I’ve always believed that the unsung heroes of wrestling aren’t just the ones flipping off turnbuckles or cutting fiery promos—they’re the steady hands in the middle of the chaos, the referees who make sure the show goes on. And let me tell you, Daphanie LaShaunn? She’s not just a ref. She’s a force, a trailblazer with a whistle that echoes louder than most superstars’ entrance themes. As someone who’s spent years chronicling the mat warriors, from dusty indie rings to the bright lights of WrestleMania, I’ve watched her story unfold like a perfectly timed near-fall. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s got more heart than a Bloodline family reunion. Buckle up—I’m taking you on her ride, with all the grit, glory, and those moments that make you cheer a little louder for the woman in stripes.
What draws me to Daphanie’s tale is how she embodies that wrestling spirit: resilience wrapped in flair. Born far from the squared circle but pulled to it like gravity, she’s turned barriers into stepping stones. In a world where refs often fade into the background, she’s front and center, owning her lane with unapologetic style. And as we hit 2025, her journey’s only accelerating—recent heartbreaks, historic calls, and a style that’s as fierce as her countdowns. This isn’t just a bio; it’s a tribute to the “Ref Bae” who’s redefining authority, one fast count at a time.
Early Life and Roots: From Brazilian Shores to Georgia Grit
Daphanie LaShaunn’s story starts with a whisper of the ocean and a roar of ambition. Born Aja Smith on June 9, 1994, in the vibrant coastal city of Aracaju, Brazil, she entered a world rich with rhythm and resilience. Aracaju’s beaches and bustling markets weren’t just scenery—they shaped her early fire. As a kid, she’d mimic dancers on the sand, twisting and turning with an energy that screamed performer. But life had other plans. At just five years old, her family packed up for a new chapter in Conyers, Georgia, chasing stability in the American South.
That move wasn’t easy. Imagine trading salty sea air for humid pine forests, leaving behind extended family for a fresh start. Daphanie adapted like a champ, soaking up Georgia’s soulful vibes—think sweet tea, soul food Sundays, and that unbreakable Southern hospitality. School days blurred into playground wrestles with cousins, where she’d referee impromptu matches, already honing that impartial eye. Her parents, hardworking immigrants, instilled values of hustle and heart. Dad, a mechanic with callused hands, taught her the beauty of fixing what’s broken; Mom, a nurse, showed her empathy’s power in chaos. Those lessons? They’d later fuel her in-ring poise.
By her teens, wrestling wasn’t just a hobby—it was destiny. Flipping channels on lazy afternoons, she’d glue to WCW reruns, mesmerized by the athleticism and drama. Rey Mysterio’s high-flying flips? Pure magic. But it was the refs—those calm amid the storm figures like Earl Hebner—who sparked something deeper. “I wanted to be the one keeping it fair,” she’d later share in a rare interview. High school in Conyers brought track meets and dance teams, but her true track? It led straight to the indie scene. At 18, with dreams bigger than her backpack, Daphanie dove in, ring name Aja Perera ready to rumble. Little did she know, this was just the opening bell.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Full Real Name | Aja Smith |
| 2. Date of Birth | June 9, 1994 |
| 3. Age (as of Sept 2025) | 31 |
| 4. Birthplace | Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil |
| 5. Current Residence | Conyers, Georgia, USA |
| 6. Nationality | Brazilian-American |
| 7. Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| 8. Weight | 154 lbs (70 kg) |
| 9. Billed From | Athens, Georgia |
| 10. Primary Ring Name | Daphanie LaShaunn |
| 11. Former Ring Names | Aja Perera, Aja Smith, Momoe-chan |
| 12. Wrestling Debut Date | October 5, 2013 |
| 13. Referee Debut with WWE | February 5, 2020 |
| 14. WWE Brand Assignment | SmackDown (primary), RAW (occasional) |
| 15. Trainer(s) | Fred Avery, Jay Fury |
| 16. Signature Moves (as Wrestler) | Wheelbarrow Stunner |
| 17. Signature Moves (as Wrestler) | Axe Kick |
| 18. First Promotion | Platinum Championship Wrestling (PCW) |
| 19. SHINE Wrestling Titles | SHINE Nova Champion (1 time) |
| 20. SHINE Wrestling Titles | SHINE Tag Team Champion (1 time, with Big Swole) |
| 21. Other Titles | Girl Fight Champion (held for over 2 years) |
| 22. WWE Signing Date | February 5, 2020 |
| 23. First WWE Tryout | December 2019, WWE Performance Center |
| 24. Initial WWE Brand | NXT |
| 25. WrestleMania Debut | WrestleMania 38 (April 2022) |
| 26. Historic Milestone | First Black female referee at WrestleMania |
| 27. Back-to-Back WM Ref with | Jessika Carr (first two women to do so) |
| 28. WWE 24/7 Championship Win | September 25, 2022 (vs. Nikki A.S.H.) |
| 29. 24/7 Defense | Kicked out on Shawn Bennett same night |
| 30. 24/7 Loss | To Dana Brooke later that night |
| 31. First RAW Main Event Ref | November 11, 2024 (Women’s Tag Titles) |
| 32. Video Game Debut | WWE 2K24 (as Aja Smith) |
| 33. Recent PPV Appearance | WrestleMania 41 (2025) |
| 34. Social Media Handle | @RefBaeDaphWWE (X/Twitter) |
| 35. Streaming Platform | Twitch (gaming streams) |
| 36. Marital Status | Married |
| 37. Spouse | Leon Ruff (married September 4, 2022) |
| 38. Engagement Date | November 2020 |
| 39. Family Loss (2025) | Grandmother’s passing (September 2025) |
| 40. Recent Controversy | Referee botch in Women’s Title match (Sept 26, 2025) |
| 41. Harassment Incident | Online threats after grandma’s death tweet (Sept 2025) |
| 42. Response to Harassment | Went private on X, emphasized personal grief |
| 43. Nicknames | Ref Bae, Super (from indie days) |
| 44. Favorite Wrestling Era | WCW Attitude Era influences |
| 45. Inspirations | Rey Mysterio, Earl Hebner |
| 46. Off-Ring Hobbies | Gaming, dancing, family time |
| 47. Recent Achievements | Officiated Evolution 2025 opener |
| 48. Charitable Involvement | Women’s empowerment in wrestling |
| 49. Future Goals | More PPV main events, mentoring new refs |
| 50. Personal Motto | “Keep grinding. It’ll pay off! And that’s on Daphanie LaShaunn” |
Wrestling Beginnings: Indie Fire and Championship Gold
Stepping into the indie wrestling world in 2013 felt like jumping into a mosh pit—exhilarating, bruising, and utterly addictive. Under the name Aja Perera, Daphanie debuted at Platinum Championship Wrestling’s Sacred Ground event on October 5, a chaotic Platinum Royale battle royale. Picture this: a 19-year-old dynamo dodging clotheslines and suplexes against vets like Casey Kincaid. She didn’t win, but that night ignited her passion. The crowd’s roar? It was her first taste of belonging.
From there, she crisscrossed the Southeast, building a rep as a high-energy competitor. Canadian Wrestling’s Elite in 2015 sharpened her skills with technical bouts, while Girl Fight Wrestling became her proving ground. She captured their championship in 2016, holding it for over two years—a testament to her endurance. Teaming with future stars like Big Swole in SHINE Wrestling from 2017 onward? Electric. They snagged the SHINE Tag Team Titles in a gritty ladder match, bodies slamming amid flying hardware. As a solo act, she claimed the SHINE Nova Championship, defending it in sweat-soaked marathons against rising talents like Shotzi and Chelsea Green.
These years weren’t glamorous—gas money tight, nights in dingy gyms—but they forged her. Matches in Lucha Libre Femenil (2015-2016) added aerial flair, flipping off ropes like a masked flyer. Queens of Combat and Shimmer Women Athletes honed her storytelling, turning five-star scrambles into must-see drama. By 2019, she’d wrestled over 150 indie bouts, earning nods for her wheelbarrow stunner finisher. It was grind mode, pure and simple, setting the stage for WWE’s call. Daphanie wasn’t just surviving; she was schooling the scene, one dropkick at a time.
WWE Signing and NXT Foundations: The Referee Awakening
December 2019: The WWE Performance Center in Orlando buzzes with 40 hopefuls under Matt Bloom’s watchful eye. Daphanie, fresh off indies, stands out—not as a wrestler, but as potential gold in stripes. She signs February 5, 2020, pivoting to refereeing. Why the switch? “Wrestling chewed me up,” she’d reflect, “but reffing let me give back.” NXT became her classroom, officiating developmental darlings like Indi Hartwell vs. Candice LeRae in fast-paced TV taps.
Early days were trial by fire. House shows tested her timing—slaps echoing, pins teetering on two-and-three-quarters. She learned the nuances: signaling holds cleanly, dodging errant boots without stealing spots. By mid-2020, amid pandemic-empty arenas, her counts rang clear on NXT broadcasts. Matches like Johnny Gargano’s classic with Adam Cole? She was there, unflinching. Peers like Jessika Carr mentored her, but Daphanie’s instinct shone—fair, fierce, fabulous.
Transitioning brands in 2021 ramped it up. SmackDown previews, RAW crossovers—she juggled with poise. A standout: Refereeing NXT UK title defenses, blending styles seamlessly. By 2022, she’d logged 200+ NXT officiations, earning trust from talents like Roxanne Perez. It wasn’t stardom, but stability—and for an immigrant kid, that meant everything. WWE’s machine was humming, and Daphanie was its steady heartbeat.
Trailblazing Milestones: WrestleMania Glory and Beyond
April 3, 2022: WrestleMania 38 Night 2. The stadium pulses as Rey and Dominik Mysterio face The Miz and Logan Paul. In the center? Daphanie LaShaunn, stripes gleaming under AT&T Stadium lights. Her count seals the win—the first Black woman to ref at The Show of Shows. Tears post-match, family call on speed dial: “I worked for every ounce.” Back-to-back with Jessika Carr, they shattered glass ceilings in tandem.
Momentum built. September 2022’s Vancouver house show: Chaos erupts as she pins Nikki A.S.H. for the 24/7 Title—refs can chase gold too! Defending via kickout on Shawn Bennett? Iconic. Losing to Dana Brooke minutes later? Just fueled the fire. November 2024’s RAW main event—Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair defending tags against Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan—marks her as the first woman to ref a televised RAW closer. “Years of hustle,” she tweeted, hair slayed as always.
2025 amps it: WrestleMania 41 spots, Evolution opener with Becky Lynch vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. She’s in WWE 2K24 as Aja Smith, playable precision. From NXT tryouts to global stages, Daphanie’s milestones scream progress—women’s wrestling evolution, Black excellence in authority. She’s not just counting pins; she’s rewriting history, one three-count at a time.
Personal Life: Love, Loss, and Unfiltered Joy
Behind the stripes beats a heart full of rhythm. Engaged to NXT alum Leon Ruff in November 2020, their September 4, 2022, rain-soaked wedding was pure romance—”I married my soulmate,” she gushed on socials. Leon, with his high-flying grit, matches her energy; they bond over gaming sessions and quiet Conyers evenings. No kids yet, but whispers of future family adventures swirl. It’s a partnership built on shared dreams, from indie road trips to WWE spotlights.
Joy shines in her off-mat passions. Twitch streams? She’s a gamer queen, raiding virtual worlds with fans. Dance floors call her back to Brazilian roots—samba steps at Georgia block parties. Family anchors it all: Mom’s holiday feasts, siblings’ hype texts post-matches. But 2025 brought shadows—grandma’s September passing, a pillar of wisdom gone. Daphanie’s raw grief tweet sparked unintended storm, but her vulnerability? Relatable strength.
She’s unapologetically her—bold lewks, sassy captions. “Ref Bae” isn’t ego; it’s ownership. In a high-stakes world, her personal life’s a reminder: Balance the grind with grace. Love fuels her, loss tempers her, joy defines her. Daphanie’s not just surviving the ring; she’s thriving in life’s full nelson.
Spotlight’s double-edged—glory with grit. Daphanie’s kept her love life locked on Leon, no whispers of affairs. Early indies sparked fleeting rumors, like a rumored fling with an indie tag partner in 2016, but it fizzled fast, chalked up to road warrior bonds. Fans speculated post-engagement, but she’s shut it down: “Soulmate vibes only.” No scandals there; her fidelity’s as solid as her fast counts.
Controversies? The ring’s her battlefield. September 26, 2025’s SmackDown triple threat—Women’s Title chaos with Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Nia Jax—saw her stop at two on a clean pin. Jax didn’t kick out; Daphanie swiped her hand, following protocol. Backlash exploded: “Botch queen!” screams on X, blaming her for “exposing kayfabe.” WWE edited the clip on YouTube, but forums lit up—some defended her, citing wrestler cues missed amid Cargill’s bloody head. Triple H’s “mistakes happen” nod eased heat, but it stung. Earlier, 2023’s “People’s Ref” tweet drew ego jabs: “Cocky much?” she clapped back, owning her fan love.
Rumors swirl like smoke. Post-grandma tweet in September 2025: “It’s not goodbye” twisted into release fears. Harassment followed—threats, grave-spitting taunts at her late nan. “Never thought I’d face this,” she vented, going private on X. It highlighted toxic fandom, with peers like Naomi rallying support. Other whispers? Return-to-wrestling teases after 24/7 fun, but she’s content reffing. A 2024 “feud” rumor with a diva over a botched spot? Debunked as creative mix-up. Through it, Daphanie’s poised: “Haters fuel the fire.” Shadows pass; her light endures.
The fallout lingered. Fans dissected the botch frame-by-frame—Nia’s shoulder twitch? Jade’s late save? Daphanie’s instinct to protect the finish? Wrestling insiders sided with her: Refs cue spots, wrestlers execute. Yet, Reddit threads ballooned, some veering ugly—racial jabs at her trailblazing role. She didn’t respond publicly, channeling into work: Flawless Crown Jewel prep followed. Affairs? Zilch substantiated; her Instagram’s all Ruff romance. Rumors of contract woes post-harassment? WWE insiders quash it—she’s locked in, eyeing more PPVs.
Navigating this? It’s taught her armor’s optional when authenticity’s your shield. Controversies test, but they temper. Daphanie emerges sharper, her story richer for the scars.
Legacy and Future Horizons: The Count That Echoes
Daphanie LaShaunn’s legacy? It’s etched in every three-count she’s nailed, every barrier she’s body-slammed. From indies to ‘Mania, she’s elevated refs from backdrop to blueprint—Black women leading with flair. WWE’s female ref trio (her, Carr, D’Errico) owes her pioneering push; mentees cite her hustle. Off-ring, she’s empowerment incarnate: Twitch talks on mental health, panels on diversity. At 31, her impact ripples—young girls in stripes, dreaming bigger.
Looking ahead? 2025’s just warmup. Post-Evolution glow, she’s eyeing SummerSlam main events, maybe a ref-run storyline. Gaming nods in 2K25 rumors? Inevitable. Personal? Healing from loss, growing with Leon—perhaps family expansions. Controversies? They’ll fade; her resilience won’t. Daphanie’s not chasing spots; she’s owning the ring.
As a writer who’s seen legends rise and fall, I see her as eternal. She’s the ref who’d count your dreams to victory. Grind on, Daphanie— the mat’s yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Daphanie LaShaunn’s real name and background?
Daphanie LaShaunn is the ring name of Aja Smith, a Brazilian-American born in Aracaju, Brazil, on June 9, 1994. She immigrated to Georgia at age five and grew up in Conyers, blending her heritage with Southern roots.
How did Daphanie transition from wrestler to WWE referee?
After a solid indie career as Aja Perera, including SHINE titles, she signed with WWE in 2020 post-tryout. Opting for refereeing over in-ring, she started on NXT, valuing the role’s fairness and behind-the-scenes impact.
What are Daphanie’s biggest WWE achievements?
Key highlights: First Black female ref at WrestleMania 38 (2022), first woman on RAW main event (2024), brief 24/7 Title reign (2022), and WWE 2K24 debut. She’s officiated over 300 matches across brands.
Is Daphanie LaShaunn married, and who is her spouse?
Yes, married to former NXT star Leon Ruff since September 4, 2022. They got engaged in 2020; their rainy wedding was a social media sensation, highlighting their supportive partnership.
What controversies has Daphanie faced recently?
In September 2025, a SmackDown botch drew criticism, though blamed on wrestler cues. Also, online harassment after her grandmother’s death tweet led to threats, prompting her to go private on X for grief space.