WRESTLING is filled with big personalities, both in and out of the ring, and WWE broadcaster, interviewer, and ring announcer Kayla Braxton certainly fit the bill.
Kayla Braxton shocked her fans, followers, and wrestling enthusiasts when she announced her departure from the WWE.
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Why is Kayla Braxton leaving WWE?
On Saturday, June 22, 2024, Kayla Braxton posted an emotional message on her social media, revealing that she would be leaving her longtime gig at the WWE.
"After nearly 8 years holding the microphone on WWE television, I am setting it down to pursue my next chapter," she posted on Instagram.
"Next week at the world’s most famous arena, I will be officially signing off," she captioned her post.
Braxton was referring to the WWE Friday Night SmackDown at Madison Square Garden, set to take place on June 28, 2024.
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"During my years with WWE, I was able to master the art of the back-stage interview."
"I hope I was able to turn minutes into moments for you who watched week to week and maybe even ushered in a new fan base."
"My banter with Paul Heyman became the stuff of legend, and I am so thankful for all he has done to elevate my career."
Heyman, a professional wrestling manager, executive, and former promoter, regularly appears on SmackDown as the manager of The Bloodline.
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"I gained a wealth of knowledge from the Wise man and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful."
Braxton then delved into one of the main reasons for her departure: her recent move to California.
"I exited the "The Bump" after more than 200 shows and a move to Los Angeles."
WWE presenter Kayla Braxton looks sensational in down top bikini shot
"Now on the west coast, I have been offered new opportunities that will further utilize the skills I gained working for the largest sports entertainment company in the world."
She also went on to thank several key figures in the WWE, along with the organization itself.
"I am extremely thankful to Triple H, Nick Khan, WWE and all of its partners for allowing me to be a trusted voice on WWE television for all these years."
"Thank you to every single person who made me feel like this was my home and that I was a part of this family."
"Thank you for taking a chance on me and welcoming this outsider with open arms."
"I hope I made you proud and I'd love it if you'd stay with me for this next chapter."
Braxton didn't provide any details about what opportunities she's been offered, or what's in store for her "next chapter."
Instead, Braxton teased that she's "excited to reveal to all of you what I have coming up next!!!!"
How long has Kayla Braxton been WWE?
Kayla Braxton's tribute to her time at the WWE was both heartfelt and nostalgic.
She recalled her start at the WWE in 2016, and how much she has grown over the past eight years.
"In 2016, the legendary Michael Cole brought me in to begin my WWE career as a ring announcer with NXT, but I quickly found myself touring the globe, hosting hall of fame ceremonies, kickoff shows and helping launch WWE’s first weekly morning show, “The Bump.”
Braxton signed with WWE in October 2016, and made her debut on the October 20, 2016 episode of NXT as a host and ring announcer.
On May 21, 2017, she appeared on her first pay-per-view wrestling program, serving as a backstage interviewer during Backlash.
During her time at the WWE, Braxton appeared on several other pay-per-view events, including Battleground 2017, SummerSlam 2017, and Hell in a Cell 2017.
As a ring announcer on NXT, she also appeared on Raw, 205 Live, and SmackDown, working as both a ring announcer and backstage interviewer.
After leaving NXT on August 17, 2019, Braxton was replaced by Alicia Taylor, a drummer and wrestling ring announcer.
Braxton then began working primarily on The Bump, serving as the wrestling program's lead host alongside Matt Camp, Evan T. Mack, McKenzie Mitchell, Ryan Pappolla, and Dan Vollmayer.
Each show began with the hosts covering major WWE and wrestling news, and featured in-studio and call-in guests.
On August 22, 2020, Braxton, alongside Paul Heyman, began hosting Talking Smack, briefly renamed SmackDown LowDown.
Her next and final appearance is slated for Friday, June 28, 2024, at the SmackDown event at Madison Square Garden.
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Who Is Kayla Braxton?
Kayla Braxton, born Kayla Becker, was born on June 7, 1991, in Wadley, Alabama.
After her mother was sent to prison, Kayla, then only nine years old, was sent to a foster home.
As a teenager, she found her voice by taking part in public speaking competitions, eventually graduating from Belmont University with a degree in broadcast journalism.
After graduating college, Braxton began hosting her own entertainment segment on TV and radio in a top-20 TV market in Orlando, Florida.
According to her Instagram, Braxton is a fan of horror movies, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Beyoncé.
In hr biography, she describes herself as a "Tv host by trade 📺 Aspiring professional dad joke teller 🤭 Horror movie aficionado 👹,"
On March 3, 2021, Braxton announced that she was bisexual, revealing the news on X, formerly Twitter.
"My whole life, I've had to choose," she tweeted.
""Are you black? Are you white? Which bubble do you fill on the SATs?"
"I always filled in "other" because nothing applied to me. Tonight, I choose to be over having to choose."
"Hello world. I'm Kayla. Oh. And yeah - I'm Bi," she tweeted, alongside a smiling face with sunglasses emoji.
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On May 6, she performed stand-up in Los Angeles as part of an event for Nextflix's Netflix Is a Joke Festival 2024.
Braxton is currently represented by Paradigm Talent Agency.
