Legendary Knockout and veteran wrestler Madison Rayne has officially announced her retirement from in-ring competition. The announcement came during tonight’s episode of ROH TV, bringing an emotional close to a decorated career spanning two decades.
The Final Match
The announcement followed a tag team match where Rayne teamed with ROH Women’s Pure Champion (and long-time friend) Deonna Purrazzo. The duo faced off against the team of Billie Starkz and Diamante. Unfortunately for Rayne, the night ended in defeat for the second consecutive time against this pairing, with Starkz securing the pinfall victory over the veteran.
“The End of an Era”
In an emotional backstage segment following the loss, Rayne confirmed that this was her final night as an active wrestler. Fighting back tears, she reflected on her tenure in the industry.
“This business is all I’ve known for 20 years,” Rayne said. “It’s brought me all over the world. It’s given me best friends that will last a lifetime. But tonight was exceptionally emotional because this is the end of an era for Madison Rayne.”
Rayne opened up about the personal struggles she faced over the last year, revealing that the passing of her father played a significant role in her transition.
“I knew it was coming… but when I lost my dad earlier this year, I lost a piece of myself too,” Rayne explained. “But I’m refinding that purpose and that self back here [backstage], coaching, helping with the next generation. And that’s you [Deonna]. That’s this.”
A Storied Legacy
Madison Rayne leaves behind a resume that establishes her as one of the most successful female wrestlers of her generation. She is perhaps best known for her time in TNA/Impact Wrestling, where she became a cornerstone of the Knockouts division.
- 5-Time Knockouts World Champion: Rayne held the top prize in the division on five separate occasions.
- The Beautiful People: She was a key member of the iconic villainous stable alongside Angelina Love and Velvet Sky, a group that defined an era of women’s wrestling on television.
- 3-Time Knockouts Tag Team Champion: Rayne found success in the tag division as well, holding the titles with Velvet Sky, Lacey Von Erich, and Gail Kim.
- Shimmer History: Before her television fame, she was one-half of the inaugural Shimmer Tag Team Champions alongside Nevaeh.
In August 2022, Rayne signed with All Elite Wrestling as a coach for the women’s division while continuing to compete in the ring. Her transition to a full-time backstage role appears to be the next natural step in her journey.
Deonna Purrazzo, who shared the ring with Rayne for her final match, posted a heartfelt tribute on X, calling Rayne’s career a “blueprint of consistency and reinvention.”
“Thank you @MadisonRayne,” Purrazzo wrote. “For believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself… I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you.”
In the backstage video, Rayne shared a final embrace with Purrazzo, telling her, “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner… to ride this wave out and end this era with you… it was the perfect way to end a 20-year ride.”
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