Mia Yim

Mia Yim

Yim in November 2014
Birth name Stephanie Bell[1]
Born April 16, 1989[2]
Fontana, California, United States[2]
Resides Orlando, Florida, United States[3]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Mia Yim
Jade[4]
Billed height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Billed weight 132 lb (60 kg)[2]
Billed from San Diego, California[5]
Trained by John Kermon
Mark Bravura
Christian York
Combat Zone Wrestling
Ring of Honor
Daizee Haze
Debut August 22, 2009[2]

Stephanie Bell (born April 16, 1989) is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Mia Yim. She is working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Jade as part of The Dollhouse with Marti Belle. She is best known for her work on the independent circuit in the United States, for promotions including Ring of Honor, Combat Zone Wrestling, Shimmer Women Athletes, and Shine Wrestling. In Shine, she has previously held both the Shine Championship and the Shine Tag Team Championship with Leva Bates. In addition, she has wrestled abroad in Japan.

Early life

Bell played volleyball at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia.[1] She then attended Marymount University on a volleyball scholarship, studying for a degree in information technology.[1][6] At Marymount, she played volleyball until her senior year.[1]

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2009–2011)

A fan of professional wrestling since childhood, she began training at a wrestling school in Manassas, Virginia at the age of 18, while attending college.[1] She trained for eighteen months before making her debut on August 22, 2009,[1][2] and initially worked primarily for independent promotions in Virginia.[6] After taking bookings outside of Virginia, she wrestled for Jersey All Pro Wrestling (JAPW), facing wrestlers including Annie Social, Angeldust, and Brittany Force.[2] During this time, she met Daizee Haze, through whom she began training at the Ring of Honor (ROH) Wrestling Academy and working for ROH.[6] In ROH, she performed valet duties for The Embassy, beginning in 2011.[7] Yim also wrestled sproadically for ROH, taking on MsChif and Sara Del Rey.[8][9] In addition, she worked for the International Wrestling Cartel, Real Championship Wrestling, Northeast Wrestling, and Maryland Championship Wrestling during her early years in wrestling.[2]

After leaving college, Yim received an invitation to train and wrestle in Japan with Universal Woman's Pro Wrestling Reina in 2011.[2][6] Through Reina's relationship with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, Yim also learned Mexican lucha libre.[6]

Combat Zone Wrestling (2010–2012)

After training with DJ Hyde in the Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) school, Yim began working for CZW as a manager for Adam Cole.[6] Debuting at Cage of Death II in December 2010, the two were presented as a storyline couple, and Yim regularly interfered in Cole's matches to help him win.[6][10][11][12] After helping Cole gain a victory over Greg Excellent at Down With The Sickness 2011 in September, Excellent began feuding with the pair.[13] As part of the storyline, Yim faced Excellent in an intergender match at Night Of Infamy 10: Ultimatum in November.[14] After losing a rematch in January 2012, Yim challenged Excellent to a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at Aerial Assault 2012; Yim won the match to conclude the feud.[15][16][17] She made only two more appearances for CZW that year before leaving the promotion.[2]

Shine Wrestling (2012–present)

The Lucha Sisters (Yim, right, and Leva Bates) in November 2014

Yim debuted for Shine Wrestling at their second show in August 2012, defeating Sassy Stephie. Throughout 2012 and 2013 she faced wrestlers including Jessicka Havok and Tina San Antonio,[2] before entering the tournament to determine the inaugural Shine Champion. She defeated Mercedes Martinez at Shine 10 in May 2013, and at Shine 11, she defeated Leva Bates and Ivelisse Velez en route to the final, where she lost to Rain.[18][19] As part of Shine, she also appeared for Evolve, taking on Velez and Su Yung in showcase matches.[20][21]

On February 28, 2014, at Shine 17, Yim teamed with Leva Bates during the Shine Tag Team Championship tournament, forming the tag team The Lucha Sisters. The Lucha Sisters defeated Cherry Bomb and Kimber Lee and Sassy Stephie and Jessie Belle Smothers en route to the final, where they defeated Made In Sin (Allysin Kay and Taylor Made) to become the inaugural Shine Tag Team Champions.[22] They successfully defended the championship against Nevaeh and Sassy Stephie and against the team of Evie and Madison Eagles at Shine 18, but lost it to Legendary (Malia Hosaka and Brandi Wine) at Shine 20 on June 27.[2][23][24] The Lucha Sisters failed to regain the title in a rematch in August at Shine 21.[25]

On November 16, 2014, during the WWNLive tour in China, Yim defeated Ivelisse Vélez to win the Shine Championship, making her the first woman to have held both the Shine Championship and Shine Tag Team Championship.[26] At Shine 26 on April 3, 2015, Yim lost the championship to NWA World Women's Champion Santana Garrett in a title vs. title match.[27]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2010, 2013–present)

Bell wrestled a dark match for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in mid-2010, while on vacation in Florida with her family.[1] In March 2013, Yim competed at TNA's Knockouts Knockdown pay-per-view, where she was defeated by Tara. She returned to the promotion in May 2014 for Knockouts Knockdown 2, where she defeated Brittany to qualify for the gauntlet match later that night, in which she was eliminated by Taryn Terrell.[28] Yim made a third appearance in 2015 at Knockouts Knockdown 3, losing to Brooke.[29]

In April 2015, TNA began airing vignettes promoting The Dollhouse (Yim and Marti Belle)'s debut, in which Yim's ring name was changed to "Jade".[30] Jade and Belle debuted on the TKO: Night of Knockouts edition of Impact Wrestling on April 24, where Jade lost to Laura Dennis by disqualification after attacking referee Brian Stiffler and ring announcer Christy Hemme.[4] Later that night, Jade and Bell helped Taryn Terrell retain her TNA Knockouts Championship against Awesome Kong, forming an alliance with Terrell in the process.[31]

Other promotions (2013–present)

Yim in April 2013

Yim made her debut for Shimmer Women Athletes on April 6, 2013, at Volume 53 with a loss to Amazing Kong.[32] She earned her first victory at Volume 56 later that month against Evie, before a series of losses to Jessicka Havok, Hikaru Shida, and Madison Eagles.[33][34][35][36] After victories over Melanie Cruise, Angie Skye, and Hikaru Shida, Yim unsuccessfully challenged Cheerleader Melissa for the Shimmer Championship at Volume 65 in April 2014.[37][38][39][40] Yim finished out 2014 facing wrestlers including Ray, Akino, and Tsukasa Fujimoto.[41][42]

In April 2013, Yim debuted for Full Impact Pro, defeating Larry Dallas in an intergender match. In August, Yim and Dos Ben Dejos (Jay Rios and Eddie Cruz) defeated Dallas and The Now (Vik Dalishus and Hale Collins) in a TLC match when Yim pinned Dallas.[43] Yim spent the next several months managing Dos Ben Dejos, along with Leva Bates, while also wrestling in Shine showcase matches against Jessicka Havok and Ivelisse Velez.[44][45][46][47] In June 2014, The Lucha Sisters successfully defended the Shine Tag Team Championship against Velez and Candice LeRae at an FIP event.[48] In January 2015, Yim lost to Santana in a Shine Wrestling showcase match.[49]

In July 2014, she made her debut for Women Superstars Uncensored, losing an Uncensored Rules match to Jessicka Havok.[50] That October, she appeared at an NCW Femmes Fatales event, unsuccessfully challenging LuFisto for the WSU Championship.[51]

Yim worked as enhancement talent for WWE's developmental territory WWE NXT at the October 2014 television tapings, losing to Charlotte.[52][53]

Personal life

Bell is half-Korean through her mother, and speaks Korean fluently.[6]

In wrestling

Yim performing a package piledriver on Candice LeRae

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Eck, Kevin (December 31, 2010). "Former volleyball player goes to the mat for pro wrestling". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 2.11 2.12 "Mia Yim". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Meet Scarlett and Mia Yim!". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Retrieved September 18, 2015. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Namako, Jason (March 16, 2015). "Spoilers: 3/15 TNA Impact Wrestling tapings in Orlando". WrestleView. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Mia Yim". Shine Wrestling. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Radican, Sean (January 6, 2014). "Radican's DVD review series: "Diva Diaries with Mia Yim" – Training in CZW and ROH, wrestling in Japan, feud with Excellent". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Prince Nana believes in Future of Honor". Ring of Honor. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ Namako, Jason (March 13, 2013). "ROH on Sinclair Results – 3/9/13 (4 Corner Survival)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  9. ↑ Namako, Jason (August 20, 2012). "ROH on Sinclair Results – 8/18/12". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  10. ↑ "'Cage Of Death XII', December 11th 2010, Philadelphia, PA". Combat Zone Wrestling. December 11, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  11. ↑ "'Twelve: Anniversary'; February 12th 2011; Philadelphia, PA". Combat Zone Wrestling. February 12, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  12. ↑ "'Best of the Best X', April 9th 2011, Philadelphia, PA". Combat Zone Wrestling. April 9, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  13. ↑ "'Down With The Sickness 2011 – Chri$ Ca$h Memorial Show', September 10th 2011, Philadelphia, PA". Combat Zone Wrestling. September 10, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  14. ↑ "'Night Of Infamy 10: Ultimatum', November 12th 2011, Philadelphia, PA". Combat Zone Wrestling. November 12, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  15. ↑ "'An Excellent Adventure', January 14th 2012, Philadelphia, PA". Combat Zone Wrestling. January 14, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  16. ↑ "'13th Anniversary', February 11th 2012, Voorhees, NJ". Combat Zone Wrestling. February 11, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  17. ↑ "'Aerial Assault', March 10th 2012, Philadelphia, PA". Combat Zone Wrestling. March 10, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  18. ↑ Namako, Jason (May 24, 2013). "5/24 Shine #10 iPPV Results: (Angelina Love vs. Rain)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  19. ↑ Namako, Jason (July 13, 2013). "7/12 Shine #11 iPPV Results: Ybor City, FL (First Shine Champion crowned)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ Namako, Jason (June 3, 2013). "6/2 Evolve #22 iPPV Results: Ybor City, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  21. ↑ Namako, Jason (January 12, 2014). "1/11 Evolve 26 iPPV Results: Orlando, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  22. ↑ Namako, Jason (March 3, 2014). "2/28 Shine 17 iPPV Results: Ybor City, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  23. ↑ Namako, Jason (April 20, 2014). "4/18 Shine 18 iPPV Results: Ybor City, FL (Ivelisse vs. Knight)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  24. ↑ Namako, Jason (June 28, 2014). "6/27 Shine Results – (Ivelisse/Serena Deeb – 1 Hour Draw)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  25. ↑ Namako, Jason (August 23, 2014). "8/22 Shine #21 Results: Ybor City, FL (Havok vs. Kay)". WresteView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Trionfo, Richard (November 16, 2014). "Two title changes on final show of WWNLive.com tour of China". PWInsider. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  27. ↑ Caldwell, James (April 4, 2015). "Shine news: NWA Women's champion captures Shine Title Friday night". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  28. ↑ Krotchsen, Billy (May 10, 2014). "Complete TNA Knockouts Knockdown PPV spoilers". PWInsider. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  29. ↑ Martin, Adam (February 15, 2015). "Spoilers: TNA Knockouts 4 PPV taping in Orlando". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  30. ↑ Howell, Nolan (April 10, 2015). "Impact: Angle defies odds against Young, Lashley". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  31. ↑ Carapola, Stuart (April 24, 2015). "COMPLETE IMPACT WRESTLING TKO NIGHT REPORT: ANGLE DEFENDS THE TNA WORLD TITLE, KONG GETS ANOTHER SHOT AT TARYN TERRELL, AND MORE KNOCKOUTS THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT". PWInsider. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  32. ↑ Namako, Jason (April 7, 2013). "Results from shows during WrestleMania 29 weekend". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  33. ↑ Namako, Jason (April 14, 2013). "4/14 Shimmer #56 Results: Berwyn, Illinois". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  34. ↑ Namako, Jason (April 14, 2013). "4/14 Shimmer #57 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (Allison Danger's retirement match)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  35. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 19, 2013). "10/19 Shimmer #58 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (3G/LuKana)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  36. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 20, 2013). "Shimmer 59 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (Melissa/Matsumoto)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  37. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 30, 2013). "Shimmer 60 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (Melissa/LuFisto)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  38. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 21, 2013). "Shimmer 61 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (Mercedes/LuFisto)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 Namako, Jason (April 13, 2014). "4/12 Shimmer 63 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (Tag match)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  40. ↑ Namako, Jason (April 14, 2014). "4/13 Shimmer 65 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (Melissa/Yim)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  41. ↑ Namako, Jason (April 14, 2014). "4/13 Shimmer 66 Results: Berwyn, Illinois (Tag Title match)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  42. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 20, 2014). "10/19 Shimmer Results: Berwyn, Illinois (8-Woman Tag)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Results". Full Impact Pro. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  44. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 12, 2013). "10/11 FIP Results: Ybor City, Florida (Barreta/Swann)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  45. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 14, 2013). "10/12 FIP Results: Orlando, Florida (Akuma/Swann)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  46. ↑ Namako, Jason (December 9, 2013). "12/6, 12/7 FIP iPPV Results from Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  47. ↑ Namako, Jason (May 5, 2014). "5/3 FIP Results: Orlando, Florida (Baretta vs. Strong)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  48. ↑ Namako, Jason (June 23, 2014). "6/22 FIP iPPV Results: Orlando, Florida (Tag Title Match)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  49. ↑ Namako, Jason (January 12, 2015). "1/10 EVOLVE/FIP Results: Winter Park, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  50. ↑ Namako, Jason (July 13, 2014). "7/12 WSU Results: Voorhees, NJ (LuFisto vs, Knuckles)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  51. ↑ Namako, Jason (October 27, 2014). "10/25 NCW: FF Results: Montreal, Quebec (Rush/Melissa)". WrestleView. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  52. ↑ Parry, Josh (October 23, 2014). "WWE News: NXT Spoilers – full results from Thursday's TV taping, including line-up for the next NXT special, plus Seth Rollins makes post-taping appearance, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved February 24, 2014.
  53. ↑ Howell, Nolan (December 4, 2014). "NXT: Zayn and Neville face-to-face". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  54. ↑ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2014". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved February 24, 2015.

External links

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