Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn

Bonin started her career as a body fitness model. In 2007, she won the National Physique Committee (NPC) John Sherman Classic Bodybuilding Figure and Fitness Championship, came in fifth at the Arnold Classic in the NPC Figure Class D competition, and also was in the top five at Musclemania Superbody, in the Figure Universe - Tall category. She was named Miss November in 2008, placed 16th at the NPC Junior Nationals that year in the NPC Figure category, and was part of the Hardfitness Calendar. Bonin also made an appearance inFlex Magazine in 2009.

In July 2010, Bonin signed a developmental contract withWorld Wrestling Entertainment, and was assigned toFlorida Championship Wrestling (FCW), WWE'sdevelopmental territory. In September 2010, she competed in the all-femalethird season ofNXT where she became the only female in history to winNXT. Prior to her debut to the main roster in December 2010, she formed a tag team withAJ known asThe Chickbusters in May 2011. After the split of the team in May 2012, she returned to singles competition which includes winning theWWE Divas Championship on the 20th anniversary episode ofRaw in January 2013.

She ended her contract with WWE on January 8, 2014 and announced her retirement thereafter. In 2018, she returned to wrestling, appearing on theindependent circuit.

Early life and career[]

Bonin made her body fitness debut in 2006, at the age of 19. In 2007, Bonin won the National Physique Committee (NPC) John Sherman Classic Bodybuilding Figure and Fitness Championship, and came fifth at the Arnold Classic in the NPC Figure Class D competition. She also was in the top five at Musclemania Superbody in 2007, in the Figure Universe – Tall category. In 2008, she was named Miss November at the Hardfitness Calendar, and placed 16th at the NPC Junior Nationals that same year in the NPC Figure category. In 2008 she was part of the Hardfitness Calendar and in 2009, Bonin appeared inFlex Magazine.

World Wrestling Entertainment[]

Developmental Territories (2010–2012)[]

In July 2010,World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) signed Bonin to a developmental contract, and she reported toFlorida Championship Wrestling, WWE'sdevelopmental territory. She debuted under thering nameCeleste, competing in a bikini contest. Her name would soon be changed toRicki Vaughn, however, she never would actually debut under the name as she would soon change it to her NXT name,Kaitlyn. On the August 22, 2010 episode of FCW television, she would make her FCW TV debut as a lumberjill at ringside for a match betweenAJ Lee andNaomi Knight.

When WWE started the new developmental brand NXT in 2012, Kaitlyn briefly portrayed aheel while appearing on the NXT program. On the July 18 edition ofNXT, Kaitlyn was defeated by Tamina Snuka in singles action. On the August 8 edition ofNXT, Kaitlyn teamed withCaylee Turner in a losing effort againstPaige and Tamina Snuka. Kaitlyn's last match as a heel took place on October 10; teaming with Alicia Fox in a loss to Paige andAudrey Marie.

NXT (2010)[]

On September 7, it was announced that Bonin would joinseason 3 ofNXT, under the name Kaitlyn, withVickie Guerrero as her storyline pro. She was the replacement for Guerrero's original rookie, Aloisia, whom Guerrero fired instoryline. That week, she unsuccessfully competed in both a dance competition and a 'capture the flag' contest. The following week, Kaitlyn made her in-ring debut, when she teamed up with Guerrero's on-screen boyfriendDolph Ziggler to defeatA.J. andPrimo in amixed tag team match. She also won the obstacle course challenge. On the September 21 episode ofNXT, Kaitlyn andLayCool (Layla andMichelle McCool) lost toKelly Kelly, Naomi, andJamie in asix-Diva tag team match. Following the match, in which Kaitlyn was pinned, Lay-Cool attacked her while Guerrero berated her. On that week's episode ofSmackDown on September 24, Kaitlyn and Guerrero accompanied Ziggler to the ring for his match. When Guerrero ordered Kaitlyn to leave ringside, Kaitlyn pushed her over before leaving. Kaitlyn won her first singles match against Guerrero onOctober 5, onNXT. On the November 2 episode ofNXT, Kaitlyn and Ziggler were found kissing behind a wall. When Guerrero confronted them, Kaitlyn threw a cake, which was meant forGoldust andAksana's wedding, into her face. On the November 5 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn and Guerrero faced each other in a rematch in which Guerrero was victorious. On the November 30 episode ofNXT, Kaitlyn was announced as the winner of season three, defeatingNaomi in the final.

SmackDown; The Chickbusters (2011)[]

Main article:The Chickbusters

On theDecember 3 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn appeared in a backstage segment with Guerrero and Ziggler, announcing thatGeneral managerTheodore Long had signed her to thebrand following her victory onNXT. She had her first match onSmackDown on theJanuary 28, 2011, episode, when she and Kelly Kelly were defeated by Team Lay-Cool. Kaitlyn later lost in singles competition against Layla on March 11.

On theMay 27 episode ofSmackDown Kaitlyn formed a tag team known asThe Chickbusters with AJ. In their first match as a team lost to the team ofAlicia Fox andTamina. The duo were accompanied byNatalya, who became a mentor of sorts to the pair. AJ and Kaitlyn lost a rematch to Fox and Tamina the following week. Her first victory came on the June 10 episode ofSmackDown, when she pinned Tamina in a singles match, a feat she repeated on the July 8 episode. AJ, Kaitlyn, and Natalya continued to feud with Fox and Tamina, who were joined by Rosa Mendes.

On theAugust 5 episode ofSmackDown,AJ Lee lost a singles match toNatalya, who thenturned on her protégé, attacking her and declaring war on the "perky little princesses" that comprised the rest of the Divas division. The following week, Kaitlyn and AJ lost to Natalya andBeth Phoenix in a tag team match. Throughout the next few months, The Chickbusters continued to feud with the so-calledDivas of Doom, losing both singles and tag team matches to them.

In November, tension began to be teased between The Chickbusters, with Kaitlyn developing a heel persona due to being upset at their repeated losses to The Divas of Doom. After another loss to the Divas of Doom on December 9, Kaitlyn turned heel against AJ and joined the Divas of Doom. However, the segment was cut from the broadcast.

NXT Redemption (2012)[]

On the February 8 episode ofNXT Redemption, Kaitlyn lost in singles competition to Maxine, whom she has been feuding with since befriendingDerrick Bateman. After weeks of feuding with Maxine over whether the latter was good for Derrick Bateman, on the February 29 episode ofNXT Redemption, Kaitlyn would kiss Bateman in an "intervention" segment also including Alicia Fox andJustin Gabriel before defeating Maxine in the main event. On the March 14 episode ofNXT Redemption, after Kaitlyn and Derrick Bateman defeatedJohnny Curtis and Maxine, Bateman would then kiss Kaitlyn thus solidifying their relationship. On the March 21 episode ofNXT Redemption, Kaitlyn and Derrick Bateman were backstage with Tamina talking about her and Bateman's new found relationship, and later encountered Maxine and Johnny Curtis, who accused them of being involved withMatt Striker's disappearance. Kaitlyn accompanied Derrick Bateman in a loss toHunico on the March 28 episode ofNXT Redemption. On the April 4 episode ofNXT Redemption, Kaitlyn was defeated in singles competition to her former mentor Natalya, who was accompanied byTyson Kidd on commentary. Kaitlyn and Derrick Bateman discovered Matt Striker in a janitor's closet hidden byCurt Hawkins andTyler Reks on the April 11 episode ofNXT Redemption. Kaitlyn made her televised return on the April 23 episode ofRaw, appearing as alumberjill in a Divas Championship match involving Beth Phoenix andNikki Bella. On the April 25 episode ofNXT Redemption, Kaitlyn was backstage with Tyson Kidd andPercy Watson, until Natalya accused Kaitlyn of flirting with Kidd, and later competed in a tag team match with Tamina Snuka defeating Natalya and Maxine.

When Kaityn made her return toSmackDown on the April 27 episode, she was backstage comforting fellow Chickbuster AJ, until she slapped Kaitlyn and left her confused. On the May 4 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn again attempted to comfort AJ, but was again assaulted by AJ. On the May 11 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn was defeated by AJ in singles competition, and was afterwards visited byDaniel Bryan, who stated he is moving on from AJ and going after Kaitlyn. Two days later on Twitter, Kaitlyn announced she was officially breaking up The Chickbusters.

Kaitlyn then reentered into a feud with Maxine on the May 16 episode ofNXT Redemption after she was victorious in singles competition against Maxine via submission. Two weeks later on the May 30 episode ofNXT Redemption, Kaitlyn successfully defeated Tamina Snuka in a singles match while Maxine observed on commentary, thus ending the feud. On the June 13 season finale episode ofNXT Redemption, Kaitlyn's winning streak continued as she defeated her former mentor Natalya for the first time in singles competition.

Feud with Eve Torres (2012–2013)[]

On the June 25 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn made her televised return competing in the '"Diva Beach Battle Blast" battle royal, which was ultimately won by her former friend AJ. On the July 12 episode ofWWE Superstars, Kaitlyn teamed with Alicia Fox in a winning effort against her rival Natalya and Beth Phoenix after Kaitlyn pinned Phoenix. Kaitlyn then went on to compete in her first pay-per-view match at theMoney in the Bank pay-per-view in a six diva tag team match along with Divas Champion Layla and Tamina Snuka against Beth Phoenix, Natalya, andEve Torres with her team coming out victorious.

On the August 10 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn asked and was given a job from SmackDown General ManagerBooker T as his assistant, but was afterwards put in a match against an angry Eve and the winner will be awarded the job. Her feud with Eve continued on the August 13 episode ofRaw when she teamed with Layla in a winning effort against Eve and Beth Phoenix. That same week on the August 17 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn was unsuccessful against Eve in singles competition to become SmackDown Assistant General Manager to Booker T. Three days later onRaw, Kaitlyn won a Divas battle royal to become number one contender to the Divas Championship. On the September 3 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn was defeated by Torres with Layla andThe Miz on commentary. The next week on the September 10 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn teamed with Layla andEve Torres in a six diva tag team match where they defeatedBeth Phoenix, Natalya, andAlicia Fox, afterwards Eve would hug both Layla and Kaitlyn and raise their arms in victory. At theNight of Champions pay-per-view, Kaitlyn was attacked by a masked assaliant, therefore being forced to forfeit her title shot with Layla to Eve. On September 17, it was announced that Kaitlyn has a torn tendon, and will be out of action for several weeks.

Kaitlyn returned on the September 24 episode ofRaw stating that the Diva that attacked her at the Night of Champions pay-per-view was blonde, leading to Beth Phoenix becoming the suspected attacker. On the October 8 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn had her first Divas Championship match against Eve in a losing effort via submission, and was afterwards saved by Layla from Eve who attempted to re-injure her. Two weeks later on the October 22 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn confronted Eve about her attacker, revealing it to be Aksana, who was e-mailed by Eve to attack Kaitlyn at the Night of Champions pay-per-view, and ended in a brawl also involving Layla. Kaitlyn received another shot for the Divas Championship at theHell in a Cell pay-per-view, but was again defeated by Eve in a Triple Threat Match, also involving Layla. On the November 12 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn defeated Layla in singles competition to become the #1 contender for the Divas Title against Eve atSurvivor Series. At Survivor Series, Kaitlyn was again attacked from behind by Aksana, and went on to face Eve for the Divas Championship, but was unsuccessful. Kaitlyn would get her revenge on Aksana the following night on the November 19 episode ofRaw and the December 14 episode ofSmackDown defeating her in singles competition. On December 16 at theTables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view, Kaitlyn competed in a #1 contender "Santa's Little Helper's" Diva battle royal to face Eve for the championship, but was unsuccessful in winning the match due to Eve interfering. The following night on the December 17 episode of theRaw Slammy Awards, Kaitlyn would defeat Eve in a non-title match. The next night on the December 18 live episode ofSuper SmackDown, Kaitlyn brawled backstage with old Chickbuster partner AJ, and went on to compete in singles competition for the Divas Championship against Eve Torres in a winning effort via disqualification after Eve tripped thereferee to keep the title. On the January 7 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn would receive another title match against Eve Torres, winning the match via count out after Eve fled the arena.

Divas Champion (2013)[]

On the January 14 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn defeated Eve in her home town ofHouston, Texas to win theWWE Divas Championship with the stipulation being that if Eve got disqualified or counted-out, Kaitlyn would become the Divas Champion. On the January 28 RAW Roulette episode, Kaitlyn faced Tamina Snuka which ended in a no contest due to the rest of the Divas interfering. On February 17 atElimination Chamber, Kaitlyn was successful in her first title defense against Tamina Snuka.

Dissension between Kaitlyn and Layla was later teased, with Layla becoming a heel due to jealousy from Kaitlyn. On the February 22 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn and Layla defeated Aksana and Tamina Snuka, and Layla would gaze at Kaitlyn's championship after the match ended. On the March 8 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn was defeated by Tamina Snuka after Layla unintentionally distracted her. The following week, Kaitlyn and Layla defeated Tamina Snuka and Aksana again after Layla tagged herself in and stole the pin. The angle was rumored to result in Kaitlyn defending the Divas Championship against a heel Layla at WrestleMania 29, but it was quickly dropped after the segments aired. On the March 25 episode of Raw, Kaitlyn entered into a feud with AJ again after AJ heard her say she was crazy. Later that night, AJ would defeat Kaitlyn in an non-title match by count-out. On the March 29 episode of Smackdown, Kaitlyn would team up with Daniel Bryan to defeat AJ & Ziggler. On the April 24 episode ofNXT, Kaitlyn would defeat AJ in a championship match. On May 19 atExtreme Rules, Kaitlyn & AJ would get in a backstage brawl after AJ would refer to her as a pig. On June 16 at Payback, Kaitlyn was defeated by AJ in a Divas Championship match ending her reign.

The following night on the June 17 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn and the other Divas interrupted AJ andStephanie McMahon about winning the title from her and how she broke her before attacking AJ in the ring, who was later saved byBig E Langston. On the June 24 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn emerged victorious against Aksana in singles competition with an attempted distraction by AJ, who was dressed up as Kaitlyn (with a blonde wig and muscle suit), mocking her the night the secret admirer was revealed with the help of Langston. Four days later on the June 28 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn interrupted a match between AJ and Natalya by impersonating AJ, causing Natalya to be victorious, and would afterwards spear AJ. After defeating Alicia Fox in a singles match on the July 1 episode ofRaw, AJ would continue to mock Kaitlyn's body by putting up a photoshopped picture, and would cause a distraction on the July 5 episode ofSmackDown, causing Kaitlyn to lose her rematch against Alicia Fox, and would chase AJ out of the arena. On the July 8 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn competed in a tag team match alongside Layla against AJ and Alicia Fox to a no contest after Kaitlyn brutally attacked AJ. On the July 12 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn was a part of the first-ever in WWE history public Divas Championship match contract signing for theMoney in the Bank pay-per-view along with AJ, which would end in a brawl between the two. At the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Kaitlyn was again unsuccessful in retrieving the Divas Championship due to an elbow injury.

Kaitlyn returned on the July 26 episode ofSmackDown interrupting AJ's rage on Ziggler, and delivered a spear to AJ, leading to a match between the two on the July 29 episode ofRaw, which Kaitlyn won. Kaitlyn earned another Divas Championship opportunity against AJ four nights later onSmackDown in her hometown of Houston, with Layla once again in her corner. However, Kaitlyn was defeated after Layla turned heel and betrayed her. On the August 5 episode ofRaw, Kaitlyn competed against Layla in singles competition, but would be distracted by AJ, causing Kaitlyn to lose the match, and would later that night attack AJ during Ziggler and Langston's match, costing Ziggler his match as well. Four days later on the August 9 episode ofSmackDown, Kaitlyn, along with Ziggler, would interrupt AJ and Langston's interview withThe Miz on MizTV, resulting with The Miz announcing a mixed tag team match with Kaitlyn teaming up with Ziggler against AJ and Langston at the SummerSlam pay-per-view, and ending with Kaitlyn and Ziggler succeeding in a failed attack from AJ and Langston. At SummerSlam, Kaitlyn and Ziggler emerged victorious in their mixed tag team match against AJ and Langston, thus ending their feud.

Various Feuds and Departure (2013-2014)[]

Kaitlyn made her return to WWE television on the September 23 episode of Raw backstage in a "WWE App Exclusive" segment stating that she's back and stronger than ever, and that she just needed some time to herself after finally ending things with her former best friend AJ Lee. She made her in-ring return on the October 10 edition of WWE Superstars, but she was defeated by Tamina Snuka. On the October 11 edition of SmackDown, Kaitlyn teamed with Eva Marie and Natalya in a losing effort against Brie Bella and the Funkadactyls (Cameron and Naomi) in a six-Diva tag team match.

Kaitlyn briefly turned heel on the November 18 edition ofRaw while participating in the first ever edition of Divas Country Musical Chairs by brawling with the Total Divas and leaving the ring with heel Divas Alicia Fox, Aksana, Summer Rae, and Rosa Mendes. AtSurvivor Series, the evil Kaitlyn participated in a 7-on-7 traditional elimination tag team match against theTotal Divas. Kaitlyn eliminated Eva Marie and Naomi, but her side was defeated. Kaitlyn took part in the rematch the following night onRaw, and was again defeated. Kaitlyn was again on the villainous side of a 10-Diva tag team match on the December 30 episode ofRaw, with her team emerging victorious against the Total Divas.

On January 8, 2014, Kaitlyn decided to terminate her contract with WWE. Her final match aired that same night onMain Event, where she regained her babyface persona and wrestled AJ Lee one final time in a losing effort. In her final address to the WWE Universe, she stated that she will return to the fitness industry.

On July 17, 2014, Kaitlyn stated that she considered herself retired from WWE and planned to walk away from the wrestling business to focus on her marriage and clothing line, called "Celestial Bodiez."

Independent Circuit[]

On February 10, 2018, Bonin returned to wrestling for the first time in four years, doing so atCoastal Championship Wrestling'sCCW Breaking Chains event and competing under her real name, Celeste Bonin. At the event, Bonin defeated the villainousRachael Ellering in singles action. Four months later on June 23, Bonin returned atCCW Summer Glory in a three-way match for theCCW Ladies Championship againstVanilla Vargas and reigning championChelsea Durden. The match concluded with Vargas becoming the new champion. On July 7, Bonin debuted inWorld Wrestling League at the2018 WWL War In The West event where she challenged Vargas in a three-way match for the CCW Ladies Championship, involvingRoxxy. Once more, Vargas successfully retained the title.

Return to WWE (2018-2019)[]

On July 11, 2018, Kaitlyn was announced as the very first entrant in the second annualMae Young Classic, marking her return to WWE after four years. On August 8, Kaitlyn advanced in the first round after eliminating newcomerKavita Devi. The following day, Kaitlyn was eliminated in the second round byMia Yim.

The following year in 2019, Kaitlyn returned in a backstage segment on theJuly 22 episode of Monday Night RAW, promoted as the RAW Reunion television special.

Personal life[]

Bonin is best friends with fellow professional wrestlerApril Mendez. In early May, Bonin was asked a series of questions by Lisa Marie, and she stated she loves the band Red Hot Chili Peppers, her favorite movie isAmerican Psycho, she hates the CBS television seriesThe Big Bang Theory, and her favorite place to visit isAustin, Texas, describing it as, "The coolest city ever to exist." On August 1, 2012, Bonin stated that her favorite movie of 2012 is No Holds Barred. On June 20, 2014, Bonin married bodybuilder PJ Braun but split in 2017.

In wrestling[]

• Finishing moves
  • Atomic Wedgie Bomb (Atomic drop into aBack suplex) — 2010
  • Fireman's carry gutbuster — 2012- (Used as a signature from 2013-2014)
  • Lotus Lock, sometimes after aFull nelson bomb — 2011–2012 (NXT)
  • Spear — 2013-2014 2018- (Adopted from and used as a tribute to Goldberg)
  • Wedgie Flatliner (Reverse STO) —(FCW)
  • Inverted DDT- 2012- (Used as a signature from 2013-2014)
• Signature moves
  • Arm drag
  • Backbreaker
  • Battering ram
  • Bodyscissors, sometimes into aVictory roll-up
  • Drop-toe hold
  • Elevated wrist lock
  • European uppercut
  • Jackknife
  • Leg drop
  • Multiple head smashes into second turnbuckle
  • Multiplekick variations
    • Baseball slide
    • Dropkick
  • Reverse elbow to an oncoming opponent
  • Running cross body
  • Running shoulder block
  • Scoop slam
  • Sidewalk slam
  • Sunset flip pin
  • Suplex slam onto the top rope
  • Inverted DDT — 2012–present
• WithAJ
  • Aided splash
  • Corner clothesline (AJ) /Backbreaker (Kaitlyn) combination
• Managers
  • Vickie Guerrero
  • Natalya
  • AJ
  • Derrick Bateman
  • Layla
• Wrestlersmanaged
  • Dolph Ziggler
  • AJ
  • Derrick Bateman
• Nicknames
  • "The Thunder and Lighting Combination" — withAJ
  • "KaitMan" — withDerrick Bateman
  • "The Girl Next Door"
  • "WWE's/The Hybrid Diva"
  • "The Powerhouse Diva"
• Entrance themes
  • "Let's Go" byHollywood Records (March 11, 2011 – February 29, 2012)
  • "Spin the Bottle" byAshley Jana (April 4, 2012 – February 23, 2013)
  • "Higher" byNicole Tranquillo (March 8, 2013 – January 8, 2014)

Championships and accomplishments[]

Body fitness[]

• National Physique Committee
  • John Sherman Classic Bodybuilding Figure and Fitness Championship
  • Arnold Classic NPC Figure Class D Competition (Fifth place)

Professional wrestling[]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked her#5 in the2013 PWI Top 50 Females

• World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWE Divas Championship (1 time)
  • Won thethird season ofNXT

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Worst Worked Match of the Year (2010)vs.Maxine onNXT on October 19

See also[]

• World Wrestling Entertainment
• WWE NXT

External links[]

• Profile
• Online World of Wrestling profile
• Kaitlyn on Twitter

• Profile
• WWE profile