View source for Taynara Conti

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{{Infobox Wrestler
| name = Tay Melo
| image = Tay Melo.png
| names = Tay Conti<br>Taynara Conti<br>'''Tay Melo'''<br>Taynara Melo<br> Taynara Melo de Carvalho
| height = 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
| weight = 126 lbs (57 kg)
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|6|9}}
| birth_place = [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Brazil]]
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| resides = [[Orlando, Florida]]
| billed = 
| trainer = [[WWE Performance Center]]<br>[[Sara Amato]] (WWE PC)
| debut = [[April 1]], [[2017]]
| retired = 
}}
'''Taynara Melo de Carvalho''' ([[June 9]], [[1995]]) is a female [[Brazilian]] [[professional wrestler]] currently signed to [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) under the ring name '''Tay Melo'''. She was previously signed to [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) in its developmental brand [[WWE NXT|NXT]] as '''Taynara Conti'''. During [[July]] [[2017]], Conti participated in the [[WWE Mae Young Classic 2017|first annual WWE Mae Young Classic]].

==Early life==
De Carvalho holds a black belt in judo and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and participated in trials for the Brazilian Olympic team at the 2016 Summer Olympics prior to joining WWE.

De Carvalho began in the artistic gymnastics in CR Vasco da Gama, but soon migrated to the martial arts. First, Conti fought for the project "Brasil vale ouro" (Brazil is worth gold) and later went to "Instituto Reação", by judoka Flávio Canto. Conti was a regional champion and four-time state champion. In addition, she was a four-time Brazilian runner-up. She joined the Brazilian team and participated in the European circuit in Portugal and Germany.

== Professional wrestling career ==
=== World Wrestling Entertainment ===
==== NXT (2017-2020)====
Carvalho joined the WWE and was assigned to its developmental program [[WWE NXT|NXT]]. She debuted as Taynara Melo, on [[NXT House Show (May 13, 17')|May 13]], in a [[battle royal]] to determine the Number One Contender to the [[NXT Women's Championship]]. She wrestled her first singles match on [[July 6]], where she was defeated by [[Lacey Evans]]. On [[July 13]], she took part in the [[WWE Mae Young Classic 2017|2017 Mae Young Classic]] where she was eliminated in the first round by Lacey Evans. Afterwards, Taynara wrestled in several [[tag team|tag matches]] throughout the remainder of [[2017]].

On [[NXT House Show (January 5, 18' no.2)|January 5, 2018]], Taynara returned to NXT to team with [[Abbey Laith]] in defeating [[Reina Gonzalez]] & [[Sage Beckett]] in a tag match. During the remainder of January, Taynara wrestled in a string of singles matches, won by her opponents [[Vanessa Borne]] and [[Nikki Cross]]. Missing the entire month of February, Taynara returned on [[NXT House Show (March 24, 18')|March 24]], teaming with [[Aliyah]] and [[Vanessa Borne]] in a tag match won by [[Dakota Kai]], [[Jessie Elaban]] & [[Rhea Ripley]]. Five days later on March 29, she defeated [[Jessie Elaban]] in a singles match. She finished the month with a loss to [[Kairi Sane]] on [[NXT House Show (March 30, 18')|March 30]]. Taynara returned on April 8, entering the Women's Battle Royal at [[WrestleMania 34]], that was won by [[Naomi]]. She returned to NXT on [[NXT House Show (April 14, 18')|April 14]], teaming with [[Adrian Jaoude]] & [[Cezar Bononi]] in a mixed tag match lost to [[Jessie Elaban]] & [[The Authors Of Pain]]. Five days later on [[NXT House Show (April 19, 18' no.2)|April 19]], Taynara teamed with Adrian Jaoude, Cezar Bononi in a second mixed tag match, defeating Chinese recruits [[Big Boa]], [[Yifeng|Rocky]] & [[Xia Li]]. On [[NXT House Show (April 20, 18' no.1)|April 20]], Taynara lost to Dakota Kai in singles competition. She finished the month with a match eight days later on [[NXT House Show (April 28, 18')|April 28]], losing to Kairi Sane.

Returning the following month, Taynara wrestled during the May 10 NXT tapings, teaming with [[Reina Gonzalez]] & [[Vanessa Borne]] losing to [[Dakota Kai]], [[Kacy Catanzaro]] & [[Steffanie Newell]]. Seven days later Taynara lost to Dakota Kai in singles competition. During her last three matches of the month, Taynara teamed with Reina Gonzalez and [[Shayna Baszler]] in a different tag matches lost to [[Kairi Sane]] & [[Nikki Cross]]. On [[NXT House Show (June 1, 18')|June 1]], Taynara teamed with Reina Gonzalez in a tag match lost to Dakota Kai & Steffanie Newell. During the [[NXT House Show (June 22, 18')|June 22 house show]] Taynara teamed with Gonzalez in a tag match lost to [[Kacy Catanzaro]] & [[Kairi Sane]]. On the following week during the [[NXT House Show (June 29, 18')|June 29 house show]] Taynari lost to [[Kairi Sane]] in a singles match. She finished the month appearing at the [[NXT House Show (June 30, 18')|June 30 house show]] where she teamed with [[Adrian Jaoude]] in a mixed tag match lost to [[Kacy Catanzaro]] & [[Otis Dozovic]]. On [[July 18]], Taynara entered the [[Mae Young Classic 2018|2018 Mae Young Classic]] winning a Qualifying Match after defeating [[Vanessa Borne]]. During the [[NXT House Show (July 20, 18')|July 20 house show]], Taynara entered a Number One Contendership Battle Royal for the [[NXT Women's Championship]]. The match was finally won by [[Candice LeRae]]. She spent the remainder of [[July]] in a series of tag matches, finishing with a match on [[NXT House Show (July 29, 18')|July 29]], teaming with [[Shayna Baszler]] in a loss to [[Candice LeRae]] & [[Kairi Sane]]. On the [[NXT House Show (August 2, 18')|August 2 house show]], Taynara returned to team with [[Adrian Jaoude]] in a mixed tag match lost to [[Candice LeRae]] & [[Johnny Gargano]]. Two days later at the [[NXT House Show (August 4, 18')|August 4 house show]] Taynara teamed with [[Adrian Jaoude]] & [[Cezar Bononi]] in a mixed tag match lost to team [[Heavy Machinery]] & [[Jessie Elaban]]. After qualifying for the Mae Young Classic, Taynara competed during the August 8 NXT Tapings of the tournament. She advanced in the first round after eliminating [[Jessie Elaban]]. On the following day of NXT Tapings, Taynara was eliminated in the second round by recent NXT recruit [[Lacey Lane]]. During the [[NXT House Show (August 25, 18')|August 25th house show]], Taynara teamed with [[Reina Gonzalez]] in a tag match lost to [[Kacy Catanzaro]] & [[Lacey Lane]]. Returning during the [[NXT House Show (September 7, 18' no.1)|September 7 house show]], Taynara won a singles match defeating her frequent tag partner [[Reina Gonzalez]]. Two weeks later [[NXT House Show (September 21, 18')|September 21]], Taynara lost to [[Vanessa Borne]]. A week later during the [[NXT House Show (September 28, 18')|September 28 house show]], Taynara competed in a Number One Contendership Battle Royal for the [[WWE United Kingdom Women's Championship]]. During the [[NXT House Show (September 29, 18')|following night's house show]], Taynara teamed with [[MJ Jenkins]] in a tag match lost to NXT newcomers [[Jessamyn Duke]] & [[Marina Shafir]]. Returning on [[NXT House Show (October 12, 18' no.2)|October 12]], Taynara teamed with [[MJ Jenkins]] in defeating [[Deonna Purrazzo]] and NXT newcomer [[Kavita Devi]]. She made her televised return during the [[November 7, 2018 NXT results|November 7 episode of NXT]], losing a singles match against [[Dakota Kai]]. She finished the year in houses shows during the month of November.

Conti returned in 2019 for the [[February 13, 2019 NXT results|February 13 episode of NXT]] in a singles match lost against [[Aliyah]]. She made her next televised appearance during the [[February 27, 2019 NXT results|February 27 episode of NXT]], teaming with [[Xia Li]] in a tag match lost against [[Aliyah]] & [[Vanessa Borne]]. Four months later, Conti returned to television on the [[June 19, 2019 NXT results|June 19 episode of NXT]], losing a singles match against [[Xia Li]].

On [[April 17]], [[2020]], Conti was one of the many releases from WWE as part of budget cuts stemming from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].

=== All Elite Wrestling (2020-present)===
On [[August 3]], 2020, the official AEW twitter account announced Taynara, under the name '''Tay Conti''', would be participating on the AEW Women's Tag Team Cup Tournament along with [[Anna Jay]]. Her first match with Jay was won against [[Nyla Rose]] and sister WWE alumnus [[Cameron|Ariane Andrew]].

==Personal life==
Carvalho is a multi-level martial artist holding a Black Belt in Judo and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

==In wrestling==
*'''Finishing moves'''
**''Step-up Rolling Cross Armbar'' (sometimes while jumping from the top rope) 
**''Tayogoshi'' (Utsuri goshi to swinging side slam)
**''Brazilian Kick'' (Wristlock Bicycle Kick with the opponent seated)

*'''Signature moves'''
**Ipponzei (Over the shoulder arm drag)
**Rolling Judo Throws
**Mid-rope Diving Crossbody
**Tomoe-nage (sometimes followed by high Double Knees and by a handstand to a seating pinfall)
**Bicycle Kick
**Jumping Knee
**Gory Special twisted into a Knee Lift
**Heel Hook (Kneebar)
**Fujiwara Armbar

*'''Entrance themes'''
**"Show 'Em Who I Am" by Extreme Music ([[NXT]])
**"No Rest For The Wicked" by CFO$ ([[NXT]])
**"Shake Shake" by All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Asistencia Asesoría y Administración]]'''
**[[AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) with [[Sammy Guevara]]

*'''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
**PWI ranked her '''#49''' in the [[2021 PWI Top 150 Females]]
**PWI ranked her '''#127''' in the [[2022 PWI Top 150 Females]]

==External links==
*[[File:Cm logo.jpg|50px]] [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=18241&gimmick=Taynara+Conti Profile]
*[[File:Wrestling Data logo.png|50px]] [http://wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=31359 Profile]

{{All Elite Wrestling roster}}
{{Mae Young Classic participants}}
{{Mae Young Classic 2018 participants}}
[[Category:Female wrestlers]]
[[Category:2017 debuts]]
[[Category:Brazilian wrestlers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:WWE NXT alumni]]
[[Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni]]
[[Category:1995 births]]
[[Category:All Elite Wrestling current roster]]
[[Category:World Wonder Ring Stardom alumni]]