{"id":125600,"date":"2024-07-08T09:00:54","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T13:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=125600"},"modified":"2024-07-08T07:39:11","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T11:39:11","slug":"the-unlikely-rise-of-chelsea-green-in-wwe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/07\/08\/the-unlikely-rise-of-chelsea-green-in-wwe\/","title":{"rendered":"The Unlikely Rise of Chelsea Green in WWE"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Chelsea Green&#8217;s<\/strong> career in <strong>WWE<\/strong> has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with her huge success in the last month allowing her to finally show her true value to the company. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2023, she enjoyed a successful 154-day reign as WWE Women\u2019s Tag Team Champion, concluding in early January 2024. The momentum continued as she shocked fans last month by defeating <strong>Bianca Belair<\/strong> and <strong>Michin<\/strong> in a triple threat match, earning a coveted spot in the Women\u2019s Money in the Bank ladder match.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On July 6, Green came agonizingly close to actually winning the Money in the Bank briefcase, only to be pushed off the ladder by <strong>Tiffany Stratton<\/strong>, crashing into tables outside the ring. Despite not winning, Green&#8217;s performance in the match solidified her status as a serious contender within WWE.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While Green is now enjoying success, her journey hasn\u2019t always been smooth. From competing on \u2018<em><strong>Tough Enough<\/strong><\/em>\u2019 to being signed and released again by 2021, the path hasn&#8217;t always been straightforward but it seems Green has finally found her way and looks set for a huge back half of 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Her Rise Pre-WWE<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2G5l7SGEJfE?si=-4jyQ8YRvvW3X-MZ\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before her original signing to WWE in 2018, Green had been hard at work making a name for herself on the indies and across various promotions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chelsea Green&#8217;s wrestling career began in 2014 with <strong>Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling (ECCW)<\/strong> under the ring name <strong>Jaida<\/strong>. She quickly gained a strong reputation on the independent circuit with her hard work and unique character work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4_3qh_b-xV0?si=e6kQm8hwZxFTQ_v5\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 2015, Green participated in WWE&#8217;s reality show, <em>Tough Enough<\/em>, where she finished fourth among the female contestants. Although she didn&#8217;t win, this exposure paved the way for future opportunities and soon she was being offered opportunities from both American and Japanese promotions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, Green&#8217;s proper breakthrough came in 2016 when she signed with the then\u00a0<strong>IMPACT!\u00a0Wrestling<\/strong>. Initially wrestling under her real name, she soon adopted the ring persona <strong>Laurel Van Ness<\/strong>, a character that would become infamous for her &#8220;Hot Mess&#8221; gimmick. This involved a disheveled appearance and chaotic antics, which quickly garnered attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FNzNfmF-8DY?si=POZhza4MpNQ37ASU\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Her storyline with <strong>Braxton Sutter<\/strong>, where she was jilted at the altar and subsequently spiraled into madness, became a highlight wrestling moment of the year and her work was praised heavily by fans. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This character evolution allowed Green to display her range as a performer, balancing comedy and drama. In 2017, her efforts culminated in winning the Impact Knockouts Championship, solidifying her status as a top female wrestler in the promotion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Green\u2019s journey from 2014 to 2018 laid the foundation for her eventual rise in WWE. Her ability to reinvent herself and engage audiences with her diverse personas has been key to her growing popularity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Stunted Growth in WWE<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yVB310ictDw?si=HyDoO3TCUkClgwxs\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chelsea Green&#8217;s WWE journey began in 2018 with high hopes but faced several setbacks. After a successful tryout, she was signed to <em><strong>NXT<\/strong><\/em> and made her in-ring debut in October 2018. Unfortunately, a broken wrist during her first televised match in March 2019 required surgery and sidelined her for months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Returning in June 2019, Green appeared on both <em>NXT<\/em> and<em><strong> Raw<\/strong><\/em>, including a notable match against <strong>Charlotte Flair<\/strong> in December 2019. Green even participated in the 2020 Women&#8217;s Royal Rumble and appeared regularly on<em> NXT<\/em>. But her November 2020 <em><strong>SmackDown<\/strong><\/em> debut ended with another wrist injury, further stalling her momentum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The COVID-19 pandemic compounded these challenges and amidst budget cuts, WWE released Green in April 2021. This marked a significant setback, as she had been unable to fully showcase her abilities on the main roster and show the full extent of her captivating character work that had made her so special on the indies and in Impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But even after her release from WWE in April 2021, Chelsea Green didn\u2019t slow down. She made a surprise debut at <strong>Ring of Honor&#8217;s<\/strong> &#8220;<em><strong>Best in the World<\/strong><\/em>&#8221; pay-per-view event in July 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wXspWEXfaMg?si=BtGRUMppB7tRJS6M\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Green also returned to IMPACT! Wrestling, wrestling alongside her real-life partner <strong>Matt Cardona<\/strong> in several intergender tag team matches. Her time with IMPACT saw her once again embracing her chaotic &#8220;Hot Mess&#8221; persona, engaging fans with her unique character work. Her relentless drive and adaptability during this period set the stage for her eventual return to WWE in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Green\u2019s Return to WWE<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KvzfiHAVdnc?si=rFE7HfktO6ZjwZZu\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since her return to WWE in 2023, Green&#8217;s career has been on a major upward trajectory. What sets her apart now is her ability to connect with the audience through an initially absurd yet compelling gimmick. Originally intended as a comedic heel, Green&#8217;s \u2018Karen\u2019 character has resonated with fans, turning her into an unexpected fan favourite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The success of this character can be attributed to several factors. First, Green&#8217;s commitment to her role is evident in her performances. Her willingness to embrace the chaos and fully inhabit her character&#8217;s eccentricities has endeared her to the audience. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From social media clips to making endless complaints to <strong>Adam Pearce<\/strong> on <strong>Twitter<\/strong>\/<strong>X<\/strong>, fans have only grown to appreciate her authenticity and dedication to the role in and out of the ring, which shines through in every appearance. She really elevates the scene everytime she steps on screen, even it&#8217;s for a mere 30-second appearance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Her ability to play as a comedic but loveable underdog has also began to really connect. From her fake-out elimination in the Battle Royal for the vacant WWE Women\u2019s World Championship in April or her stealing Belair\u2019s opportunity to pin Michin after hitting the KOD in June, the entertainment she has brought to each show has transformed her from a comedic act into a now beloved star.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fusMaGPx9VA?si=Aj0IpMCCwPFy6M_x\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, Green&#8217;s in-ring abilities have significantly improved. Her matches are consistently entertaining, blending athleticism with her unique character work. This combination of skills and storytelling has made her a standout performer on the roster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The organic fan support for Chelsea Green underscores the importance of character development and audience engagement in professional wrestling. Her ability to turn a comedic heel gimmick into a fan-favorite act highlights her talent and the power of wrestling narratives to evolve and captivate audiences. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As she continues to rise, Green&#8217;s story will undoubtedly continue to inspire many in the wrestling community and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<h3>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Header photo \u2013 WWE \u2013 Stay tuned to the\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0for more on WWE NXT Heatwave and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/watch.wwe.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE Network<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/em><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.peacocktv.com\/watch\/home\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Peacock<\/span><\/em><\/a><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/em><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea Green&#8217;s career in WWE has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, with her huge success in the last month allowing her to finally show her true value to the company. In 2023, she enjoyed a successful 154-day reign as WWE Women\u2019s Tag Team Champion, concluding in early January 2024. The momentum continued as she [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5123,"featured_media":125603,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2192,4,3,320],"tags":[571],"class_list":["post-125600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrestling","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","category-wwe-women","tag-chelsea-green"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5123"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=125600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/125600\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/125603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=125600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=125600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=125600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}