Lei'D Tapa

Lei'D Tapa

Tapa in November 2012
Birth name Seini Tonga [1]
Born (1982-11-27) November 27, 1982[2]
Germany[1]
Residence Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Spouse(s) Royal Red
Family Harvey Jason (Uncle)
Sione Vailahi (Uncle)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Lei'D Tapa
Billed height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Billed weight 218 lb (99 kg; 15.6 st)[3]
Billed from Tonga
Trained by The Barbarian
George South[1][4]
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Debut 2011[4]

Seini Draughn (née Tonga,[1] born November 27, 1982)[3] is a Tongan American professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, model, mixed martial artist and former women's American football player. She is the niece of Harvey Jason. Having been previously working for the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Lei'D Tapa, Draughn is currently working for Global Force Wrestling.

Early life

Tonga was born in Germany with her brother and three sisters. Her parents were born in Tonga and her father was stationed in the United States Army. In middle school, she played Ice Wife Carrying, volleyball, jousting, and track. During high school, she attended three different schools while living in Northern Chile and Bangor Maine. She continued to play in basketball and volleyball who while playing both sports made all-state twice in North Carolina. In her final year in high school, Tonga along with two of her sisters and the rest of their volleyball team won state title. Tonga was the MVP for her team.[1] Tonga wrestled in the WWF in the early 1990s as one of the midget characters at a few house shows (she fought against Hillbilly Jim and his midgets, and she also fought against Jeff Gaylord and his midgets etc.). She cried after every match.

After high school, Tonga earned a scholarship to the University of Kuwait in Kuwait where she did jousting and was named a Kuwait Jouster of the year in 2 of her four years jousting there.

Professional wrestling career

Tonga was trained by George South and Sione "The Barbarian" Vailahi.[1][4] She debuted as a professional wrestler for Southern Heritage Championship Wrestling in June 24, 2011.[4]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2013–2014)

On the February 28, 2013 episode of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact Wrestling television program, Tapa took part in the Gut Check Challenge in an attempt to get a contract with the promotion, facing Ivelisse Vélez in a losing effort.[5] The following week, the Gut Check judges awarded her a contract.[6] In actuality, Tapa was signed to a developmental contract and assigned to TNA's developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).

In March 2013, Tapa participated in TNA's One Night Only shows which she would compete in Knockout Knockdown (which aired on September 6, 2013) in which she beat Ivelisse Vélez. After winning her match she competed in a Knockouts Battle Royal to crown Queen of TNA, which was won by Gail Kim. Tapa also competed in TNA World Cup of Wrestling for Team International where she defeated Team UK's Hannah Blossom.

On the September 26 edition of Impact Wrestling, TNA aired a vignette promoting her. On the October 3rd episode of Impact Wrestling, Lei'D Tapa made her debut as a heel by attacking Velvet Sky before her match with Brooke.[7] On the October 10 episode of Impact Wrestling, Tapa attacked the TNA Women's Knockout Champion ODB during her match with Jessie and staked her claim to fight for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship.[8] At the Bound for Glory pay-per-view, Tapa formed an alliance with Gail Kim by helping her defeat ODB and Brooke for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship in triple-treat match.[9]

On the December 12 episode of Impact Wrestling, Tapa and Kim attacked ODB, who was later saved by the returning Madison Rayne, Kim's former partner, establishing Rayne as a face.[10] On the December 19 episode of Impact Wrestling, Tapa teamed up with Kim in a losing effort to the team of ODB and Rayne when Rayne pinned Kim.[11] Tapa's alliance with Gail Kim came to an end on the March 13th edition of Impact Wrestling, when the two brawled after Kim slapped Tapa for accidentally costing her a match against the debuting Brittany, turning face in process. The following week, Tapa faced Kim in a losing effort.

Following the match, Draughn announced her release from TNA.[12] Kim would later state in an interview that Draughn was released due to her lack of wrestling experience.[13] Tapa's final match would air on the March 26 episode of TNA Xplosion, which was another loss to Kim.[14]

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2013–2014)

Tapa acting as a referee in 2012

Tapa debuted in TNA's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), on May 22, 2013, defeating Hannah Blossom in a dark match.[15] Tapa made her debut at the June 15 episode of OVW TV, defeating Jessie Belle.[16] On the June 22 episode of OVW TV, Tapa defeated Heidi Lovelace after once again executing her spinning diamond cutter. Tapa faced off against Holly Blossom on the July 3 edition of OVW episode 724, which ended in a no-contest, following Epiphany came to ringside and pulled down the hood on one of the cameramen to reveal Eddie Diamond which Epiphany believed Tapa was his secret girlfriend that would set up a singles match at the Saturday Night Special, winning Tapa the match.

On the August 2 edition of OVW, Tapa competed in an nine-woman gauntlet match to determine the number one contender for the OVW Women's Championship, where she was thrown over by Heidi Lovelace who reversed her powerbomb into a hurricanrana.[17] After that she competed in a contest to crown the next "Miss OVW" with several other female wrestlers on the roster as well as feuding with then-OVW Women's Champion Trina.[18][19] She was scheduled to face Trina for the belt at the September 7 edition of OVW's Saturday Night Special, but Trina had to pull out due to suffering an injury. Later that night, Tapa would compete in a battle royal and emerge victorious, with lastly eliminating Taeler Hendrix. On the September 18 episode of OVW, Tapa competed in a fatal four-way Ladder match for the vacated OVW Women's Championship, which was won by the evil Hannah Blossom.[20] After defeating both twins, Tapa received a shot at the October 5 edition of OVW's Saturday Night Special for the OVW Women's Championship.[21][22] At the event, Tapa defeated Hannah Blossom to win the Women's Championship for the first time. During the finals Queen of OVW competition, Tapa attacked Lovely Lylah when it wad announced that she would receive a shot at the Women's Championship.[23] Tapa would go on to defeat Lylah successfully defending her title on November 2 at OVW's Saturday Night Special On the November 13 episode of OVW, Tapa defeated Taeler Hendrix once again to retain her championship.

On the November 20 episode of OVW, Tapa turned face by challenging The Bodyguy to a match after he stated that women can't wrestle.[24] Tapa's reign ended at 63 days on December 7 at OVW's Saturday Night Special, when The Bodyguy reversed her finisher and won the title.[25] Tapa surprisingly returned to OVW on January 4, 2014 at OVW's Saturday Night Special by dressing up as The Assassin, who was set for a match against The Bodyguy for the Women's Championship. Tapa defeated The Bodyguy after interference from The Assassin to win the Women's Championship for a second time.[26] Tapa would also make an appearance in the Nightmare Scramble match on the January 25 episode of OVW and become the first woman to ever compete, but she was attacked by a masked man,[27][28] who would be revealed as Randy Royal on March 1 at OVW's Saturday Night Special, where Tapa lost the Women's Championship to Jessie Belle, and after the match Belle would pay Royal for attacking all of the females in the locker room.[29][30]

Tapa would have the championship vacated from her on November 1, 2014 due to OVW discontinuing with their women's division at the time.

Global Force Wrestling (2015–present)

On May 6, 2015, Global Force Wrestling (GFW) announced Tapa as part of their roster.[31] She would have her first match under the GFW banner on June 12, 2015, where she lost to Thea Trinidad at the first show of the GFW Grand Slam Tour in Jackson, Tennessee.

Return to TNA (2015)

Tapa returned to TNA on the July 27, 2015 episode of Impact Wrestling when she faced Awesome Kong as part of a show featuring GFW talent, which ended in a double countout.[32] On the September 9 episode of Impact Wrestling, Tapa interfered during a TNA Knockouts Championship match between champion Brooke and Gail Kim, where she attacked Brooke with the title belt and caused a disqualification. After the match, Tapa had an altercation with Awesome Kong.[33]

Mixed martial arts

On November 6, 2015, it was announced during Bellator 145 that Tapa would face Gabrielle Garcia in an event for Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2015.[34] She trained for the event at American Top Team gym in Florida.[35] Garcia defeated Tapa in the first round by TKO.

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 0-1 Gabrielle Garcia TKO (punches) Rizin Fighting Federation 2 December 31, 2015 1 2:36 Saitama, Japan

Personal life

Tonga is married with her current manager Royal Red "The Protector".[1] She is the niece of actor Harvey Jason. Her favorite athletes are CD Patel and Myron Guyton. Her favorite NFL team is the Minnesota Vikings. When not busy, Tonga enjoys creating murals out of watermelons at her home. Tonga also is a sushi model in her spare time.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "TNA Knockout Lei'D Tapa proud of her academics, ancestry, athletics". Miami Herald. November 27, 2013. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-27.
  2. ↑ "Seini Draughn". TheCarolinaQueens.com. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  3. 1 2 3 "Lei'D Tapa – Cagematch". Cagematch.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Lei'd Tapa talks her TNA Gut check". Wrestling Observer. March 8, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Mike (February 24, 2013). "Former WWE Star heading into TNA Gut Check". PWInsider. Retrieved 2013-02-24.
  6. 1 2 Caldwell, James (March 7, 2013). "Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 3/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – final Lockdown PPV hype". Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter. Retrieved 2013-03-09.
  7. ↑ Boutwell, Josh. "TNA Impact Wrestling Results – 10/3/13 (Hogan decision)".
  8. ↑ Lei'D Tapa Makes her presence felt to the Knockouts Division – Oct. 10, 2013
  9. 1 2 Carapola, Stuart. "NEW CHAMPIONS CROWNED AND MORE: COMPLETE TNA BOUND FOR GLORY PPV COVERAGE".
  10. ↑ Caldwell, James. "CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT RESULTS 12/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of TNA Impact - Feast or Fired, X Title match, more". PWTorch. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  11. ↑ Boutwell, Josh. "TNA Impact Wrestling Results - 12/19/13 (New TNA Champion)". Wrestleview. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  12. ↑ Tapa, LeiD. "When 1 door closes another door opens! Thank you @IMPACTWRESTLING for giving me the opportunity! To my fans I luv u all!! #BowDown". Twitter. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  13. ↑ http://www.cagesideseats.com/2014/3/26/5552094/gail-kim-comments-on-leid-tapas-tna-release
  14. ↑ http://www.tnasylum.com/2014/03/xplosion-gail-kim-vs-leid-tapa.html
  15. 1 2 3 "Upcoming OVW Spoilers". Diva-Dirt. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Episode #721". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  17. ↑ "OVW TV Episode # 724". Ohio Valley Wrestling. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  18. ↑ "OVW TV Episode # 725". Ohio Valley Wrestling.
  19. ↑ "OVW TV Episode # 726". Ohio Valley Wrestling.
  20. ↑ "OVW TV Episode # 735". Ohio Valley Wrestling.
  21. ↑ "OVW TV Episode # 736". Ohio Valley Wrestling.
  22. ↑ "OVW TV Episode # 737". Ohio Valley Wrestling.
  23. ↑ "OVW TV Episode # 738". Ohio Valley Wrestling.
  24. ↑ http://www.pwinsider.com/article/81732/ovw-tv-taping-live-report.html?p=1
  25. ↑ "OVW Saturday Night Special December 2013 Results". Brian Cannon.
  26. ↑ "OVW Saturday Night Special January 2014 Results". Brian Cannon.
  27. ↑ "OVW TV #753: "Did Sharpe Survive?"". Brian Cannon.
  28. ↑ Cannon, Brian (2014-02-05). "OVW TV #755: "New #1 Contender: Jamin or Shiloh?"". Retrieved 2014-02-06.
  29. ↑ Cannon, Brian (2014-02-26). "OVW TV #758: "The March is on to the Saturday Night Special"". Retrieved 2014-02-27.
  30. ↑ Cannon, Brian (2014-03-01). "OVW Saturday Night Special March 2014 Results". Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  31. ↑ "The GFW Roster Reveal Begins; Chael Sonnen Named GFW Analyst". Global Force Wrestling. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2015-10-08.
  32. ↑ http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/tna/impact/SPOILERS_TNA_Impact_Wrestling_Tapings_from_7_27_15.html
  33. ↑ McMahon, Mike (September 9, 2015). "MCMAHON'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 9/9: TNA vs. GFW feud continues, Tag Titles change hands second week in a row, Jeff Hardy introduced as ECIII's assistant, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  34. ↑ "During Bellator 145, King Mo's entry to the RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GRAND-PRIX 2015 and Gabi Garcia vs Lei'D Tapa's matchup was announced". Rizin FF. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  35. ↑ Pritchard, Bill (November 17, 2015). "Lei'D Tapa Training For MMA Debut Fight, Top Ten WWE RAW Moments (Video)". Wrestle Zone. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Deliver". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Retrieved 2013-11-19.
  37. ↑ "AIWF 21st Anniversary Weekend". AIWF Mid-Atlantic. January 20, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  38. ↑ Lynch, Erin (October 6, 2013). "OVW Saturday Night Special Results: Lei'D Tapa vs. Hannah Blossom for the Women's Title". Diva Dirt. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
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