Madison Rayne
Madison Rayne, whose real name is Ashley Nichole Lomberger (née Simmons), is an American professional wrestler, coach, and trainer born on February 5, 1986, in Columbus, Ohio, best known for her extensive career in women's professional wrestling, including five reigns as TNA Knockouts World Champion and her current roles with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Ring of Honor (ROH) as both an in-ring performer and coach for the women's divisions.[1][2][3] Rayne began her professional wrestling career in 2005 on the independent circuit, initially competing under the ring names Ashley Lane and Lexi Lane after training with Jeff Cannon, and gained prominence in 2009 upon signing with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, later Impact Wrestling), where she became a key member of the influential stable The Beautiful People alongside Angelina Love and Velvet Sky.[1][4] During her tenure with TNA/Impact from 2009 to 2021, she achieved significant success, capturing the Knockouts World Championship five times, the Knockouts Tag Team Championship once with Angelina Love in 2010, and also served in various on-screen roles such as authority figure and commentator.[3][5] In addition to her TNA accomplishments, Rayne competed in other major promotions, including a notable appearance in the 2017 WWE Mae Young Classic tournament, and briefly worked with Ring of Honor (ROH) and Shine Wrestling, where she won the Shine Tag Team Championship in 2014.[1] Following a brief retirement from in-ring competition in January 2021 after her final Impact match, she transitioned into a behind-the-scenes role but signed with AEW in August 2021 initially as a producer and coach, later returning to active wrestling in 2022 with matches on AEW Dark and Dynamite.[3][2] As of November 2025, Rayne remains signed to AEW and ROH, contributing to the development of the women's divisions while occasionally competing, and is recognized for her versatility, having also pursued opportunities in acting and fitness modeling outside the ring.[6][7]Early life and background
Childhood and family
Ashley Nichole Simmons, who would later become known professionally as Madison Rayne, was born on February 5, 1986, in Columbus, Ohio.[8] She grew up in the small town of West Lafayette, Ohio, where she developed an early interest in professional wrestling.[2] As the youngest child in her family, Simmons shared a close bond with her father and two older brothers, often bonding over watching wrestling matches together.[9] This family dynamic played a key role in her childhood, as roughhousing and playful wrestling with her brothers helped her earn their respect and sparked her passion for the sport.[9] The shared viewing of wrestling events became a regular family activity, laying the foundation for her future career in professional wrestling.[9]Initial interests and education
Upon graduating high school, Madison Rayne enrolled in a community college in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where she pursued part-time studies in radiology while exploring other fields like physiotherapy.[10] She demonstrated strong academic aptitude, maintaining a 4.0 GPA during her time in college.[11] In parallel with her education, Rayne developed an initial interest in fitness and bodybuilding, training rigorously for competitions after high school.[9] Although she prepared extensively for events in the bikini or fitness categories, she ultimately never entered any competitions, as her focus shifted toward professional wrestling.[12] Rayne eventually left college to dedicate herself fully to a wrestling career, prioritizing her passion over completing her degree in radiology.[13] This decision marked the transition from her academic and fitness pursuits to the independent wrestling circuit.Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit beginnings (2005–2012)
Ashley Nichole Simmons, who would later become known as Madison Rayne, began her professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in her native Ohio shortly after graduating high school. Under the ring name Lexi Lane, she made her in-ring debut for Ohio Championship Wrestling (OCW) on March 13, 2005, defeating Jayme Braxton in a singles match.[14] Over the next two years, Lane competed regularly in OCW events, honing her skills against regional talent and establishing herself as a promising newcomer in the Midwest indie scene. In early 2007, Lane achieved her first major accolade by winning a tournament to become the inaugural OCW Women's Champion. On March 10, 2007, she defeated ODB in the tournament finals to capture the title, which she defended successfully against challengers including Sassy Stephie before losing it on November 24, 2007, after an eight-month reign.[15] This accomplishment solidified her reputation in OCW, where she was recognized as one of the promotion's top female competitors during its early years. Seeking broader exposure, Lane transitioned to the all-women's SHIMMER Women Athletes promotion in 2007, adopting the ring name Ashley Lane to avoid confusion with veteran wrestler Lexie Fyfe. She debuted on October 13, 2007, during the Volume 5 tapings, competing in a series of matches that showcased her technical ability and agility.[16] In SHIMMER, Lane formed a successful tag team with fellow Ohio native Nevaeh, dubbed the "Ohio Honeybadgers," and they quickly rose in the tag division. On May 2, 2009, at SHIMMER Volume 9, Lane and Nevaeh defeated The Age of the Fall (Rain and Lacey) to become the first-ever SHIMMER Tag Team Champions, marking a high point in Lane's independent career.[17] The duo held the titles for five months, defending against notable teams like the Canadian Ninjas (Portia Perez and Nicole Matthews) until vacating them in October 2009 due to Nevaeh's injury. During this period, Lane also made guest appearances in other promotions, including Ring of Honor in 2008, where she participated in multi-woman survival matches, and IWA Mid-South, expanding her resume beyond Ohio-based shows.[18] Even after signing with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in early 2009, Lane continued select independent bookings through 2012, including a return to SHIMMER in 2011 under her evolving Madison Rayne persona. These outings allowed her to maintain connections in the women's wrestling community and refine her in-ring style amid her rising mainstream profile.[15]Total Nonstop Action / Impact Wrestling (2009–2017)
Madison Rayne debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on the January 8, 2009, episode of Impact!, losing to Awesome Kong in a singles match.[19] Following her debut, Rayne made sporadic appearances, including participation in a gauntlet match for a TNA Knockouts Championship opportunity on the February 12, 2009, episode of Impact!.[19] By March 2009, she aligned with Angelina Love and Velvet Sky, joining the villainous stable The Beautiful People, known for their elitist "mean girl" persona and frequent interference in women's division matches.[20] As part of The Beautiful People, Rayne contributed to the group's dominance in the TNA Knockouts division. On March 8, 2010, at Destination X, Rayne, Love, and Sky captured the newly introduced TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship in a three-way match against Taylor Wilde and Sarita, as well as Daffney and Sharmell; the trio defended the titles under the Freebird Rule, allowing any combination to represent the group.[19] They held the championships until May 16, 2010, at Sacrifice, when they lost to Wilde and Sarita.[21] Rayne's association with the stable elevated her profile, leading to her transition into singles competition while maintaining the group's antagonistic role in storylines against rivals like Tara and Mickie James. Rayne achieved significant success as a singles competitor, winning the TNA Knockouts Championship multiple times during her tenure. On April 18, 2010, at Lockdown, she defeated Angelina Love to claim the title, holding it for 84 days before losing it to Tara on July 11, 2010, at Victory Road. She regained the championship on July 13, 2010 (awarded due to controversy at Victory Road), holding it for 27 days until Angelina Love defeated her on August 9, 2010, during Impact! tapings. Rayne won the title for a third time on October 11, 2010, on Impact!, defeating Tara, and held it for 188 days until losing to Mickie James on April 17, 2011, at Lockdown in a steel cage Title vs. Hair match.[22][23] A fourth reign followed on August 12, 2012, at Hardcore Justice, when she defeated Miss Tessmacher, holding it for four days before dropping it to Tessmacher on August 16, 2012, on Impact!. These accomplishments established Rayne as a five-time Knockouts Champion, with her defenses often involving dramatic angles tied to The Beautiful People's interference.[24] In 2011, Rayne entered a high-profile storyline with Tara, portraying Tara as an overbearing "boss" figure who mentored her while exerting control, culminating in a no-disqualification match at Slammiversary IX on June 12, 2011, where Tara retained the Knockouts Championship. In late 2011, Rayne aligned with Gail Kim, and on the November 3, 2011, episode of Impact Wrestling, they defeated Angelina Love and Winter to win the Knockouts Tag Team Championship, holding it for 126 days until losing to ODB and Eric Young on February 28, 2012.[21] In 2014, Rayne adopted the "Queen Bee" persona within a reformed Beautiful People, leading the group in attacks on opponents like Brittany and ODB, and competing in multi-woman matches for the Knockouts title. Rayne captured her fifth Knockouts Championship on January 16, 2014, at Impact Wrestling: Genesis, defeating Gail Kim and holding it for 101 days until losing to Angelina Love on April 27, 2014, at Sacrifice.[5] Rayne's later years in TNA/Impact involved continued mid-card prominence amid the promotion's rebranding. By 2015–2016, she participated in tag team and multi-person bouts, including a loss to Allie on the September 1, 2016, episode of TNA Xplosion.[21] Her tenure concluded in 2017 after nearly a decade with the company, as her contract expired without renewal, leading to her departure from Impact Wrestling.[19]Ring of Honor (2017–2019)
Rayne made her return to Ring of Honor on November 19, 2017, at Survival of the Fittest, where she competed in a singles match against Deonna Purrazzo and lost by submission.[25] This appearance marked her first in the promotion since 2008, positioning her within the emerging Women of Honor division.[26] In 2018, Rayne participated in the inaugural Women of Honor Championship tournament, advancing to the first round on February 21 before being eliminated by Mandy Leon via pinfall.[27] She continued to feature prominently in the division, often teaming with Britt Baker in tag team bouts, including a victory over Holidead and Thunder Rosa on December 15 during ROH TV tapings.[27] On September 20, Rayne signed a one-year contract with ROH, solidifying her role amid the promotion's growing emphasis on women's wrestling.[28] Her contract tenure culminated at Final Battle on December 14, where she challenged for the Women of Honor Championship in a fatal four-way match against champion Sumie Sakai, Karen Q, and Kelly Klein, but was unsuccessful as Klein emerged victorious.[29] Rayne's 2019 run included several competitive outings, beginning with a singles victory over Holidead on January 24 at the Road to G1 Supercard event.[30] She followed this with a tag team loss alongside Sumie Sakai to Holidead and Thunder Rosa the next night on January 25.[31] On February 9, during Bound By Honor TV tapings, Rayne defeated Thunder Rosa in singles competition.[30] Her final ROH television appearance came on February 22, winning a three-way match against Sumie Sakai and Jenny Rose.[32] Rayne departed the promotion on February 28, 2019, after her contract expired, returning to Impact Wrestling shortly thereafter.[33]WWE (2018)
In 2018, Madison Rayne debuted for WWE under the ring name Ashley Rayne by participating in the second Mae Young Classic tournament, a 32-woman single-elimination event showcasing international female talent.[34] The tournament was taped at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, and aired on the WWE Network.[34] Rayne competed in the first round against Mercedes Martinez on August 8, 2018, with the bout airing as the main event of the September 12 episode.[34] The match featured competitive exchanges, including Rayne landing a modified RKO cutter on Martinez, but Martinez countered with a knee strike and secured the victory via a Fisherman Buster submission hold.[34] This loss eliminated Rayne from the tournament in the opening round.[35] Following her appearance, Rayne expressed optimism about earning a WWE contract through strong performance in the event but ultimately did not sign with the promotion.[36] Her involvement marked a brief crossover stint amid her ongoing commitments elsewhere in professional wrestling.[37]Return to Impact Wrestling (2018–2022)
Rayne made her return to Impact Wrestling on the November 15, 2018, episode of Impact!, entering as a heel and competing in a battle royal to determine the number one contender for the Knockouts Championship, though she was eliminated early in the match.[38] This appearance marked her first in-ring activity with the promotion since July 2017, following a period focused on Ring of Honor and a brief WWE stint. Shortly after, on the November 29 episode, she participated in a three-way match against Laurel Van Ness and another competitor, showcasing her veteran presence but without securing a victory. In early 2019, Rayne signed a multi-year deal with Impact, recommitting to the company where she had previously achieved significant success.[39] Her on-screen return occurred on the April 5 episode of Impact!, where she faced Jordynne Grace in a number one contender's match for the Knockouts Championship but lost via pinfall after a competitive bout highlighting Grace's power advantage.[40] Despite the defeat, Rayne embarked on a notable feud with Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie, defeating her in non-title matches on May 3 and May 10 episodes of Impact!, using her technical prowess and experience to counter Taya's aggressive style.[41] These victories positioned Rayne as a credible threat, though she did not capture the title. Throughout mid-2019, Rayne adopted a mentorship role with up-and-coming talent Kiera Hogan, forming an unofficial alliance that evolved into tag team matches. The duo competed together in several bouts, including a loss to Tenille Dashwood in a three-way match on October 4 and victories over teams like Alexia Nicole and others in house shows.[42] Their partnership, however, grew tense, as seen in post-match arguments following Hogan's individual losses, such as to Jordynne Grace on July 26, where Rayne joined commentary but the two clashed verbally.[43] This dynamic added depth to Rayne's character, blending veteran guidance with interpersonal conflict, and culminated in Hogan turning on Rayne during a tag team encounter in late 2019. By 2020, Rayne shifted toward a hybrid role, balancing occasional in-ring appearances with color commentary duties on Impact!, providing analysis during major events like Slammiversary. Her matches became less frequent, focusing on elevating newer talent; for instance, she lost to Su Yung in a singles match taped in March, emphasizing her role in storyline progression rather than personal pushes.[44] This period allowed Rayne to contribute behind the scenes while maintaining visibility in the Knockouts division. On January 16, 2021, during the Hard to Kill pre-show, Rayne announced her retirement from in-ring competition after 12 years with Impact, citing a desire to focus on family life as a wife and mother; she received a heartfelt sendoff from peers like Gail Kim.[45] However, she returned unexpectedly on the August 12 episode of Impact!, attacking Taylor Wilde to align with Tenille Dashwood, reforming a version of their earlier partnership under the heel faction The Influence, managed by Kaleb with a K.[46] In 2022, The Influence pursued the revived Knockouts Tag Team Championship, defeating Decay (Rosemary and Havok) on March 5 at Sacrifice to win the titles for Rayne's third reign in the division.[47] Their run emphasized manipulative tactics and veteran synergy, defending against teams like The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay) in high-profile clashes, including a no-contest at Rebellion on April 23 that led to ongoing feuds. Rayne's final Impact match occurred on the August 11 episode, a losing effort to Mia Yim, concluding her third tenure with the promotion after a storied career that included multiple title pursuits and faction involvement. In 2025, Rayne made guest appearances for TNA, including a match against Brittany on the June 7 episode of Xplosion, and was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame on September 24 as part of the inaugural multi-female class.[48][49]All Elite Wrestling (2022–present)
On August 3, 2022, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) announced the hiring of Madison Rayne as a coach for its women's division, part of an expansion of the company's talent relations and development team.[50] AEW President Tony Khan expressed openness to Rayne competing in the ring alongside her coaching duties, citing her extensive experience as a five-time world champion.[51] Rayne, who had recently concluded her third run with Impact Wrestling, began her role immediately and focused on mentoring emerging female talent while contributing to match production and storyline development.[52] Rayne made her in-ring debut for AEW on the August 5, 2022, episode of Rampage, defeating Leila Grey via her signature Crossraynes submission hold following a distraction by Stokely Hathaway.[53] Five days later, on August 10 at the Quake by the Lake event, she challenged TBS Champion Jade Cargill in a non-title match but lost by pinfall after a Jaded powerbomb.[44] Throughout late 2022, Rayne competed sporadically on AEW programming, including victories over Viva Van on AEW Dark in August and a tag team win with Skye Blue over Kiera Hogan and Leila Grey in October, but suffered losses to prominent competitors such as Serena Deeb on the September 9 Rampage and Athena on the November 18 Rampage.[54] These appearances, totaling four wins and several defeats in her debut year, emphasized her veteran status while allowing younger wrestlers to gain exposure.[55] In 2023, Rayne's in-ring activity in AEW decreased as she prioritized coaching, with matches limited to dark tapings and occasional TV bouts, contributing to an overall record of four wins and 15 losses across her AEW tenure up to that point.[55] She sustained a broken foot injury during a Ring of Honor (ROH) taping on April 7, 2023, which sidelined her from active competition for several months. Rayne confirmed the injury in July 2023, noting she anticipated clearance in the coming weeks, though her return focused more on backstage contributions.[56] Rayne returned to AEW television on the February 21, 2024, episode of Dynamite, facing Deonna Purrazzo in a singles match that she lost by submission; the bout featured a botched flatliner spot that briefly spiked Rayne on her head, prompting referee intervention, but she later confirmed she was uninjured and cleared to continue working.[57] As of November 2025, Rayne remains signed to AEW in a dual role as women's division coach and occasional wrestler, supporting talent development and occasionally appearing on programming. In December 2024, during an appearance at GalaxyCon, she reflected on her career trajectory, expressing enthusiasm for mentoring the next generation while leaving open the possibility of future in-ring opportunities.[58] Her husband, Josh Mathews, joined AEW's backstage team in May 2025, further integrating her family into the promotion's operations.[59] Rayne also competed in independent events in 2025, including a match at the Crowtown Rumble on November 15, 2025, which she indicated may be one of her final in-ring performances.[60]Return to Ring of Honor (2023–present)
Madison Rayne returned to Ring of Honor in early 2023, shortly after joining All Elite Wrestling, where ROH operates as a sister promotion. On January 18, 2023, she challenged Athena for the ROH Women's World Championship in a title eliminator match at an AEW Dark: Elevation taping, but was defeated via submission after 8:27.[54] This appearance marked her first ROH bout since 2019, showcasing her continued involvement in the promotion's women's division.[61] Rayne followed up with additional matches throughout the spring, including a tag team victory alongside Skye Blue over the Renegades (Charlette Renegade and Robyn Renegade) on the March 2 episode of ROH on HonorClub, aired from Minneapolis.[62] However, her momentum was interrupted by an injury sustained during ROH TV tapings in April 2023, with her final match before the hiatus being a dark contest loss to Robyn Renegade on April 7.[44] The injury sidelined her for several months, limiting her ROH activity amid her primary commitments in AEW.[63] Rayne made her in-ring comeback at ROH TV tapings on August 9, 2023, defeating Dani Mo via pinfall with her Cross Rayne finisher in a match broadcast on the August 17 episode of ROH on HonorClub.[64] This quick 3:13 victory highlighted her resilience following the injury layoff.[65] She remained absent from ROH competition for the remainder of 2023 and nearly all of 2024, focusing instead on coaching duties within AEW's women's division.[61] On December 12, 2024, Rayne returned to ROH television after a 16-month absence, defeating Allysin Kay via pinfall in a singles match on HonorClub, earning a strong crowd reaction as an Ohio native.[66] The bout, lasting approximately 5 minutes, served as her most recent ROH appearance as of November 2025.[54]Personal life
Marriage and family
Rayne was previously married to Jesse Cabot from February 8, 2011, until their divorce in 2015, a union strained by Cabot's frequent six-month deployments to Afghanistan.[67] In March 2013, while married to Cabot, she announced her pregnancy with their first child.[68] The couple welcomed a daughter in August 2013.[69] Rayne met fellow wrestling commentator Josh Mathews in January 2015 during a TNA television taping in New York.[70] The pair married later that year in August 2015.[67] Mathews and Rayne, both deeply embedded in the professional wrestling industry, have balanced their careers while co-parenting Rayne's daughter from her first marriage.[71]Other interests and philanthropy
Rayne has expressed enthusiasm for various sports and entertainment outside of professional wrestling. She is a fan of baseball, boy bands, and the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA.[72] Outside of wrestling, she has pursued opportunities in acting and fitness modeling. In her personal life, Rayne describes herself as a dedicated "gymnastics mom" supporting her daughter's activities and a "dog mom" to her pets, reflecting her family-oriented hobbies. She also has a noted fondness for crème brûlée as a culinary favorite.[73] Regarding philanthropy, Rayne has contributed to charitable causes through participation in wrestling-themed fundraising events. In June 2019, she competed in a multi-woman match at the Chinlock for Charity event organized by House of Hardcore, which supported mental health initiatives.[74] That same month, she appeared at a charity convention and meet-and-greet in Kingston, Ontario, headlined by Bret Hart, benefiting local community programs.[75]Championships and accomplishments
Impact Wrestling / TNA
Madison Rayne is a five-time Impact World Knockouts Champion (formerly TNA Knockouts Championship), with her reigns spanning from 2010 to 2014.[76] Her first reign began on April 18, 2010, when she defeated Angelina Love at Lockdown in St. Charles, Missouri, holding the title for 84 days until losing it to Love on July 11, 2010, at Victory Road in Orlando, Florida.[76] On July 13, 2010, Rayne was awarded the title on an episode of Impact! in Orlando after threatening to expose Love's visa issues, marking her second reign of 26 days, which ended on August 8, 2010, when Tara defeated her in a steel cage match at Hardcore Justice.[76] Her third reign started on October 14, 2010, defeating Tara on Impact! in Orlando, lasting 185 days until Mickie James dethroned her on April 17, 2011, at Lockdown in Chicago.[76] The fourth reign was brief, winning from Miss Tessmacher (now Taryn Terrell) on August 12, 2012, at Hardcore Justice in Orlando for 4 days before losing it back to Tessmacher on August 16, 2012, on Impact!.[76] Rayne's fifth and final singles reign in the promotion came on January 16, 2014, defeating Gail Kim on Impact! in Huntsville, Alabama, for 101 days until Love defeated her on April 27, 2014, at Sacrifice in Orlando.[76] Rayne is also a three-time Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champion (formerly TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship).[77] Her first tag title win occurred on March 8, 2010, alongside fellow Beautiful People members Velvet Sky and Lacey Von Erich under the Freebird Rule, defeating Taylor Wilde and Sarita on Impact! in a 141-day reign that ended on July 27, 2010, against the same team at Impact Wrestling Zone in Orlando.[78] Her second reign began on November 3, 2011, when she and Gail Kim defeated ODB and Eric Young on Impact! in Universal Studios, Florida, lasting 117 days until the same opponents won them back on February 28, 2012, on Impact!.[47] Rayne's most recent tag reign was on March 5, 2022, with Tenille Dashwood as The Influence, defeating Decay (Rosemary and Havok) at Sacrifice in San Antonio, Texas, for 106 days before dropping the titles to The Death Dollz (Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie) on June 19, 2022, at Slammiversary in Nashville, Tennessee.[47] Notable accomplishments include being the first wrestler to simultaneously hold the Knockouts Championship and Knockouts Tag Team Championship, achieved during her first singles reign in 2010 while part of The Beautiful People.[79] Rayne also won the 2014 Knockouts Best Body Contest, awarded on June 19, 2014, at Slammiversary XII in Dallas, Texas.Independent promotions
Ohio Championship Wrestling- OCW Women's Championship (2 times)[80]
- SHIMMER Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Nevaeh (inaugural)[10]
- DCW Women's Championship (1 time)[80]
- IWC Women's Championship (1 time, February 16, 2019 – March 16, 2019)[81]