Kylie Rae
Kylie Rae, whose real name is Brianna Rae Sparrey, is an American professional wrestler born on August 25, 1992, in Chicago, Illinois.[1] She is best known for her high-energy style and cheerful persona, often referred to as the "Smiley Kylie," and has competed in prominent promotions including Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA), All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and WWE's developmental ID program.[2] Rae began her in-ring career in 2016 after training at Booker T's Reality of Wrestling school in Houston, Texas, and quickly rose through independent circuits, capturing multiple championships such as the Reality of Wrestling Diamonds Division Title (three times) and the AAW Women's Championship.[3][1][4] Rae gained mainstream recognition in 2019 when she signed with Impact Wrestling, where she teamed with wrestlers like Susie and challenged for the Knockouts World Championship.[5] That same year, she became one of the first women signed to AEW but was released shortly after due to personal reasons. Rae has been open about her mental health struggles and sobriety journey, which became a focus after leaving Impact in 2021, marking four years sober as of October 2025.[6] In 2022, she appeared on WWE programming under the name Briana Ray, wrestling on Main Event.[7] In November 2024, Rae signed with WWE's newly launched ID program, an initiative providing independent wrestlers access to the Performance Center while allowing them to continue indie bookings; she was announced as a signee during a Freelance Wrestling event and became the inaugural WWE ID Women's Champion in August 2025.[8][7][9] Her run included notable matches on the Evolve series, such as a bout against Masyn Holiday in September 2025.[10] However, Rae vacated the ID Women's Title in September 2025 upon announcing her pregnancy with her second child, and her contract was not renewed the following month, leading to her departure from the program amid expectations of an extended hiatus from wrestling.[11][12] Following her departure from WWE ID, Rae returned to the independent circuit in late 2025. Throughout her career, Rae has also held titles in promotions like Zelo Pro Wrestling and Capital Wrestling Alliance, establishing herself as a versatile performer across singles and tag team divisions.[1]Early life and training
Early life
Kylie Rae was born Briana Rae Sparrey on August 25, 1992, in Oak Forest, Illinois.[13] She grew up in the suburban Chicago area.[13] After graduating from Oak Forest High School in 2010, Rae balanced her emerging interests in performance and entertainment with her family's encouragement to pursue higher education as a safety net for her ambitions.[14][15] Rae attended Lewis University as an undergraduate, where she began exploring her passion for physical performance during her junior year.[15] She later transferred to Governors State University, pursuing a degree in communications to build skills applicable to media and entertainment fields.[15] Prior to fully committing to wrestling, Rae entered the stunt industry around 2014, leveraging her athletic background in roles that demanded precision and resilience.[16] Her credits included performing stunts in the film Divergent (2014) and the television series Shameless.[17] These experiences honed her abilities in high-stakes physical scenarios and sparked her interest in broader entertainment pursuits.[18]Training
In 2015, Kylie Rae relocated from Illinois to Houston, Texas, to train full-time at the Reality of Wrestling academy under the tutelage of WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. She committed to the program for two years, immersing herself in the fundamentals of professional wrestling, including technique, conditioning, and match psychology.[15] During this period, Rae's in-ring style evolved under Booker T's guidance, which emphasized storytelling, athleticism, and character work; this helped cultivate her signature high-energy approach and "smiley" persona, marked by constant positivity and audience interaction to create an uplifting presence in the ring.[19][20] Rae adopted the ring name Kylie Rae and made her professional debut in March 2016 on the independent wrestling circuit.[16] Following her time in Houston, Rae returned to Illinois, where she integrated into the local scene to further her development and adjust to performing closer to home.[15]Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2016–2019)
Kylie Rae made her professional wrestling debut on March 19, 2016, at a Reality of Wrestling (ROW) event in Texas City, Texas, where she defeated Ivory Robyn to win the ROW Diamonds Division Championship in her first match.[21] This victory marked the beginning of her early career under the guidance of Booker T at his ROW promotion, where she developed her upbeat, technical wrestling style characterized by high energy and positive demeanor, earning her the nickname "Smiley" Kylie Rae.[18] Rae's first reign lasted until November 12, 2016, when she lost the title to Jada Keys. She regained it on December 10, 2016, and held it until May 13, 2017, when she was defeated by Kayla Lynn. Rae captured the title a third time on December 9, 2017, holding it until February 10, 2018, when she lost to Hyan, solidifying her status as a three-time champion in the promotion during her tenure from 2016 to 2018.[22] Expanding beyond ROW, Rae began appearing in other Midwest independent promotions in 2017, including her debut with RISE Wrestling on November 10, 2017, at RISE 5: Rising Sun, where she faced Nicole Savoy in a losing effort.[23] She continued building her resume with matches in promotions such as Freelance Wrestling and AAW Wrestling, focusing on technical bouts and building rivalries through local shows that highlighted her agile, crowd-engaging performances. In 2018, Rae's profile rose with appearances in events across the Midwest and South, including early feuds in Freelance Wrestling that showcased her versatility against established talents, as well as winning the Zelo Pro Women's Championship twice (first on January 14, defeating Laynie Luck) and the Capital Wrestling Alliance CWA Championship once. Her training under Booker T influenced her indie work, emphasizing fundamentals and charisma that appealed to regional audiences.[21] A pivotal moment came on November 24, 2018, at AAW Unstoppable in Chicago, Illinois, when Rae defeated defending champion Kimber Lee by submission to win the AAW Women's Championship, marking her first major independent title outside ROW.[24] She defended the title successfully against opponents like Savanna Stone on December 8, 2018, before losing it to Jessicka Havok on March 16, 2019, in a reign that lasted 112 days and established her as a top contender in the Midwest scene. Throughout 2017 to 2019, Rae undertook extensive touring, competing in over 100 matches across promotions like Warrior Wrestling—where she challenged for the Progress World Women's Championship against Jordynne Grace on January 5, 2019, at Warrior Wrestling 3—and events that provided exposure to larger crowds, fostering networking opportunities that led to tryouts with national promotions.[25] This period solidified her "Smiley Kylie" persona, blending technical prowess with an infectious positivity that resonated in the independent circuit.[21]All Elite Wrestling (2019)
In early 2019, Kylie Rae signed a contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), becoming one of the promotion's inaugural female talents ahead of its launch.[21] She made her in-ring debut for the company on May 25, 2019, at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view event in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she competed in a fatal four-way match against Britt Baker, Awesome Kong, and Nyla Rose.[26] Rae, portraying her signature "Smiley" persona characterized by an upbeat and engaging demeanor, lost the bout via submission to Baker's mandible claw but received positive fan reception for her energetic performance.[27] Following her debut, Rae did not appear in any additional AEW matches, as the promotion's weekly programming, Dynamite, had yet to premiere. Her time with AEW concluded shortly thereafter when she requested and was granted her release on August 31, 2019, during a media scrum following the All Out event.[28] AEW President Tony Khan described the parting as amicable, emphasizing Rae's contributions to the early roster without elaborating on specifics.[28] Rae later addressed her departure publicly, clarifying that it was a personal decision and expressing gratitude for the opportunities AEW provided in elevating her profile.[29] Her brief tenure refined her bubbly on-screen character for a national audience, fostering social media buzz and establishing her as a fan favorite among viewers drawn to her positive energy during the promotion's formative phase.[30]Impact Wrestling (2019–2021)
Rae made her Impact Wrestling debut on October 20, 2019, at the Bound for Glory pay-per-view event, entering the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match at number 17 and receiving a strong crowd reaction before being eliminated by then-Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie.[31] Following her surprise appearance, which built on her brief stint in All Elite Wrestling earlier that year, Rae officially signed a contract with Impact on April 1, 2020, joining the Knockouts division full-time.[32] Her early run emphasized her optimistic underdog persona, often highlighted in promos where she encouraged smiling through challenges, endearing her to fans as a positive force amid intense rivalries. In mid-2020, Rae partnered with Susie to form a popular tag team, achieving success against established Knockouts pairs, including a victory over Taya Valkyrie and Rosemary on the July 7 episode of Impact!.[33] This alliance transitioned into singles opportunities for Rae, as she engaged in feuds with Rosemary and Valkyrie, showcasing her resilience in multi-woman matches and backstage segments. Her momentum peaked at Slammiversary on July 18, 2020, where she won the 14-woman Gauntlet for the Gold match—last eliminating Valkyrie—to earn a shot at the Impact Knockouts Championship held by Deonna Purrazzo.[34] The feud with Purrazzo intensified over the following weeks, with Rae positioning herself as the virtuous challenger against Purrazzo's technical dominance, including a notable win over Kimber Lee on the October 13 episode of Impact!.[35] Rae was set to challenge Purrazzo for the Knockouts Championship at Bound for Glory on October 24, 2020, but did not appear for the match, leading to an impromptu title defense where Su Yung emerged victorious.[36] Rae subsequently announced her retirement from professional wrestling on November 2, 2020, citing personal reasons, though she remained under contract with Impact.[37] She made no in-ring appearances for the promotion in 2021, taking an extended hiatus, before her contract concluded in mid-2021, allowing her to pursue opportunities elsewhere.[38]National Wrestling Alliance (2021–2022)
Following her release from Impact Wrestling and a subsequent hiatus, Kylie Rae signed a contract with the National Wrestling Alliance in June 2021, requiring an agreement between the NWA and her former promotion to facilitate the move.[39] Her debut occurred that same month at the NWA When Our Shadows Fall pay-per-view event on June 6, where she teamed with Taryn Terrell to defeat Melina and Thunder Rosa by pinfall in a tag team match.[40][41] Rae quickly transitioned to singles competition, securing victories on episodes of NWA Powerrr, including a win over Melina on the June 29 episode and submissions against opponents like Allysin Kay and Tootie Lynn in subsequent tapings.[42] Rae's prominence in the NWA women's division grew through participation in major events, starting with the inaugural all-women's pay-per-view, NWA EmPowerrr, on August 28, 2021. There, she competed in a triple-threat match against Diamante and Chik Tormenta for a shot at the NWA World Women's Championship, but was eliminated via pinfall. The following night at NWA 73 on August 29, Rae faced NWA World Women's Champion Mickie James in a non-title singles bout, losing by pinfall after a competitive exchange. Later that year, on the October 26 episode of NWA Powerrr, Rae entered a three-way number one contender's match for the women's title against Melina and Chelsea Green, but Melina emerged victorious by pinfall. These appearances highlighted Rae's role in elevating the division's competitive landscape during NWA's syndicated television era. In December 2021, Rae continued her tag team efforts, partnering with Tootie Lynn in a four-way match on the pre-show of NWA Hard Times 2 against teams including The Hex, but they were unsuccessful in challenging for the NWA World Women's Tag Team Championship. She also notched wins on Powerrr tapings, defeating Allysin Kay and Madi by submission. Rae's 2022 run was impacted by a concussion sustained in February, causing her to miss the NWA PowerrrTrip event.[43] Upon return, she challenged for the NWA World Women's Championship in a three-way match against champion Kamille and Chelsea Green at The Crockett Cup on March 20, 2022, but Kamille retained the title via pinfall after 12 minutes. This title opportunity underscored Rae's status as a key contender in the division. Her NWA tenure concluded around mid-2022, having contributed to the promotion's emphasis on women's storylines through high-profile matches and crossover appeal from her prior experience.WWE enhancement talent (2022)
In December 2022, Kylie Rae participated in a week-long tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, marking her second such evaluation with the company.[44] This opportunity arose following her departure from the National Wrestling Alliance earlier that year, as she sought additional exposure through enhancement roles.[45] During the tryout, Rae engaged in training sessions and in-ring evaluations, including separate matches against NXT talents Thea Hail and Fallon Henley, which received positive internal feedback from WWE officials.[46] Rae's limited in-ring exposure culminated in a single televised appearance on the December 15, 2022, episode of WWE Main Event, where she competed under the ring name Briana Ray. In her debut match, taped on December 12 in Peoria, Illinois, Rae lost to Dana Brooke via Swanton Bomb submission after a competitive five-minute bout that showcased her technical skills against an established main roster competitor.[47] The name change to Briana Ray was not her decision but one implemented by WWE production, though Rae expressed no objections to it during post-tryout reflections.[48] Rae described her overall experience at the Performance Center as supportive and professional, particularly appreciating discussions with talent relations figure Gabe Sapolsky about her mental health history and ongoing sobriety, which emphasized her current stability as a key factor in the evaluation process.[49] Despite the positive reception to her work ethic and in-ring performance, the stint concluded without a developmental contract, framed as an evaluation phase where WWE opted for a "not right now" stance, allowing Rae to continue pursuing independent opportunities while remaining open to future extra work with the company.[46] This brief role highlighted her adaptability as enhancement talent but did not lead to further commitments in 2022.[50]WWE ID (2024–2025)
On November 21, 2024, Kylie Rae signed with WWE's ID program, which had launched that October on October 29 as an independent wrestling initiative integrated with promotions like Evolve Wrestling.[51][52][53] Her entry built on prior exposure as an enhancement talent during WWE tryouts in 2022. Rae made her in-ring debut for Evolve under the WWE ID banner on March 12, 2025, competing in a losing effort against Zara Zakher on the program's second episode.[54] She quickly established herself in Evolve storylines, participating in matches that highlighted the emerging women's division, including a bout against Masyn Holiday on September 3, 2025.[10] Throughout her tenure, Rae trained at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, contributing to the program's focus on developing talent for potential main roster opportunities.[55] Rae's championship pursuit culminated on August 1, 2025, at the GCW Presents WWE ID Showcase event in Rutherford, New Jersey, where she defeated Zara Zakher and Zayda Steel in a triple-threat match to become the inaugural WWE Women's ID Champion.[54] Her reign lasted 52 days and featured defenses that showcased her technical prowess and fan appeal, solidifying her role as a cornerstone of the division's launch.[56] As the first champion, Rae's title run emphasized high-energy matches and narrative arcs involving emerging ID talent, helping to elevate the women's roster within Evolve events.[57] On September 22, 2025, Rae vacated the WWE Women's ID Championship following her pregnancy announcement the previous day, marking the end of her title reign due to the impending maternity hiatus.[12] WWE confirmed plans to crown a new champion via a tournament starting November 17, 2025, at Wrestling Open RI.[58] Rae's involvement with the program concluded shortly after, as she announced on October 9, 2025, that WWE had informed her the developmental contract would not be renewed.[59] This decision ended her 2024–2025 stint, during which she had been instrumental in promoting the ID initiative's independent-style events and women's division growth.[60]Independent circuit (2025–present)
Following the non-renewal of her WWE ID contract, announced on October 9, 2025, Kylie Rae transitioned back to the independent wrestling circuit as a free agent.[59] In her statement, Rae expressed gratitude for her tenure, during which she became the inaugural WWE ID Women's Champion, and indicated anticipation for future opportunities outside the program.[61] As of November 2025, Rae has not yet appeared in any reported independent matches following her release, with her availability newly opened for bookings across various promotions.[62] Prior to her WWE ID stint, she had established connections with independent groups such as Game Changer Wrestling, positioning her as a sought-after veteran performer.[2] Rae's ongoing role emphasizes her experience as a seasoned competitor and mentor, having previously guided emerging talent during her developmental phase, a skill set she is expected to bring to freelance engagements.[63] Her free agent status has sparked interest in potential high-profile independent dates, though no specific title challenges or guest spots have been confirmed by early November.[64]Personal life
Relationships and family
Kylie Rae has been engaged to fellow professional wrestler Isaias Velazquez since September 20, 2020, when she announced the engagement on social media.[65] The couple, who share a professional background in independent wrestling circuits, have built their relationship around mutual support in their careers.[66] Rae and Velazquez welcomed their first child, a daughter named Breccon, in October 2023, following an announcement on April 25, 2023, that detailed the baby's expected due date of October 12.[67] On September 21, 2025, the couple revealed they are expecting their second child, sharing a photo of Rae's baby bump to mark the personal milestone.[68] These family expansions have prompted Rae to prioritize personal life adjustments, including temporary pauses from professional commitments to focus on parenthood.[69]Mental health and other pursuits
In November 2020, Kylie Rae announced her retirement from professional wrestling via a Patreon post, stating that she was unwell and could no longer continue in the industry, an outcome tied to ongoing mental health challenges and addiction struggles.[70][71] She later elaborated in interviews that these issues had intensified, leading her to seek professional help, including therapy and support from loved ones, to address depression and substance use as coping mechanisms.[72] Rae made a comeback to wrestling in June 2021 with the National Wrestling Alliance after prioritizing recovery, and she experienced a relapse later that year, prompting another brief hiatus to focus on sobriety.[73] By 2024, she marked three years of sobriety, crediting treatment and personal growth for her resilience, and continued this journey into 2025 with four years sober.[74] Through public discussions, Rae has advocated for mental health awareness in wrestling, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and reducing stigma around addiction and emotional struggles, as shared in post-recovery interviews.[75][72] Beyond wrestling, Rae pursued stunt work early in her career, performing in the 2014 film Divergent, credits that overlapped with her transition into full-time professional wrestling.[17][18]Championships and accomplishments
Championships
Kylie Rae has held numerous championships throughout her professional wrestling career, primarily in independent promotions, with a total of over 15 reigns across various titles. Her successes highlight her versatility in both singles and tag team competition, often in promotions based in the Midwestern United States. Notable achievements include inaugural and long-term reigns that showcased her technical skill and popularity among fans.[76]Impact Wrestling
Rae did not capture any championships during her tenure in Impact Wrestling from 2019 to 2021, though she was a prominent contender in the Knockouts division. (Note: No verifiable records of a Knockouts World Tag Team Championship reign with Taya Valkyrie exist in credible sources.)WWE
Rae became the inaugural WWE ID Women's Champion on August 1, 2025, by defeating Zayda Steel and Zara Zakher in a three-way tournament final at GCW: The ID Showcase in Rutherford, New Jersey. Her 52-day reign was cut short when she vacated the title on September 22, 2025, due to her pregnancy, marking a significant but brief highlight in her WWE developmental career. This reign established her as the first champion in the title's history, emphasizing her role in building the new division.[58][76][9]Independent Circuit
Rae's independent career features several extended reigns, particularly in regional promotions where she defended titles against top competitors.- Warrior Wrestling Women's Championship (1 reign): Won on September 12, 2020, by defeating Tessa Blanchard at Warrior Wrestling Stadium Series in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Rae held the title for 343 days until losing it to Thunder Rosa on August 21, 2021, at Summer Smash. This was one of her longest and most defended reigns, with multiple successful defenses that solidified her as a top women's wrestler in the Midwest indies.[77][76][78]
- Freelance Wrestling World Championship (3 reigns): Rae's first reign began on February 1, 2019 (though no specific 2018 women's title win is verified; Freelance's top title is gender-neutral), defeating Isaias Velazquez via open challenge at Freelance Wrestling's event in Chicago, Illinois, holding it for 77 days until April 19, 2019. Her second reign, from December 13, 2019, to September 9, 2021, lasted an impressive 636 days amid the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, making it her longest overall. The third reign started on October 25, 2024, defeating Storm Grayson at Be Careful What You Wish For, lasting 57 days until December 21, 2024, when she lost to Alfonso Gonzalez at Freelance Prelude after retaining against Gisele Shaw earlier in the event. These reigns underscore her dominance in Freelance, with the extended second run highlighting her resilience and in-ring consistency. No separate Freelance Women's Championship is documented in 2018 records.[79][76][80][81]
-
Other Notable Independent Titles:
- AAW Women's Championship (1 reign): Won on November 24, 2018, holding it for 112 days until March 16, 2019; her shortest major women's title reign but a key early career milestone in the Chicago-based promotion.[76]
- Black Label Pro (BLP) Midwest Championship (1 reign): Captured on February 29, 2020, for 217 days until October 3, 2020, defending against several challengers in high-profile indie matches.[76]
- Reality of Wrestling (ROW) Diamonds Championship (3 reigns): First on March 19, 2016 (238 days); second on December 10, 2016 (154 days); third on December 19, 2017 (53 days). These early reigns in Texas established her as a rising star in women's wrestling.[76]
- Zelo Pro Women's Championship (2 reigns): Won January 14, 2018 (96 days, defeating Laynie Luck); second on January 4, 2019 (113 days). These titles marked her breakthrough in Ohio indies.[76]
- FU Tag Team Championship (1 reign, with GPA as Awkward Team Hunger Force): Held from November 22, 2017, to October 27, 2018 (339 days), showcasing her tag team prowess in underground Chicago wrestling.[76]
- Capital Wrestling Alliance (CWA) Championship (1 reign): Won on January 27, 2018, by defeating Santana Garrett in the Raven Black Memorial Tournament final; held for 1 day.[82][83]
- Additional short reigns include the Brew City Wrestling Women's Championship (34 days, February 16 to March 22, 2019), Sabotage War of the Genders Championship (250 days, January 25 to October 1, 2020), and Relentless Pacific Northwest Championship (127 days, May 17 to September 21, 2025).[76]