Former IMPACT Star Makes WWE Debut

A former IMPACT Wrestling star has made their debut for WWE under a new name, sparking speculation that they could sign with the company.

Kyle Rae was part of a recent week-long WWE tryout that also featured former ROH stars Dutch and Vincent. The former IMPACT Wrestling star has now made her in-ring debut with the company as she took on Dana Brooke on Main Event in Milwaukee ahead of Monday Night Raw. In WWE fashion, Kylie Rae competed under the new name of Briana Ray for the match with Brooke picking up the win.

Fightful Select recently reported that a source within NXT noted that the convention of having talent from the brand compete on Main Event for evaluations is because of management’s belief that it gives a “more accurate reflection” on how the talent will connect to a main roster audience. Kylie Rae’s match on the show, therefore, follows that pattern of how WWE is evaluating talent.

Kylie Rae was an early addition to the AEW women’s roster when the company was formed in early 2019. She competed on AEW’s first pay-per-view, Double Or Nothing in 2019, where she was part of a four-way match that was won by Dr. Britt Baker DMD. She was scheduled for a Fyter Fest match following that but was replaced by Allie and it was confirmed in September 2019 that she had asked for and had been granted her release from the company.

Rae then joined IMPACT Wrestling but her time in that company ended under something of a cloud when she failed to turn up for her Knockouts Championship match with Deonna Purrazzo at Bound For Glory 2020. Rae joined the NWA in June 2021 and wrestled for the promotion as recently as March 2022.

Kylie Rae has also been open about her battles with substance abuse on social media, sharing her progress as she maintains her sobriety.