Wikipedia

Mariah May

Mariah May Mead (born 4 August 1998), better known by her ring name Mariah May, is an English professional wrestler, model, and actress. As a wrestler, she is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH), under the epithet of "The Glamour" Mariah May. She is the reigning AEW Women's World Champion in her first reign and was the winner of the 2024 women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.

Mariah May
Mariah May in April 2024
Birth nameMariah May Mead
Born (1998-08-04) 4 August 1998 (age 26)
Islington, London, England
Websitemariahmayx.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Mariah May
"The Glamour" Mariah May
Billed height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Billed weight136 lb (62 kg)
Billed fromLondon, England
Trained byKnucklelocks, Portsmouth School of Wrestling
C.A.C.C. Snake Pit Japan
Debut2 February 2019

May first started in professional wrestling as a ring announcer in 2018 before becoming a wrestler and debuting in 2019, performing in various independent promotions, including Revolution Pro Wrestling, and winning various championships on the independent circuit. She was best known for her time in World Wonder Ring Stardom under alter egos Sexy Dynamite Princess and Fighting Princess from 2022 to 2023, where she was a member of Club Venus as well as a one-time Goddesses of Stardom Champion with Mina Shirakawa.

Professional wrestling career

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Early career (2018–2022)

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Before becoming a professional wrestler, Mead began her career as a ring announcer where she would perform on multiple shows over the course of 2018.[1]

On 2 February 2019, May made her in-ring debut as a professional wrestler under the ring name Mariah May, facing NXT UK's Nina Samuels.[2] While initially unsuccessful in her efforts, the two would have a series of matches crossing over multiple promotions.[3]

As a last minute replacement, May appeared at Progress Wrestling's Chapter 89 show on 26 May 2019 and mark her first appearance with the promotion. With the show playing to an 80s theme, she would perform one time under the fitness instructor-inspired Mariah Eagan persona.[4]

In June 2019, May participated in an unsuccessful three-day WWE try out at the brand new UK WWE Performance Center, where she received coaching from William Regal, Sarah Stock, and others.[5][6]

On 29 February 2020, May competed against five other opponents at day two of United Wrestling UK's "I Can Do This All Day" event. In front of a sold-out crowd, she won the United Wrestling Championship in the main event to earn her first championship in professional wrestling.[7]

May returned to wrestling following the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic on 26 June 2021. During the time away, May form a tag team with fellow independent wrestler Zoe Lucas, with the two collectively known as the Dream Dollz. The team had their first match together at TNT Extreme Wrestling.[8]

This partnership would only grow deeper as seen at Revolution Pro Wrestling's "Live from the Cockpit 51" event. After Gisele Shaw defeated Zoe Lucas to reclaim the vacated Revolution Pro Wrestling's Undisputed Women's Championship, May would take to the ring and ambush the new champion during a post-match interview, cementing her arrival on 4 July 2021.[9] A rivalry quickly formed as May challenged Shaw for her newly won title on July 18, 2021.[10] While unable to walk away with the gold, this feud would continue into the promotion's Queen of the Ring tournament later that month. May, along with Shaun Jackson and Kenneth Halfpenny, assisted Zoe Lucas in defeating Gisele Shaw to win the crown and the right to call herself Revolution Pro Wrestling's Queen of the Ring.[11] Shortly after, the newly dubbed Princess of Revolution Pro Wrestling found herself up against the duo of Shaw and Hyan throughout the summer.[12] These bouts culminated in May once again challenging Shaw for the championship on 21 August 2021 at RevPro's 9-Year Anniversary Show in Manchester.[13]

During the remainder of 2021, May continued to find success across multiple independent promotions where she would not only successfully defend her first championship but go on to continue and win two more.[14][15]

Entering 2022, May found solo success at Revolution Pro Wrestling, picking up victories in singles matches against Chantal Jordan and Laura Di Matteo.[16][17]

At Ultimate Pro Wrestling's 7-Year Anniversary Show on 30 January, May interfered in the main event, deciding its outcome, and being awarded her forth simultaneous title, the Big League Wrestling Women's Championship.[18]

The following month May began, for the first time, a series of appearances in the United States; beginning with a meet and greet at New Jersey's Garden State Trading Card Show, where she appeared alongside other wrestlers such as former WWE superstars AJ Lee and Kaitlyn, Barbi Hayden, Gisele Shaw, Harley Cameron, and more.[19] She would make her American in-ring debut on 26 March 2022 at Battleground Championship Wrestling's "When Worlds Collide", defeating Lady Frost in Philadelphia's 2300 Arena.[20] The next night she appeared on Combat Zone Wrestling's "All Night Long" show, where she would compete again before travelling to Dallas.[21] Over the next three days, beginning on 31 March, she made make consecutive appearances at WrestleCon while also having matches at both Texas Style Wrestling on 1 April 2022 and New Texas Pro Wrestling's "Cowboys from Hell" event, challenging for the latter's Women's Championship against Raychell Rose on 2 April 2022.[22][23][24]

Upon returning to the UK, May travelled across Europe over the following months and wrestle for promotions in both Germany and Italy during April and May, respectively.[25][26]

On 9 August 2022, May and Harley Cameron united and announced the beginning of their new tag team titled Siren's Fury.[27]

In what would be dubbed the Dreamhouse Deathmatch, May faced off with Harley Hudson, at Sovereign Pro Wrestling's premiere event First Reign on 1 October 2022, in a match with only one rule: "if it's pink, it's legal".[28]

Following this match, May travelled to Pakistan, where over the next week she would be part of a media tour, promoting Ring of Pakistan and visiting survivors of the 2022 Pakistan floods.[29]

World Wonder Ring Stardom (2022–2023; 2024)

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See also: Club Venus
 
May alongside Club Venus members Mina Shirakawa and Xia Brookside at Stardom American Dream 2024 in April 2024.

At Stardom's Dream Queendom 2, May made her debut in Japan accompanying Mina Shirakawa to the ring, alongside a returning Xia Brookside. Mina and Unagi Sayaka representing Cosmic Angels took on Donna Del Mondo's Mai Sakurai and Thekla in a tag team contest. Following the match, a victorious Shirakawa would both verbally and physically confront Sayaka and announce the formation of her own trio featuring herself, May, and Brookside with the three to be known as Club Venus.[30]

In a match against Super Strong Stardom Big Machine at New Blood Premium, with Mina Shirakawa in her corner, May officially became the newest member of Club Venus, going by a masked alter ego by the name of Sexy Dynamite Princess, and came out on top in singles competition.[31] The following night on 26 March, May would enter the Cinderella Tournament 2023, picking up a win against Rina.[32] Her time in the tournament would ultimately come to an end in the second round via an over-the-tope-rope elimination from Mai Sakurai.[33] In addition to competing at All Star Grand Queendom, as a last-minute addition to the English language broadcast of the event, May joined the commentary team and provided her insight for the duration of the show.[34][35]

Following May and Mina Shirakawa's victory over Ami Sohrei and Mirai at Korakuen Hall, the two Club Venus members issued a challenge to The New Eras for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship.[36] Uniting under the name of Rose Gold, May and Shirakawa would receive their championship match at Sunshine 2023. Proving successful in their endeavor, they would bring championship gold back to Club Venus and becoming the 28th Goddesses of Stardom Champions, also marking May's first championship in Stardom.[37] Outlasting 18 other opponents in a last chance Rumble match, alongside Hanan, May qualified to participate in the 5 Star Grand Prix 2023, where she competed as part of the Blue Stars block.[38] On 30 September, she faced her fellow last chance Rumble winner Hanan in her final match of the tournament, which would coincide with and double as May's farewell match from Stardom.[39]

On 4 April 2024, May returned to Stardom at Stardom American Dream 2024, teaming with fellow Club Venus members Mina Shirakawa and Xia Brookside, in a losing effort against Mayu Iwatani, Momo Kohgo, and Tam Nakano.

All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2023–present)

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Understudy of "Timeless" Toni Storm (2023–2024)

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May was introduced on AEW programming in November 2023 as an obsessed fan of "Timeless" Toni Storm. May would later become her "understudy" and played "the part" of Storm's previous persona until May turned on her in July 2024.

On the 8 November 2023 edition of Dynamite, May was announced as the newest signing to All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[40] May was introduced in a segment by RJ City as a superfan of AEW Women's World Champion "Timeless" Toni Storm, establishing her as a heel.[40] In the following months, Storm adopted May as an "understudy" and protégé.[41][42] On the 3 January 2024 episode of Dynamite, May made her AEW in-ring debut, defeating Queen Aminata. After the match, May was confronted by the debuting Deonna Purrazzo.[43] At Revolution, May adopted Storm's previous "Rockstar" persona, including wearing Storm's old ring attire and entrance music, and would begin wrestling matches on Dynamite and Collision in this persona as a tribute to her mentor Storm. Despite both Storm and May still being heels, fans started embracing them both with cheers, thus turning them both into tweener. The following weeks, Storm and May started wrestling faces and heels.[44] At Supercard of Honor: Zero Hour, May made her Ring of Honor (ROH) debut, defeating Momo Kohgo. On the 11 April episode of Dynamite, May defeated Anna Jay. Afterwards, she was saved by her former Stardom tag partner Mina Shirakawa, who shared a kiss and champagne, teasing a romantic storyline between the two. Later down the line, May would quietly turn babyface along with Storm.[45] In the weeks leading up to Forbidden Door, May was the centre of a love triangle storyline, which saw her torn between supporting Storm and Shirakawa, who was Storm's title challenger at the event. May ultimately remained neutral as the two competed for her affection. After Storm defeated Shirakawa at Forbidden Door on 30 June, May resolved the conflict with a three-way kiss.[46]

"The Glamour" (2024–present)

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May (right) defeated Toni Storm (left) to win the AEW Women's World Championship in August 2024.

In June 2024, May participated in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, defeating The Outcasts' Saraya in the first round at Forbidden Door: Zero Hour[46] and Hikaru Shida in the semi-final at Rampage: Beach Break on 5 July.[47] May subsequently defeated Willow Nightingale to win the tournament on the 10 July episode of Dynamite. With the victory, she also earned an AEW Women's World Championship match against her mentor Storm at All In. Immediately after winning the tournament final, May turned on Storm and viciously attacked her and Luther (Storm's on-screen butler) with the Owen Hart Foundation title belt at the entrance way, thus re-establishing herself as a heel.[48] May eventually dubbed herself as "The Glamour" Mariah May on the 19 July episode of Dynamite.[49] At All In on 25 August, May defeated Storm to win the AEW Women's World Championship for the first time.[50] On the 4 September episode of Dynamite, May successfully defended her title in her first title defense against Nyla Rose.[51]

Other media

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Outside of professional wrestling, Mead is also a professional model and has worked with WWE Shop as well as UK fashion brands Misspap, Miss Bardot and more.[52]

On 16 January 2017, Mead launched her YouTube channel, featuring a look into her world of wrestling, fashion, gaming, and fitness.[53] On 14 June 2020, Mead launched her Twitch channel where she live streams, chats, and plays games with her community known as House May.[54]

In October 2021, Mead joined the cast of ITV2's wrestling comedy series Deep Heat and taking on the role of Roxy. The six-part sitcom premiered on 28 March 2022.[55][56]

In July 2022, Mead modelled at Calgary's Cowboys Music Festival 2022, as well as for Freddy by Livify Clothing.[57][58] Later that month she would be cast as the role of "First Smiler" in the Faithful Films production Granny DJ.[59]

Personal life

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Mead is a fan of Arsenal.[60]

Championships and accomplishments

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May holding the Owen Hart Cup title belt
 
May as AEW Women's World Champion

References

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  1. ^ "Mariah May Twitter". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  2. ^ Founds, Lauren (25 February 2020). "Indie Spotlight: Mariah May". belltobelles.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  3. ^ "#Results: Hustle (@HustleWresUK) "Live In Enfield (2/2)" *FULL Results*". 3 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  4. ^ Daly, Wayne (26 May 2019). "PROGRESS Chapter 89 Results: 26th May 1988 – London, England (5/26)". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  5. ^ "U.K. and Europe's top female wrestlers attend WWE tryout in London". wwe.com. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  6. ^ "Mariah May chats about Her WWE Tryout, William Regal". lovewrestling.ca. 22 April 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Day two : I Can do this all day". 29 February 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  8. ^ Laurillard, Matt (6 July 2021). "BritWres: TNT Going Off Big Time – Live Report June 26th 2021". Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Revolution Pro Wrestling Live at the Cockpit 51 (July 04, 2021)". 9 July 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  10. ^ Hamilton, Ian (23 July 2021). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Live in Bristol 3 07.18.2021 Review". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  11. ^ Hamilton, Ian (12 August 2021). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Live in Huntingdon 2 07.31.2021 Review". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  12. ^ Hamilton, Ian (20 August 2021). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Pop-Up Show 08.15.2021 Review". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  13. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (22 August 2021). "RevPro Nine Year Anniversary Results (8/21): Will Ospreay Returns". fightful.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  14. ^ "Slammasters Wrestling Twitter". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Mariah May Twitter". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  16. ^ Hamilton, Ian (13 January 2021). "Hamilton's Rev Pro Live in Southampton 15 12.21.2021 Review". Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  17. ^ Thomas, Jeremy (10 January 2021). "Rev Pro Live in London 57 Results 1.9.22: Undisputed British Tag Title Match, More". Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  18. ^ "Ultimate Pro Wrestling Twitter". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Wrestlers, Models & More set for 2022 Garden State Trading Card Show". discusspw.com. 28 December 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  20. ^ Vetter, Chris (29 March 2022). "Battleground Championship Wrestling "When Worlds Collide" results: Vetter's review of Atsushi Onita vs. Bully Ray, Mariah May vs. Lady Frost, Brian Cage vs. Buddy Matthews, KC Navarro vs. Tony Nese, Rich Swann vs. Bull James vs. Ray Jaz". prowrestling.net. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  21. ^ "CZW: Combat Zone Wrestling Twitter". Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  22. ^ Raghuwanshi, Vipin (1 April 2022). "WrestleCon 2022: Events list, Superstar & Wrestler Announced". itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  23. ^ Mullen, David (25 March 2022). "'Texas Style' pro wrestling makes comeback". katytrailweekly.com. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  24. ^ Klyn, Parker (28 March 2022). "THE Wrestlemania 2022 Weekend Preview". wrestlepurists.com. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  25. ^ Wieters, Jens (21 April 2022). "Heimatgefühle im Ring". kreiszeitung.de. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  26. ^ Fiadone, Aldo (11 May 2022). "Torna la EPW dal vivo questa domenica nella Stazione Birra di Roma!". worldwrestling.it. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Mariah May Twitter". Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  28. ^ Haldon, Kevin (2 November 2022). "'Sovereign Pro Wrestling: First Reign' Review". nerdly.co.uk. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  29. ^ Asif, Muzamil (4 October 2022). "'International wrestlers Tiny Iron, Mariah May arrive in Pakistan". geosuper.tv. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  30. ^ Russell, Skylar (29 December 2022). "Xia Brookside Returns To STARDOM, Joins Forces With Mina Shirakawa & Mariah May". fightful.com. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  31. ^ Edwards, Scott (25 March 2023). "STARDOM NEW BLOOD Premium Results (3/25/23): Waka Tsukiyama, KAIRI, And More". fightful.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  32. ^ Edwards, Scott (26 March 2023). "STARDOM Cinderella Tournament First Round Results (3/26/23): Giulia, Mayu Iwatani, And More". fightful.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  33. ^ Edwards, Scott (1 April 2023). "STARDOM Cinderella Tournament Second Round Results (4/1/23): MIRAI, Tam Nakano, Syuri, And More". fightful.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  34. ^ Edwards, Scott (23 April 2023). "STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom Results (4/23/23): Mercedes Moné vs. Mayu Iwatani, Giulia vs. Tam Nakano, And More". fightful.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  35. ^ C., Steve (23 April 2023). "Stardom All Star Grand Queendom 2023 Results – April 23, 2023 – Giulia vs. Tam Nakano". tpww.new. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  36. ^ Edwards, Scott (4 June 2023). "STARDOM Korakuen Hall Results (6/4/23): Generation Struggle, Natsupoi, And More". fightful.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  37. ^ Edwards, Scott (25 June 2023). "STARDOM SUNSHINE 2023 Results (6/25/23): Queen's Quest vs. Oedo Tai in a Steel Cage". fightful.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  38. ^ Edwards, Scott (18 June 2023). "STARDOM Results (6/18/23): Final 5STAR GP Competitors Decided". fightful.com. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  39. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (1 October 2023). "Mariah May Says Goodbye To STARDOM, Says She Will Be Back". fightful.com. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  40. ^ a b Rose, Bryan (9 November 2023). "Mariah May signs with AEW, debuts on Dynamite". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  41. ^ Renner, Ethan (6 March 2024). "Okada & The Elite trios debut announced for AEW Collision". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 11 March 2024. Storm's protege Mariah May
  42. ^ John Pollock, Wai Ting (7 March 2024). AEW Dynamite 3/6/24 Review. Post Wrestling. Event occurs at 1:04:00. It's perfect for the understudy type of character that she's playing
  43. ^ Rueter, Sean (3 January 2024). "Mariah May's in-ring debut was set-up for Deonna Purrazzo's AEW one". Cageside Seats. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  44. ^ Kahrs, Alex (9 March 2024). "AEW Collision Results – 3/9/24 (Street Fight, Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada in action)". Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  45. ^ Clark, Ryan (11 April 2024). "Mina Shirakawa & Mariah May Makeout On AEW Dynamite, Match Set For AEW Dynamite". ewrestlingnews. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  46. ^ a b Beaston, Erik. "AEW Forbidden Door 2024 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  47. ^ Pulido, Luis (5 July 2024). "AEW Rampage Beach Break (7/5/2024) Results: Mariah May vs. Hikaru Shida, RUSH vs. Komander, More Set | Fightful News". Fightful. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  48. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (10 July 2024). "Mariah May Turns On Toni Storm After Winning Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament, Will Face Storm At AEW All In". Fightful. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  49. ^ Tessier, Colin (19 July 2024). "The Debut Of 'The Glamour' Mariah May, MJF Segment Added To 7/24 AEW Dynamite". Fightful. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  50. ^ Powell, Jason (25 August 2024). "AEW All In results: Powell's live review of Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson for the AEW World Championship, Toni Storm vs. Mariah May for the AEW Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  51. ^ Miller, Haley (4 September 2024). "AEW Dynamite: Mariah May Wins First Women's Championship Defense". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  52. ^ "Mariah May: Women We Love: Photos & Interview". fitnessgurls.com. 5 April 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  53. ^ "Mariah May YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  54. ^ "Mariah May Twitter". Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  55. ^ "ITV2 commissions brand new comedy, Deep Heat". itv.com. 3 February 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  56. ^ "Jahannah James Debut Series Airing on ITV2 and on ITV Hub to Stream Now!". sharpergrp.com. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  57. ^ "Mariah May Twitter". Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  58. ^ "Livify Instagram". Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  59. ^ "Granny DJ Instagram". Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  60. ^ May, Mariah [@MariahMayx] (6 April 2023). "no ARSENAL ❤️" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 September 2024 – via Twitter.
  61. ^ Ross, Patrick (19 October 2023). "Full 2023 PWI Women's 250 list revealed". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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