Gionna Daddio (June 8, 1994) is an American model and professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) where she competes on the Raw brand under the ring name Liv Morgan.
Early life
Daddio was born in Paramus, New Jersey. She grew up in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. She has four older brothers and a younger sister, and following the death of her father, Daddio's mother was a single parent raising six children. Daddio is a longtime fan of professional wrestling, and would participate in backyard wrestling with her siblings. Daddio described the matches as core to start her foray into wrestling, saying:
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I would literally take Pedigrees and Powerbombs like it was my job. I always pretended to be Lita. All the Divas were so glamorous and girly, and I was such a tomboy and didn't have nice clothes. When I saw Lita come out in baggy pants and sneakers, wrestling the boys, I thought she was the coolest thing ever. I related to her.
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Daddio is a former competitive cheerleader, and she previously worked and modeled for the restaurant chain Hooters.
Professional wrestling career
World Wrestling Entertainment
NXT (2014–2017)
After being discovered at Joe DeFranco's gym in Wyckoff, New Jersey, Daddio signed a contract with WWE in 2014, and was assigned to their developmental territory, WWE NXT, in October. She made her first televised appearance at the NXT TakeOver: Rival event on February 11, 2015, as a planted fan who jumped on Tyler Breeze during his ring entrance. She later appeared at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable on May 20, again as part of Breeze's entrance. In October, she briefly worked under the ring name Marley, debuting on the November 4 episode of NXT, where she worked as a jobber losing to Eva Marie.
Daddio would return a month later as Liv Morgan, on the December 2 episode of NXT, losing to Emma. On the January 13, 2016 episode of NXT, Morgan competed in a battle royal to determine the number one contender to Bayley's NXT Women's Championship, which was won by Carmella. On the August 17 episode of NXT, she competed in a six-woman tag team match along with Carmella, and Nikki Glencross, in which they defeated Daria Berenato, Mandy Rose, and Alexa Bliss. On the August 31 episode of NXT, Morgan picked up her first televised singles win, defeating Aliyah. On the September 14 episode of NXT, Morgan defeated Rachel Fazio in singles competition via submission, and would issue a challenge to the NXT Women's Champion Asuka. The following week, however, Morgan was submitted by Asuka in under a minute. Afterwards, she began a rivalry with Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, with both women confronting her following her match, and two weeks later, Kay defeated her after interference by Royce. She confronted the two on the October 26, 2016 episode, where she allowed Aliyah to beat Kay after a distraction, afterwards aligning with her. Morgan wrestled her last NXT match on November 11, 2017 where she defeated Sonya Deville.
Smackdown (2017-2018)
On the November 21 edition of Smackdown, Morgan debuted alongside former NXT members Ruby Riot and Sarah Logan. The triad made their debut attacking Naomi and Becky Lynch backstage and later Charlotte Flair and Natalya during a Women's title match. These attacks on the Smackdown women's division quickly established Morgan, Logan and Riot as heels during their main roster debut. The following week, during the November 28 edition of Smackdown, referred to as the Riott Squad, they wrestled against Charlotte Flair, Naomi and Natalya in a six-person tag match. The match soon became a handicap tag match after Natalya deserted her team, leaving Flair and Naomi to wrestle. As the match progressed, Flair was left to wrestle alone after the Riot Squad injured Naomi outside of the ring. The match concluded with Ruby Riot securing the pin on Flair. For the remainder of 2017 and early 2018, Logan and the Riott Squad continued their feud with Flair, Naomi and Becky Lynch (who had returned from injury). Morgan wrestled her final match on the March 20th edition of Smackdown, where she and the Riott Squad were defeated by Becky Lynch & Naomi. Their feud continued through the months of February, March and April leading to WrestleMania, where the Riott Squad joined in the Kickoff show's Women's Battle Royal won by Naomi.
Raw (2018-2019)
After the first night of the 2018 WWE Superstar Shake-up held on the April 16 episode of Monday Night RAW, Morgan and the Riott Squad were drafted to the Raw brand. Morgan and the Riott Squad had their first Raw match on April 23, teaming with Alexa Bliss, Mickie James in an eight-woman tag match, defeating Bayley, Ember Moon, Natalya, Nia Jax & Sasha Banks by disqualification. On the May 21st edition of Monday Night RAW, Morgan competed in a Fatal Four-Way Money In The Bank Qualifying match against Natalya, Dana Brooke and Sarah Logan. Although Morgan did not succeed in winning the match, she received a second opportunity to compete during the following week during the May 28 episode of Monday Night RAW in a Qualifying Gauntlet match but was defeated by Sasha Banks. Morgan and the Riott Squad returned during the June 4 episode of RAW winning a tag match against Alexa Bliss, Ember Moon & Sasha Banks by disqualification. Morgan and Sarah Logan returned on the June 18 episode of RAW where they defeated Bayley & Sasha Banks. Seven days later on June 25, Morgan and the Riott Squad met Bayley and Sasha Banks in a rematch, with Bayley and Banks recruiting Ember Moon for their third teammate. Their match ended with the Riott Squad earning the victory. Returning during the July 2 episode of RAW, Morgan wrestled her first singles match, losing to Ember Moon. Seven days later on the following episode of RAW, Morgan lost to Moon in a rematch. On July 23 Morgan lost a third rematch against Ember Moon. She finished the month appearing on the July 30 episode of RAW, Morgan teamed with Sarah Logan in a tag match lost to Bayley & Sasha Banks. On the following episodes of RAW during the course of August, Morgan and Logan represented the Riott Squad in their ongoing feud against Bayley, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon. The Riott Squad avenged their previous defeats to Bayley & Sasha Banks during the August 6 and August 20 episodes of RAW.
Morgan and the Riott Squad returned on the September 3 episode of RAW, where they lost to the returning Bella Twins. Morgan and the Riott Squad returned for the September 24 episode of RAW, defeating The Bella Twins & Natalya. The Riott Squad continued their feud with The Bellas and their newest ally Ronda Rousey, with a match lost to the Bellas and Rousey on October 6 at Super Show-Down in Melbourne Australia. Returning stateside for the October 8 episode of Monday Night RAW in Chicago, Illinois, the Bella Twins & Rousey once more defeated Morgan and the Riott Squad. On October 21 at the WWE Supershow, The Riott Squad faced other rivals on the women's roster, losing a three-on-three tag match to Bayley, Dana Brooke & Sasha Banks. Seven nights later at the first Evolution pay-per-view, Morgan and the Riott Squad lost a second three-on-three tag match to the team of Bayley, Natalya & Sasha Banks. During the October 29 episode of RAW, Morgan and the Riott Squad finished the month teaming with Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a 10-woman tag match lost to Bayley, Lita, Natalya, Sasha Banks & Trish Stratus.
SmackDown (2019)
On April 16, 2019, during the WWE Superstar Shake-Up, Morgan was moved to the SmackDown brand, separating her from The Riott Squad in the process. In the weeks that followed, Morgan would work house show matches but was absent from TV. She was mentioned in a promo by Kevin Owens on the July 9 episode of SmackDown. Owens cut a worked-shoot, in which he listed several names he felt were underutilized. In response to the words of Owens, Shane McMahon held a “Town Hall” meeting on the July 16 episode of SmackDown. Any member of the roster was allowed to air their grievances, Morgan stood up to Charlotte Flair, calling Flair out on not being “real”, Flair implied Morgan’s pink hair and blue tongue made her the fake one. A match was booked between the two for that night which Flair won. Post-match, Morgan took a headset from commentary and let everyone know the next time they see her, she’s going to be "real". This was Morgan’s sole appearance on SmackDown and she became inactive from house shows thereafter too. As revealed in the WWE Network Documentary Liv Forever, it was during this time that Daddio and a number of producers pitched countless ideas for her new character but Vince McMahon knocked them back every time.
RAW (2019-2020)
On the October 14 episode of RAW, as part of the 2019 Draft, Morgan was the very last pick made on TV, being selected by RAW. Over the next 3 weeks, vignettes were shown of Morgan (her hair back to blonde) cleansing herself in the bathroom as she explained she had been used by others her whole life and in order to change she needed to destroy herself.
On the December 30 episode of RAW, the very last segment of the decade featured the wedding of Lana & Bobby Lashley. Morgan interrupted, revealing herself to be a (kayfabe) past lover of Lana. She and Lana brawled until Morgan was taken away but she returned minutes later to close the show, standing tall alongside Lana’s other jilted lover Rusev. The specific details of Morgan & Lana’s relationship were never explained and the romantic nature was downplayed or outright ignored by the commentators in the weeks that followed. On the January 13 2020 episode of RAW, Morgan brawled with Lana at ringside during a match between Lashley & Rusev with Lana getting the better of the exchange, throwing a beverage in Morgan’s face. The following week on the January 20 episode of RAW, Morgan competed in the main event, tagging with Rusev to face the team of Lana & Lashley. Lashley pinned Rusev. On January 26, at Royal Rumble 2020, Morgan competed in the Royal Rumble match, entering at #7, she quickly eliminated Lana. Lana however retaliated by pulling Morgan off the turnbuckle to the floor, eliminating Morgan in the process. The next night on RAW, Morgan defeated Lana in a singles match. The following week on the February 3 episode of RAW, Morgan defeated Lana again. After the match, Ruby Riott made her return after a 10-month absence following double shoulder surgery. Riott at first embraced Morgan in what appeared to be a Riott Squad reunion, however, Riott would turn on Morgan, hitting her with an STO.
On the February 10 episode of RAW, Ruby Riott had a backstage interview explaining her attack on Morgan. Riott claimed the new Morgan was a façade and that Morgan is weak and should return to following Riott like a puppy dog. On the February 17 episode of RAW, Morgan was announced alongside Riott, Sarah Logan, Shayna Baszler, Natalya and Asuka as a participant in an Elimination Chamber match to determine who faced Becky Lynch for the RAW Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. On the February 24 episode of RAW, Morgan partook in a contract signing for the Elimination Chamber match. Morgan leapt over the table and brawled with Riott. On the March 2 episode of RAW, Morgan faced Riott in a singles match with other former Riott Squad member Logan serving as referee. When Riott argued with Logan about a perceived slow count, Morgan rolled Riott up and Logan performed a fast count, giving Morgan the victory. On March 8, at Elimination Chamber 2020, Morgan competed in the main event inside the Elimination Chamber. She was unable to face Riott or Logan as they, along with Natalya, were eliminated by Baszler before Morgan entered. Morgan was the third to be released from her pod and had to face Baszler one-on-one. Morgan fought hard but ultimately Baszler made light work of her, finishing Morgan with the Kirifuda Clutch. Baszler would later eliminate Asuka to win the match. The next night on the March 9 episode of RAW, Morgan teamed with Natalya to face Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors in a non-title match. Logan & Riott showed up at ringside and brawled with each other. This prompted Morgan to take both out with a diving Crossbody. However, Natalya needed Morgan’s assistance but without Liv in her corner, the Kabuki Warriors picked-up the win. Morgan disappeared for a month after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, but returned to face Natalya on the Kick-Off of Night 2 of WrestleMania 36. This was more by coincidence as any misgivings Natalya had from being left high and dry were not mentioned. Morgan would win the match.
The night after WrestleMania 36 on the April 6 episode of RAW, Morgan competed in the opening match against Asuka. It was a competitive but losing performance from Morgan. On the April 20 episode of RAW, Morgan and Ruby Riott would have a singles match with a definitive end this time which resulted in Morgan’s victory. The following week, Morgan and Riott wrestled once more, with Morgan again picking up the win. Post-match, Morgan was interviewed and spoke about her personal evolution and how she will continue to grow. On the May 4 episode of RAW, Morgan confronted Charlotte Flair, calling back to their confrontation 11 months prior on SmackDown. The two had a singles match which was won by Flair. Over the next few weeks on RAW, sit-down promos aired of Morgan talking about her real-life experiences such as taking inspiration from her mother. These promos were designed to gives fans a reason to be invested in Morgan and support her as a relatable and an up-and-coming star. However, it was rumored that management was unhappy with these interviews, didn’t buy Morgan as a singles star and decided to put her back in a tag team. As such, a storyline began to reform the Riott Squad sans Sarah Logan who was released following WrestleMania due to budget cuts caused by COVID-19.
On the June 15 edition of Monday Night RAW, Morgan teamed with Natalya in a losing effort to The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce). Natalya blamed Morgan for the loss and formed an alliance with Lana who was also blaming others for her own short comings. On June 22, Morgan lost to Natalya with Lana in the latter’s corner. Later that night, Ruby Riott tried to extend the olive branch towards her former Riott Squad teammate but Morgan was not ready to trust Riott yet. Morgan would then disappear from TV for over a month, during her absence, The IIconics bullied Riott, teasing her about her broken friendship. Morgan returned on the August 3 episode of RAW as a guest on the Kevin Owens Show. Riott was also a guest. Drawing on his own experiences of betrayal, Owens implored both Morgan & Riott to rekindle their friendship. Riott said she knew it would take time for Morgan to forgive her but before more progress could be made, The IIconics interrupted which eventually led to an impromptu tag match which the former Riott Squad won. The chemistry with Riott did not return instantly as Morgan was defeated by Royce in a singles match on the August 10 RAW, after Riott neutralizing Kay at ringside served to distract Morgan, rather than help. A week later, a similar event occurred when Royce defeated Riott in singles action. On August 24, Morgan & Riott teamed with Bianca Belair in a successful six-woman tag outing by defeating The IIconics and Zelina Vega. On August 30, on the Kick-Off of the Payback Pay-Per-View, the Riott Squad wrestled The IIconics. Throughout the match, The IIconics tried to trick Morgan into believing Riott was against her. Morgan almost walked-out on the match at one point but returned to make the hot tag and win the match for the team. The next night on the August 31 episode of RAW, a rematch took place with much higher stakes: the winners would become the #1 contenders to the Women’s Tag Team Championship, the losers would be forced to disband. The Riott Squad won, ending their feud with The IIconics and earning them a future title shot in the process.
On the September 7 episode of RAW, Morgan and Ruby Riott faced the Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax in successive handicap matches in their favor. They defeated Baszler but anarchy group RETRIBUTION turned out the lights of the arena before they could defeat Jax. On the next week’s RAW, the Riott Squad defeated Lana & Natalya in a tag team match with Jax & Baszler watching from ringside. The following week on September 21, the roles were reversed, with Morgan & Riott providing commentary for Jax & Baszler’s tag match with Lana & Natalya. The impeding Tag Team Championship match was supposed to happen on September 27 at Clash of Champions 2020, however, Baszler & Jax were pulled from the show following a COVID outbreak at the Performance Center, although that was not the official reason given. It was stated, however, that the Riott Squad would get their title shot at a later date. That title match took place on the October 5 episode of RAW, but it ended in defeat for the Riott Squad when Baszler choked out Riott. Jax forced a distraught Morgan to watch as Baszler punished her friend.
SmackDown (2020-2021)
On the October 12 episode of RAW, the Riott Squad were drafted to SmackDown as part of the 2020 WWE Draft. On that same night, both women competed in a dual-branded Battle Royal to determine the next challenger for Asuka's WWE Raw Women's Championship. The match was won by Lana. On the November 13 edition of SmackDown, Morgan qualified for SmackDown’s Survivor Series team by winning a Fatal Four Way Match over Chelsea Green, Natalya and the woman she pinned, Tamina. On November 22, at Survivor Series, Morgan was partnered with Bayley, Bianca Belair, Natalya & Ruby Riott. Although Team SmackDown were defeated, Morgan had a strong showing; she was the second to last member of her team to be eliminated and managed to eliminate one member of Team RAW: Lacey Evans.
In December 2020, Morgan & Ruby Riott began a storyline with Billie Kay in which Kay tried to join the Riott Squad. The first interaction took place on the December 5 episode of Talking Smack, Kay interrupted Morgan & Riott’s time on the panel and the Squad challenged Kay to a tag team match for the next week. On the December 11 episode of SmackDown, Kay's mystery partner was revealed to be Natalya, the Riott Squad won the match. The following week, Kay tried her luck teaming with Tamina but it ended in another victory for Morgan & Riott. Despite back-to-back wins, the Squad watched from backstage as WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Asuka & Charlotte Flair successfully retained their championships in a Triple Threat Elimination Tag Team Match on December 25. On the January 1, 2021 episode of SmackDown, the Riott Squad defeated the team of Natalya & Tamina. Kay was ringside for the match and switched allegiances multiple times but neither side wanted her support. The next week, Kay floated the idea of joining the Squad but Morgan & Riott declined. When Kay began to breakdown emotionally, Morgan attempted to console her which Kay misinterpreted as acceptance into the group and her crying instantly turned to joy. The following week on the January 15 SmackDown, Morgan was defeated by Natalya in singles action after being distracted by Kay being chased around by Tamina. On the January 22 edition of SmackDown, Morgan & Riott lost a non-title tag team match to Asuka & Charlotte Flair after again being distracted by Kay’s antics. Kay apologized to Morgan & Riott in the backstage area, and told them that she spoke with WWE Officials and was able to secure Morgan & Riott entry into the 2021 Royal Rumble match. Despite this gesture, Riott still informed Kay that the Squad is better off without her. On January 31st at Royal Rumble, Morgan did compete in the Royal Rumble match. Entering at number 13, she lasted 6 minutes and 37 seconds. Morgan and Riott were able to eliminate Kay before Morgan herself was eliminated by Kay's former tag team partner Peyton Royce.
RAW (2021-2022)
SmackDown (2022-2023)
Personal life
Daddio is good friends with Aliyah, Lana, Ruby Soho and Sarah Logan.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Guillotine choke, sometimes transitioned from a jumping DDT
- Jersey Codebreaker (Modified double knee facebreaker) – 2017-2019
- Liv Kick (Reverse roundhouse kick)
- New Jersey's Buster (Sitout facebuster)
- ObLIVion (Springboard Complete Shot) - 2020-present
- Signature moves
- Tag teams and stables
- Nicknames
- "Daddio"
- Entrance music
- "Livin' Large" by CFO$ (NXT; April 13, 2016–November 23, 2017)
- "We Riott" by CFO$ (WWE; used as a member of The Riott Squad)
- "Nah Nah" by DJDPT (WWE; 2020-Present)
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- PWI ranked her #53 in the 2018 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI ranked her #70 in the 2019 PWI Top 100 Females
- PWI ranked her #17 in the 2022 PWI Top 150 Females
- PWI ranked her #38 in the 2023 PWI Top 250 Females
- PWI ranked her #12 in the 2024 PWI Top 250 Females
