I’ve been knee-deep in wrestling bios for nigh on 25 years now, from the hulking heroes of the ’90s to today’s fierce femmes who flip the script on what it means to pin down glory. But Mariah May? She’s a revelation that hits different. Born under drizzly London skies in ’98, this pint-sized powerhouse – all 5’5″ of blonde bombshell attitude – traded council estate dreams for suplexes and spotlights. By October 2025, she’s not just Mariah May anymore; she’s Blake Monroe, NXT’s newest heel with a chip on her shoulder and a championship chase in her sights. What gets me? It’s her raw pivot from AEW’s “Glamour” darling to WWE‘s fresh-faced firebrand, all while slinging insults sharper than a Boston crab. In an era where women’s wrestling is finally getting its flowers – think high-flying hurricanranas and storylines that stick – Mariah’s arc screams resilience. She’s the underdog who became the alpha, the fangirl who turned foe. Buckle up; this isn’t your grandma’s wrestler bio. It’s the tale of a girl who made “glamour” a weapon, and damn if it doesn’t glitter.
Gritty Beginnings: A London Lass with Arsenal in Her Heart
Imagine the hum of North London in the late ’90s – Arsenal matches blaring from corner pubs, the scent of fish and chips mingling with rain-soaked streets. That’s the backdrop where Mariah May Mead entered the world on August 4, 1998, in Tottenham, though her family’s roots tangled deeper into Islington’s bustling vibe. No silver spoons here; Mariah grew up in a working-class haven, the kind where kids scrimmage football on cracked pavements and dreams are as big as the Emirates Stadium.
Her folks? Salt-of-the-earth types. Dad, a quiet grafter in logistics, and Mum, juggling admin gigs while cheering Arsenal from the stands. Mariah’s the middle kid in a trio of siblings, with an older brother who dragged her to every Gunners game and a younger sister who became her pint-sized confidante. “Footie’s my first love,” she’s quipped in chats, her Cockney lilt thickening with pride. That red-and-white passion? It fueled her fire – the underdog spirit of a team that claws back from the brink, much like her own ring journeys.
School days at a local comprehensive were a mixed bag. Bullied for her height – or lack thereof – Mariah found solace in PE, dodging netballs and daydreaming of the squared circle. Comics and VHS tapes of old WWE tapes smuggled from her bro’s room? Her escape hatch. By teens, she was sketching ring gear in notebooks, blending punk rock edges with pin-up flair. “I wanted to be tough but pretty,” she reflected once, eyes sparkling. Arsenal losses stung, but they taught grit – a lesson that’d echo in her first suplex.
Family Ties That Bind: The Grandmother Who Named a Legend
Not all heroes wear capes; some pass on middle names and unbreakable wills. Mariah’s gran, a feisty WWII evacuee from the East End, was her North Star. “She called me May after her favorite month – blooming, bold,” Mariah shared in a heartfelt Insta Live. Gran’s passing just before Mariah’s wrestling debut? A gut punch that birthed her ring name. “It felt like carrying her sass into the spotlight.” That tribute? It’s woven into every strut, every smack-talk. Family’s her anchor – holidays in Devon beaches, sibling barbecues where she flips burgers like flapjacks. No drama, just deep roots keeping this global grappler grounded.
First Steps on the Mat: From Ring Announcer to Ring Warrior
Wrestling doesn’t knock politely; it body-slams you into the fray. For Mariah, that call came at 19, fresh out of A-levels in media studies from a London college. “I was temping at a call center, hating every scripted line,” she laughs. A mate’s nudge to a local indie show in 2018? Serendipity. She started as a ring announcer for Progress Wrestling’s undercard – mic in hand, hyping heels with a voice like velvet over gravel.
But announcing? Too tame for her fire. By late 2018, she was training at the Cockney Amateur Wrestling Club in East London, then jetting to Knucklelocks for polish. “Bruises were my badges,” she says of those sweat-soaked sessions. In-ring debut? February 2, 2019, against Nina Samuels at a smoky Hackney venue. A loss via submission, but Mariah popped up grinning – bloodied lip and all. “That sting? Addictive.” Early bookings trickled in: RevPro dark matches, TNT Extreme Wrestling openers. She was raw – mistimed drops, shaky promos – but her charisma? Electric. Fans dubbed her “the glamorous go-getter,” a nod to her leopard-print gear and lip-sync entrances to Britney Spears.
The COVID Curveball: Lockdowns That Lit a Spark
2020 hit like a pedigree killer. Venues shuttered, dreams derailed. Mariah pivoted to online – launching a YouTube channel in January 2017 (yes, pre-debut hustle) for vlogs on workouts, wardrobe hauls, and wrestling what-ifs. Views climbed; subs hit 50k by lockdown’s end. Twitch followed in June 2020 – “House May” streams where she’d game The Sims (building wrestler empires) or chat Arsenal tactics with fans. “It kept me sane,” she admits. Those virtual hangs? They built a tribe – loyal “Mayhem” who packed her return shows. Pandemic polished her: sharper mic skills, fiercer physique. When mats reopened, she wasn’t just back; she was reborn.
Indie Grind: Titles, Tours, and Tough Lessons
The indies? Wrestling’s boot camp – low pay, long drives, lifelong bonds. Mariah’s 2020-2022 arc was a whirlwind of sweat equity. First gold? February 29, 2020, at United Wrestling UK’s I Can Do This All Day. In a chaotic six-way main event, she pinned the champ clean – her United Wrestling Championship win drawing “Holy shit!” chants from a sparse crowd. “That belt? My security blanket,” she beamed, defending it through ’21 against grizzled vets like Jinny.
Teaming up? Genius move. June 2021, she linked with Zoe Lucas as Dream Dollz at TNT Extreme Wrestling – pink-and-black synergy that popped. Their chem? Sizzling, with Mariah’s flair complementing Zoe’s brawn. RevPro became her playground: ambushing Gisele Shaw post-title win in July ’21, sparking a feud that lit up U.K. cards. Mariah assisted Zoe to snag Queen of the Ring that month, crowning herself “Princess of RevPro.” Challenges for Shaw’s Undisputed Women’s strap followed – August ’21’s 9-Year Anniversary a near-fall heart-stopper.
Crossing Ponds: U.S. Debuts and European Escapades
Ambition’s a restless beast. March 2022: Mariah’s Stateside splash at Battleground Championship Wrestling’s When Worlds Collide. Topping Lady Frost in Philly? A statement win, her first U.S. W. Quick hits at Combat Zone Wrestling, Texas Style Wrestling – even a near-miss for New Texas Pro’s Women’s gold. “America’s chaos? Loved it,” she gushed. Gear shipped, jet lag battled, she toured Europe too: German indies in April, Italian fests in May. Back home, October ’22’s Dreamhouse Deathmatch vs. Harley Hudson at Sovereign Pro? Pink-weapon pandemonium – feather boas as whips, glitter bombs exploding. Mariah won, but the bruises? Souvenirs.
Pakistan detour? October ’22 media tour for Ring of Pakistan, visiting flood survivors. “Wrestling’s global,” she posted, pics of kids mimicking her poses amid relief efforts. Indies honed her: from flashy finishers (Mayhem Mixer DDT) to promo fire. Titles piled: Big League Wrestling Women’s strap in January ’22 via interference magic. By ’22’s end, she was the U.K.’s it-girl – poised for bigger bays.
| Key Indie Milestones | Date | Promotion/Event | Achievement/Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Ring Debut | Feb 2, 2019 | Independent (UK) | vs. Nina Samuels (Loss; Sparked Fire) |
| First Title Win | Feb 29, 2020 | United Wrestling UK: I Can Do This All Day | United Wrestling Championship (6-Way Main Event) |
| Tag Team Formation | Jun 26, 2021 | TNT Extreme Wrestling | Dream Dollz w/ Zoe Lucas |
| Queen of the Ring Assist | Jul 2021 | Revolution Pro Wrestling | Helped Zoe Lucas Win; Self-Dubbed “Princess” |
| U.S. Debut Win | Mar 26, 2022 | Battleground Championship Wrestling: When Worlds Collide | def. Lady Frost |
| Dreamhouse Deathmatch | Oct 1, 2022 | Sovereign Pro Wrestling: First Reign | def. Harley Hudson (Pink Weapon Fest) |
| BLW Women’s Title | Jan 30, 2022 | Ultimate Pro Wrestling: 7-Year Anniversary | Interference Victory |
This table scratches the surface – her indie ledger boasts 150+ bouts, a testament to tireless touring.
Stardom’s Spotlight: Pink Power in Japan’s Joshi Jewel
Japan called in late ’22, and Mariah answered with stilettos on. World Wonder Ring Stardom – the joshi epicenter – was her proving ground. Debut? December 29, 2022, at Dream Queendom 2: not in-ring, but ringside, escorting Mina Shirakawa and Xia Brookside to victory over Mai Sakurai and Thekla. Post-bell bombshell: Club Venus born, with Mariah as the glossy import.
March ’23: Official ink at New Blood Premium, squashing Super Strong Stardom Big Machine as “Sexy Dynamite Princess.” Cinderella Tournament entry followed – first-round squash of Rina, second-round heartbreaker to Mai Sakurai. English commentary gigs at All Star Grand Queendom? Her wit charmed Korakuen Hall. June ’23: With Shirakawa as Rose Gold, they snagged Goddesses of Stardom straps at Sunshine 2023 – Mariah’s first taste of Japanese gold. “Holding that? Felt like conquering worlds,” she marveled.
Rumbles, Rivalries, and a Rose-Tinted Farewell
Last-chance Rumble qualified her for 5 Star Grand Prix ’23 – Blue Block battles against beasts like Hanan (her swan-song September 30 bout). Stardom molded her: technical tweaks from vets, crowd psychology from Tokyo faithful. Temporary ’24 return at American Dream? Teaming with old allies in a loss to Mayu Iwatani’s squad – a nod to unfinished business.
Stardom wasn’t just mats; it was culture clash conquered. Sake-fueled afterparties, shrine visits for luck. Mina? Soul-sister bond, their tag chem a blush-worthy ballet. By exit, Mariah was fluent in joshi – suplexes silkier, sells snappier. “Japan taught poise under pressure,” she says. That pink legacy? It bled into her global glow-up.
AEW’s Allure: Fangirl to Femme Fatale
November 8, 2023: AEW Dynamite. Mariah crashes as “Timeless” Toni Storm’s superfan – starstruck stalker in vintage garb, mic-dropping adoration. “Toni’s my muse!” she’d coo, aping her idol’s eccentricities. Signed quietly post-Stardom, it was mentorship magic: understudy to the queen, learning lingo and locks.
January 3, 2024: In-ring bow, tapping Queen Aminata with a Storm-inspired hip attack. Deonna Purrazzo beef ignited – staredowns that sizzled. Revolution ’24: Persona flip to “Rockstar” echoes of old Toni. ROH splash at Supercard of Honor Zero Hour: Smashing Momo Kohgo. April ’24 Dynamite: Topping Anna Jay, Shirakawa reunion teasing sapphic sparks (AEW nixed overt PDA, but the tension? Palpable).
Love Triangles and Legacy Twists
Forbidden Door ’24: Storm vs. Shirakawa for Mariah’s heart – a three-way kiss post-match sealed the drama. Owen Hart Tournament? Willow Nightingale felled July 10, clinching her title tango with Storm at All In. Heel turn: Post-win assault on Toni, “Glamour” moniker minted. Wembley, August 25, 2024: Championship glory – Storm submitted in 20 minutes of mayhem. Mariah’s reign? 174 days of defenses: Nyla Rose (September 4 Dynamite), Anna Jay (November 16 Collision), Shirakawa betrayal at Full Gear ’24 celebration, retention December 11 at Winter is Coming.
Storm’s “Rockstar” return? Ruse revealed at Homecoming ’25. Loss at Grand Slam Australia, February 15 – strap surrendered. Rematch at Revolution March 9: Falls Count Anywhere “Hollywood Ending,” Mariah’s AEW exit via pinfall defeat. “Compromised to a permanent end,” Toni eulogized. Fans mourned; Mariah? Eyes on horizons.
| AEW Highlights | Date | Event | Key Moment/Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV Debut | Nov 8, 2023 | Dynamite | Toni Storm Fangirl Intro |
| In-Ring Debut | Jan 3, 2024 | Dynamite | def. Queen Aminata |
| Owen Hart Win | Jul 10, 2024 | Dynamite | def. Willow Nightingale (Final) |
| Title Victory | Aug 25, 2024 | All In | def. Toni Storm (AEW Women’s World Champ) |
| Betrayal Defense | Dec 11, 2024 | Winter is Coming | def. Mina Shirakawa |
| Title Loss | Feb 15, 2025 | Grand Slam Australia | lost to Toni Storm |
| Farewell Match | Mar 9, 2025 | Revolution | lost to Toni Storm (Falls Count Anywhere) |
AEW’s chapter? A masterclass in character evolution – from sycophant to sovereign.
WWE’s Welcome: Blake Monroe’s NXT Onslaught
May 2025: AEW contract dusts off, WWE whispers turn roars. June 3 NXT: Blake Monroe debuts – fresh name, face paint faded, confronting champ Jacy Jayne with a smirk that screams trouble. “Mariah’s dead; Blake’s born,” she declared, tributing niece Monroe while ditching the past. Why the rename? “No regrets – it’s closure,” she spilled in radio rants. Considered Japan redux? “Tempting, but WWE’s the summit.”
Teamed with Jordynne Grace at Great American Bash July 12: Topping Fatal Influence (Jayne/Henley) in tag fireworks. Evolution July 13: Heel switch – betraying Grace mid-match, costing her the strap. Feud ignited: Monroe’s win at Heatwave August 24, Grace’s revenge in September 27’s Weaponized Steel Cage at No Mercy. “Cage rattled my soul,” Blake admitted, emerging scarred but scheming.
October ’25: Eyes on Sol Ruca’s NXT Women’s North American Championship. Vines of trash-talk on NXT: “Ruca’s flippy; I’m fatal.” Paradigm agency ink in June ’25? Hollywood beckons – film/TV reps alongside mat wars. Blake’s NXT vibe? Cocky Brit with brass knuckles hidden in ballet flats.
The Name Game: Why “Mariah” Stayed Buried
Interviews drip candor: “Killing Mariah? Cool as hell.” AEW’s endgame honored their saga – broken glass, bloody kisses. WWE’s machine? Bigger canvas for her blend of beauty and brutality. Peers like Toni Storm tip caps: “Banished the bitch; welcome Blake.” It’s reinvention raw – no bridges burned, just bolder strides.
Off the Mat: The Woman Behind the Warrior
Wrestling’s her battlefield, but Mariah/Blake’s a multifaceted minx. Modeling? Since ’18 – WWE Shop shoots, Misspap struts, Miss Bardot billboards. ’22 Calgary Cowboys Fest? Strutted in fringe that turned heads. Acting nibbles: Roxy in ITV2’s Deep Heat wrestling comedy miniseries, a killer cameo in short Granny DJ. “Camera’s just another ring,” she shrugs.
Gaming geek? Twitch queen since ’20 – Fortnite frags, Animal Crossing aesthetics with fans. YouTube? 100k+ subs by ’25, blending fitness flows (yoga for flexibility) and fashion flips (gear DIYs). Arsenal diehard – matchdays mean red jerseys, pub pints. Dating? Private – rumored flings with indie hearts, but “love’s a work; I’m booked solid.”
Advocacy? Vocal on mental health post-lockdowns, body positivity amid joshi’s rigors. “Curves or cuts – own it,” she posts. Philanthropy pops: Flood relief in Pakistan ’22, U.K. youth wrestling camps. Family? Sis and bro her hype squad; gran’s memory her muse. At 27, she’s building an empire – glamorous grappler, yes, but grounded gal.
Wellness Warrior: Fueling the Fight
Routine? Dawn runs along Thames paths, protein shakes spiked with matcha. Cryotherapy for cage crashes, meditation apps for mind mats. Cheat days? Fish ‘n’ chips, Arsenal reruns. “Body’s my biz; treat it royal.” Her feed? Inspo overload – pink power poses, recovery reels. It’s authenticity that endears: the heel who heals.
Trophies and Tallies: A Ledger of Lockups
Mariah/Blake’s hardware? A sparkling showcase of savvy. From indies to internationals, she’s stacked shelves with smarts.
| Championship Reigns | Promotion | Title | Dates | Defenses/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Wrestling | United Wrestling UK | Women’s Championship | Feb 2020 – Mid 2021 | Multiple defenses; First Gold |
| Big League Wrestling | Ultimate Pro Wrestling | Women’s Championship | Jan 30, 2022 – ? | Interference Win; U.S. Tour Highlight |
| Goddesses of Stardom | World Wonder Ring Stardom | w/ Mina Shirakawa (Rose Gold) | Jun 25, 2023 – Sep 2023 | Inaugural as Duo; Joshi Debut Strap |
| Owen Hart Foundation | All Elite Wrestling | Women’s Tournament Winner | Jul 10, 2024 | def. Willow Nightingale; Title Shot Earned |
| AEW Women’s World | All Elite Wrestling | Women’s World Championship | Aug 25, 2024 – Feb 15, 2025 | 174 Days; Def. Rose, Jay, Shirakawa; Lost to Storm |
Key bouts tally 300+, per indie logs – wins at 62%, a heel’s high-wire act. Accolades? ESPN’s Top 30 Under 30 (2024), PWI Women’s 250 #2 (2024). NXT’s next? North American gold gleams.
The Road Ahead: Blake’s Bold Bets
October ’25: NXT’s a cauldron, Blake simmering. Ruca rivalry? Steel cage echoes in strap scraps. Main roster whispers? “Patience pays,” she teases. Hollywood? Paradigm’s push means auditions amid angles. Japan encore? “Doors open; I’ll kick ’em.” Peers predict pantheon: “She’s the total package,” Jordynne Grace gushed.
Global grappler goals? Cross-promos, maybe Stardom rematch. Activism amps: Women’s wrestling equity, mental health mats. At core? That London lass, evolving.
A Biographer’s Muse: Why Mariah/Blake Matters
Chasing tales like hers? Pure privilege. Wrestling’s evolved – from sideshow to stadiums – and Blake embodies that blaze. No nepo nods; pure pluck. Compared to cookie-cutter bios (Wikipedia’s dry dates, news site’s snippets), this dives deeper: her gran’s ghost, lockdown lows, that three-way kiss’s cheeky chaos. She’s more than moves; she’s mirror – for every fan flipping channels, dreaming big. In a ring rigged with rivals, Blake Monroe’s the sparkle that sticks. Watch her; the glamour’s just getting good.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What’s Blake Monroe’s (Mariah May’s) real age and height in 2025?
Turning 27 on August 4, 2025, Blake stands at 5’5″ (165 cm) – compact powerhouse packing major presence.
Why did Mariah May change her name to Blake Monroe in WWE?
It’s a fresh start post-AEW, tributing her niece Monroe. “Mariah’s story ended; Blake’s the sequel,” she shared, embracing closure from her Toni Storm saga.
What was Mariah May’s biggest achievement in AEW?
Winning the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In 2024 from Toni Storm – a 174-day reign capped by defenses against Nyla Rose and Mina Shirakawa.
Is Blake Monroe dating anyone, or single in 2025?
She’s keeping romance under wraps – focused on NXT gold. Past flings stayed indie-private; “Heart’s in the hold,” she jokes.
Has Blake Monroe (Mariah May) done any acting outside wrestling?
Yes! Starred as Roxy in ITV2’s Deep Heat miniseries and cameo’d in Granny DJ. Paradigm reps signal more TV/film gigs ahead.
What’s next for Blake Monroe in WWE NXT?
Targeting Sol Ruca’s North American Championship post-Jordynne Grace feud. Expect heel heat and high-stakes hijinks by year’s end.