For the wrestler known as the Goddess Athena, see Amy Young.
Adrienne Reese (August 31, 1988) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Athena. She was previously signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on the NXT brand under the ring name Ember Moon.
Career[]
SHIMMER Women Athletes[]
Debut and Various Feuds (2010-2011)[]
Reese debuted for SHIMMER Women Athletes under the name Athena on September 11, 2010. Originally a heel, Athena teamed with Jessie Brooks in a losing effort to Rachel Summerlyn and Jessica James at SHIMMER 33. She was defeated by Tenille later that same day at SHIMMER 34, and she went on a losing skid at the promotion until October 1, 2011, when she defeated Jessie McKay and Mia Yim in a three-way match at SHIMMER 42 for her first victory at the promotion.
Face Turn (2011-2014)[]
On the following day, Athena competed to a double count out against Mercedes Martinez at SHIMMER 43, and her willingness to fight Mercedes again resulted in a face turn for Athena. At SHIMMER 44, Athena defeated Mercedes via disqualification after Mercedes turned heel and attached her with a steel chair. At SHIMMER 45 on March 17, 2012, Athena defeated Mercedes via pinfall.
Athena received her first opportunity at the SHIMMER Championship on October 17, losing to Saraya Knight at SHIMMER 49. Athena defeated Ayako Hamada at the SHIMMER 53 IPPV on April 6, 2013. On the following week at SHIMMER 54, Athena was defeated by Courtney Rush in a #1 Contender's four-way match that also included Saraya Knight and Madison Eagles. At the SHIMMER 62 IPPV on April 5, 2014, Athena competed for the first time since returning from injury, defeating Candice LeRae.
Women Superstars Uncensored (2014-2015)[]
Athena debuted for Women Superstars Uncensored at their Mutiny event on February 8, 2014, competing in a losing effort against LuFisto. She was defeated by LuFisto again at the annual Queen and King event on May 10, this time in a 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match for the vacated WSU Championship. At Resurgence on September 13, Athena defeated Hania, but she would lose a rematch to Hania at Breaking Barriers III on November 8. Athena would defeat Hania at the WSU 8th Anniversary Show on February 21, 2015 in a TLC Match, and was later attacked by Hania after the match ended, turning Hania into a heel. At Power on May 9, Athena defeated Niya Barela in the first round of the WSU Spirit Championship Tournament.
Shine Wrestling (2012-2015)[]
Athena debuted for Shine Wrestling on November 16, 2012 and defeated Ivelisse in singles action. She returned at SHINE 19 on May 23, 2014 and was defeated by Amazing Kong. At SHINE 24 on January 23, 2015, Athena competed in a losing effort against Allysin Kay.
World Wrestling Entertainment[]
NXT (2015-2018)[]
On September 11, 2015, it was reported Reese had signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and would be assigned to their developmental territory, NXT, based at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. She made her in–ring debut at an NXT live event on October 10, in a tag team match. She wrestled as Adrien Reese or Adrienne Reese from October 2015 until June 2016. At NXT TakeOver: The End on June 8, 2016, she defeated Peyton Royce during a Dark match under her new ring name, Ember Moon. After a series of introductory vignettes, Moon made her televised debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II on August 20, where she defeated Billie Kay. Upon her arrival, Moon started a winning streak both in tag team Moon's first loss came on April 1 at NXT TakeOver: Orlando, where she lost to NXT Women's Champion Asuka in a match for the title. On May 8, 2017, WWE.com announced that Moon suffered a shoulder injury after being thrown out of the ring by Asuka, and would not be able to compete in a fatal four-way match for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT TakeOver: Chicago; the match was subsequently changed to a triple threat match between Asuka, Nikki Cross, and Ruby Riot.
Moon returned on the June 21 episode of NXT, where she defeated Royce. On August 19 at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, Moon was once again defeated by Asuka, who successfully retained the NXT Women's Championship. In August, Asuka had to vacate the NXT Women's Championship due to an injury she suffered; Moon came out to hug her, after it was revealed Asuka would move over to the main roster following her recovery. On November 18, 2017, Moon won the vacant NXT Women's Championship in a fatal-four-way match, defeating Royce, Nikki Cross and Kairi Sane. Asuka then made a surprise appearance and handed the championship to Moon, On the December 27 episode of NXT, Moon made her first successful title defense, defeating Sonya Deville. After the match, Moon was confronted by Sane, who would then be attacked by the debuting Shayna Baszler. It was then announced that Moon would defend her championship against Baszler at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, where Moon retained despite suffering a storyline arm injury.
The following night, she made her first appearance on the main roster and competed in the first-ever women's Royal Rumble match at the 2018 Royal Rumble. She entered at #23, but was eliminated by Asuka. On April 7, 2018, at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, Shayna Baszler defeated Ember Moon to win the NXT Women's Championship via technical submission.
Raw (2018-2019)[]
On the April 9, 2018 episode of Raw after WrestleMania, Moon made her official main roster debut, teaming with Nia Jax to defeat Alexa Bliss and Mickie James.
Wrestling facts[]
- Finishing moves
- Signature moves
- Double underhook suplex
- Fallaway slam
- Handspring elbow smash, to a cornered opponent
- Handspring stinger splash
- Headscissors takedown
- Rolling elbow
- Crossbody
- Suicide dive, sometimes done repeatedly in succession
- Wrath of the Goddess (Backdrop to lungblower)
- Tag teams and stables
- Nicknames
- "The Wrestling Goddess"
- "The War Goddess"
- "The Shenom"
- "Minion Overlord"
- Entrance music
Championships and accomplishments[]
- Anarchy Championship Wrestling
- ACW American Joshi Championship (3 times)
- 2012 ACW Queen of Queens Tournament
- Pro Wrestling Alliance
- PWA Women's Championship (1 time)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked her #28 in the 2012 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #25 in the 2013 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #23 in the 2014 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #24 in the 2015 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #37 in the 2016 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #18 in the 2017 PWI Top 50 Females
- PWI ranked her #21 in the 2018 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI ranked her #27 in the 2019 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI ranked her #76 in the 2022 PWI Top 150 Females
- PWI ranked her #6 in the 2023 PWI Top 250 Females
- PWI ranked her #10 in the 2024 PWI Top 250 Females
- Women Superstars Uncensored / Combat Zone Wrestling
- Queen and King of the Ring (2013) – with AR Fox
External links[]
| 2015 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Nikki Bella • Paige • Sasha Banks • Santana Garrett • Gail Kim • Charlotte • Naomi • Cherry Bomb • Courtney Rush • Taryn Terrell • Bayley • Brie Bella • Sexy Star • Cheerleader Melissa • Lufisto • Nicole Matthews • Becky Lynch • Kimber Lee • Natalya • Jessicka Havok • Awesome Kong • Candice LeRae • Brooke • Athena • Ivelisse • Jade • Madison Rayne • Leva Bates • Barbi Hayden • Angelina Love • Emma • Saraya Knight • Veda Scott • Velvet Sky • Madison Eagles • Kay Lee Ray • Marti Belle • Kellie Skater • Nikki Storm • Evie • Heidi Lovelace • Tessa Blanchard • Portia Perez • Alicia Fox • Cat Power • Crazy Mary Dobson • Xandra Bale • La Rosa Negra • Malia Hosaka • Vanessa Kraven |
| 2016 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Charlotte Flair • Sasha Banks • Asuka • Becky Lynch • Bayley • Jade • Natalya • Gail Kim • Sexy Star • Sienna • Ivelisse • Madison Eagles • Nicole Savoy • Rosemary • Allie • Nicole Matthews • Kimber Lee • Candice LeRae • Paige • Heidi Lovelace • Evie • Cheerleader Melissa • Nia Jax • Santana Garrett • Naomi • Dana Brooke • Madison Rayne • Kay Lee Ray • Alexa Bliss • Lufisto • Amber Gallows • Marti Belle • Emma • Taylor Made • Vanessa Kraven • Su Yung • Ember Moon • Tessa Blanchard • Jessicka Havok • Shayna Baszler • Crazy Mary Dobson • Malia Hosaka • Thunder Rosa • Carmella • KC Spinelli • Veda Scott • Jessica James • Xandra Bale • Kaitlin Diemond • Eva Marie |
| 2017 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Asuka • Charlotte Flair • Alexa Bliss • Sasha Banks • Bayley • Io Shirai • Natalya • Sienna • Naomi • Kairi Sane • Mercedes Martinez • Shayna Baszler • Rosemary • LuFisto • Mayu Iwantani • Mia Yim • Allie • Ember Moon • Becky Lynch • Madison Eagles • Nicole Savoy • Nia Jax • Candice LeRae • Toni Storm • Hiroyo Matsumoto • Chelsea Green • Saraya Knight • Shazza McKenzie • Kay Lee Ray • Mickie James • Dakota Kai • Nicole Matthews • Alex Windsor • Deonna Purrazzo • Abbey Laith • Risa Sera • Viper • Carmella • Ruby Riot • Nikki Cross • Vanessa Kraven • Santana Garrett • Tessa Blanchard • Arisa Nakajima • Lady Lory • Shotzi Blackheart • Veda Scott • Alpha Female • Marti Belle • Zoey Skye |
