Jinny (wrestler) explained

Jinny
Birth Name:Jinny Sandhú
Birth Date:1989 9, df=yes
Birth Place:London, England, U.K.
Children:1
Ring Names:Jinny
Jinny Couture
Height:5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Weight:136 lbs
Billed:Kensington, England
Knightsbridge, England
Trainer:The Projo[1]
Jimmy Havoc
Debut:4 January 2015
Retired:14 January 2023
Alma Mater:Birmingham City University (BSc)
Image Caption:Jinny in 2016

Jinny Hahn[2] (née Sandhú; born 28 September 1989) is an English retired professional wrestler.

She is best known for her tenures in WWE, where she performed on the NXT UK brand, Progress Wrestling (PROGRESS), Revolution Pro Wrestling (RevPro), where she performed under the ring name Jinny Couture, (EVE) and Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw).

Early life

Jinny Sandhu[3] [4] was born in London[5] [6] and grew up in Knightsbridge. She is of Indian descent.[7] Sandhú first started watching wrestling when she was nine and was influenced by Jushin Liger, Lita, Ted DiBiase, Sherri Martel, Victoria and Trish Stratus.[1] [7] Sandhú earned a BSc in psychology from Birmingham City University in 2012.[8]

Professional wrestling career

Progress Wrestling / PROGRESS (2014–2020)

Sandhú was trained by Progress Wrestling and was the first female graduate of Progress's Projo wrestling school.[1] [5] In January 2015, now worked under the ring name Jinny, she had her first singles match at Progress ENDVR:8, defeating Pollyanna.[9] At ENDVR:12, Jinny defeated Toni Storm.[10] At ENDVR:15, Jinny defeated Leva Bates.[11] At Chapter 28, Jinny defeated Storm in a re-match.[12] At Chapter 34, Jinny and Marty Scurll defeated Laura Di Matteo and Mark Haskins.[13] At Chapter 36, Jinny, Alex Windsor and Dahlia Black defeated Pollyanna, Nixon Newell and Di Matteo.[14] In August 2017, Jinny and Deonna Purrazzo defeated Black and Dakota Kai.[15] [16] [17] At Chapter 66, Jinny and Mercedes Martinez defeated Storm and Shazza McKenzie.[18] Jinny and Austin Theory defeated Kay Lee Ray and Will Ospreay at Chapter 67.[19] At Chapter 69, Jinny defeated Storm to win the Progress Wrestling World Women's Championship for the first time.[20] Jinny successfully defended the championship against Kai.[21] On 30 December, she lost the title to Jordynne Grace, ending her reign at 224 days and with 6 title defenses.

Independent circuit and Pro Wrestling: EVE / EVE (2015–2019)

Jinny made her debut for Pro Wrestling Chaos in 2015. At Pro Wrestling Chaos 20, she was defeated by Bates.[22] Jinny became the inaugural South Coast Queen Of The Ring Champion by defeating Lana Austin in 2015.[23] In 2016, Jinny made her Pro Wrestling: EVE debut and was defeated by Jetta.[24] On 15 July 2017, Jinny defeated Emi Sakura.[25] In 2017, Jinny and Jetta were defeated by Sierra Loxton and Melina.[26] In 2017, Jinny won the Maiden of Chaos Championship by defeating Martina, making her the inaugural champion.[27]

Revolution Pro Wrestling / RevPro (2016–2018)

Jinny, now worked under the ring name Jinny Couture made her Revolution Pro Wrestling debut in June 2016, defeating Addy Starr.[28] In 2017, she defeated Veda Scott.[29] Jinny won the RevPro British Women's Championship after defeating Purrazzo in At The Cockpit 25, making her the inaugural champion.[30] She successfully defended the title against Millie McKenzie and Bea Priestley.[31] Jinny lost the title to Jamie Hayter in 2018, ending her reign at 147 days.[32]

Westside Xtreme Wrestling / wXw (2016–2017)

In 2016, Jinny debuted for German wrestling promotion, Westside Xtreme Wrestling and defeating Black. Later that same night, she was defeated by Alpha Female in a Fatal 4-Way match that also included Shanna and Melanie Gray.[33] In 2017, Jinny defeated Thunder Rosa.[34]

WWE (2017–2023)

Signed and early appearances (2017–2018)

In April 2017, Jinny took part in WWE's WrestleMania 33 Axxess,[35] where she was defeated by Toni Storm on two days of the axxess.[36] A little over a year later, in June 2018, it was announced that WWE had signed her to a contract.[37] [38] Around that time, Jinny was announced as one of the four women who would compete in a Fatal 4-Way match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Women's Championship on Day 1 of United Kingdom Championship Tournament.[39] [40] At the event, Jinny was injured during the match,[41] forcing her out of it and the match was later reverted to a triple threat match between Storm, Killer Kelly and Isla Dawn.[42] [43] [44]

In July, Jinny took part of the 2018 Mae Young Classic, where she was defeated in the first round by her rival Storm.[45]

NXT UK (2018–2022)

Shortly after her participation in the Mae Young Classic, Jinny was announced as part of the women's roster in the newly created NXT UK brand. After a series of vignettes promoting her debut, Jinny made her television debut on the 7 November episode, where she attacked Dakota Kai from behind after she lost a match against Toni Storm.[46] Jinny would then enter a tournament for the inaugural NXT UK Women's Championship, where she would defeat Millie McKenzie in the first round,[47] only to be eliminated from the tournament by Storm in the semi–finals.[48]

On the 15 May 2019 episode of NXT UK, Jinny alongside the debuting Jazzy Gabert interrupting a match between Killer Kelly and Xia Brookside, attacking the two in the process and taking on Gabert as her enforcer. On the 19 June episode of NXT UK, Jinny, as well as other women, competed in a battle royal to determine who will get a future opportunity for the NXT UK Women's Championship. In the match, Jinny got eliminated by Brookside. On 17 July episode of NXT UK, Jinny defeated Brookside, thanks to Gabert's interference. Following this, Jinny and Jazzy went on to feud with Rhea Ripley and Piper Niven, where they ultimately came out on the losing side of things in various tag and singles matches. Jinny defeated Amale on the 19 December episode of NXT UK, where after the match, Jazzy refused to continue to beat down Amale, which led to the two parting ways as they went into 2020. On 2 April 2020, Jinny teamed with Kay Lee Ray in a successful effort against Niven and Dani Luna.

On 24 September 2020, Jinny made her return to NXT UK television, staring at Ray after her successful title defense against Niven. The following week, Jinny made her return to the ring by defeating Brookside and claiming she would be even more ruthless than ever before. On 5 November 2020, Jinny defeated newcomer Aleah James in a fairly fast squash match. After the match, Jinny called out Niven, claiming that she lacked killer instinct and the determination to be champion. During a Falls Count Anywhere championship match between Ray and Niven on 19 November 2020, she first attacked Niven at ringside, costing her the match and allowing Ray to retain. On 26 November 2020, Jinny defeated Isla Dawn, and after the match, she mocked Niven, saying that she hoped she was watching from the hospital. Tensions continued to boil between Jinny and Niven, and eventually a match between the pair was announced on the first episode of NXT UK in 2021, where the winner would be the next to challenge Ray for the championship. On 7 January 2021, Jinny successfully defeated Niven after interference from Joseph Conners, whom Jinny seemed to have aligned herself with. Two weeks later, on the 21 January episode of NXT UK, Jinny was defeated by Ray, who retained her championship despite interference from Conners. Following this, Jinny and Conners would continue to feud with Niven, who gained an unlikely ally in Jack Starz. On the 11 March episode of NXT UK, Jinny and Conners were defeated by Niven and Starz in a mixed tag team match. Conners eventually defeated Starz in a singles match, thus ending the feud between the two teams.

Jinny would then begin to feud with Aoife Valkyrie, saying that Valkyrie avoided her since her arrival in NXT UK. On 22 July episode of NXT UK, Jinny would appear on Noam Dar's Supernova Sessions, where she vowed to end Valkyrie, and later that evening, Valkyrie handed Jinny a feather to signal that she accepted her challenge. On the 29 July episode of NXT UK, Jinny defeated Valkyrie following a distraction from Conners. It was then announced that Jinny would face Valkyrie again, but this time it would be in a no disqualification match where Conners was locked in a cage; Jinny failed to win that match. The following week, Jinny claimed that although she lost the match, she won the war. On 16 September episode of NXT UK, Jinny found that Dawn had invaded her dressing room. The following week, Jinny defeated Dawn. Jinny developed an issue with Amale, and on the 27 January 2022 episode of NXT UK, Jinny defeated her by pinfall. This would be Jinny's final match in NXT UK and WWE overall.

Retirement

In 14 January 2023, after a year inactive, Sandhú announced her retirement from wrestling on her Twitter account due to an injury, later revealed as a concussion.[49]

Other media

Sandhú had an uncredited role on season 3 of the British crime drama series, DCI Banks.[50]

From 2021 to 2022, Sandhú, alongside with Benjamin Webb, better known by the ring name Trent Seven, co-hosted the show, WWE The Run-In.

Personal life

Sandhú met Austrian professional wrestler Walter Hahn, better known by the ring name Gunther, when they both wrestled on the independent circuit, and began dating while in NXT. They were married in 2023, upon which she adopted her husband's last name, Hahn.[51] [52] [53] On 27 December 2023, they welcomed their first child, a boy.[54]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2018DCI BanksUncredited role (season 3)
2021-2022WWE The Run-InHerselfCo-host

Championships and accomplishments

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Quant . Tony . Docking . Neil . Neil Docking . Trailblazer Jinny leading women's revolution in British wrestling . Mirror.co.uk . . 18 June 2018 . 3 March 2018.
  2. Web site: WWE Couple Gets Married. 12 July 2022 .
  3. Web site: Jinny Sandhu . . 19 June 2018.
  4. Web site: Jinny Sandhu . . 19 June 2018.
  5. Web site: Jinny . Cagematch . 18 June 2018.
  6. Web site: Giménez . Alejandro . WWE contrata a la luchadora independiente Jinny para la división de Reino Unido . Solowrestling . 18 June 2018 . es . 5 June 2018.
  7. Web site: Interview – 'The Knightsbridge Fashionista' Jinny . TheBritishWrestlingRevival . 18 June 2018 . 17 February 2016.
  8. Web site: Gunther would have already married his fiancée . 15 July 2022 . SuperLuchas.com . . 20 October 2015 .
  9. Web site: ENDVR:8 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  10. Web site: ENDVR:12 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  11. Web site: ENDVR:15 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  12. Web site: Progress Chapter 28: Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  13. Web site: Progress Chapter 34: Keep It Unreal . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  14. Web site: Progress Chapter 36: We're Gonna Need A Bigger Room ... Again « Events Database « Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. Philip. Kreikenbohm. www.cagematch.net.
  15. Web site: Progress New York City . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  16. Web site: Mae Young Classic's Dakota Kai to compete at Progress New York City on Aug. 12 . . 19 June 2018.
  17. Web site: Progress Boston . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  18. Web site: Progress Chapter 66: Mardi Graps . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  19. Web site: Progress Chapter 67: Bourbon Is Also A Biscuit . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  20. Web site: Progress Chapter 69: Be Here Now . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  21. Web site: Progress Chapter 71: F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  22. Web site: Pro Wrestling Chaos 20 - The Chaos Awakens . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  23. Web site: SCW Trick Or Treat . 19 June 2018 . Cagematch.
  24. Web site: Kreikenbohm . Philip . EVE Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's Pro-Wrestling: EVE « Events Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database . www.cagematch.net.
  25. Web site: EVE But First, Some Rebellion . 19 June 2018 . Cagematch.
  26. Web site: PWC Chaos B Ballin' . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  27. Web site: PWC Coalition Of Chaos - Evening Show . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  28. Web site: RevPro Live At The Cockpit . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  29. Web site: RevPro Live At The Cockpit 21 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  30. Web site: RevPro Live At The Cockpit 25 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  31. Web site: RevPro High Stakes 2018 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  32. Web site: RevPro Live In Southampton 3 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  33. Web site: wXw Femmes Fatales . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  34. Web site: wXw Fight Forever Tour 2017: Köln . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  35. Web site: WrestleMania Axxess matches to feature Superstars from NXT, 205 Live, the U.K. Championship Tournament, Progress and Insane Championship Wrestling . WWE.com . . 19 June 2018 . 21 March 2017.
  36. Web site: WWE WrestleMania Axxess 2017 - Tag 2 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  37. Web site: Report: WWE Signs Jinny Of Progress Wrestling To UK Contract . Fightful . 19 June 2018.
  38. Web site: Datta . Soumik . WWE Rumor Mill: WWE apparently signs top Progress Wrestling Champion to a WWE UK deal . 6 June 2018 . Sportskeeda . 19 June 2018.
  39. Web site: Csonka . Larry . WWE Tapes Day One Of The 2018 WWE UK Championship Tournament Today . 411Mania . 19 June 2018 . 18 June 2018.
  40. Web site: Greer . Jamie . Huge UK Indie Women's Fatal 4-Way Announced for WWE UK Special . lastwordonprowrestling.com . 19 June 2018 . 25 May 2018.
  41. Web site: Match Stopped Due To Injury During The U.K. Championship Tournament Tapings - Fightful Wrestling. www.fightful.com.
  42. Web site: Toni Storm, "Killer" Kelly and Isla Dawn vie for NXT Women's Title opportunity in Triple Threat Match . . 19 June 2018.
  43. Web site: Sandhu . Chamatkar . WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament Night 1 recap . espn.com . . 19 June 2018 . 18 June 2018.
  44. Web site: WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament 2018 - Tag 1 . Cagematch . 19 June 2018.
  45. Web site: Mae Young Classic field widens with addition of international standouts, "American Ninja Warrior" pioneer . . 13 July 2018 . 13 July 2018.
  46. Web site: WWE NXT UK Report: Storm Versus Kai. Trionfo. Richard. 7 November 2018. PWInsider.
  47. Web site: WWE NXT UK Reports: NXT UK Women's Title Tournament Announced, Bate Versus Drake, Seven Versus Gibson, and More. Trionfo. Richard. 14 November 2018. PWInsider.
  48. Web site: WWE NXT UK Reports: The Women's Tournament Continues, Mark Andrews, Jordan Devlin, Ligero, and More. Trionfo. Richard. 21 November 2018. PWInsider.
  49. Web site: NXT UK Star Jinny Announces Retirement . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116210334/https://pwinsider.com/article/166978/nxt-uk-star-jinny-announces-retirement.html?p=1 . 16 January 2023 . PWInsider . Johnson . Mike . 14 January 2023 . 7 March 2023.
  50. Web site: Jinny Sandhu. Starnow . 19 June 2018.
  51. Web site: Hamdy. Ahmed. "I had an immediate crush on him" - 4 current WWE couples who met on NXT. Sportskeeda. 12 August 2022. 14 August 2022.
  52. Web site: Esposito . David . 2023-01-14 . WWE NXT UK Star Jinny Announces Retirement . 2023-01-29 . eWrestlingNews.com . en-US.
  53. Web site: Rueter . Sean . 2023-01-14 . WWE NXT UK talent Jinny announces her retirement . 2023-01-29 . Cageside Seats . en.
  54. News: McGeorge . Alistair . 27 December 2023 . WWE superstar Gunther becomes a dad as wife Jinny gives birth to first child . . 27 December 2023.
  55. Web site: Maiden Of Chaos Championship. Cagematch. 2 October 2020.
  56. Web site: Progress Women's Championship. Cagematch. 2 October 2020.
  57. Web site: RevPro British Women's Championship. Cagematch. 2 October 2020.
  58. Web site: RevPro British Women's Title Tournament. Cagematch. 2 October 2020.
  59. Web site: South Coast Queen Of The Ring Championship. Cagematch. 2 October 2020.