental contract with WWE in October 2005. She debuted on WWE's Raw brand in May 2006 but suffered a legitimate broken jaw the following month. As a result, she had numerous surgeries and returned to OVW for further training. While there, she won the OVW Women's Championship twice, although her second reign is not officially recognized by OVW.

She returned to the Raw brand in July 2007, and was heavily pushed, dominating the other WWE Divas and gaining the nickname, "The Glamazon". She won her first WWE Women's Championship at the No Mercy pay-per-view in October, and held it for six months. She then developed an on-screen relationship with Santino Marella, dubbed "Glamarella", and won the Women's Championship for a second time in August 2008, holding it until January 2009. In January 2010, at the Royal Rumble, she became the second woman in the history of the event to enter the men's Royal Rumble match, and went on to win the Women's Championship for the third time in April, holding it for a month. In October 2011, Phoenix won the WWE Divas Championship for the first time and lost it in April 2012. Phoenix retired and left WWE in October 2012 due to creative frustrations with the treatment of women in WWE, and to focus on her family life with boyfriend and later husband Adam Copeland, famous in WWE as Edge, with whom she subsequently had two daughters.[7]

In 2017, Phoenix returned to WWE upon being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2017 class; her induction made her the fastest woman to be inducted after her retirement and the youngest inductee in history at age 36.[8][9][10] After receiving the Frank Gotch Award for her philanthropic work in 2015, she became she also became the first woman to be inducted in the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, a hall of fame dedicated to professional wrestlers with an amateur background, in 2019.[11] Phoenix had wrestled on a part-time basis from 2018 to 2023, most notably at WrestleMania 35; she also took part in the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match in 2018, making her the first wrestler to have participated in both the men's and women's matches. From May 2019 to December 2021, she was a full-time commentator on NXT.

Early life

[edit]

Elizabeth Kociański was born in Elmira, New York, and raised by Polish parents.[4][12] When she was eleven years old, she won a coloring contest with a prize of tickets to a television taping for the World Wrestling Federation.[4] Kociański credits this as when she fell in love with professional wrestling.[4] She cites Bret Hart, Sgt. Slaughter, Owen Hart, and Ted DiBiase as her favorite wrestlers.[13] Kociański attended Notre Dame High School in Elmira, where she played tennis and ran track.[13] She was voted prom queen in her senior year.[14] Kociański is a graduate from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and public relations.[14][15] While wrestling in OVW, Kociański also worked as a waitress at a local restaurant known to Elmira natives as Lights Bakery and Coffee Shop.[16]

Amateur wrestling career

[edit]

Elizabeth Kociański began wrestling on the Notre Dame High School scholastic wrestling team. She was the first female varsity wrestler in the school's history.[1][4][5] She became the North-East freestyle women's champion in 1999, and also won at the New York State Fair Tournament the same year.[1] At the time, she was also a member of USA Wrestling, a freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling association.[4][13] Her life goal was, according to her, to become a professional wrestler, and she believed that having a solid amateur background would help her reach it.[13]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (2001–2005)

[edit]

After graduating from high school in 1998, she enrolled in both a professional wrestling school and Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Her first choice for wrestling school was Stu Hart's Dungeon, but because of the location, she decided on a more local school. At the school, she was trained by the All Knighters (Joey Knight and Robin Knightwing), who themselves had trained in the Hart Dungeon.[13] She later stated that Nora Greenwald, who was known in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as Molly Holly, had paid for her to attend wrestling school after Carolan had given her a demo tape of her work.[17] Her professional wrestling debut match was against Alexis Laree.[13] She then worked for various independent promotions, including Cleveland All Pro Wrestling and Apocalypse Wrestling, against both male and female wrestlers, using the name "Phoenix".[13][18] In 2002, she was one of the first wrestlers in GLORY, an independent organization for women, and was the inaugural GLORY Champion.[1][18] She then joined Far North Wrestling (FNW), and was the only female wrestler in the promotion.[1] She defeated Joey Knight and Kevin Grace in 2003 to become the FNW Cruiserweight Champion.[1][13] Later in 2003 she took part in World Xtreme Wrestling's annual Women's Elite 8 tournament where she made it to the final, before losing to April Hunter. She returned two years later and defeated Nikki Roxx, but was bested in the second round by eventual winner Alicia.[19] The following month, Phoenix appeared at the inaugural taping for the Ring of Honor sister promotion Shimmer Women Athletes; during Volume 1 she was pinned by Shimmer founder Allison Danger but scored an upset victory in a non-title match against NWA Midwest Women's Champion MsChif.[20]

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE

[edit]

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2004–2006)

[edit]
A blond woman pouts while wearing a white halter-neck top. She is standing in front of a red brick wall.
Phoenix during an OVW show in July 2005

Kociański was invited to a tryout with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in May 2004, and then relocated to Louisville, Kentucky, to work for their then-developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).[1][13] She debuted on OVW television in July 2004, having changed her ring name to "Beth Phoenix", and became the on-screen girlfriend and valet of Chris Masters.[1][13] The storyline was short-lived, and the following month Phoenix was repackaged as the manager of Aaron "The Idol" Stevens.[1] She signed a developmental contract with WWE on October 20, 2005, the same month that she broke her hand.[1][13] The duo was then joined by Shelly Martinez, who Phoenix soon feuded within early 2006.[1]

Trish Stratus' ally (2006)

[edit]

Phoenix debuted on WWE's main roster on the May 8, 2006, episode of Raw as a face by attacking Mickie James while James was assaulting Trish Stratus.[5] After this incident, James berated Phoenix for "ruining everything" and questioned why she showed up in the first place.[21][22] A week later, Phoenix was formally introduced by Stratus and then attacked a distracted James on Stratus's behalf. When James finally escaped, Phoenix claimed that James had "ruined her life", and would not let her get away with it, before calling her a "psycho".[23] On the following episode of Raw, Phoenix attacked James after her match with Torrie Wilson.[24] Then, on the May 29 episode of Raw, Phoenix and Wilson, with Stratus in their corner, teamed together to defeat Candice Michelle and Victoria, who had James in their corner.[25] During the June 5 episode of Raw, Phoenix suffered a legitimately fractured mandible during a match with Victoria, but was able to continue the match, and emerged victorious despite the injury.[5][26][27] Phoenix's jaw was entirely severed and subsequent surgeries left a portion of her face permanently numb.[citation needed] She spent a year having surgeries and recovering, including getting a titanium plate and nine screws placed in her jaw, but she was only out of action for two months, as she returned to action in OVW instead of on the main roster.[4][6]

Return to Ohio Valley Wrestling (2006–2007)

[edit]

After sustaining her injury on the main roster, Phoenix returned to action in OVW on August 16, 2006, defeating Serena. Phoenix began regularly competing for the OVW Women's Championship, unsuccessfully challenging the champion ODB in a battle royal and a four-way match, which was won by Serena. At the October 4 OVW television tapings, however, Phoenix defeated Serena to win the championship.[28] She lost the championship to Victoria Crawford in a gauntlet match on October 20, and won it back the next day; however, Crawford's title reign is not officially recognized, and as a result, neither is Phoenix's second reign.[28][29] Phoenix officially dropped the championship in a gauntlet match at the November 1 television taping, after she was eliminated by Katie Lea, who eventually won the match.[28]

On the November 6 episode of OVW, Phoenix came out with her championship and claimed to still be the women's champion.[2] As a result, a ladder match was set up, where the winner would become the undisputed OVW Women's Champion. Lea won the match and was presented with the title belt on the first show of 2007.[28] Throughout 2007, Phoenix continued to wrestle in numerous women's matches in OVW.[2] Phoenix made her last appearance in OVW at their August 15 television tapings where she lost to Lea in a number one contenders match.[2][30]

The Glamazon (2007–2008)

[edit]
Phoenix after winning the Women's Championship at No Mercy in October 2007

On the July 9, 2007, episode of Raw, Phoenix returned as a villain, when Melina claimed to be injured. Phoenix replaced Melina in a tag team match as Jillian Hall's friend, and the two lost to Candice Michelle and Mickie James.[31] At the SummerSlam pay-per-view, Phoenix won the Interpromotional Divas battle royal to become the number one contender for Michelle's WWE Women's Championship.[32] Phoenix was then pushed as a dominating Diva, dubbing herself "The Glamazon" and vergroting James, Hall, and Michelle on the September 10 episode of Raw.[33][34] At Unforgiven, however, she failed to capture the Women's Championship from Michelle.[35] Their storyline rivalry continued when Phoenix pinned Michelle during a non-title mixed tag team match on Raw on September 24.[36]

At No Mercy in October, Phoenix defeated Michelle to win her first WWE Women's Championship.[37][38] She retained the title on the October 22 episode of Raw in a two out of three falls match, in which Candice Michelle was injured by Phoenix shaking the rope, causing her to fall off the top turnbuckle and legitimately break her clavicle.[39]

During a 10-Diva tag team match at Survivor Series, Phoenix's team lost after Melina was pinned by Mickie James.[40] On the November 26 episode of Raw, James defeated Melina in a number one contenders match for Phoenix's Women's Championship, setting up a title match between the two at Armageddon, a match in which Phoenix successfully defended her Women's title.[41][42] On New Year's Eve 2008, Phoenix successfully defended her title in a Triple Threat match against Melina and James, after pinning Melina.[43]

Phoenix, along with then-ally Melina, took part in the Playboy BunnyMania Lumberjack match at WrestleMania XXIV, where she defeated the team of Ashley and Maria.[44] On April 14, 2008, Phoenix faced Mickie James with her Women's Championship on the line and lost, ending her reign as champion.[45] Phoenix received a rematch on the May 5 episode of Raw in a lumberjill match, but lost after Melina unintentionally hit her in the face with her boot.[46] On the May 12 episode of Raw, Melina and Phoenix partnered to face Maria and James. During the match, Melina unintentionally knocked Phoenix off of the ring apron, resulting in Phoenix abandoning Melina, which allowed James and Maria to pick up the win. Later that night, Melina and Phoenix brawled in a backstage segment, ending their alliance.[47] At Judgment Day, She failed to regain the Women's Championship in a Triple Threat match after James pinned Melina to retain the title.[48] At One Night Stand, Phoenix defeated Melina in the first women's "I Quit" match in WWE history.[49] The next night on Raw, She teamed with Katie Lea Burchill to defeat Melina and James in a tag team match.[50] She was pinned by James one week later in a non-title match, and was once again destroyed by Melina post-match.[51]

Glamarella (2008–2009)

[edit]
Main article: Glamarella
A man and a woman pose together. The dark-haired man is standing on the left and is wearing a blue T-shirt with the Italian flag and the word 'Santino' written upon it, blue wrestling tights, and red kneepads. He is wearing a gold wrestling championship around his waist. The blond-haired woman is standing on the right, wearing a black catsuit with the sides of the torso removed to bare part of her midriff. She is holding a wrestling championship upon her left shoulder and has her right arm outstretched.
Santino Marella and Phoenix in November 2008 as the Intercontinental and Women's champions, respectively

After a month absence from television, Phoenix returned on the July 14 episode of Raw, where she defeated Santino Marella after he issued an open challenge to any WWE wrestler backstage.[52] The storyline continued the following week after Marella lost to the returning D-Lo Brown. Phoenix confronted Marella after the match, and they briefly grappled with each other before unexpectedly sharing a kiss, to which both expressed considerable confusion.[53]

The two then became an on-screen power couple, and the pairing of Phoenix and Marella later became known by the portmanteau Glamarella.[54] Within the team, she acted as the straight-woman, berating Marella or reacting in disbelief to his over-the-top, embarrassing antics. At SummerSlam, they defeated Kofi Kingston and Mickie James in an intergender tag team match. Phoenix pinned James, winning the Women's Championship, while Marella won Kingston's Intercontinental Championship.[5][54] She successfully defended the Women's Championship against Candice Michelle at No Mercy.[55] At Survivor Series in November, Phoenix was team captain of the victorious Raw Diva team which defeated the SmackDown Divas in a five-on-five elimination match; she eliminated Maryse and became the sole survivor of the team.[56]

On December 8, 2008, Phoenix received the "Slammy Award" for Diva of the Year.[57] Phoenix then began feuding with Melina, who had returned from injury in November. This storyline included the debut of Rosa Mendes, who was introduced as Phoenix's "superfan". At the Royal Rumble in January 2009, Phoenix lost the Women's Championship to Melina.[58] At WrestleMania XXV, Phoenix competed in the 25-Diva "Miss WrestleMania" battle royal; despite scoring 12 eliminations, more than any other participant, she lost when Marella, who competed in drag, claiming to be his twin sister "Santina", last eliminated her.[59] After WrestleMania, Glamarella separated, as Phoenix was unhappy with Santino pretending to be "Santina". Phoenix had a brief scripted rivalry with both "Santina" and Marella, and challenged "Santina" for the "Miss WrestleMania" title at Backlash, but was unsuccessful.[60][61][62]

Feud with LayCool (2009–2011)

[edit]

After a brief hiatus, Phoenix returned on the July 27 episode of Raw, teaming with Alicia Fox and Rosa Mendes in a losing effort to Mickie James, Gail Kim, and Kelly Kelly.[63] Phoenix had her first opportunity for the WWE Divas Championship, being narrowly defeated by the defending champion, Mickie James, on the August 31 episode of Raw, after winning a number one contender's battle royal that same night.

On the October 12 episode of Raw, it was announced that Phoenix had been traded to the SmackDown brand.[64] Phoenix made her in-ring debut for the brand on the October 30 episode of SmackDown, defeating Jenny Brooks, an "enhancement talent".[65] In January 2010, at the Royal Rumble, she entered the Royal Rumble match and eliminated The Great Khali, before she was eliminated by CM Punk. With her entry, she became the second woman in history to enter the Royal Rumble match, the first being Chyna.[66]

After being told by Vickie Guerrero, the SmackDown consultant, that she would not be receiving a Women's Championship opportunity, Phoenix turned face after she saved Tiffany from an attack by Guerrero and LayCool (Michelle McCool and Layla) on the March 12 episode of SmackDown. She then went on to defeat McCool and Layla in a tag team match involving Tiffany. The feud with McCool continued at WrestleMania XXVI, where they were on opposing teams in a 10-Diva tag team match, which Phoenix's team lost, although they won a rematch the following night on Raw. On the April 23 episode of Smackdown, Phoenix teamed with Mickie James to face McCool and Layla. After the match, LayCool beat down and humiliated Phoenix by smearing make-up on her face and body while she was unconscious. This resulted in Phoenix receiving a match for the Women's Championship against McCool at Extreme Rules, where she defeated McCool in an "Extreme Makeover" match to win her third Women's Championship.[67][68] On the May 6 episode of Superstars, Phoenix tore her ACL in a match against Rosa Mendes, and as a result, one week later on SmackDown, McCool invoked her rematch clause to face Phoenix in a two-on-one handicap match along with Layla, where Layla pinned Phoenix to become the new Women's Champion.[69]

Phoenix returned from her injury at November's Survivor Series pay-per-view, and attacked the former co-champions Michelle McCool and Layla, after they lost the WWE Divas Championship to Natalya.[70] Phoenix and Natalya then formed an alliance, and at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs in December, Phoenix and Natalya defeated LayCool in the first Divas Tag Team Tables match in WWE history.[71][72]

Divas Champion and departure (2011–2012)

[edit]
Phoenix wrestling Eve during a WWE house show in November 2011

As part of the 2011 Supplemental Draft on April 26, 2011, Phoenix returned to the Raw brand.[73] On the August 1 episode of Raw, Phoenix won a battle royal to become the number one contender to the WWE Divas Championship, and afterward attacked champion Kelly Kelly to provoke a feud and turning heel in the process.[74] Phoenix later declared that she was tired of the "perky bimbos" that comprised the rest of the Divas division, and was on a mission to make a mockery of the other Divas, and was joined by Natalya to form the Divas of Doom.[75] Phoenix went on to unsuccessfully challenge Kelly for the championship at SummerSlam.[76] Throughout September, The Divas of Doom feuded with Kelly and Eve Torres on Raw and The Chickbusters (AJ and Kaitlyn) on SmackDown.[77][78][79] Phoenix challenged Kelly for the Divas Championship again at Night of Champions, but was unsuccessful.[80] At Hell in a Cell in October, Phoenix defeated Kelly to win the Divas Championship for the first time, with help from Natalya.[81][82] In a rematch on the October 14 episode of SmackDown, Phoenix successfully retained the championship.[83] At Vengeance, Phoenix successfully defended the championship against Eve Torres, with both Natalya and Kelly banned from ringside.[84] Phoenix successfully retained her championship against Torres again at Survivor Series on November 20 in a Lumberjill match, and against Kelly at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 18.[85][86]

Phoenix and Eve Torres at WrestleMania 28 in April 2012

Further successful defenses followed against Torres on the January 30, 2012, episode of Raw and Tamina Snuka at Elimination Chamber on February 19.[87] After this, Phoenix competed only sporadically for a few months, including a tag team match at WrestleMania XXVIII, where she and Eve Torres were defeated by Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos.[88] On the April 6 episode of SmackDown, Phoenix lost to Nikki Bella in a non-title match, following Kelly's interference.[89] On the April 23 episode of Raw, Phoenix lost her Divas Championship to Nikki Bella in a Lumberjill match, after suffering a storyline ankle injury.[90] At Extreme Rules, Phoenix was scheduled to face Nikki in a rematch for the Divas Championship, however she was not medically cleared to compete and was replaced by the returning Layla, who ended up winning the title.[91] Phoenix made two unsuccessful attempts at regaining the Divas Championship from Layla at Over the Limit in May and at No Way Out in June, respectively.[92][93] Phoenix lost 19 times against Divas champion Layla in various live events.

In September, Kaitlyn was attacked by an unknown assailant before her championship match at Night of Champions. Upon her return, she announced her assailant had blonde hair, and Assistant SmackDown general manager Eve Torres accused Phoenix before attacking her.[94] On the September 28 episode of SmackDown, after defeating Natalya, Phoenix was suspended by Torres, but the suspension was later reversed by SmackDown General manager Booker T.[95] On the October 1 episode of Raw, Phoenix lost to Torres.[96] Phoenix turned heel again on the October 18 episode of Superstars, when she berated Kaitlyn for thinking that Phoenix attacked her and demanded respect from Kaitlyn, before losing to her in a singles match.[97] On the October 29 episode of Raw, Phoenix was defeated by AJ Lee in a singles match, but the match was restarted by Raw Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero, allowing Phoenix to win. After the match, in the storyline, Guerrero fired Phoenix for her poor performance.[98] In reality, Phoenix had given her notice to WWE in September and had decided to leave the company; although she originally claimed that she had left to focus on her family, in September 2019, she revealed that she had been "really frustrated with where the women were at from a company standpoint, and the investment that was being made in us. I felt in my heart I had done my best, and I'd try hard to change things but, at some point, I just got frustrated."[99][100][101]

Hall of Fame and part–time commentator (2017–2019)

[edit]

On February 27, 2017, WWE announced that Phoenix would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the 2017 class.[8] Her induction made her the quickest female to be inducted after her retirement, as she had retired only five years prior, and made her and her husband Edge the first real-life couple to both be inducted.[9][10][102]

In 2018, Phoenix became a part-time color commentator for WWE, mainly for women-related events, starting from January 16 to April 3, 2018, for the first season of the WWE Mixed Match Challenge, commenting the tournament each week alongside Michael Cole and Corey Graves.[103] On January 28, 2018, at the Royal Rumble event, she made a one-night wrestling return as a face for the first time since 2012 by entering the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match as a competitor, making her the first person to appear in both a men's and women's Royal Rumble. She entered at number 24 and lasted over two minutes before being eliminated by Natalya.

Phoenix went on to continue to work as a guest commentator at various events and mainly women's matches such as the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal at WrestleMania 34, the 2018 Mae Young Classic, the women's Royal Rumble match at the 2019 Royal Rumble event, and the Elimination Chamber match to determine the inaugural WWE Women's Tag Team Champions at the 2019 Elimination Chamber event.[104][105][106]

The Divas of Doom in May 2019

On March 10, 2019, at the Fastlane pay-per-view, Phoenix acted as commentator on the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match between defending champions The Boss 'n' Hug Connection (Bayley and Sasha Banks) and Nia Jax and Tamina. After their defeat, Jax and Tamina attacked Bayley and Banks; Phoenix came to their aid, soon joined by Natalya, but the four were still overpowered by Jax and Tamina.[107][108][109] The following day on Raw, Phoenix accompanied Natalya to her match against Jax, eventually causing a disqualification by attacking Jax.[110]

On the March 18, 2019, episode of Raw, Phoenix announced that she was coming out of retirement; she and Natalya reformed their 2011–2012 tag team The Divas of Doom, and challenged The Boss 'n' Hug Connection for a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match at WrestleMania 35; however, Tamina ambushed Phoenix after a distraction from Jax during a one-on-one match between Natalya and Banks.[111][112][113] On the April 1 episode of Raw, Phoenix wrestled her first match in nearly seven years, where she teamed with Natalya, Bayley and Banks, to face off against Jax, Tamina, and The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce), where Phoenix's team emerged victorious after she pinned Royce following a Glam Slam. At WrestleMania, Phoenix and Natalya lost to The IIconics during a fatal four-way tag team match for the Women's Tag Team Championship, when, after Phoenix performed a Glam Slam from the second rope on defending champion Bayley without realizing that The IIconics' Billie Kay had tagged Phoenix out, was thrown outside the ring by Kay's partner Peyton Royce, who allowed Kay to successfully pin Bayley.

Full-time NXT commentator (2019–2021)

[edit]

On May 15, 2019, Phoenix joined the commentary team of NXT alongside Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness, replacing Percy Watson; this marked her first time as full-time commentator, and her first time commenting matches that did not involve women.[114] Her first NXT TakeOver as announcer was NXT TakeOver: XXV on June 1, 2019.[115] She was a member of the commenting team when NXT started airing live on September 18, 2019, and was extended from a 50-minutes runtime to 120 minutes.[116][117][118]

Phoenix returned to the ring for the first time since the previous year's WrestleMania during the Women's Royal Rumble match at the 2020 Royal Rumble event as the nineteenth entrant, lasting over 23 minutes before being eliminated by Shayna Baszler and finishing in third place.[119] She suffered a head injury early in the match when Bianca Belair slapped her chest and caused the back of Phoenix's neck to hit one of the ring posts around the ring, but was able to finish the match.[120]

On the March 2 edition of Raw, Phoenix would make an appearance to provide a medical update on her husband Edge, who had been injured by Randy Orton. However, Orton would interrupt and explain his actions, which caused Phoenix to slap and kick Orton, who retaliated by hitting her with an RKO.[121]

Sporadic appearances (2022–2024)

[edit]

At WWE Day 1, Phoenix returned to help her husband Edge win a match against The Miz.[122] The couple then started a feud with The Miz and Maryse which resulted in a mixed tag team match at the Royal Rumble, Phoenix and Edge were victorious.[123] On the August 22, 2022, episode of Raw, Phoenix returned to watch Edge's match against Damian Priest. After the match, The Judgment Day (Priest, Finn Bálor and Rhea Ripley) attacked Edge, but Phoenix stepped in to stop the assault.[citation needed] She interfered in Edge's "I Quit" match against Bálor at Extreme Rules, but despite her efforts, Edge ultimately lost. When the match was over, Rhea Ripley attacked Phoenix with a violent Con-Chair-To, severely injuring her (kayfabe).[citation needed]

In 2023, Phoenix returned at Royal Rumble, spearing Ripley before walking off with Edge. She would appear on the following Raw to do the same when The Judgement Day attempted to interfere in Bálor's match against Cody Rhodes. On February 6, 2023, Phoenix and Edge challenged Rhea Ripley and Finn Bálor to a mixed tag team match at the Elimination Chamber premium live event.[124] At the event on February 18, Phoenix and Edge were victorious despite interference from Dominik Mysterio.[125] On August 15, 2024, Phoenix announced that her WWE Contract has just expired and became free agent during her interview with Chris Van Vliet, after it was originally reported by PWInsider on July 26, 2024.[126]

All Elite Wrestling (2025)

[edit]

Beth Copeland made her All Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut on September 20, 2025, at All Out, where she took out Stokley, which allowed her husband Adam Copeland and Christian Cage to defeat FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood). After the match, Copeland was attacked by FTR while attempting to fight them off from attacking her husband.[127]

Other media

[edit]

Phoenix, along with Candice Michelle and Layla El, appeared in the February 2009 issue of FLEX Magazine.[128] Phoenix has appeared in 12 WWE video games. She made her in-game debut in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 and appears in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, WWE '12, WWE '13, WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23 and WWE 2K24.

On November 9, 2021, Copeland announced her debut EP, Stone Rose & Bone. It was released on all major streaming platforms on November 12, 2021, by WWE Music Group.[129]

Personal life

[edit]

In 2001, she was married to Joey Carolan, known by the ring name Joey Knight,[1][130] but they divorced in 2010.[131]

In September 2011, she began a relationship with Adam Copeland, known in WWE as Edge, and in December 2013, their first daughter was born.[132][7] Their second daughter was born in May 2016.[133] The couple married on October 30, 2016.[134]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]
A blond woman, wearing a black and blue catsuit with the sides of the torso removed to bare part of her midriff, standing with both arms in the air while holding a gold statuette in her right hand and a wrestling championship in her left.
Phoenix won the 2008 Diva of the Year Slammy Award, and is a three-time WWE Women's Champion.

Amateur wrestling

[edit]
  • North-East Wrestling
    • Women's Champion (1999)[1]
  • New York State Fair
    • Women's Champion (1999)[1]

Professional wrestling

[edit]

Footnotes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Beth Phoenix

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Elizabeth Kociański, better known by her Beth Phoenix, is an American retired wrestler renowned for her dominant presence in World Wrestling Entertainment (), where she became a four-time women's world champion and was inducted into the in 2017 as the youngest female inductee at age 36. Born on November 24, 1980, in , to Polish immigrant parents, Phoenix grew up with a passion for athletics, excelling in and track before becoming the first female varsity wrestler at Notre Dame High School in Elmira. She continued her career by winning the North-East freestyle women's championship in the 72 kg weight class in 1999, showcasing the physical prowess that would define her path. After graduating from Canisius College in , with a in in 2002, Phoenix trained at professional wrestling schools and made her in-ring debut in 2001 under various personas while competing on the independent circuit. She signed with in 2004, debuting on the main roster in 2006 as "The Glamazon," a powerful, glamorous character who quickly rose to prominence by capturing the at No Mercy in 2007, holding it for 190 days across her first reign. Throughout her full-time career from 2005 to 2012, she won additional Women's Championships in 2008 and 2010 and the in 2011, forming notable alliances and rivalries, including her long-term on-screen and real-life partnership with and later her marriage to fellow wrestler Edge (Adam Copeland) in 2016. Phoenix retired from in-ring competition in 2012 due to a severe injury but made sporadic returns, including her third Women's Championship reign in 2010, her induction in 2017, and participating in women's matches in 2018 and 2021, while also serving as a for NXT until 2021. In her , Phoenix, now Elizabeth Copeland, resides with her husband Edge and their two daughters, Lyric Rose (born 2013) and Ruby Ever (born 2016); she previously divorced wrestler Joey Carolan in 2010. Standing at 5 feet 7 inches and weighing 150 pounds during her prime, she was celebrated for her background and strength-based style, earning accolades like the 2008 for Diva of the Year. As of November 2025, following the expiration of her contract in 2024, Phoenix debuted in (AEW) on September 20, 2025, at , supporting , and remains an influential figure in women's wrestling, inspiring generations through her trailblazing career.

Early life and background

Childhood and education

Elizabeth Kocianski, better known as Beth Phoenix, was born on November 24, 1980, in , to Polish immigrant parents in a modest, working-class family. Raised in a household that valued hard work and community, she developed an early interest in athletics, influenced by her family's emphasis on physical activity and perseverance. Her grandmother played a notable role in her formative years, introducing her to through shared viewings of television programs, which sparked her passion for the sport. During her high school years at Notre Dame High School in Elmira, Kocianski actively participated in sports that honed her physical prowess and discipline. She competed in track events, showcasing her speed and endurance, and played , which helped build her agility and competitive spirit. She also became the first female to compete on the varsity wrestling team at the in 1998. These activities contributed to her early physical development and were complemented by her selection as prom queen in her senior year, reflecting her popularity among peers. Graduating in 1998, she demonstrated a well-rounded profile that extended beyond athletics. Kocianski pursued higher education at Canisius College in , where she earned a in 2002, majoring in and —fields aligned with her interests in communication and societal impact. At the college, she engaged in extracurricular activities that further developed her interpersonal skills and , providing a foundation that later informed her career choices. This academic pursuit represented a natural progression from her athletic background, blending intellectual growth with her physical inclinations.

Introduction to wrestling

Beth Phoenix first encountered as a teenager in the late 1990s, captivated by WWE's programming and particularly inspired by the groundbreaking presence of Chyna, whose athleticism and dominance among male competitors ignited her passion for the industry. This fascination grew from her existing athletic foundation in high school sports, motivating her to pursue wrestling as a career despite its physical demands and limited opportunities for women at the time. In 2001, while attending Canisius College, Phoenix began her initial training sessions at a local in the Buffalo area, New York, under independent trainers Joey Knight and Robin Knightwing, collectively known as the All Knighters. There, she focused on foundational techniques, including taking bumps, executing basic holds, and building ring awareness, marking her transition from fan to aspiring performer. As she prepared for her professional debut, Phoenix adopted the ring name "," drawing inspiration from the mythical phoenix bird, symbolizing resilience and rebirth from adversity. Early on, she faced significant challenges, including widespread skepticism toward women entering the male-dominated field of and the difficulty of balancing rigorous training with her studies in and .

Amateur wrestling career

College achievements

During her undergraduate studies at Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, where she enrolled in 1998 and earned a bachelor's degree in communication studies in 2002, Elizabeth Kocianski expanded her involvement in amateur wrestling by competing in freestyle events sanctioned by USA Wrestling. Alongside her participation on the college's tennis team, she trained and competed in women's freestyle wrestling, frequently matching against male opponents in the absence of sufficient female competitors in her weight class, which built her physical resilience and competitive edge. A key highlight came in April 1999, during her freshman year, when Kocianski captured the North-East freestyle women's championship in the 165.5 lb (approximately 75 kg) weight class at the Northeast Regionals held in . Her dominant performance earned her the Outstanding Wrestler award in the Women's Senior Freestyle division. That same year, she also won the women's championship at the Tournament. Kocianski's training during this period focused on and strength conditioning to counter larger adversaries, fostering techniques like explosive takedowns and dominant ground control that emphasized her physical advantages and would later shape her approach.

Post-college competitions

Following her graduation from Canisius College in 2002 with a B.A. in , Elizabeth Kocianski, known as Beth Phoenix, transitioned from to professional circuits. While she remained involved with and considered further freestyle competitions, opportunities for women in divisions were limited, with sparse opponents and the sport's structure—such as the Olympic inclusion of only lighter weight classes—highlighting constraints for athletes of her build. To advance her skills, Kocianski trained under experienced amateur coaches affiliated with programs, considering a relocation to the Midwest for access to stronger training environments and more competitive fields. However, she ultimately decided to pursue , recognizing greater opportunities for her power-based style without amateur weight class restrictions. She later reflected that provided a strong foundation, but the professional path better aligned with her drive and the era's realities for female athletes in heavier divisions.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit beginnings (2001–2005)

Phoenix began her professional wrestling career on the in 2001, shortly after completing her training at a school run by the All Knighters in . Her debut match took place in May 2001, where she competed against local talent, drawing on her experience to establish a power-oriented style that emphasized physical dominance. This early work allowed her to hone her in-ring skills against a variety of opponents, building a reputation for her strength and athleticism. Throughout the early 2000s, Phoenix performed for several independent promotions, including , New England Championship Wrestling (NECW), (ROH), and (JAPW). She frequently wrestled in both women's and intergender matches, facing off against established talents and helping to elevate the visibility of female competitors in these territories. In 2002, she became the inaugural champion of GLORY, a women-focused independent organization, showcasing her versatility in singles and tag team formats. These experiences on the indie scene exposed her to diverse booking styles and crowds, contributing to her growth as a performer. During this period, Phoenix developed key elements of her on-screen persona under the "Fabulous Firebird," blending glamorous presentation with formidable like the gorilla press slam. This character foundation highlighted her physical prowess—rooted in her high school achievements—while incorporating a sense of allure and confidence that would later evolve into her signature "Glamazon" in major promotions. The independent circuit's demanding schedule, involving extensive travel across the Northeast and Midwest, presented logistical challenges, often requiring her to balance performances with part-time jobs amid modest payouts typical of the era.

WWE developmental and early main roster (2004–2009)

In October 2004, following a WWE tryout in May of that year, Phoenix relocated to , to train at and perform for (OVW), WWE's developmental promotion at the time. Following a WWE tryout in May 2004, Phoenix began working for (OVW), WWE's developmental promotion, later that year. She initially served as the on-screen girlfriend and valet for before transitioning to in-ring competition. Phoenix officially signed a developmental contract with WWE in October 2005, solidifying her path toward the main roster. Phoenix's first main roster exposure came on the May 8, 2006, episode of Raw, where she debuted as a face by attacking Women's Champion to protect , establishing herself as Stratus' ally amid James' obsession with the retiring legend. In her subsequent singles debut on the June 5, 2006, episode of Raw against Victoria, Phoenix secured the victory via submission but suffered a fractured from a botched slap that caught her slightly open jaw, requiring surgery and wired-shut recovery. The injury sidelined her for several months, prompting a return to OVW for rehabilitation and additional training from late 2006 through mid-2007, during which she captured the twice, showcasing her power-based style against competitors like Serena and Katie Lea Burchill. Phoenix returned to the main roster in July 2007 with a series of vignettes promoting her reimagined "Glamazon" character—a glamorous, physically imposing powerhouse who vowed to dominate the women's division. She made her in-ring comeback on the July 30, 2007, episode of Raw, defeating Mickie James with her Glam Slam finisher to signal her heel turn and aggressive push. Phoenix quickly established dominance by winning squash matches and multi-woman bouts, including a victory over Victoria in a non-title encounter on the October 15, 2007, Raw. Her momentum culminated at No Mercy on October 7, 2007, where she defeated Candice Michelle to claim the WWE Women's Championship in her first pay-per-view title opportunity, beginning a reign defined by her intimidating presence and successful defenses against challengers like Michelle and James. Phoenix lost the Women's Championship to Mickie James at Backlash on April 27, 2008, ending her 202-day reign, but continued her strong midcard presence with victories over opponents such as Natalya and Cherry. In July 2008, a comedic angle emerged when she defeated in an intergender match on the July 14 episode of Raw, leading to an on-screen romantic dubbed "Glamarella," where Marella portrayed her overly affectionate suitor in humorous segments involving failed advances and antics. The duo's dynamic blended Phoenix's seriousness with Marella's buffoonery, including a kiss on the July 21 Raw and joint promos emphasizing their "perfect" match. At on August 17, 2008, Glamarella defeated and Mickie James in a Winners Take All match for the Intercontinental and Women's Championships, allowing Phoenix to regain the Women's title via pinfall on James while Marella captured the Intercontinental Championship. Phoenix defended the Women's Championship successfully against James in a rematch on the September 1, 2008, episode of Raw, but dropped it to her on September 7, 2008, at Unforgiven amid ongoing Glamarella storylines. The tag team angle persisted into 2009 with lighthearted segments, such as Marella's attempts to "protect" Phoenix leading to comedic mishaps, and occasional mixed tag matches where she overpowered female opponents while Marella struggled against males. By early 2009, the pairing began to fade as Phoenix shifted focus to solo competition, though it had cemented her versatility in blending dominant in-ring work with entertainment value.

Mid-roster feuds and championship reign (2009–2012)

In late 2009, Beth Phoenix was traded to the SmackDown brand, where she reignited her rivalry with and her tag team partner , collectively known as . This feud highlighted Phoenix's "Glamazon" persona as she positioned herself against the arrogant duo's dominance in the women's division. Key encounters included a multi-Diva match at in March 2010, where Phoenix's team fell to LayCool's squad, and a continuation into clashes throughout the year. The rivalry escalated in late 2010 when Phoenix allied with Natalya to form the "Divas of Doom," targeting LayCool's superficial style and aiming to elevate athleticism in . Their culminated in a historic Tables Match at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs on December 19, 2010, where Phoenix and Natalya defeated by putting both opponents through tables, marking the first women's tables match in history. The feud persisted into with sporadic confrontations, solidifying Phoenix's mid-roster status amid ongoing rivalries. Transitioning from the LayCool storyline, Phoenix and Natalya's alliance propelled Phoenix toward the Divas Championship. After several near-misses, including losses to champion Kelly Kelly at Night of Champions and in September 2011, Phoenix captured the title from Kelly Kelly at on October 2, 2011, with interference from Natalya securing the victory via the . This marked her first Divas Championship reign, lasting 203 days until April 2012. During her championship tenure, Phoenix defended the title against prominent challengers, emphasizing her power-based offense. Notable defenses included retaining against at Vengeance on October 23, 2011, and against in a Lumberjill Match at on November 20, 2011. She also teamed with allies like in multi-Diva bouts, such as an eight-woman tag victory at 2012. Phoenix's reign focused on promoting stronger, more competitive Divas storylines, contrasting the era's prevalent glamour archetypes. Phoenix's title run ended abruptly on the April 23, 2012, episode of Raw when she lost to after suffering a severe left ankle during the match, confirmed by medical staff. She underwent recovery, returning to action in June 2012, but faced creative frustrations and limited opportunities. On October 29, 2012, Raw Managing Supervisor "fired" her following a loss to , though Phoenix later revealed she requested her release to prioritize family time and personal pursuits amid her evolving life with partner Edge. This departure concluded her first extended run, allowing focus on non-wrestling endeavors.

Hiatus, return, and Hall of Fame induction (2012–2019)

Following her release from in October 2012, Beth Phoenix shifted her focus to life, citing exhaustion from over a decade of constant travel and a desire to prioritize personal relationships. In a 2014 interview, she explained that her departure was not initially planned around starting a but allowed her the space to do so soon after, stating, "I decided it was time to come home to put first." Approximately five to six months after leaving, she became pregnant with her first child, Lyric Copeland, who was born in 2014 after a challenging multi-day labor. Phoenix described the transition to motherhood as a profound adjustment, noting it required her to "refocus my energy" on her 's needs while embracing the rewards of this new role. Phoenix's hiatus concluded with her induction into the as part of the Class of 2017, announced in February 2017 and held on March 31 during weekend in . Introduced by her longtime friend and former partner Natalya, the ceremony recognized Phoenix as a groundbreaking force in women's wrestling, highlighting her two Women's Championship reigns and one Divas Championship title during her six-year full-time tenure. In her acceptance speech, Phoenix delivered an emotional tribute to trailblazers like Chyna, Alundra Blayze, and Lita, crediting them for "pushing the boundaries" and paving the way for the ongoing evolution of women's roles in , emphasizing how their strength inspired her own career and the current generation. She became the youngest female inductee at age 36 and the first woman inducted just five years after her full-time retirement. The Hall of Fame honor marked the beginning of Phoenix's selective return to on a part-time basis. In January 2018, she joined the commentary team for the inaugural season of , a Facebook Watch-exclusive series featuring mixed matches, alongside Michael Cole and , providing analysis for all 12 episodes through April. That same year, Phoenix made a brief in-ring appearance at the Royal Rumble on January 28, entering the inaugural Women's at position #24 and lasting nearly 10 minutes before being eliminated by Natalya; her surprise entry, accompanied by her signature Glamazon persona, thrilled the crowd and underscored her enduring impact on the division.

Commentary roles and sporadic in-ring work (2019–2024)

In May 2019, Beth Phoenix transitioned to a full-time role as a for WWE's NXT brand, joining play-by-play announcer and analyst on the broadcast team. Her Hall of Fame status lent added credibility to her insights on women's wrestling during this period. In August 2020, was added as the lead play-by-play voice, forming a trio with Phoenix and Ranallo that provided energetic and informed coverage of NXT's rising talents. Phoenix continued in this capacity through major events, including specials, until announcing her departure after the December 5, 2021, premium live event, citing a desire to focus on family and other opportunities. Phoenix made sporadic in-ring appearances during this time, marking her return to competition after years of limited activity. At the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble, she entered at number 27 and lasted 1 minute and 34 seconds before being eliminated by Charlotte Flair, during which she sustained a notable cut to the back of her head requiring staples afterward. She teamed with her husband Edge for a mixed tag team match against The Miz and Maryse at Royal Rumble 2022, securing the victory via pinfall after Edge speared Miz. Their partnership continued into 2023, culminating in a mixed tag team win over The Judgment Day's Finn Bálor and Rhea Ripley at Elimination Chamber, where Phoenix pinned Ripley following a Glam Slam. From 2022 to 2023, Phoenix made part-time appearances on SmackDown, often in support of Edge's ongoing storylines and to provide guest commentary for women's matches. These included segments tied to Edge's 25-year anniversary celebration on the August 18, 2023, episode in , where she joined him for emotional on-air tributes highlighting his career milestones before his impending departure. Her involvement added a personal layer to the broadcast, emphasizing family dynamics in narratives. Phoenix's WWE contract expired in July 2024, after which she confirmed her status as a in August 2024, expressing openness to new ventures while reflecting on her two decades with the company.

Free agency and AEW debut (2024–present)

In August 2024, Beth Phoenix confirmed that her Legends contract had expired, marking her transition to free agency and opening opportunities beyond the company. During an interview that month, she expressed contemplation about returning for one more in-ring match, emphasizing that any decision would prioritize family suitability and compelling opportunities, while also discussing the idea of opening a wrestling school to mentor aspiring performers based on her extensive experience in storytelling and television presentation. Phoenix made her debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on September 20, 2025, at the All Out event held at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. She appeared during the opening tag team match between her husband Adam Copeland and against FTR (Dax Harwood and ), initially neutralizing interference from before confronting FTR directly with punches aimed at both members. Overpowered by the duo, Phoenix was subjected to a spike piledriver attack, escalating the ongoing rivalry and leaving her laid out in the ring as Copeland and Cage secured the victory. Now performing under her real name, Beth Copeland, the appearance was planned well in advance and highlighted her Hall of Fame credentials to support the storyline. Following her debut, speculation intensified regarding a potential full-time signing with AEW, with reports indicating internal anticipation for Phoenix to compete in matches and contribute to the promotion's . Industry sources suggested storylines could leverage her veteran status and family ties to Copeland, particularly in feuds like the one with FTR, potentially involving mixed-tag formats or mentorship roles to deepen character dynamics. As of November 2025, Phoenix continues as a , with her AEW involvement representing a key shift in her post-WWE career trajectory.

Other media appearances

Television and film roles

Beth Phoenix's prominence in WWE opened doors to opportunities in television and film beyond professional wrestling. In 2008, a parody of her powerful "Glamazon" WWE persona was featured in the E! comedy series The Soup during a special WWE-themed episode. She appeared as herself in season 9 of the E! reality series Total Divas (2019). Beyond these, Phoenix has had limited cameos in non-wrestling media through 2023, primarily leveraging her athletic background for brief on-screen roles.

Video games and endorsements

Beth Phoenix made her debut appearance in professional wrestling video games as a playable character in , featuring her signature Glamazon entrance, moveset including the , and attire from her early career. She has since been included in numerous subsequent installments of the franchise, transitioning seamlessly into the WWE 2K series with updated models, alternate attires, and entrance animations that reflect her evolving persona and championship history. Notable appearances include WWE 2K18 (as part of DLC packs highlighting Hall of Famers), WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20, WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, and WWE 2K24, where her physical presence and power-based style are emphasized in gameplay mechanics. She was not included in WWE 2K25. Beyond gaming, Phoenix has engaged in commercial partnerships through licensed merchandise, most prominently with Mattel's WWE action figure lines starting in the late 2000s and continuing through the 2020s. She was featured in various series, such as the Basic and Elite Collections, with detailed figures capturing her muscular build and iconic gear, including a 2020 Walmart-exclusive Decade of Domination release that celebrated her career milestones and a 2024 Elite Collection Royal Rumble figure inspired by her 2022 appearance.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Beth Phoenix was previously married to independent wrestler Joey Carolan, known professionally as Joey Knight, from 2001 until their divorce in 2010. She began a relationship with fellow performer Adam Copeland, known by his ring name Edge, after they connected during his "Edge Appreciation Night" event in in September 2011. The couple married on October 30, 2016, Copeland's 43rd birthday, marking his third marriage. Phoenix and Copeland have two daughters together: Lyric Rose Copeland, born on December 12, 2013, and Ruby Ever Copeland, born on May 31, 2016. Copeland has no children from his prior marriages to Alannah Morley (2001–2004) or (2004–2005). The couple's family life has influenced Phoenix's career, including maternity-related hiatuses from in-ring competition following the births of their children. They reside in , with their daughters.

Philanthropy and interests

Beth Phoenix has been actively involved in charitable work, particularly through WWE's partnerships with organizations supporting children. She has participated in granting wishes for the , including during special events at in 2009 where she interacted with wish recipients alongside other superstars. Her commitment to youth causes extends to WWE's "Be a STAR" anti-bullying program, where she appeared at rallies and events, such as a 2011 assembly in with Natalya to educate students on combating bullying. Additionally, Phoenix has volunteered with Headlock on Hunger (part of Eblen Charities), the Mission Hospital Volunteer Department, and the "" Foundation, focusing on hunger relief, healthcare, and educational opportunities for underprivileged youth. In support of , Phoenix has used her platform to inspire female wrestlers and fans, speaking on the evolution of the women's division in interviews following her 2017 induction. For instance, in 2022, she highlighted the progress and future potential for women in wrestling, crediting pioneers who paved the way. Her experiences as a have influenced her emphasis on initiatives promoting children's and empowerment. In October 2024, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, Phoenix and Copeland shared updates on their family's safety and promoted relief efforts to aid affected residents. Beyond , Phoenix maintains a strong interest in fitness, emphasizing plant-based nutrition, , and running as key to her physical transformation in 2024–2025, during which she lost 20 pounds and over 15 inches while abstaining from alcohol. In 2024 interviews after leaving , she expressed interest in opening a wrestling school with her husband, Adam Copeland, to train performers in in-ring skills, storytelling, and television presentation, drawing on their combined experience.

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling honors

During her high school years at Notre Dame High School in , Beth Phoenix became the first female to compete on the varsity wrestling team, marking a pioneering achievement in girls' participation in the sport at the scholastic level. After graduating in 1998, Phoenix continued competing in amateur through events while attending Canisius College in , where she participated on the school's wrestling club team. In 1999, she won the North-East freestyle women's championship in the 72 kg weight class and the Women's Championship. These amateur successes provided a strong foundation of athletic credibility and experience that facilitated her transition into opportunities in the early 2000s.

Professional wrestling titles and awards

Beth Phoenix achieved significant success in professional wrestling, particularly during her tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where she captured multiple championships and received notable accolades. Her title reigns highlighted her dominance in the women's division, characterized by her powerful in-ring style and longevity as a champion.

Championships

Phoenix's professional wrestling career included several championship reigns across promotions, with her most prominent accomplishments occurring in WWE and its developmental territory, (OVW).
ChampionshipReign(s)Date(s)DurationNotes
1October 4, 2006 – November 2, 200629 daysDefeated Serena to win the title; lost to Katie Lea in a .
1October 7, 2007 – April 14, 2008189 daysDefeated at No Mercy; lost to on Raw.
2August 17, 2008 – January 25, 2009160 daysDefeated at ; lost to Melina at .
3April 25, 2010 – May 14, 201018 daysDefeated on SmackDown; lost to .
1October 2, 2011 – April 23, 2012203 daysDefeated at ; lost to at Extreme Rules.
These reigns established Phoenix as a three-time WWE Women's Champion and the longest-reigning Divas Champion at the time of her title loss in 2012.

Awards and Honors

Phoenix was inducted into the as part of the Class of 2017, recognizing her contributions to the women's division and her status as one of the most physically imposing competitors of her era. Additionally, she won the for Diva of the Year in 2008, awarded during a ceremony on the December 8 episode of Raw, honoring her dominant performances and championship success that year.

References

  1. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/beth-phoenix
  2. https://www.thesportster.com/facts-trivia-things-beth-phoenix-life-outside-away-from-wwe/
  3. https://www.canisius.edu/news/griffs-under-40-elizabeth-kocianski-copeland-02
  4. https://www.sportskeeda.com/player/beth-phoenix
  5. https://www.thesportster.com/beth-phoenix-age-height-husband-children-facts-edge-wwe-hall-of-fame/
  6. https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/aew/wwe-hall-of-famer-makes-debut-at-aew-all-out-2025
  7. https://ampoleagle.com/beth-phoenix-epitomized-female-polish-power-p7720-208.htm
  8. https://www.stargazette.com/story/sports/2015/01/10/beth-phoenix-interview/21557235/
  9. https://www.stargazette.com/story/sports/2017/03/29/elmira-native-beth-phoenix-join-wwe-hall-fame/99803148/
  10. https://itrwrestling.com/news/beth-phoenix-on-the-influence-of-chyna-throughout-her-career/
  11. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2011/02/03/phoenix-has-risen-again-and-again/
  12. https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-contentious-ten-11-30-09-the-top-10-wrestling-birds/
  13. https://content.usawmembership.com/articles/2829
  14. https://rocsportsnow.com/2019/04/04/beth-phoenix-challenges-for-the-wwe-womens-tag-titles-at-wrestlemania/
  15. https://www.ospw.net/bethphoenix.htm
  16. https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Beth_Phoenix
  17. https://www.theofficialwrestlingmuseum.com/beth-phoenix.html
  18. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=1161
  19. https://www.diva-dirt.com/wrestlemania-spotlight-beth-phoenix/
  20. https://www.thesignaturespot.com/articles/wwe-icons-beth-phoenix-full-recap
  21. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/beth-phoenix-recalls-slap-breaking-her-jaw-during-her-singles-debut-wwe-raw
  22. https://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-divas/beth-phoenix-exclusive-interview-november-2014
  23. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09242007/articles/glamazonevolution
  24. https://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/2007/matches/526728811
  25. https://www.wwe.com/videos/santino-marella-and-beth-phoenix-kiss-raw-july-21-2008
  26. https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2008/matches/7793948
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZpVohqr4_Q
  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyQ2yqfjlws
  29. https://www.wwe.com/shows/hellinacell/2011/divas-championship
  30. https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/beth-phoenix-eve
  31. https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2012/eight-diva-tag-team-match
  32. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-04-23/phoenix-ankle-injury
  33. https://www.wwe.com/videos/vickie-guerrero-fires-beth-phoenix-raw-oct-29-2012
  34. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-of-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2017/article/beth-phoenix
  35. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-mixed-match-challenge/article/beth-phoenix-announced-for-wwe-mixed-match-challenge
  36. https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2018/article/2018-first-ever-womens-royal-rumble-statistics-entrants-eliminations
  37. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/beth-phoenix-discusses-who-has-helped-her-nxt-commentary-having-trouble-looking-monitor
  38. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1303066/vic-joseph-wwe-nxt-commentator-mauro-ranallo/
  39. https://nypost.com/2021/12/02/beth-phoenix-is-stepping-away-from-wwe-nxt-announcing-role/
  40. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10019813-beth-phoenix-announces-shes-stepping-away-from-wwe-nxt-broadcasting-booth
  41. https://www.ringsidenews.com/how-beth-phoenix-busted-her-head-open-during-2020-royal-rumble-match/
  42. https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/2022/gallery/edge-beth-phoenix-vs-the-miz-maryse-photos
  43. https://www.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/2023/edge-phoenix-vs-balor-ripley-results
  44. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10064951-edge-beth-phoenix-defeat-finn-balor-rhea-ripley-at-wwe-elimination-chamber-2023
  45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBr6yolaP3I
  46. https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/08/15/beth-phoenix-confirms-shes-no-longer-under-contract-to-wwe-ponders-idea-of-opening-wrestling-school/
  47. https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2024/8/15/24221064/beth-phoenix-wwe-contract-other-opportunities
  48. https://cultaholic.com/posts/beth-phoenix-confirms-wwe-departure
  49. https://itrwrestling.com/news/beth-phoenix-confirms-she-is-no-longer-under-wwe-contract-addresses-likelihood-of-having-another-match/
  50. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/beth-phoenix-has-thought-opening-wrestling-school-feels-she-can-help-storytelling-and-tv-performing
  51. https://www.sescoops.com/news/aew/beth-phoenix-debuts-at-aew-all-out-toronto-gets-laid-out-by-ftr/
  52. https://www.ringsidenews.com/beth-phoenix-suffers-brutal-attack-aew-all-out-assisting-adam-copeland-christian-cage/
  53. https://www.ringsidenews.com/beth-phoenixs-aew-all-out-appearance-wasnt-last-minute-surprise/
  54. https://www.pwmania.com/backstage-update-on-beth-phoenixs-aew-future-and-adam-copelands-status
  55. https://www.vice.com/en/article/beth-phoenix-debuts-in-aew-at-all-out/
  56. https://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/wwe-the-soup
  57. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11230656/characters/nm1892768/
  58. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1892768/
  59. https://smackdown.fandom.com/wiki/Beth_Phoenix
  60. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k22/beth-phoenix
  61. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wwe2k25/roster/
  62. https://wrestlingfiguredatabase.com/collections/all-beth-phoenix-wrestling-action-figures
  63. https://pwcatalog.com/products/elite-dod2-bethphoenix
  64. https://www.ringsidecollectibles.com/mattel-wwe-royal-rumble-beth-mmisc-927.html
  65. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-edge-beth-phoenix-romantic-story-of-power-couple/
  66. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-how-long-edge-beth-phoenix-married
  67. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1892768/bio/
  68. https://www.wwe.com/article/edge-beth-phoenix-welcome-second-child
  69. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/exploring-edges-romantic-journey-marriages-affairs-and-true-love/articleshow/113858753.cms
  70. https://wlos.com/community/carolina-moment/asheville-couple-makes-wwe-history
  71. https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/195691-wwe-touts-make-a-wish-participation-during-wm25-weekend
  72. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkj1ih
  73. https://slamwrestling.net/news/beth-phoenix-continues-to-break-new-ground-with-frank-gotch-award/
  74. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/987719/beth-phoenix-comments-on-the-evolution-of-wwes-womens-division/
  75. https://mabumbe.com/people/beth-phoenix-biography-age-net-worth-relationships-more/
  76. https://itrwrestling.com/news/adam-copeland-beth-phoenix-give-family-update-after-hurricane-helene-share-ways-to-help-asheville/
  77. https://wwfoldschool.com/beth-phoenix-shows-her-incredible-one-year-alcohol-free-physical-transformation-photos/
  78. https://wrestlingheadlines.com/beth-phoenix-interested-in-opening-a-wrestling-school/
  79. https://nwhof.org/news/2019-george-tragoslou-thesz-professional-wrestling-hall-of-fame-class-finalized
  80. https://www.wwe.com/superstars/beth-phoenix
  81. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=169
  82. https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/wwe-womens-championship
  83. https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/divas-championship
  84. https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/slammy.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.