Veronica Stevens
Encyclopedia
Veronica "Ronnie" Stevens, better known by her ring name Simply Luscious, is an American
professional wrestler
currently performing on the independent circuit
. She is best known for her stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
.
and ballet
before getting into wrestling. She became the only female graduate of the Shawn Michaels' Texas Wrestling Academy
, where she trained along with Paul London
, Brian Kendrick
, Matt Bentley
and Bryan Danielson
. She made her in-ring debut against Chris Marval in San Antonio, Texas
, under the name "Simply Luscious", a moniker she got from her ex-husband, hockey player Ryan Pisiak.
Soon after debuting, Stevens appeared briefly in World Championship Wrestling
in a spot with Tank Abbott
, where she received a concussion from Abbot.
and prominently for Ring of Honor
. On June 22, Simply Luscious joined ROH's group The Prophecy
, led by Christopher Daniels
. On December 28 at the event Final Battle, Luscious was defeated by Alexis Laree
. Later that night, she left the Prophecy to join Steve Corino
's new group and thus began feuding with the Prophecy.
promotion as a Knockout
and became the leader of the all-female team Bitchslap. The foundation for the team was formed during the May 28, 2003 Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
weekly pay-per-view. At the time, Traci Brooks
was involved in a storyline demanding equal rights as a female wrestler and competing in matches against male wrestlers. As part of the storyline, she was forced to team with David Young
in an Asylum Alliance tag team tournament. Stevens (who had earlier competed as Simply Luscious on TNA Xplosion
in a match against Lucy) debuted in a new on-air role as TNA's backstage clinician named Nurse Veronica. The following week during an intergender match pitting Brooks and Young against Ron Killings
, Brooks was injured by Killings. Stevens rushed to the ring to aid Brooks. During this time, Brooks was also involved in catfights with Young's valet, Desire
. Brooks and Young then faced America's Most Wanted
in the tournament final, but lost. After the match, Young threatened Brooks, but she was again saved by Stevens.
During an interview with Goldy Locks, Brooks and Stevens announced that TNA officials would no longer allow women to compete against men; however, they would continue to work together as a stable named Bitchslap. The duo then issued an open challenge to any women in attendance. TNA cage dancers April Pennington and Lollipop
(who was attacked by Brooks several weeks earlier) accepted the challenge. They tried attacking Brooks and Stevens but were stopped by TNA security guards. The following week, Lollipop challenged Bitchslap to a match. Stevens (without Brooks present) accepted, but was attacked by both Lollipop and Pennington until TNA security again stopped the catfight.
Stevens then replaced Brooks with a new partner, Cheerleader Valentina (who had earlier competed as JV Love on TNA Xplosion in a match against Brooks). Stevens and Valentina attacked the TNA cage dancers during a dance routine, but were separated by TNA security. A match was finally scheduled between Bitchslap (Stevens and Valentina) and the TNA cage dancers (Pennington and Lollipop). However, before the match could fully start it was interrupted by Trinity
, who revealed herself as the newest member of Bitchslap and attacked Pennington and Lollipop. The TNA cage dancers retaliated against Bitchslap the following week. They summoned Bitchslap to the ring; however, Trinity forced Stevens and Valentina into the ring to fight the cage dancers. Pennington and Lollipop attacked Stevens and Valentina with leather straps until they fled up the entrance ramp to rejoin Trinity. During this time, Stevens also received a brief push as the group's leader and was victorious in a singles match on TNA Xplosion against Daizee Haze
(in a match where the loser was forced to wear a diaper).
The storyline with Bitchslap was then dropped because TNA didn't have enough female wrestlers to compete against the group, and Stevens turned down a two-year contract with TNA, instead attempting to sign with either WWE or a company in Japan. Brooks and Trinity were then placed into other storylines and TNA stopped booking Valentina.
all across the world. On February 14, 2004, Simply Luscious beat Sumie Sakai
to become the USA Pro Women's champion. During the summer of 2004, she spent time in Mexico
working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
. She also occasionally worked for Zero-One Japan with a villainous
referee gimmick.
Stevens returned to the Texas Wrestling Academy in 2006 and spent May through July training in preparation for a World Wrestling Entertainment
try-out in mid July, although she was not hired. Regardless, she still continues to wrestle with Women's Extreme Wrestling
as well as other independent promotions
. In early 2009, Luscious began a feud against PINK, which spanned from River City Wrestling into OWE. On April 18, Luscious defeated PINK to win the OWE Women's Championship.
On August 22, 2009 in River Ridge,LA,Luscious defeated Claudia Del Solis to win the vacant Cajun Wrestling Federation (CWF) Women's Championship.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
currently performing on the independent circuit
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
. She is best known for her stint in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
.
Early career
Stevens studied karateKarate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
and ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
before getting into wrestling. She became the only female graduate of the Shawn Michaels' Texas Wrestling Academy
Texas Wrestling Academy
The Texas Wrestling Academy is a professional wrestling training school that was operated by Shawn Michaels and Rudy Boy Gonzalez...
, where she trained along with Paul London
Paul London
Paul Michael London is an American professional wrestler best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment ....
, Brian Kendrick
Brian Kendrick
Brian David Kendrick is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under his real name. Before joining TNA he spent several years wrestling for World Wrestling Entertainment, where he wrestled under his name, as Spanky, and finally as "The" Brian Kendrick...
, Matt Bentley
Matt Bentley
Matthew James "Matt" Bentley is an American professional wrestler best known for his work in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling by the ring name Michael Shane. He was trained by his cousin, former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Shawn Michaels, and he took the name Michael Shane as a play on...
and Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson
Bryan Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE where he wrestles on its SmackDown brand as Daniel Bryan, and currently holds the SmackDown Money in the Bank briefcase, which enables him to have a World Heavyweight Championship match at any time of his choosing...
. She made her in-ring debut against Chris Marval in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, under the name "Simply Luscious", a moniker she got from her ex-husband, hockey player Ryan Pisiak.
Soon after debuting, Stevens appeared briefly in World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
in a spot with Tank Abbott
Tank Abbott
David Lee Abbott is an American mixed martial arts fighter and former professional wrestler. He has described his fighting style, which he developed brawling in the bars and streets of Huntington Beach, California, as "street fighting"...
, where she received a concussion from Abbot.
Independent circuit
Throughout 2002, Stevens, under her Simply Luscious ring name, worked for Jersey All Pro WrestlingJersey All Pro Wrestling
Jersey All Pro Wrestling is an independent wrestling promotion based in New Jersey.-1997:Jersey All Pro Wrestling is an independent wrestling promotion that was founded by "Fat" Frank Iadeavia on April 19, 1997. This promotion was born out of a dream of "Fat" Frank. He wanted to take the promotion...
and prominently for Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
. On June 22, Simply Luscious joined ROH's group The Prophecy
The Prophecy (professional wrestling)
The Prophecy was a villainous alliance in the Ring of Honor wrestling promotion, led by Christopher Daniels, whose goal was to break down Ring of Honor and rebuild in their own image...
, led by Christopher Daniels
Christopher Daniels
Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also...
. On December 28 at the event Final Battle, Luscious was defeated by Alexis Laree
Mickie James
Mickie Laree James , better known simply as Mickie James, is an American professional wrestler and singer of mixed Native American-Caucasian descent, currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion.James began her professional...
. Later that night, she left the Prophecy to join Steve Corino
Steve Corino
Steven Eugene "Steve" Corino is a Canadian professional wrestler, who currently works for Pro Wrestling Zero1, Ring of Honor and numerous other independent promotions. Corino is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and ECW World Heavyweight Champion.-Early years :Corino began wrestling in 1994...
's new group and thus began feuding with the Prophecy.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
In 2003, Stevens began working for the Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
promotion as a Knockout
TNA Knockout
Knockout is a term used by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling to refer to its female talent. The term is applied universally to wrestlers, backstage interviewers, and managers/valets. They are analogous to the Divas of rival WWE.-History:...
and became the leader of the all-female team Bitchslap. The foundation for the team was formed during the May 28, 2003 Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
weekly pay-per-view. At the time, Traci Brooks
Tracy Brookshaw
Tracy Brookshaw is a Canadian professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet and professional wrestling referee, better known by her ring name Traci Brooks. She is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where she has spent most of her career.-Early life:Brookshaw grew up on a...
was involved in a storyline demanding equal rights as a female wrestler and competing in matches against male wrestlers. As part of the storyline, she was forced to team with David Young
David Young (wrestler)
David Williams , better known by his ring name, David Young, is an American professional wrestler. Though he has mainly appeared with NWA Wildside and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Young has also competed for Ring of Honor, Asistencia Asesoría y Administración and ZERO-ONE...
in an Asylum Alliance tag team tournament. Stevens (who had earlier competed as Simply Luscious on TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion
TNA Xplosion is a television program produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , featuring both highlights from Impact Wrestling and exclusive taped matches. It is now produced only for international markets, no longer airing in the United States...
in a match against Lucy) debuted in a new on-air role as TNA's backstage clinician named Nurse Veronica. The following week during an intergender match pitting Brooks and Young against Ron Killings
Ron Killings
Ronald Aaron "Ron" Killings is an American professional wrestler and rapper. He is currently signed to WWE working on its Raw brand. Since working for the company, he has been a one time United States Champion under the ring name R-Truth and a two time Hardcore Champion under the ring name K-Kwik...
, Brooks was injured by Killings. Stevens rushed to the ring to aid Brooks. During this time, Brooks was also involved in catfights with Young's valet, Desire
Kim Neilson
Kim Neilson is an American professional wrestler and valet best known for working in World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Desire.-Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling:...
. Brooks and Young then faced America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted (professional wrestling)
America's Most Wanted was a professional wrestling tag team consisting of "Wildcat" Chris Harris and "Tennessee Cowboy" James Storm, who competed in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
in the tournament final, but lost. After the match, Young threatened Brooks, but she was again saved by Stevens.
During an interview with Goldy Locks, Brooks and Stevens announced that TNA officials would no longer allow women to compete against men; however, they would continue to work together as a stable named Bitchslap. The duo then issued an open challenge to any women in attendance. TNA cage dancers April Pennington and Lollipop
Jaime Lynne
Jaime Lynne is a former American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name, Lollipop. Lynne is perhaps best known for her appearances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a cage dancer.-Early career:...
(who was attacked by Brooks several weeks earlier) accepted the challenge. They tried attacking Brooks and Stevens but were stopped by TNA security guards. The following week, Lollipop challenged Bitchslap to a match. Stevens (without Brooks present) accepted, but was attacked by both Lollipop and Pennington until TNA security again stopped the catfight.
Stevens then replaced Brooks with a new partner, Cheerleader Valentina (who had earlier competed as JV Love on TNA Xplosion in a match against Brooks). Stevens and Valentina attacked the TNA cage dancers during a dance routine, but were separated by TNA security. A match was finally scheduled between Bitchslap (Stevens and Valentina) and the TNA cage dancers (Pennington and Lollipop). However, before the match could fully start it was interrupted by Trinity
Stephanie Finochio
Stephanie Finochio is an American stuntwoman and retired professional wrestler and valet better known by her ring name Trinity...
, who revealed herself as the newest member of Bitchslap and attacked Pennington and Lollipop. The TNA cage dancers retaliated against Bitchslap the following week. They summoned Bitchslap to the ring; however, Trinity forced Stevens and Valentina into the ring to fight the cage dancers. Pennington and Lollipop attacked Stevens and Valentina with leather straps until they fled up the entrance ramp to rejoin Trinity. During this time, Stevens also received a brief push as the group's leader and was victorious in a singles match on TNA Xplosion against Daizee Haze
Daizee Haze
Daizee Haze is an American professional wrestler. Whilst wrestling for many companies Daizee Haze is also the head trainer for the Shimmer Women Athletes promotion.-Training and Gateway Championship Wrestling:...
(in a match where the loser was forced to wear a diaper).
The storyline with Bitchslap was then dropped because TNA didn't have enough female wrestlers to compete against the group, and Stevens turned down a two-year contract with TNA, instead attempting to sign with either WWE or a company in Japan. Brooks and Trinity were then placed into other storylines and TNA stopped booking Valentina.
Independent circuit
Throughout 2004 and 2005, Luscious began to work for independent promotionsIndependent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
all across the world. On February 14, 2004, Simply Luscious beat Sumie Sakai
Sumie Sakai
born November 11, 1971) is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. She currently resides in the United States, appearing with professional wrestling promotions in the northeastern United States such as Women's Extreme Wrestling and Chikara....
to become the USA Pro Women's champion. During the summer of 2004, she spent time in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre is a Lucha Libre-style professional wrestling promotion based in Mexico City while running cards in Guadalajara, Puebla and elsewhere in central and southern Mexico...
. She also occasionally worked for Zero-One Japan with a villainous
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
referee gimmick.
Stevens returned to the Texas Wrestling Academy in 2006 and spent May through July training in preparation for a World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
try-out in mid July, although she was not hired. Regardless, she still continues to wrestle with Women's Extreme Wrestling
Women's Extreme Wrestling
Women's Extreme Wrestling , also known as Women's Erotic Wrestling, is an all woman professional wrestling promotion based in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with offices in New York City, New York. They are notable because their storylines usually are filled with erotic and sexual themes...
as well as other independent promotions
Independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit or indy circuit refers to the many independent promotions which are much smaller than major televised promotions. They are roughly analagous to a minor league for pro wrestling, or community or regional theatre.Specific promotions on the...
. In early 2009, Luscious began a feud against PINK, which spanned from River City Wrestling into OWE. On April 18, Luscious defeated PINK to win the OWE Women's Championship.
On August 22, 2009 in River Ridge,LA,Luscious defeated Claudia Del Solis to win the vacant Cajun Wrestling Federation (CWF) Women's Championship.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Luscious Landing (Springboard bulldog)
- Signature moves
- Front facelock cutter
- Springboard back elbow
- Upside down rope hung Boston crab
Championships and accomplishments
- Cajun Wrestling Federation
- CWF Women's Championship (1 time, current)
- USA Pro Wrestling
- USA Pro Women's Championship (1 time)
- Women's Extreme WrestlingWomen's Extreme WrestlingWomen's Extreme Wrestling , also known as Women's Erotic Wrestling, is an all woman professional wrestling promotion based in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with offices in New York City, New York. They are notable because their storylines usually are filled with erotic and sexual themes...
- WEW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Angel OrsiniAngel OrsiniAngel Orsini is an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder and former mixed martial arts fighter, best known by her ring name Riptide...
- WEW World Championship (1 time, current)
- Other titles
- ETW Television Championship (1 time)
- OWE Women's Championship (1 time, current)