Natalie Holland (born October 29, 1996) is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE on the NXT brand performing under the ring name Tatum Paxley.[4]

Tatum Paxley
Birth nameNatalie Holland
Born (1996-10-29) October 29, 1996 (age 28)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Tatum Paxley[2]
Billed height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[1]
Billed weight121 lb (55 kg)[1]
Billed fromDallas, Texas
Trained byWWE Performance Center
DebutFebruary 15, 2022[3]

Background

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Holland's athletic experience includes cheerleading and powerlifting.[5] She is a former two-time USA Powerlifting (USAPL) champion, winning competitions in 2019 and 2021.[6]

Professional wrestling career

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Early beginnings (2021–2023)

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Holland was hired by WWE in August 2021, after participating in physical tests carried out by the company. To begin her training, she reported to the WWE Performance Center.[7] Holland, now given the ring name of Tatum Paxley, made her debut on the debut episode of NXT Level Up teaming with Ivy Nile from Diamond Mine, being victorious over Fallon Henley and Kayla Inlay.[3] On the February 22 episode of NXT, Paxley and Nile participated in the first round of the women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic against Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter, in which they were defeated.[8] Now a formalized tag team, Paxley and Nile engaged in a fatal four-way tag team match against Katana Chance (formerly Kacy Catanzaro) and Carter, Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon, and Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) on the August 2 episode of NXT for the vacant NXT Women's Tag Team Championship, which they failed to win. After feeling morally abandoned by Nile, on the March 14, 2023, episode of NXT, Paxley turned heel and abandoned her during a three-way tag team match, attacking her and causing her to suffer the pinfall at the hands of Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. On April 4 episode of NXT, Paxley was defeated by Nile.

Singles competition (2023–present)

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Towards the end of 2023, Paxley took on the character of a deranged creep and heading into 2024, she began a storyline where she stalked NXT Women's Champion Lyra Valkyria during backstage interviews and during her matches.[9] Paxley turned face at NXT: New Year's Evil on January 2, 2024, after saving Valkyria from a beatdown by Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez, eventually developing an obsession and a crush on Valkyria.[10] Ever since then, Paxley would interfere on Valkyria's matches to the latter's disapproval. At NXT: Roadblock on March 5, Valkyria and Paxley faced The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship as a reward from Valkyria to Paxley for the latter not interfering with the former's title matches against Shotzi and The Meta-Four's Lash Legend in the previous week but failed to win the titles after Valkyria inadvertently kicked Paxley.[11][12] On the April 9 episode of NXT after NXT Stand & Deliver where Valkyria lost the NXT Women's Championship to Roxanne Perez, Paxley reverted back to a heel when she turned on Valkyria, saying that the title does not belong to Valkyria anymore.[13] On the following week of NXT, Paxley revealed that her obsession with Valkyria was only because she had the NXT Women's Championship. Later that night, Paxley defeated Chase University's Thea Hail after interference from Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx, and was attacked by Valkyria after the match. NXT general manager Ava announced that Perez will take on Paxley and Valkyria in a triple threat match for the NXT Women's Championship at Week 1 of Spring Breakin', where Perez retained her title.[14][15]

On the May 28 episode of NXT, The O.C.'s Michin from SmackDown defeated Paxley to qualify for a spot in the six-woman ladder match to crown the inaugural NXT Women's North American Champion at NXT Battleground.[16][17] At NXT Battleground on June 9, halfway through the NXT Women's Championship match between Roxanne Perez and TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace, Paxley appeared from the crowd and attempted to steal the TNA Knockouts World Championship but was stopped by Ash by Elegance (who previously wrestled in WWE as Dana Brooke) and Grace, who lost the title match as a result of the interference.[18] This led to Paxley making her surprise debut appearance in TNA Wrestling at Against All Odds on June 14 where she answered Grace's open challenge for the TNA Knockouts World Championship but failed to win the title.[19] In July, Paxley formed a short-lived alliance with Wendy Choo, who turned on Paxley at Week 2 of NXT: The Great American Bash on August 6 after Paxley failed to defeat NXT Women's North American Champion Kelani Jordan for the title.[20][21] On the September 3 episode of NXT, Paxley defeated TNA's Rosemary, who had aligned with Choo. After the match, Paxley was attacked by Choo and Rosemary. Lyra Valkyria returned to NXT to save Paxley and the pair reunited, turning Paxley face once more.[22] On the October 22 episode of NXT, after her match loss against Jaida Parker, Paxley was stuffed into a loading box by Choo.[23] At NXT Halloween Havoc on October 27, Paxley spun the Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal wheel, and the first ever women's casket match in WWE was scheduled between herself and Choo,[24] which was won by Paxley two days later to end their feud.[25]

On the November 26 episode of NXT, Paxley challenged Fatal Influence's Fallon Henley for the NXT Women's North American Championship but failed to win the title. After the match, she was attacked by Henley and her stablemates Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx. Paxley was saved by a returning Gigi Dolin and formed an alliance with her.[26] On the following week, Paxley and Dolin lost to Jayne and Nyx in a tag team match. After the match, a returning Shotzi saved the pair from a beatdown by Fatal Influence.[27]

Personal life

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On September 17, 2023, it was revealed that Holland was engaged to fellow professional wrestler Randy José Beidelschies, better known as Javier Bernal in NXT.[28] Holland and Beidelschies got married on September 28, 2024.[29]

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References

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  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Tatum Paxley"'s Profile at Sportskeeda.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Tatum Paxley". WWE. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Moore, John (February 19, 2022). "2/18 Moore's NXT Level Up Review: The premiere episode of the rebranded 205 Live featuring Kushida vs. Edris Enofe, Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley vs. Fallon Henley and Kayla Inlay, Harland vs. Javier Bernal". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  4. ^ Ravens, Andrew (August 8, 2022). "Tatum Paxley Says She Will Be Okay After Suffering Injury At WWE NXT House Show". Wrestling Headlines. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  5. ^ "Tatum Paxley"'s Profile at CageMatch.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  6. ^ "Tatum Paxley"'s Profile at USAPL Lifting Database.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Wilkinson, Nick (August 20, 2021). "Several names offered WWE developmental contracts from Las Vegas tryouts". Diva Dirt. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  8. ^ "WWE NXT results: Feb. 22, 2022". WWE. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  9. ^ Rueter, Sean (December 13, 2023). "Tatum Paxley's new gimmick stands out in NXT's crowded Women's title scene". Cageside Seats. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  10. ^ Moore, John (January 2, 2024). "NXT TV results (1/2): Moore's review of New Year's Evil with Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams for the NXT Championship, Lyra Valkyria vs. Blair Davenport for the NXT Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  11. ^ Moore, John (February 27, 2024). "NXT TV results (2/27): Moore's review of Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes meeting, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade, Von Wagner vs. Lexis King, Kiana James vs. Kelani Jordan". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  12. ^ Powell, Jason (March 5, 2024). "NXT TV results (3/5): Moore's review of NXT Roadblock with Carmelo Hayes vs. Tony D'Angelo for a shot at the NXT Title, Kabuki Warriors vs. Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley for the WWE Women's Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  13. ^ Moore, John (April 9, 2024). "NXT TV results (4/9): Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout show, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs. Axiom and Nathan Frazer for the NXT Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  14. ^ Moore, John (April 16, 2024). "NXT TV results (4/16): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams in a steel cage match, Ridge Holland vs. Joaquin Wilde, Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice, Noam Dar vs. Dijak". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "NXT Spring Breakin' 2024 Week One results". WWE. April 23, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  16. ^ Mrosko, Geno (May 7, 2024). "NXT Combine gives us a field of 12 for the women's North American championship". Cageside Seats. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  17. ^ Powell, Jason (May 28, 2024). "NXT TV results (5/28): Moore's review of Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans vs. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang, Michin vs. Tatum Paxley and Kelani Jordan vs. Wren Sinclair in NXT Women's NA Title ladder match qualifiers". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  18. ^ Miller, Haley (June 9, 2024). "TNA Star Ash By Elegance (WWE's Dana Brooke) Makes Shocking NXT Return at Battleground". ComicBook. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  19. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (June 14, 2024). "Tatum Paxley Answers Jordynne Grace's Open Challenge For TNA Knockouts Title At TNA Against All Odds | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  20. ^ Adamson, Dave (July 17, 2024). "WWE Stars Address Potential New Tag Team". WrestleTalk. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  21. ^ Deflice, Robert (August 6, 2024). "Wendy Choo Attacks Tatum Paxley After Kelani Jordan Defends NXT Women's North American Title At 8/6 NXT Great American Bash | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  22. ^ Moore, John (September 3, 2024). "NXT TV results (9/3): Moore's review of Trick Williams vs. Pete Dunne, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs. The Rascalz vs. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang for a shot at the NXT Tag Team Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  23. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 22, 2024). "Wendy Choo Stuffs Tatum Paxley Into A Box Like Structure And Takes Her Away On WWE NXT | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  24. ^ WWE.com Staff (October 29, 2024). "Tatum Paxley and Wendy Choo battle in a Casket Match". WWE. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  25. ^ Defelice, Robert (October 29, 2024). "Tatum Paxley Defeats Wendy Choo In First WWE Women's Casket Match On NXT | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  26. ^ Moore, John (November 26, 2024). "NXT TV results (11/26): Moore's review of Tony D'Angelo vs. Shawn Spears for the NXT NA Title, Fallon Henley vs. Tatum Paxley for the NXT Women's NA Title, Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  27. ^ Powell, Jason (December 10, 2024). "NXT TV results (12/10): Powell's review of the Deadline fallout show featuring Je'Von Evans vs. Wes Lee, Iron Survivor Challenge winner Oba Femi, Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolin vs. Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  28. ^ Everett, Max (September 17, 2023). "Javier Bernal Gets Engaged to WWE NXT Superstar". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  29. ^ Brennan, Corey (September 29, 2024). "WWE NXT's Tatum Paxley And Javier Bernal Get Married | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved September 29, 2024.