1. Overview
Athanasia Alexopoulos, born January 1, widely recognized by her ring name She Nay Nay (シ・ナ・ナShi Na NaJapanese), is a Canadian professional wrestler. Her career spans various promotions across Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia. She is known for her tenacious in-ring style and has held championship titles in organizations such as Universal Wrestling Alliance (UWA) and International Big Time Wrestling (IBTM). Alexopoulos has contributed to the landscape of women's wrestling through her engagements with prominent promotions including Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, NCW Femmes Fatales, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), Shimmer Women Athletes, and Irish Whip Wrestling, establishing herself as a respected figure in the independent wrestling circuit.
2. Early life and background
Athanasia Alexopoulos's journey into professional wrestling was shaped by her early life experiences and a pivotal moment that ignited her passion for the sport.
2.1. Childhood and education
Alexopoulos attended Woodroffe High School in Ottawa, where she was an active member of the wrestling team. She achieved considerable success, becoming a city champion in her weight class and subsequently advancing to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championships. She later graduated from Notre Dame High School (Ottawa).
2.2. Path to professional wrestling
Alexopoulos's inspiration to pursue a career in professional wrestling stemmed from witnessing a live match between iconic wrestlers Jim Duggan and André the Giant. This experience deeply influenced her, prompting her to consider a career path that differed significantly from her initial thoughts of becoming a stockbroker or a lawyer. Her professional wrestling aspirations began to solidify after she attended a wrestling show promoted by Scott D'Amore at her high school. At this event, she made crucial contacts within the wrestling community who advised her to train under Dave Dalton. Dalton, who operated the Battle Ground Academy, a professional wrestling school, and also ran the Universal Wrestling Alliance (UWA) promotion, became her mentor. Alexopoulos underwent an intensive three-month training period with Dalton before making her official professional wrestling debut.
3. Professional wrestling career
Athanasia Alexopoulos's professional wrestling career began in Canadian independent promotions, expanded into the larger American wrestling scene, and later included international tours, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the sport across various continents.
3.1. Canadian promotions
Following her training with Dave Dalton, Alexopoulos, under her ring name She Nay Nay, made her debut for the Universal Wrestling Alliance (UWA) in Lachute, Quebec, where she faced Misty Haven. After a few more matches for UWA, she expanded her presence to other promotions, securing bookings with Border City Wrestling and Empire State Wrestling.
In 2006, She Nay Nay sent a video to Emile Duprée, the promoter of Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling, which led to her being booked for the summer tour of the Maritimes from May to August. This tour included numerous shows across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Northern Quebec. During this period, she consistently wrestled Krista Kiniski on each show. In one notable match, she teamed with Frenchy Lamont against Kiniski and Farmer Pierre. She returned to Grand Prix Wrestling in 2008, where she faced a loss against Erin Angel.
She Nay Nay was a prominent part of the inaugural show for NCW Femmes Fatales on September 5, 2009. In the promotion's very first match, she performed as a villain and was defeated by Addy Starr. On the second NCW Femmes Fatales show, held on February 6, 2010, she secured a victory over Karen Brooks in the opening match, notably being managed by former wrestler 21st Century Fox. Over time, She Nay Nay achieved victories against wrestlers such as Xandra Bale and Rhia O'Reilly, although she experienced a loss to Veda Scott at Volume IX of the promotion.
On November 3, 2012, She Nay Nay participated in both parts of NCW Femmes Fatales X. In the first part, she teamed with Deziree to defeat Missy and Midianne, a match where Midianne turned into a villain, betraying Missy. In the second part, She Nay Nay, Deziree, and the heel-turned Midianne faced Missy, Xandra Bale, and Leah Von Dutch in a losing effort.
Her career in Canada also extended to several other independent promotions. In the Defiance Wrestling Federation, on March 14, 2010, she teamed with SeXXXy Eddy in an intergender tag team match to defeat the team of Zaquary Springate III and Miss Danyah. In mid-2009, she competed in both Canadian Sports Entertainment and AWF, wrestling against notable figures including Sweet Cherry, Cherry Bomb, and Jen Blake.
3.2. American promotions
In late 2006, She Nay Nay was invited to train at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), which was then a developmental territory for WWE. Her debut match for OVW took place on December 6, 2006, where she teamed with Serena Deeb to defeat the formidable team of ODB and Beth Phoenix. On May 11, 2007, she participated in a "Tag-War," partnering with Serena, Victoria Crawford, and Maryse Ouellet to achieve victory against the team comprising Beth, Katie Lea, Milena Roucka, and Jennifer. However, the very next day, she suffered her first televised loss when she teamed with Serena and Jennifer against Katie, Beth, and Milena. Her first televised singles match was against Beth Phoenix, where she was ultimately defeated. Her final match for OVW was a mixed tag team contest, which she also lost.
On the October 30, 2009, episode of WWE SmackDown, Alexopoulos appeared under the ring name Jenny Brooks. In this appearance, she was defeated in a squash match by the dominant Beth Phoenix.
Following her notable performances on the first two NCW Femmes Fatales shows, She Nay Nay received an invitation to participate in the SHIMMER tapings on May 2 and 3, 2010. She debuted in SHIMMER's SPARKLE Division (which typically features dark matches or preliminary bouts), where she lost to Leva Bates. The next day, she competed in a tag team match, partnering with Anna Minoushka, but they were defeated by the team of PJ Tyler and Leva Bates.
3.3. International activities
She Nay Nay's professional wrestling career extended beyond North America, with significant engagements in Europe and Asia, allowing her to gain international experience and exposure.
3.3.1. Europe
In October 2007, She Nay Nay toured the Republic of Ireland, wrestling on multiple occasions for Irish Whip Wrestling. Her matches in Ireland included both intergender contests and women's exclusive bouts. Subsequently, she also competed for International Big Time Wrestling in the United Kingdom, where she adopted the ring name "Miss Anthea."
3.3.2. Asia
In early 2010, She Nay Nay embarked on a tour of South Korea, sharing the stage with several well-known wrestlers, including Raven, Scotty 2 Hotty, Eugene, and Billy Gunn. Her Japanese debut occurred on October 14, 2012, for World Wonder Ring Stardom in Tokyo. In her inaugural match in Japan, teaming with Hiroyo Matsumoto, they were defeated by the duo of Io Shirai and Veda Scott. Prior to her Stardom appearance, she also participated in Joshi 4 Hope on October 7, 2012, where she teamed with Tomoka Nakagawa to defeat Yumi Ohka and Maki Narumiya. During her initial appearances in Japan, her name was sometimes transliterated as シ・ネ・ネShi Ne NeJapanese.
4. Wrestling style and signature moves
She Nay Nay employs a diverse set of maneuvers in her in-ring repertoire, demonstrating her athletic capabilities and varied offense. Her signature moves include:
- She Nay Nay Drop
- Hurricanrana
- Springboard crossbody
- Tornado DDT
5. Championships and accomplishments
Athanasia Alexopoulos, as She Nay Nay, has earned several championships and accolades throughout her professional wrestling career, recognizing her achievements in the sport.
| Promotion | Accomplishment |
|---|---|
| International Big Time Wrestling | IBTM Women's Championship (1 time) |
| Pro Wrestling Illustrated | Ranked No. 49 of the top 50 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2013 |
| Universal Wrestling Alliance | UWA Women's Championship (1 time) |
6. Other media activities
Beyond her career in professional wrestling, Athanasia Alexopoulos has also ventured into other forms of media. She notably held a minor role in the film Sacrifice, which was filmed in her hometown of Ottawa.
7. Personal life
Athanasia Alexopoulos has a sister named Anastasia, who is also involved in professional wrestling. In addition to her wrestling career, Alexopoulos has maintained a career as a customer service representative for a bank. Initially working full-time in this role, she later transitioned to part-time employment to allow for greater flexibility and freedom to pursue her professional wrestling aspirations more extensively.