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Kiana James

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American professional wrestler (born 1997)

Kiana James
James in September 2025
Personal information
BornKayla Inlay
(1997-05-23)May 23, 1997 (age 28)
Alma materMorningside University
Spouse
Zach Klingensmith
​
(m. 2022)​
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Kayla Inlay[1]
Kiana James[2]
Xtina Kay[1]
Billed fromSioux City, Iowa[2]
Trained by
DebutSeptember 11, 2021[1]

Kayla Klingensmith (néeInlay; born May 23, 1997) is an Americanprofessional wrestler. She is signed toWWE, where she performs on theSmackDownbrand under thering nameKiana James, managingGiulia. She is a former one-timeNXT Women's Tag Team Champion (withFallon Henley).

Early life

[edit]

Kayla Inlay was born on May 23, 1997 inSioux City, Iowa. She completed her secondary education atEast High School and later graduated fromMorningside University in 2019 with a degree in science.[3]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (2021–2022)

[edit]

Inlay trained to become aprofessional wrestler at the Flatbacks Wrestling School inApopka,Florida underShawn Spears andTyler Breeze. On the September 21, 2021 episode ofAEW Dark (taped on September 11), she made her in-ring debut under thering nameXtina Kay, losing toThe Bunny.[4]

WWE

[edit]

NXT (2022–2024)

[edit]

Inlay made herWWE debut under her real name on the February 1, 2022 episode ofNXT, losing toSarray.[5] Inlay was repackaged asKiana James and took on aheel businesswoman gimmick, debuting in the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament on May 17, losing toRoxanne Perez in the first round.[6] James would have her first televised win on the June 24 episode ofNXT Level Up by defeating Brooklyn Barlow.[7] On the July 19 episode ofNXT, James competed in a 20-woman battle royal to determine the number one contender for theNXT Women's Championship, eliminatingFallon Henley but was eliminated byNikkita Lyons.[8] James then feuded with Lyons after insulting her looks but lost to her on the August 9 episode ofNXT and in a tag match alongside Arianna Grace against Lyons andZoey Stark on the September 13 episode ofNXT.[9][10] James would have a short feud withDana Brooke onMain Event, defeating her on November 3.[11] James would start a feud against Henley with whom she would bet her parents' bar against the offer that James offered her.[12][13] On the November 29 episode ofNXT, James defeated Henley.[14] AtNXT Deadline, James competed in the Women'sIron Survivor Challenge to determine the number one contender toMandy Rose's NXT Women's Championship, which was won by Perez.[15] On the December 27 episode ofNXT, James ended her feud with Henley after losing to her in a Battle for the Bar.[16]

AtNXT: New Year's Evil on January 10, 2023, James competed in a 20-woman battle royal to determine the number one contender to Roxanne Perez's NXT Women's Championship, being eliminated byLyra Valkyria.[17] On February 5, atNXT Vengeance Day, James and Fallon Henley defeatedKatana Chance andKayden Carter to win theNXT Women's Tag Team Championship, making it the first title in James' career, and turningface in the process.[18][19] On April 1, atNXT Stand & Deliver, James and Henley lost the tag titles toAlba Fyre andIsla Dawn.[20] On the April 25 episode ofNXT, After James and Jensen were defeated by Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley, James walked out on Jensen causing Jensen to go back to Briggs and Henley, thus reverting James back to a heel.[21] On the May 9 episode ofNXT, in the first round of the tournament for the vacated NXT Women's Championship, James was eliminated byLyra Valkyria.[22] James would then succeed in winning a fatal four-way number one contender's match for the title on the August 29 episode ofNXT.[23] The following week, she would be defeated by championTiffany Stratton.[24]

Onward, she would begin a short rivalry with new NXT Women's ChampionBecky Lynch, even as so far as to aid Tiffany Stratton in their attacks. They eventually lost to Lynch and Lyra Valkyria in a tag team match on the September 19 episode ofNXT.[25] She then started a feud with Roxanne Perez, after attacking her when she lost toAsuka on the October 10 episode ofNXT, only forShotzi to emerge from commentary and fend off James.[26] The following week, James lost to Shotzi. That same night, Perez challenged James to aSpin the Wheel, Make the DealDevil's Playground match on Night 1 ofNXT: Halloween Havoc, in which Perez was victorious.[27][28] On the November 14 episode ofNXT, James interfered in Perez's qualifying match for the Women's Iron Survivor Challenge atNXT Deadline, helpingLash Legend gain the victory.[29] Two weeks later, James lost her qualifying match againstKelani Jordan, with Perez causing the distraction.[30] At NXT Deadline on December 9, James defeated Perez in aSteel Cage match, with assistance fromIzzi Dame.[31] AtNXT Stand & Deliver on April 6, 2024, James and Dame teamed up withJacy Jayne in her feud againstChase University'sThea Hail, who teamed up with Fallon Henley and Kelani Jordan, where the latter team won in asix-woman tag team match.[32] On the following episode ofNXT, James and Dame defeated Henley and Jordan in a tag team match in James' final match for NXT.[33]

Main roster (2024–present)

[edit]

At the Night 1 of theWWE Draft on the April 26, 2024 episode ofSmackDown, James was drafted to theRawbrand.[34] On the June 3 episode ofRaw, James defeatedNatalya in her main roster debut match.[35] On the June 17 episode ofRaw, James competed in a triple threat money in the bank qualifying match which was won byIyo Sky. It was later revealed that James had suffered a leg injury and would be out of action for over a year.

James returned from injury on the July 18, 2025 episode ofMain Event, where she lost toMichin.[36] She would make herSmackDown debut on the July 25 episode, revealing that she would be representingWomen's United States ChampionGiulia, thus moving over to theSmackDown brand.[37]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abc"Kiana James". Cagematch.Archived from the original on December 29, 2024. RetrievedSeptember 11, 2021.
  2. ^ab"Kiana James".WWE.Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. RetrievedSeptember 14, 2025.
  3. ^"Morningside College graduates receive diplomas at commencement ceremony".Morningside University. May 11, 2019.Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  4. ^Lambert, Jeremy (September 21, 2021)."AEW Dark Stream And Results (9/21): Eddie Kingston, Santana And Ortiz, FTR, More In Action".Fightful.Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  5. ^Moore, John (February 1, 2022)."2/1 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Bron Breakker and Tommaso Ciampa vs. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza, Cora Jade vs. Raquel Gonzalez, Gunther, Fabian Aichner, and Marcel Barthel vs. Roderick Strong, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed, LA Knight vs. Joe Gacy".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  6. ^Moore, John (May 17, 2022)."5/17 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Tony D'Angelo vs. Santos Escobar, Cameron Grimes and Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams, The Viking Raiders vs. The Creed Brothers, Wes Lee vs. Xyon Quinn, the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament continues".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  7. ^Defelice, Robert (June 24, 2022)."NXT Level Up Results (6/24): Ikemen Jiro, Quincy Elliott, Brooklyn Barlow, And More In Action".Fightful.Archived from the original on June 25, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  8. ^Moore, John (July 19, 2022)."7/19 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of a 20-woman battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women's Title, JD McDonagh vs. Cameron Grimes, Brooks Jensen and Josh Briggs vs. Pretty Deadly for the NXT UK Tag Titles, Roderick Strong vs. Damon Kemp, Axiom debuts, The Schism reveals their identities".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  9. ^Moore, John (August 9, 2022)."8/9 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Santos Escobar vs. Tony D'Angelo meet for the last time, Cora Jade vs. Zoey Stark, Wes Lee vs. Trick Williams in a Rounds Match, Nikkita Lyons vs. Kiana James".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  10. ^Moore, John (September 13, 2022)."9/13 NXT 2.0 results: Moore's review of Pretty Deadly vs. The Creed Brothers in a cage match for the NXT Tag Titles, Carmelo Hayes defends the NXT North American Title against the winner of a fan poll, Zoey Stark and Nikkita Lyons vs. Kiana James and Arianna Grace".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  11. ^Leighty Jr., Robert (November 3, 2022)."Leighty's WWE Main Event Review 11.03.22".411Mania.Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  12. ^Moore, John (November 8, 2022)."11/8 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs. Nikkita Lyons and Zoey Stark for the NXT Women's Tag Team Titles, Cameron Grimes vs. Joe Gacy, Brutus Creed vs. Damon Kemp in a five-minute challenge, JD McDonagh vs. Axiom, Andre Chase vs. Charlie Dempsey, Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo vs. Hank Walker".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  13. ^Moore, John (November 22, 2022)."11/22 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Wes Lee vs. Carmelo Hayes for the NXT North American Championship, Cora Jade vs. Wendy Choo, Ivey Nile vs. Tatum Paxley, Toxic Attraction opening, the identity of SCRYPTS revealed".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  14. ^Moore, John (November 29, 2022)."11/29 NXT TV results: Moore's review of WWE Hall of Famers revealing the participants in the Iron Survivor Challenge matches, Toxic Attraction vs. Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, and Nikkita Lyons, Dijak returns to the ring, Indi Hartwell vs. Roxanne Perez, Fallon Henley vs. Kiana James, JD McDonagh vs. Julius Creed".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  15. ^Moore, John (December 10, 2022)."NXT Deadline results: Moore's live review of Bron Breakker vs. Apollo Crews for the NXT Championship, Pretty Deadly vs. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods for the NXT Tag Team Titles, men's and women's Iron Survivor Challenge matches, Alba Fyre vs. Isla Dawn".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on December 11, 2022. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  16. ^Moore, John (December 27, 2022)."12/27 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Wes Lee vs. Tony D'Angelo for the NXT North American Championship, Julius Creed vs. JD McDonagh, Fallon Henley vs. Kiana James in the Battle for the Bar, Lyra Valkyria vs. Lash Legend, Joe Gacy, Rip Fowler, and Jagger Reid vs. Odyssey Jones, Edris Enofe, and Malik Blade, Wendy Choo vs. Cora Jade, Scrypts vs. Ikemen Jiro".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  17. ^Moore, John (January 10, 2023)."1/10 NXT TV results: Moore's review of New Year's Evil featuring Bron Breakker vs. Grayson Waller for the NXT Title, 20-woman battle royal for a shot at the NXT Women's Title, The Creed Brothers vs. Indus Sher, Dijak vs. Tony D'Angelo, Charlie Dempsey vs. Hank Walker, gauntlet match for an NXT Tag Team Title shot".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  18. ^Moore, John (February 4, 2023)."NXT Vengeance Day results: Moore's live review of Bron Breakker vs. Grayson Waller in a cage match for the NXT Title, Roxanne Perez vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Gigi Dolin for the NXT Women's Title, New Day vs. Gallus vs. Pretty Deadly vs. Chase U for the NXT Tag Titles, Carmelo Hayes vs. Apollo Crews in a best of three falls match".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  19. ^Lambert, Jeremy (February 4, 2023)."Fallon Henley And Kiana James Win NXT Women's Tag Team Titles At NXT Vengeance Day".Fightful.Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 5, 2023.
  20. ^McGuire, Colin (April 1, 2023)."NXT Stand & Deliver results: McGuire's live review of Bron Breakker vs. Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Title, Roxanne Perez vs. Zoey Stark vs. Gigi Dolin vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Indi Hartwell in a ladder match for the NXT Women's Title, Wes Lee vs. Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. Axiom for the NXT North American Title, Johnny Gargano vs. Grayson Waller".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. RetrievedApril 1, 2023.
  21. ^Moore, John (April 25, 2023)."4/25 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Grayson Waller for the NXT Title, Indi Hartwell vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Tiffany Stratton for the NXT Women's Title, Bron Breakker vs. Andre Chase, Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley vs. Brooks Jensen and Kiana James, Cora Jade vs. Lyra Valkyria, Tony D'Angelo and Stacks Lorenzo vs. Pretty Deadly in a Trunk Match, Oba Femi debuts".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  22. ^Moore, John (May 9, 2023)."5/9 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Gigi Dolin vs. Tiffany Stratton, and Lyra Valkyria vs. Kiana James in NXT Women's Title tournament matches, Gallus vs. The Dyad for the NXT Tag Titles, Bron Breakker vs. Trick Williams, Ilja Dragunov vs. Dijak, Duke Hudson vs. Javier Bernal, Tyler Bate vs. Charlie Dempsey, Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen vs. Tank Ledger and Hank Walker".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on May 17, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  23. ^Moore, John (August 29, 2023)."NXT TV results (8/29): Moore's review of Roxanne Perez vs. Gigi Dolin vs. Kiana James vs. Blair Davenport for a shot at the NXT Women's Title, The Creeds vs. The Dyad in a cage match, Heritage Cup tournament matches".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on September 6, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  24. ^Moore, John (September 5, 2023)."NXT TV results (9/5): Moore's review of Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the NXT Women's Title, Dragon Lee vs. Mustafa Ali for a NXT NA Title shot with Dom Mysterio as referee, Bron Breakker vs. Von Wagner in a No DQ match".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  25. ^Moore, John (September 19, 2023)."NXT TV results (9/19): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Dominik Mysterio in a champion vs. champion match, Joe Coffey vs. Duke Hudson and Tyler Bate vs. Butch in Heritage Cup tournament matches".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  26. ^Moore, John (October 10, 2023)."NXT TV results (10/10): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Bron Breakker with John Cena and Paul Heyman at ringside, Asuka vs. Roxanne Perez, Cody Rhodes' announcement, Undertaker".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  27. ^Moore, John (October 17, 2023)."NXT TV results (10/17): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dijak for a shot at the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Tegan Nox, Bada-Bing, Bada-Boom Battle Royal".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  28. ^Moore, John (October 24, 2023)."NXT TV results (10/24): Moore's review of Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria for the NXT Women's Title, Tony D'Angelo and Stacks vs. Andre Chase and Duke Hudson for the NXT Tag Titles".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  29. ^Moore, John (November 14, 2023)."NXT TV results (11/14): Moore's review of Andre Chase and Duke Hudson vs. Tony D'Angelo Stacks for the NXT Tag Titles, Ridge Holland and Butch vs. OTM, Wes Lee vs. Baron Corbin".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  30. ^Moore, John (November 28, 2023)."NXT TV results (11/28): Moore's review of Tony D'Angelo and Channing Lorenzo vs. Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo for the NXT Tag Team Titles, Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. RetrievedDecember 9, 2023.
  31. ^Moore, John (December 9, 2023)."NXT Deadline results: Moore's live review of Ilja Dragunov vs. Baron Corbin for the NXT Title, Iron Survivor Challenge matches, Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee for the NA Title, Carmelo Hayes vs. Lexis King".Pro Wrestling Dot Net.Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. RetrievedDecember 10, 2023.
  32. ^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".Pro Wrestling Dot Net. RetrievedApril 7, 2024.
  33. ^"WWE NXT results: April 9, 2024".WWE. April 9, 2024. RetrievedApril 27, 2024.
  34. ^Quiles, Fernando Jr. (April 26, 2024)."WWE Friday Night SmackDown Free Live Stream Results: WWE Draft 2024 Begins, The Bloodline Drama Continues".Sports Illustrated.Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. RetrievedApril 27, 2024.
  35. ^Tessier, Colin (June 3, 2024)."Kiana James Beats Natalya In RAW In-Ring Debut On 6/3 WWE RAW".WrestleZone viaYahoo Entertainment. RetrievedJune 4, 2024.
  36. ^Lambert, Jeremy (July 25, 2025)."Kiana James Now Representing Giulia On WWE SmackDown".Fightful. RetrievedJuly 26, 2025.
  37. ^Lambert, Jeremy (July 26, 2025)."Kiana James Now Representing Giulia On WWE SmackDown".Fightful | WWE News, AEW News, Pro Wrestling Backstage News. RetrievedJuly 28, 2025.
  38. ^"NXT Women's Tag Team Championship".World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
  39. ^Ross, Patrick (October 19, 2023)."Full 2023 PWI Women's 250 list revealed".aiptcomics.com. RetrievedOctober 19, 2023.

External links

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