Zoey Stark Explained

Zoey Stark
Birth Name:Theresa Serrano
Birth Date:25 January 1994
Birth Place:Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Names:Lacey Ryan
Serrano
Zoey Stark[1]
Height:5 ft 8 in
Weight:140 lb
Billed:Las Vegas, Nevada
Trainer:Allison Danger
Cheerleader Melissa
Tom Howard
Derrick Hubbard
Sinn Bodhi
Debut:June 8, 2013

Theresa Serrano (born January 25, 1994)[2] is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Zoey Stark and as a member of The Pure Fusion Collective stable. She is a former one-time NXT Women's Tag Team Champion with Io Shirai.

Professional wrestling career

Independent circuit (2013–2021)

On June 8, 2013, Serrano made her debut at Vendetta Pro Wrestling, losing to Hudson Envy.[3] On November 16, 2013, she entered under the ring name Lacey Ryan and won her first match against Larry Butabi. During this time, she also won the UCW-Zero Ultra-X Championship. She was able to keep this until January 25, 2014, when she lost it to The Durango Kid. On March 22, she wrestled her last wrestling match for the time being. Ryan celebrated her comeback on August 16, 2018. She wrestled a match against Thunder Rosa, but this ended in a no contest. On May 23, 2019, she wrestled a match against Alex Gracia under the ring name Serrano, which she was able to win. On September 29, she won the FSW Women's Championship, defeating Taya Valkyrie for the title.[4] Ryan held the title until November 20, 2020, when she lost it to Mazzerati.[5]

WWE

NXT (2021–2023)

On January 20, 2021, it was announced that Serrano had signed a contract with WWE.[6] On the January 29 episode of 205 Live, Serrano, now renamed Zoey Stark, made her debut as Marina Shafir's tag team partner in the Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, losing to Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart in the first round.[7] On the February 17 episode of NXT, she made her NXT debut, defeating Valentina Feroz.[8] On the February 24 episode of NXT, she lost to NXT Women's Champion Io Shirai in a non-title match. After the match, Shirai embraced Stark, establishing Stark as a face. At, Stark defeated Toni Storm.[9] At The Great American Bash, Stark and Shirai defeated The Way (Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell) to win the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship.[10] They lost the titles to Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) at Halloween Havoc in a triple-threat tag team Scareway To Hell Ladder Match, also involving Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta.[11] On the November 2 episode of NXT, Stark was attacked backstage by Jayne and Dolin. This was used to write her off television as she suffered a legitimate knee injury (a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus) at Halloween Havoc which required surgery.[12] [13]

On the July 19, 2022, episode of NXT, Stark made her return from injury in the 20-Woman Battle Royal for the Number One Contendership for the NXT Women's Championship in a winning effort.[14] On the November 8 episode of NXT, Stark and Nikkita Lyons failed to win the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship from Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. After the match, Stark attacked Lyons, turning heel for the first time in her WWE career.[15] On January 28, 2023, Stark entered her first Royal Rumble match at #13 lasting 26:34, scoring no eliminations before being eliminated by Sonya Deville.

Raw (2023–present)

As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Stark was drafted to the Raw brand.[16] On the May 8 episode of Raw, Stark made her main roster debut, defeating Nikki Cross.[17] At Night of Champions, Stark assisted Trish Stratus in her match against Becky Lynch by hitting her finisher, the Z-360, allowing Stratus to defeat Lynch.[18] On the June 5 episode of Raw, Stark defeated Natalya to qualify for the women's Money in the Bank ladder match.[19] At the Money in the Bank in London, England, Stark worked with Stratus throughout the namesake match to prevent Lynch from winning, including a failed attempt to restrain Lynch with handcuffs. Stratus, Stark and Lynch were defeated when Stark's former tag team partner Iyo Sky captured the Money in the Bank briefcase.[20]

Stark, being accompanied by Stratus, wrestled her first main event match on the main roster on the August 28 episode of Raw in a falls count anywhere match against Lynch. Stark accidentally struck Stratus through a table, which allowed Lynch to put Stark through another table to win the match.[21] At Payback, Stark aided Stratus in the latter's steel cage match against Lynch in a failing effort. Stark then ended her alliance with Stratus when Stratus slapped and berated her after the match, which prompted her to attack Stratus in retaliation, turning Stark face for the first time on the main roster.[22] [23]

On the September 4 episode of Raw, Stark lost to Shayna Baszler by technical submission after passing out to Baszler's Kirifuda Clutch. After the match, Baszler gave praise to Stark's toughness.[24] In the following week, Stark ran out to save Baszler when Baszler was attacked by Chelsea Green and Piper Niven after Baszler's match with Green.[25] At Crown Jewel, Stark failed to win the Women's World Championship from Rhea Ripley in a fatal-five way match also involving Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax and Baszler, who Ripley pinned to retain the title.[26] On the following episode of Raw, Stark won a battle royal for a Women's World Championship match against Ripley at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25 but failed to win the title.[27] [28] At Raw: Day 1 on January 1, 2024, Stark teamed up with Baszler for the first time to defeat Tegan Nox and Natalya to become the number 1 contender for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.[29] On the May 6 episode of Raw, Stark would compete in the Queen of the Ring tournament, where she defeated Ivy Nile in the first round.[30] The following week on the May 13 episode of Raw, Stark lost to Lyra Valkyria in the quarterfinals.[31] On the July 8 episode of Raw, Stark and Baszler aligned themselves with the returning Sonya Deville after weeks of declining the latter's offer, turning heel and later calling themselves The Pure Fusion Collective.[32]

Other media

Serrano made her video game debut as a playable character in WWE 2K23.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Zoey Stark. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch – The Internet Wrestling Database. April 7, 2021.
  2. WWE NXT . WWE NXT . WWENXT . 1486005963169619972 . January 25, 2022 . Birthday wishes go out to @ZoeyStarkWWE! https://t.co/CK1i660ePB . en . May 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220125160506/https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/1486005963169619972 . January 25, 2022 . live.
  3. Web site: Zoey Stark Matches . cagematch.net . 2021-04-08.
  4. Web site: FSW Mecca V. cagematch.net. April 8, 2021.
  5. Web site: FSWW. cagematch.net. April 8, 2021.
  6. Web site: Roy. Shubham. WWE NXT announces the signing of three new talents, including Priscilla Kelly. Sportskeeda. January 21, 2021. April 8, 2021.
  7. Web site: Vishwakoti. Anish. 1/29 WWE 205 Live results: Anish V's review of Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart vs. Marina Shafir and Zoey Stark in a Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic first round match, Jake Atlas vs. August Grey vs. Ariya Daivari. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. January 29, 2021. April 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117183518/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/01/29/1-29-wwe-205-live-results-anish-vs-review-of-ember-moon-and-shotzi-blackheart-vs-marina-shafir-and-zoey-stark-in-a-womens-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic-first-round-match-jake-atlas-vs-aug/. November 17, 2021. live.
  8. Web site: Moore. John. 2/24 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Adam Cole's explanation, Santos Escobar vs. Karrion Kross in a non-title No DQ match, Io Shirai vs. Zoey Stark in a non-title match, Johnny Gargano vs. Dexter Lumis in a non-title match, Xia Li vs. Kacy Catanzaro. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. February 24, 2021. April 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711202125/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/02/24/2-24-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-adam-coles-explanation-santos-escobar-vs-karrion-kross-in-a-non-title-no-dq-match-io-shirai-vs-zoey-stark-in-a-non-title-match-johnny-gargano-vs-dexter/. July 11, 2021. live.
  9. Web site: Moore. John. NXT Takeover Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of night one with Io Shirai vs. Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women's Championship, Walter vs. Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT UK Championship, MSK vs. Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde for the vacant NXT Tag Titles. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. April 7, 2021. April 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217235321/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/04/07/nxt-takeover-stand-deliver-results-moores-live-review-of-night-one-with-io-shirai-vs-raquel-gonzalez-for-the-nxt-womens-championship-walter-vs-tommaso-ciampa-for-the-nxt-uk-championship-msk/. December 17, 2021. live.
  10. Web site: Moore. John. 7/6 NXT TV results: Moore's review of the Great American Bash edition with Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly, MSK vs. Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher for the NXT Tag Titles, Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell vs. Io Shirai and Zoey Stark for the NXT Women's Tag Titles, LA Knight vs. Cameron Grimes for the Million Dollar Title. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. July 6, 2021. July 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211011085328/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/07/06/7-6-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-the-great-american-bash-edition-with-adam-cole-vs-kyle-oreilly-msk-vs-tommaso-ciampa-and-timothy-thatcher-for-the-nxt-tag-titles-candice-lerae-and-indi-har/. October 11, 2021. live.
  11. Web site: Moore. John. 10/26 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Halloween Havoc with Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bron Breakker for the NXT Title, plus Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal stipulations for Raquel Gonzalez vs. Mandy Rose for the NXT Women's Title, and MSK vs. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel for the NXT Tag Titles. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. October 26, 2021. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220710180148/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/26/10-26-nxt-2-0-results-moores-review-of-halloween-havoc-with-tommaso-ciampa-vs-bron-breakker-for-the-nxt-title-plus-spin-the-wheel-make-the-deal-stipulations-for-raquel-gonzalez-vs-mandy-rose-fo/. July 10, 2022. live.
  12. News: Jenkins . H . ZOEY STARK CONFIRMS SUCCESSFUL SURGERY AFTER INJURY . March 6, 2023 . Ringside News . November 9, 2021.
  13. Web site: Moore. John. 11/2 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Johnny Gargano and Dexter Lumis vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams, Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner vs. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza, Dakota Kai vs. Cora Jade, Cameron Grimes visits Duke Hudson's Poker Room. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. November 2, 2021. March 6, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116101442/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/11/02/11-2-nxt-2-0-results-moores-review-of-johnny-gargano-and-dexter-lumis-vs-carmelo-hayes-and-trick-williams-kyle-oreilly-and-von-wagner-vs-joaquin-wilde-and-raul-mendoza-dakota-kai-vs/. January 16, 2022. live.
  14. Web site: 7/19 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of a 20-woman battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women's Title, JD McDonagh vs. Cameron Grimes, Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs vs. Pretty Deadly for the NXT UK Tag Titles, Roderick Strong vs. Damon Kemp, Axiom debuts, The Schism reveals their identities. Moore. John. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. July 19, 2022. July 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220720000741/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/07/19/7-19-nxt-2-0-results-moores-review-of-a-20-woman-battle-royal-for-a-shot-at-the-nxt-womens-title-jd-mcdonagh-vs-cameron-grimes-brooks-jensen-and-josh-briggs-vs-pretty-deadly-for-the-nxt/. July 20, 2022. live.
  15. Web site: Zoey Stark Turns On Nikkita Lyons On 11/8 WWE NXT. Tessier. Colin. Fightful. November 8, 2022. November 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221109075028/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/zoey-stark-turns-nikkita-lyons-118-wwe-nxt. November 9, 2022. live.
  16. Web site: See all the results from the 2023 Draft. WWE. April 28, 2023.
  17. Web site: Zoey Stark Wrestlers First Match As Member Of WWE Raw Roster. Wrestling Inc. May 8, 2023.
  18. News: Currier . Joseph . May 27, 2023 . Zoey Stark helps Trish Stratus defeat Becky Lynch at WWE Night of Champions . May 28, 2023 . WON/F4W.
  19. Web site: Rose. Bryan. 2023-06-05 . Becky Lynch & Zoey Stark qualify for WWE Money in the Bank. 2023-06-05. Wrestling Observer. en-US.
  20. Web site: Elizabeth . Claire . 2023-07-01 . Money in the Bank results, live match coverage . 2023-07-01 . Cageside Seats . en.
  21. Web site: 2023-08-28 . The Man triumphs over Stark in chaotic Falls Count Anywhere Match en route to WWE Payback . 2023-08-29 . WWE . en.
  22. Web site: Pal . Vibhor . WATCH: Zoey Stark turns face after rattling Trish Stratus following her crumbling loss against Becky Lynch at Payback . FirstSportz . September 3, 2023.
  23. Web site: Gilpin . Matt . 2023-09-02 . WWE Payback 2023 full recap, highlights, photos and exclusives . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230903034211/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwepayback/2023/results . 2023-09-03 . 2023-09-03 . WWE . en.
  24. Web site: Powell . Jason . 2023-09-04 . WWE Raw results (9/4): Powell's live review of Gunther vs. Chad Gable for the Intercontinental Title, Jey Uso's arrival, Drew McIntyre and Matt Riddle vs. The Viking Raiders in a tornado tag match . 2023-09-12 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
  25. Web site: Powell . Jason . 2023-09-11 . WWE Raw results (9/11): Powell's live review of Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez for the Women's World Championship, Cody Rhodes' appearance, Gunther's Intercontinental Title reign celebration . 2023-09-12 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
  26. Web site: 2023-11-04 . Crown Jewel: Roman Reigns retains, Logan Paul new U.S. champ . 2023-11-05 . . en.
  27. Web site: Powell . Jason . 2023-11-06 . WWE Raw results (11/06): Powell's live review of Seth Rollins vs. Sami Zayn for the World Heavyweight Championship, Ricochet vs. Miz vs. Bronson Reed vs. Ivar for a shot at the Intercontinental Championship . 2023-11-07 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . en-US.
  28. Web site: Pulido . Luis . 2023-11-25 . WWE Survivor Series (11/25/2023) Results: Two War Games Bouts, GUNTHER, Rhea Ripley, Dragon Lee, More Fightful News . 2023-11-26 . Fightful . en.
  29. Web site: Mueller . Doc-Chris . January 1, 2024 . WWE Raw Day 1 2024 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights . January 2, 2024 . . en.
  30. Web site: Powell . Jason . 6 May 2024 . WWE Raw results (5/6): Powell's live review of Gunther vs. Sheamus, Ricochet vs. Ilja Dragunov, Lyra Valkyria vs. Asuka, Iyo Sky vs. Natalya, and more King and Queen of the Ring matches . 7 May 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  31. Web site: Powell . Jason . 13 May 2024 . WWE Raw results (5/13): Powell's live review of Jey Uso vs. Ilja Dragunov, Gunther vs. Kofi Kingston, Lyra Valyria vs. Zoey Stark, Iyo Sky vs. Shayna Baszler in King and Queen of the Ring quarterfinal matches . 14 May 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  32. News: Thakur . Aaishwary Raj . August 13, 2024 . Another Faction Added To WWE RAW: Explosive Trio Branded . August 15, 2024 . . 0971-8257.
  33. Web site: WWE 2K23 roster reveal with every confirmed wrestler. Wilson. Ben. February 20, 2023. GamesRadar+. February 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230223072613/https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k23-roster/. February 23, 2023. live.
  34. Web site: FSW Mecca V - Pay Per View @ Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. September 29, 2019. July 10, 2021.
  35. Web site: FSW Women's Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. September 29, 2019. July 10, 2021.
  36. Web site: FSWW - Event @ FSW Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. November 20, 2020. July 6, 2021.
  37. Web site: Pro Wrestling Illustrated Women's 150 2021 List in Full. Wrestling Travel. October 28, 2021. November 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104100937/https://wrestlingtravel.com/2021/10/28/pro-wrestling-illustrated-womens-150-2021-list-in-full/. November 4, 2021. live.
  38. Web site: NWA UCW-Zero Ultra X Championship. Philip. Kreikenbohm. Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. October 19, 2013. July 10, 2021.
  39. Web site: NXT Women's Tag Team Championship. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). July 6, 2021.