Beth Phoenix

Infobox Wrestler
name=Beth Phoenix
img_capt=Beth Phoenix performing her signature ring entrance.

---

names=Beth Phoenix
Phoenix
Firebird
Fabulous Firebirdcite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/beth-phoenix.html|title=Beth Phoenix's profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=2008-07-13]
height=5 ft. 7 in. (170 cm)
weight=convert|146|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birth_date =birth date and age|mf=yes|year=1980|month=11|day=24
birth_place =New York, New York
death_date=
death_place=
home_town =
resides=Tampa, Florida
billed=Buffalo, New Yorkcite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/bethphoenix/bio/?cid=WWEADP-163|title=WWE: Superstars > Raw > Beth Phoenix > Bio|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-10-18]
Elmira, New York (in OVW)
Oklahoma (in OVW)
trainer=Ron Hutchinson
The All Knighters (Joey Knight and Robin Knightwing)
OVW
debut=2001| Elizabeth Carolan née Kocanski (born November 24, 1980) better known by her ring name "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on the Raw brand, where she is in her second reign as WWE Women's Champion.

Amateur wrestling

Elizabeth Carolan began wrestling on the Elmira, New York Notre Dame High School scholastic wrestling team. She was the first female varsity wrestler in her high school's history. She became the North-East freestyle women's champion (72 kg weight class) in 1999. She also became the women's champion (72 kg weight class) at the New York State Fair Tournament in 1999 and was named the most outstanding wrestler that same year in the Brockport Freestyle Tournament. At the time she was also a member of USA Wrestling (a freestyle wrestling association).cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/bethphoenixinterview.htm|title=Interview Rec
date=2005-01-20|accessdate=2008-05-02|publisher=Gerweck] Her life goal was, according to her, to become a professional wrestler and she believed that having a solid amateur background would help her reach it.

Professional wrestling career

After graduating from high school in 1999, she enrolled in both a professional wrestling school and Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Her first choice for wrestling school was Stu Hart's Dungeon, but because of the location she decided on a more local school. At the school, she was trained by the "All Knighters"--Joey Knight and Robin Knightwing, who themselves had trained in the Hart Dungeon. Her professional wrestling debut match was against Alexis Laree, and she made the rounds competing with various independent promotions against both male and female wrestlers. In one match against Lexis Wine for the now defunct MadMar Entertainment, her back was accidentally cut open by a steel chair.

Ohio Valley Wrestling

Phoenix debuted on Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) television in July 2004 as the on-screen girlfriend and valet of Chris Masters. The angle was short lived, and the following month Phoenix was repackaged as the manager of Aaron "The Idol" Stevens. The duo was then joined by Shelly Martinez who Beth soon feuded with in early 2006. Phoenix then stopped appearing regularly on OVW after debuting on WWE's "Raw" television show.

On August 16, 2006, Phoenix returned to action in OVW as the surprise opponent for Serena in a number one contenders match - she was hand picked by OVW Women's Champion ODB herself to be the opponent. After a distraction from Charles Evans, Phoenix picked up the win hitting Serena. The following week, both Serena and Phoenix wanted a title shot, so ODB said if they can beat her in a tag match, the pinfall winner would receive a shot. Serena won the match for her and Phoenix's team by pinning newcomer Katie Lea (but only after Phoenix was forced to leave the ring as she was not the legal woman in the match). So, in the interest of fairness, the following week, it was announced that there would be a women's battle royal with the title on the line - Phoenix, Serena, Lea, and ODB were the final four women in the ring, with ODB eventually coming out on top. The following week, ODB put her women's title on the line in a four-way match that also featured Phoenix, Serena and Lea. Serena won the match, but after the match Phoenix laid out Serena with her newly won belt. At the October 4, 2006 OVW TV tapings, Phoenix defeated Serena to capture the OVW Women's Championship. On the November 4, 2006 show, Beth lost the OVW women's title to Lea in a gauntlet match - defeating Roni Jonah, Melody, Ariel, and Jenny Mae first. Lea, Serena, ODB, and Phoenix were the final four in the match with Lea taking the win.

Phoenix and Lea entered into a feud with each other, with Phoenix claiming that Lea never defeated her for her title so she was still the champion; Phoenix even came out with her own version of the OVW Women's Championship. This brought out Danny Basham OVW's TroubleShooter, who told Phoenix her title was not real, and that after doing some digging Lea's title was not real either. Basham set up a ladder match where the winner would become the undisputed OVW Women's Champion. Lea won the match, and was presented with the title belt on the first show of 2007. Phoenix took the belt from Basham, and after taking a look for herself, handed the Belt to Lea and shook her hand. In early 2007, Phoenix became involved in a "love triangle" along with Dan Rodman and Jacob Duncan. After the "love triangle" angle ended, Phoenix continued to manage Duncan in OVW. Beth made her last appearance in OVW at their August 15, 2007 TV tapings where she lost to Lea in a No.1 contenders match and then joined the main World Wrestling Entertainment roster full-time. [ [http://www.gerweck.net] "More WWE News & Notes (8/18/07)"]

World Wrestling Entertainment

2006–2007

Beth Phoenix debuted on the May 8, 2006 episode of "Raw" as a face attacking then-heel, Mickie James during James' assault on Trish Stratus. After this incident, James berated Phoenix for "ruining everything" and questioned why she even showed up in the first place. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05082006/|title=Message sent|author=Ed Williams III|date=2006-05-08|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] A week later, Phoenix was formally introduced by Stratus and then battered a distracted James on Stratus' behalf. When James finally escaped, Phoenix claimed that James had ruined her life and would not let her get away with it, before calling her a psycho. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05152006/|title=Money Shot|author=Louie Dee|date=2006-05-15|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] On the following edition of "Raw", Phoenix, now an official Raw diva, again attacked the then Women's Champion after her match with Torrie Wilson. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05222006/|title=Apology Accepted?|author=Louie Dee|date=2006-05-22|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] Then, on the May 29, 2006 episode of "Raw", Beth teamed up with Wilson (with Stratus in their corner) to take on Candice Michelle and Victoria (with Mickie James in their corner). Phoenix got the pin on Candice. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05292006/|title=Will Triple H join the Mr. McMahon Kiss My Ass Club?|author=Ed Williams III|date=2006-05-29|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] During the June 5, 2006 episode of "Raw", Beth suffered a fractured mandible during a match with Victoria,cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/4470802/returnofthephoenix|title=Return of the Phoenix|author=Zack Zeigler|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2007-07-10|date=2007-07-10] but was victorious despite the injury. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06052006/|title=Kiss this|author=Louie Dee|date=2006-06-05|accessdate=2007-12-22|publisher=WWE] She spent a year having surgeries and recovering, including getting a titanium plate and nine screws placed in her jaw, but she was only out of action for two months, as she returned to action in OVW instead of on the main roster.

On the July 9, 2007 edition of "Raw", Phoenix returned as a heel when Melina claimed to be injured and needed a replacement as Jillian Hall's tag team partner. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07092007/|title=Bulldozed in the Bayou|author=Lennie DiFino|date=2007-07-09|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] At the SummerSlam pay-per-view, Phoenix won the Interpromotional Divas Battle Royal to become the number one contender for Candice Michelle's Women's Championship. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam07/matches/39000883122/results/|title=Phoenix rising|author=Greg Adkins|date=2007-08-26|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] Phoenix was then pushed as a dominating Diva, calling herself a "Glamazon" and attacking Mickie James, Jillian Hall and Candice on the September 10 edition of "Raw". [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09032007/|title=Bulldozer-Slayer|author=Greg Adkins|date=2007-09-03|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09102007/|title=Dark Phoenix rising|author=Corey Clayton|date=2007-09-10|accessdate=2007-09-15|publisher=WWE] However, at Unforgiven, she failed to capture the Women's Championship from Candice. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/48366502/results/|title=No glory for the Glamazon|author=Greg Adkins|date=2007-09-16|accessdate=2007-09-17|publisher=WWE] Their storyline feud continued when Phoenix pinned Candice during a non-title mixed tag team match on "Raw" on September 24. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09242007/|title=Flying high|author=Corey Clayton|date=2007-09-24|accessdate=2007-10-03|publisher=WWE] At No Mercy, Phoenix defeated Candice to win her first Women's title.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/|title=History Of The Women's Championship|accessdaymonthyear=22-12-2007|publisher=WWE] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/matches/526728811/results/|title=Phoenix Rises|author=Greg Adkins|date=2007-10-07|accessdate=2007-10-18|publisher=WWE] She retained her belt on the October 22 "Raw" in a Two out of three falls match; Michelle was injured by Phoenix's shaking the rope, causing her to fall off the top turnbuckle and legitimately break her clavicle. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/10222007/|title=Glamazon sweep|author=Corey Clayton|date=2007-10-22|accessdaymonthyear=22-12-2007|publisher=WWE] [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/10222007/articles/glamazoncandice|title=The Glamazon gets a Candice clean sweep|author=Corey Clayton|date=2007-10-22|accessdate=2007-12-22|publisher=WWE]

Beth attacked Kelly Kelly on the October 29 edition of "Raw" after Kelly won the Halloween Costume Contest Battle Royal. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/10282007/|title=Halloween Horror|author=Greg Adkins|date=2007-10-29|accessdate=2007-12-22|publisher=WWE] The following week on Raw, Beth defeated Kelly in a non-title match. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11052007/|title=Repeat Performance|author=Greg Adkins|date=2007-11-05|accessdate=2007-12-22|publisher=WWE] This cumulated into a 10 Divas Tag Match at Survivor Series, which Phoenix's team lost after Melina was pinned by Mickie James. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/matches/433496411/results/|title=Mickie marches in 10 Divas Tag Team Match|author=Andrew Rote|date=2007-11-18|accessdate=2007-12-22|publisher=WWE] On the November 26 edition of "Raw", Mickie James defeated Melina in a number one contenders match for Phoenix's Women's Championship, [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11262007/|title=The Glamazon Awaits|author=Greg Adkins| date=2007-11-26|accessdate=2007-12-21|publisher=WWE] setting up a title match between the two at Armageddon, a match in which Phoenix successfully defended her Women's title. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/55466043/results/|title=Glamazon pushed to the limit|author=Greg Adkins|date=2007-12-16|accessdate=2007-12-21|publisher=WWE] On New Years Eve 2007, Phoenix successfully defended her title in a Triple Threat match against Melina and James, after pinning Melina. [cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12312007/|title=Three Times a Lady|date=2007-12-31|author=Greg Adkins|accessdate=2008-01-09|publisher=WWE]

2008–present

Phoenix along with old ally Melina took part in the "Playboy" BunnyMania Lumberjack match at WrestleMania XXIV where she defeated Ashley and Maria by pinfall after a Fisherman suplex.cite web|url=http://www.wwe-zone.com/wwe/results/ppv/wrestlemania/XXIV/index.htm|title=WWE WrestleMania XXIV Results|publisher=Pro-Wrestling Edge|accessdate=2008-04-06] On April 14, Phoenix faced Mickie James with her Women's Championship on the line and lost, ending her reign as champion. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04142008/|title=Royal Reception|date=2008-04-14|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|accessdate=2008-04-15|publisher=WWE]

Phoenix also had a rematch on the May 5 edition of "Raw" but lost after Melina unintentionally hit her in the face with her boot. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05052008/|title=I got all my sisters and me|date=2008-05-05|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|accessdate=2008-08-05|publisher=WWE] On the May 11 edition of "Raw", Phoenix and Melina partnered up to go against James and Maria. During the match Melina unintentionally knocked Phoenix off of the ring apron resulting in Phoenix abandoning Melina which then would earn James and Maria the three count to pick up the win. During a backstage segment along with Jillian Hall, Melina confronted Phoenix which then resulted in both Melina and Phoenix getting into a brawl with one another. At Judgment Day, Phoenix failed to regain the Women's Championship in a Triple Threat match after James pinned Melina to retain the title. At One Night Stand Phoenix defeated Melina in the first ever Divas "I Quit" match. The next night on "Raw", Phoenix teamed with Kathryn Lea Burchill to defeat Melina and James in a tag team match, but was pinned by James one week later in a non-title match, and was once again attacked by Melina post-match.

After little over a month off television, Phoenix returned on the July 14 edition of "Raw", where she defeated Santino Marella after he issued an open challenge to any WWE Superstar backstage, pinning him with a roll-up. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07142008/|title=Battle of the Sexes|accessdate=2008-07-15|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|publisher=WWE] The angle continued the following week after Marella lost to the returning D-Lo Brown. Phoenix confronted Marella after the match, and they briefly grappled with each other before unexpectedly sharing a kiss, to which both expressed considerable confusion afterwards. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07212008/|title=Tainted Love|accessdate=2008-07-22|date=2008-07-21|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment] The two then became an onscreen supercouple, and the pairing of The Glamazon and Marella later became known by the portmanteau Glamarella. At SummerSlam, they defeated Kofi Kingston and James in an intergender tag team match. Phoenix pinned James, winning the Women's Championship, while Marella won Kingston's Intercontinental Championship.citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/matches/7793948/results/|accessdate=2008-08-18|date=2008-08-17|last=Medalis|first=Kara A.|title='Glamarella' wins the gold|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment] On August 25 edition of "Raw", Kelly Kelly accidentally gave Beth Phoenix a stiff kick and caused her nose to bleed, but did not break it. [cite web|url=http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/10134|title=Beth didn't break her nose after all|accessdate=2008-08-26|publisher=Pro Wrestling.com] She successfully defended the WWE Women's Championship at No Mercy against Candice Michelle.

In wrestling

*Finishing moves
**"Beth Valley Driver" (Second rope sitout Death Valley driver) - OVW
**Chokebomb - OVW; Used as a regular move in WWE
**Delayed fisherman suplex - WWE - end 2007 - early 2008
**"Down in Flames" (Sitout scoop slam piledriver, sometimes from the second rope) - OVW; WWE
**"Glam Slam" [citeweb|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/6365/105/|accessdate=2008-08-18|date=2008-08-11|last=Martin|first=Todd|title=Todd Martin's Raw Report for August 11|publisher=Wrestling Observer Newsletter] (Elevated double chickenwing dropped into a wheelbarrow facebuster) - WWE
*Signature moves
**Cloverleaf
**Double axe handle blow to the chest
**Electric chair drop
**Elevated double chickenwing drop
**Gorilla press drop
**Gutwrench suplex
**Missile dropkick - OVW
**Overhead gutwrench backbreaker rack
**Pendulum backbreaker
**Release powerbomb
**Sidewalk slam
**Slingshot suplex
*Wrestlers managed
**Aaron "The Idol" Stevens
**Brent Albright
**Trish Stratus
**Chris Masters
**Dan Rodman
**Jacob Duncan
**Melina
**Santino Marella

*Nicknames
**The Glamazoncite web|url=http://www.wvgazette.com/News/200807110418|title=In the ring with WWE diva Beth Phoenix|author=Bill Lynch|publisher=The Charleston Gazette|accessdate=2008-07-13|date=2008-07-12]
*Entrance themes
**"Hey Baby" by No Doubt in OVW
**"Crazy in Love" by Beyoncé Knowles in OVW
**"Brick House" by Rob Zombie in OVW
**"Trip Like I Do" by Filter in OVW
**"Count On It" from Ded Good production music service
**"Glamazon" by Jim Johnston [cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=9253928&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID|title=BMI: Johnston James Alan|accessdate=2008-01-21|publisher=BMI] [cite web|url=http://www.wweshop.com/Product_detail.asp?cat=cat-newreleases&productId=35-00612|title=WWE Music Volume 8 CD|accessdate=2008-03-25|publisher=WWE]

Championships and accomplishments

*Far North Wrestling
**FNW Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)

*GLORY Wrestling
**GLORY Championship (1 time) (First) [citeweb|url=http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/Phoenix/P.asp|accessdate=2008-08-11|title=Phoenix of G.L.O.R.Y. Wrestling: The Hardest working Women in Independent Wrestling]

*Ohio Valley Wrestling
**OVW Women's Championship (1 time) [citeweb|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/ovwtnwa.html|accessdate=2008-06-14|last=Westcott|first=Brian|title=NWA - NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE NWA OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING WOMANS'/OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING WOMENS' TITLE HISTORY|publisher=Solie]

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
**Ranked # 2 of the best 50 female singles wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.pwpix.net/pwpixnews/headlines/223777233.php|accessdate=2008-09-19|date=2008-09-18|publisher=PWPix.net|title=The PWI Female 50 Rankings: Who Is The Top Women's Wrestler In The World?]

*World Wrestling Entertainment
**WWE Women's Championship (2 times, current)

Personal life

She was raised in Buffalo, New York. When she was eleven years old, she won a coloring contest with a prize of tickets to a television taping for World Wrestling Federation. Carolan credits this as when she fell in love with professional wrestling.

Despite popular internet belief, Beth Phoenix has never dated Chris Masters; however they did work together in OVW as a storyline couple. She is married to Joey Carolan, known by the ring-name Joey Knight.cite web|url=http://www.owow.com/frameindex.htm?goto=http%3A//www.owow.com/Ringsidewith/BethPhoenix/index.htm|title=Beth Phoenix|accessdate=2008-05-02|publisher=Official Women Of Wrestling]

References

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/bethphoenix/ WWE Profile]
* [http://myspace.com/wwebethphoenix Beth Phoenix] on MySpace
* [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/beth-phoenix.html Beth Phoenix] at Online World of Wrestling