Thea Hail Explained

Thea Hail
Birth Name:Madison Knisely[1]
Birth Date:9 September 2003
Birth Place:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Names:Thea Hail[2]
Nikita Knight[3]
Height:5ft 5in
Weight:125lb
Trainer:Brandon K[4]
WWE Performance Center
Debut:2021[5]

Madison Knisley (born September 9, 2003) is an American professional wrestler and gymnast. She is currently signed to WWE where she performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Thea Hail and is a member of Chase University.

Early life

Maddie Knisley was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She went to school at Pivik Elementary School, in Plum Borough, Pennsylvania and studied gymnastics at a gymkhana in Monroeville.[6]

Professional wrestling career

All Elite Wrestling (2021)

On September 28, 2021, Knisley made her All Elite Wrestling debut as enhancement talent on Dark under the ring name Nikita Knight against Thunder Rosa.[7] She wrestled in one other match with the promotion against Julia Hart, on the October 24, 2021 edition of Dark, which she lost.[8]

WWE (2022–present)

See main article: Chase University. On March 17, 2022, Knisley was announced as one of the 14 recruits who reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.[1] One month later, on the April 8 episode of NXT Level Up, she made her in-ring debut under the ring name Thea Hail against Ivy Nile, which she lost.[3] [9] During the May 31 episode of NXT 2.0, a vignette aired showing Hail graduating with a 4.0 GPA, and tossing away major university hats. She instead picked and donned a Chase University hat, officially aligning herself with the group for the first time.[10] On the June 17 episode of Level Up, Hail, with Duke Hudson and Bodhi Hayward accompanying her ringside, picked up her first victory, over Arianna Grace.[11] On the October 11 episode of NXT, Hail competed in her first match on the NXT brand against Kiana James. During the match, James' manager Mr. Stone interfered and cut a promo, which seen Hail hit him with a back body drop and stomp him out of the ring. James used Stone's distraction to her advantage, picking up the victory with a flatliner.[12]

On the February 7, 2023, episode of NXT, Hail confronted Tiffany Stratton over a TikTok video which Stratton uploaded and she took issue with. After the incident, Ava appeared behind Hail, cupped her hand over mouth, then dragged her away.[13] Two weeks later, on February 21, Chase and Hudson defended Hail's honor, by facing The Dyad, who had Ava by their side. Hail was chased around the ring by Ava, which led to Chase arguing with her, while Fowler and Reid hit Hudson with the double codebreaker, ultimately costing Chase University the match.[14] On April 1, on the Stand and Deliver Kickoff pre-show, Hail, Duke Hudson, Andre Chase, and Tyler Bate defeated Schism in an eight-person mixed tag team match to successfully retain control of Chase University.[15] On the June 6 episode of NXT, Hail won a battle royal to become the number one contender for Stratton's NXT Women's Championship.[16] The match took place at Week Two of Gold Rush on June 27. Hail was unsuccessful in winning.[17] She challenged Stratton once again on July 30 at The Great American Bash in a submission match, but lost while being held in a boston crab, as Chase threw in the towel on her behalf.[18] In response, on the following week's episode of NXT on August 2, Hail threw in the towel during Chase's match against Baron Corbin while he was being held in a single-leg crab, though Corbin thrown it back out and won by pinfall.[19]

On the August 15 episode of NXT, Hail lost to Jacy Jayne due to distraction from her stablemates.[20] The following week at Heatwave, Jayne approached Hail backstage, empathising with her over Chase costing her the championship, turning face in the process.[21] On August 29, Hail ditched class at Chase University in order to spend time with Jayne instead.[22] On the following week, Jayne represented Chase University with Hail for the first time, defeating Lola Vice and Elektra Lopez in a tag team match.[23] At Week 2 of Halloween Havoc on October 31, Hail and Jayne challenged WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green and Piper Niven for the titles though they were unsuccessful as Chase refused to help Jayne cheat to win.[24] On the January 30 episode of NXT, as Chase, Hudson and Riley Osborne were about to bid farewell to Chase U due to financial troubles, Hail and Jayne announced they would be releasing a calendar to help save it.[25] Following Chase and Hudson's defeat to Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin in the NXT Tag Team Championship match at Roadblock on March 5, Jacy Jayne and new Chase U student Jazmyn Nyx mocked Hail, resulting in her storming off.[26] On the March 12 episode of NXT, Hail and Fallon Henley lost a tag team match after Jayne refused to be her partner the previous week. An emotional Hail disavowed her friendship with Jayne and declared she was returning to the "old Thea Hail". On the following week of NXT, Jayne (with Nyx) turned on Chase U.[27] At Stand & Deliver on April 6, Hail teamed up with Henley and Kelani Jordan to defeat Jayne, Kiana James and Izzi Dame in a six-woman tag team match.[28] On the following episode of NXT, Jayne revealed the truth of Chase U's gambling debt. In Hail's NXT Women's Championship match at The Great American Bash, Chase placed an illegal bet that Hail would win the title. However, he chose Hail's safety and threw in the towel, resulting in him losing the bet.[29] On the April 16 episode of NXT, Hail lost to Tatum Paxley after interference from Jayne and Nyx. Following this, a match was scheduled between Hail and Jayne for Week 2 of Spring Breakin', which Hail won. However, a dissatisfied Henley turned heel and attacked Hail as she was celebrating.[30] [31] [32] On the May 21 episode of NXT, Henley defeated Hail to qualify for a spot for the six-woman ladder match to crown the inaugural NXT Women's North American Champion at Battleground.[33]

Other media

Video games

Year! scope="col"
TitleNotes
2024WWE 2K24Video game debut[34]

Championships and accomplishments

Notes and References

  1. News: WWE Staff . WWE welcomes newest class of recruits to the WWE Performance Center . March 7, 2024 . . March 17, 2022 . https://archive.today/20230731014212/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/wwe-welcomes-newest-class-of-recruits-to-the-wwe-performance-center . July 31, 2023.
  2. Web site: Thea Hail . WWE . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220621020117/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/thea-hail . June 21, 2022.
  3. News: Currier . Joseph . Three debuts set for WWE NXT Level Up . March 7, 2024 . . April 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220407190931/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/three-debuts-set-for-wwe-nxt-level-up . April 7, 2022.
  4. Web site: Thea Hail: Profile. March 28, 2024.
  5. Web site: Thea Hail: Profile. March 28, 2024.
  6. News: Zapf . Karen . Plum student inspired by meeting with Olympic gymnasts . March 7, 2024 . limited . . November 28, 2012 . https://archive.today/20240307012344/https://archive.triblive.com/news/plum-student-inspired-by-meeting-with-olympic-gymnasts/ . March 7, 2024.
  7. News: Howard . Ryan . 9/28 AEW DARK TV REPORT: Ricky Starks vs. Darius Lockhart, Thunder Rosa vs. Nikita Knight, Hogan vs. Grey, more . March 7, 2024 . . September 28, 2021 . https://archive.today/20230731020600/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/09/28/9-28-aew-dark-tv-report-ricky-starks-vs-darius-lockhart-thunder-rosa-vs-nikita-knight-hogan-vs-grey-more/ . July 31, 2023.
  8. News: Guzzo . Gisberto . AEW Dark Live Stream And Results (11/30): Adam Cole, Anthony Greene, Tony Nese, And More In Action . March 7, 2024 . Fightful . November 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211201155750/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/aew-dark-live-stream-and-results-1130-adam-cole-anthony-greene-tony-nese-and-more-action . December 1, 2021.
  9. News: Chik . John . NXT Level Up results: Chase and Hayward take down Donovan and Lauren . March 7, 2024 . WWE . April 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220409033454/https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxt-level-up/nxt-level-up-april-8-2022 . April 9, 2022.
  10. News: Hazelwood . Bruce Lee . 5/31 NXT 2.0 REPORT: Hazelwood's live report on PLE go-home with women's championship summit, Grimes vs. Frazer, Jade vs. Lopez, more . March 7, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Torch . May 31, 2022 . http://web.archive.org/web/20220602124102/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2022/05/31/5-31-nxt-2-0-report-hazelwoods-live-report-on-ple-go-home-with-womens-championship-summit-grimes-vs-frazer-jade-vs-lopez-more/ . June 2, 2022.
  11. News: Chik . John . NXT Level Up results: Nile takes down Lopez in heated slugfest . March 7, 2024 . WWE . June 16, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220618201319/https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxt-level-up/nxt-level-up-june-17-2022 . June 18, 2022.
  12. News: Pulido . Luis . WWE NXT Results (10/11/2022): Bron Breakker Competes, Axiom vs Frazier 3, Alba Fyre In Action. . March 7, 2024 . Fightful . October 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221011230429/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-nxt-results-10112022-bron-breakker-competes-axiom-vs-frazier-3-alba-fyre-action . October 11, 2022.
  13. News: Wells . Kelly . 2/7 NXT REPORT: Wells's live report on Bayley hosting Toxic Attraction, Carmelo Hayes follows up on his big win, Sol Ruca vs. Zoey Stark, more . March 7, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Torch . February 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330113626/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/02/07/2-7-nxt-report-wellss-live-report-on-bayley-hosting-toxic-attraction-carmelo-hayes-follows-up-on-his-big-win-sol-ruca-vs-zoey-stark-more/ . March 30, 2023.
  14. News: Pulido . Luis . WWE NXT (2/21/2023) Results: Bron Breakker vs Jinder Mahal, Alba Fyre, Ilja Dragunov & More Compete. . March 7, 2024 . Fightful . February 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230222025055/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-nxt-2212023-results-bron-breakker-vs-jinder-mahal-alba-fyre-ilja-dragunov-more-compete . February 22, 2023.
  15. News: Pulido . Luis . NXT Stand & Deliver (4/1/2023) Results: Bron Breakker vs Carmelo Hayes, Dragon Lee & More Compete. . March 7, 2024 . Fightful . April 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401155447/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/nxt-stand-deliver-412023-results-bron-breakker-vs-carmelo-hayes-dragon-lee-more-compete . April 1, 2023.
  16. News: Thompson . Andrew . Thea Hail wins #1 contenders Battle Royal on WWE NXT, Cavinder Twins celebrate with her . March 7, 2024 . . June 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609021952/https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/06/06/thea-hail-wins-1-contenders-battle-royal-on-wwe-nxt-cavinder-twins-celebrate-with-her/ . June 9, 2023.
  17. News: WWE.com Staff . NXT Gold Rush Week Two results, June 27, 2023 . March 7, 2024 . WWE . June 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628054330/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/nxt-gold-rush-week-two-june-27-2023/article/results . June 28, 2023.
  18. News: Aiken . Chris . WWE NXT Great American Bash live results: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov title match . March 7, 2024 . Wrestling Observer Newsletter . July 30, 2023 . http://web.archive.org/web/20230731132519/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/results/wwe-nxt-great-american-bash-live-results-carmelo-hayes-vs-ilja-dragunov-title-match . July 31, 2023.
  19. News: Tessier . Colin . Ilja Dragunov Aims To Terminate Trick Williams, Vice and Lopez Beat Feroz And Leon . March 7, 2024 . Fightful . August 2, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230802174116/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ilja-dragunov-aims-terminate-trick-williams-vice-and-lopez-beat-feroz-and-leon-nxt-fight-size . August 2, 2023.
  20. News: Wells . Kelly . NXT TV RESULTS (8/15): Wells's live report on Wes Lee vs. Dijak #1 contender's match, Tony D'Angelo & Stacks vs. The Dyad, Trick Williams vs. Drew Gulak, more . March 7, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Torch . August 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230818075535/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/08/15/nxt-tv-results-8-15-wellss-live-report-on-wes-lee-vs-dijak-1-contenders-match-tony-dangelo-stacks-vs-the-dyad-trick-williams-vs-drew-gulak-more/ . August 18, 2023.
  21. News: Moore . John . NXT TV results (8/22): Moore's review of Heatwave with Carmelo Hayes vs. Wes Lee for the NXT Title, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee and Lyra Valkyria, Nathan Frazer vs. Noam Dar for the NXT Heritage Cup . March 7, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net . August 22, 2023 . http://web.archive.org/web/20240105060047/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/08/22/nxt-tv-results-8-22-moores-review-of-heatwave-with-carmelo-hayes-vs-wes-lee-for-the-nxt-title-rhea-ripley-and-dominik-mysterio-vs-dragon-lee-and-lyra-valkyria-nathan-frazer-vs-noam-dar/ . January 5, 2024.
  22. News: Tessier . Colin . Thea Hail Misses Class, Bron Breakker Confronts Baron Corbin, Dijak Beats Thorpe . March 7, 2024 . Fightful . August 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230906184539/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/thea-hail-misses-class-bron-breakker-confronts-baron-corbin-dijak-beats-thorpe-nxt-fight-size . September 6, 2023.
  23. Web site: WWE NXT results, Oct. 3, 2023: "Dirty" Dom recaptures the North American Title thanks to The Judgment Day . WWE . March 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204163150/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-10-03 . December 4, 2023.
  24. News: WWE.com Staff . Halloween Havoc Week Two results, October 31, 2023 . March 7, 2024 . WWE . October 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231224001221/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-10-31/article/results . December 24, 2023.
  25. News: Pulido . Luis . WWE NXT (1/30/2024) Results: Trick Melo Gang vs LWO, Chase U Says Goodbye, Roxanne Perez, More Set . March 7, 2024 . Fightful . January 30, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240131145949/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/wwe-nxt-1302024-results-trick-melo-gang-vs-lwo-chase-u-says-goodbye-roxanne-perez-more-set . January 31, 2024.
  26. News: WWE.com Staff . NXT Roadblock 2024 results . March 7, 2024 . WWE . March 5, 2024 . https://archive.today/20240307011056/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/nxt-roadblock-2024/article/results . March 7, 2024.
  27. Web site: Moore . John . March 19, 2024 . NXT TV results (3/19): Moore's review of Trick Williams vs. Noam Dar, Riley Osborne challenging for the NXT Heritage Cup, Roxanne Perez vs. Tatum Paxley, NXT Tag Team Title match qualifiers for Stand & Deliver . March 20, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  28. Web site: Powell . Jason . April 6, 2024 . NXT Stand & Deliver results: Moore's live review of Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov vs. Tony D'Angelo for the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Title . April 7, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  29. Web site: Moore . John . April 9, 2024 . NXT TV results (4/9): Moore's review of the Stand & Deliver fallout show, Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin vs. Axiom and Nathan Frazer for the NXT Tag Team Titles . April 10, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  30. Web site: Moore. John. NXT TV results (4/16): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams in a steel cage match, Ridge Holland vs. Joaquin Wilde, Sol Ruca vs. Lola Vice, Noam Dar vs. Dijak. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. April 16, 2024. April 16, 2024.
  31. News: Moore. John. NXT TV results (4/30): Moore's review of Spring Breakin' Night Two with Oba Femi vs. Ivar for the NXT North American Title, Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. AOP for the NXT Tag Team Titles. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. April 30, 2024. April 30, 2024.
  32. Web site: Tessier . Colin . May 1, 2024 . Fallon Henley Turns On Thea Hail On 4/30 WWE NXT . May 22, 2024 . .
  33. Web site: Moore . John . May 21, 2024 . NXT TV results (5/21): Moore's review of Joe Coffey vs. Wes Lee vs. Josh Briggs for a shot at the NXT NA Title, Thea Hail vs. Fallon Henley, and Brinley Reece vs. Jaida Parker in NXT Women's NA Title qualifiers . June 5, 2024 . Pro Wrestling Dot Net .
  34. Woodrow . Ryan . WWE 2K24 roster: every wrestler confirmed to be in the game . March 7, 2024 . Sports Illustrated . February 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229185400/https://videogames.si.com/guides/wwe-2k24-roster-reveal . February 29, 2024.
  35. News: Ross . Patrick . Full 2023 PWI Women's 250 list revealed . March 7, 2024 . Adventures In Poor Taste . October 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019230307/https://aiptcomics.com/2023/10/19/full-2023-pwi-womens-250-list-revealed/ . October 19, 2023.