Beth Phoenix, or “The Glamazon” as she was more affectionately known during her original stint on the US main roster WWE during 2007-2012, was a strong presence in the division and fondly remembered by fans. Phoenix made its mark, winning multiple titles and breaking down barriers during a transitional period at the company. Beth originally left WWE because she was dissatisfied with the portrayal of women in the promotion’s storylines. Before the women’s revolution, she was ahead of the curve, but she decided to set out to raise a family.
Phoenix has returned to WWE as a commentator in recent years, and more recently has returned to an active role in the ring, and there may be more in store for the future as well. With many female veterans emerging from the woodwork recently in time for the Rumble, perhaps they should follow in the footsteps of Goldberg, Sting and The Undertaker by extending their careers in the ring. It could be time for a new phase in women’s wrestling where “age is just a number”.
10 age 41
about WWE
Beth may have hit 40, but that’s the new 30 and there’s no sign of stopping her with the upcoming mixed tag match alongside Edge against Miz and Maryse at the Royal Rumble. There may be a singles WrestleMania match for The Glamazon in the future, or reform of their tag team with Natalya Neidhart.
Keeping busy and not slowing down seems to be her mentality and her credit for having taken some well-earned time off from the ring. Returning to initially find a new niche behind the scenes, she has stayed in the industry like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
9 Married to Edge
As many fans know, Beth has been happily married to WWE Legend Edge (Adam Copeland) since 2016, with the Angle starring in recent WWE programming in time for the Royal Rumble. With a strong family life at heart, Beth put her career aside to focus on the maternal aspect in her 30s as being a mom was obviously important to her.
It’s nice to see a happy family unit within the wrestling community that with all the knowledge, skill, training and genetic heritage you don’t want to mess with in the ring at all. With the pair both returning to WWE screens as wrestlers, they are one of the more well-known partnerships in the wrestling world like Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch.
DASSPORTSTER VIDEO OF THE DAY
8th Successful amateur wrestling career in high school
If you’ve been wondering why Beth might outclass the rest of her peers in the ring, it’s actually because she had a highly successful amateur wrestling career in high school before her stint in WWE even began.
While attending Notre Dame School in Elmira, New York, she was also the first female wrestler in the school’s history and excelled in other athletic pursuits such as tennis and track and field. This background had her in high esteem to finally cross over into the world of professional wrestling.
7 Height 5 feet 7 inches
The Glamazon is an impressive 5ft 7in tall which means she could certainly gain an edge over many performers in the women’s department to date. It would certainly be a help in any women’s MITB match she might get involved in at a later date, and she even won a ladder match for her second OVW title using her size.
Although better remembered for her strength and versatility in the ring and her presence, Beth had it all and was one of the best workers of her generation. So a part-time comeback would work great, and many fans are secretly hoping that she would next take on the likes of Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair and show them who’s great.
6 Trained by The All Knighters
Being married to Edge isn’t the only connection to Canada that Beth has. She was coached by independent Canadian tag team duo The All Knighters. The trio spent time together in the Toronto-based Apocalypse Wrestling Federation, active from 1998 to 2012 and promoted by Ron Hutchinson
The promotion actually featured a handful of famous names, including Edge, Christian Trish Stratus, Gail Kim, and Beth Phoenix. Beth studied well and spent some time on the independent circuit before being spotted and signed in the ring for her striking looks and skills. In 2006, while still OVW, she transitioned into development at WWE.
5 Suffered a broken lower jaw derailing her debut
Beth’s original debut in WWE was actually significantly derailed due to the serious injury of a broken jaw that required an extended timeout. She originally debuted in May 2006 for the Raw brand. An incident soon occurred during a game with Victoria that required multiple surgeries on her jaw and a titanium plate and screw insertion over the course of 12 months.
She returned to development as a precaution, where she won the OVW Women’s Title twice. Over a year after leaving the main roster, she made her debut again in July 2007 as WWE left its heyday and made up for lost time. An imposing element in the division, it didn’t take long for her to find championship success.
4 She is a four-time world champion
Beth won her first title, defeating Candice Michelle at No Mercy 2007 in just over 3 months since her super-fast re-debut, as WWE had built her to be the division’s queen long before Charlotte Flair used her as her marketing slogan. She held the gold for a solid six months in a great start before giving it up to Mickie James.
During her time in WWE, she won the Women’s Championship twice more and the Diva’s Title once. She defeated the likes of Mickie James, Michelle McCool during the infamous lay cool period and Kelly Kelly. Art mimicked life as Phoenix went on a quest to destroy those in The Division.
3 Inducted into the Hall of Fame 2017![Phoenix ceremony]()
Beth was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017. Together with her husband, they remain the first and only couple in WWE history to receive this honor. Quite an achievement. She was introduced by her tag team partner and best friend Natalya, and Edge also made an appearance in what was a beautiful moment for both of them.
At this point both were retired and it looked like Edge’s neck injury would make a return to the ring impossible. Fast forward to today and everything has changed and it shows that nothing is left out in the world of professional wrestling.
Beth accepted a position at NXT and excelled at it, but initially she specialized in the ever-changing nature of the women’s division, commentating on many signature events such as the Women’s Royal Rumble, the Elimination Chamber and the debuts of the Tag Team Championship.
From 2019-2021 she worked full-time at NXT in a premier commentary position alongside the likes of Mauro Ranallo, Nigel McGuinness and Wade Barrett, adding much-needed wrestling knowledge and know-how.
1 First-ever wrestler in both men’s and women’s rumbles![Beth Phoenix Royal Rumble]()
Since Beth was already the second woman to compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble, and then came out of retirement in 2019 and competed in the Women’s Royal Rumble 2020 10 years later, Beth actually holds the honor of being the “first-ever wrestler” to do so achieved a unique feat.
Phoenix also competed in the first-ever “I quit match” for women in the company, but still has a few more trophies to collect like the Elimination Chamber to navigate in the future to complete all achievements. She’s never fought at MITB or an Ironwoman match, so hopefully they’re next on the agenda. In the end, it’s just good to see Beth back on screen after a long absence, doing what she does best.
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Roger Dalton
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