Toni Rossall (October 19, 1995) is a New Zealand-born Australian professional wrestler currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring name Toni Storm. She was previously signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) performing on its SmackDown brand.
Professional wrestling career
Early career
Rossall debuted on October 9, 2009 at the age of 14. She debuted as Toni Storm and at times would shorten her ring name to simply Storm. Most of her early career following her debut involved extensive work in the Australian promotions where she also won most of her championships in. Promotions she worked for include Pro Wrestling Alliance Queensland, PROWL Wrestling, Impact Pro Wrestling Australia, Riot City Wrestling, Melbourne City Wrestling and Professional Wrestling Alliance and many more. Expanding her career to tour internationally, Storm spent considerable time in the promotions throughout the United Kingdom including England and Ireland. Between tours in England and Ireland, Storm wrestled for Pro Wrestling Ulster, British Empire Wrestling, House Of Pain: Evolution (HOPE), Premier British Wrestling, Ironfist Wrestling, X Wrestling Alliance, Pro-Wrestling: EVE, Preston City Wrestling and Finland's Fight Club Finland promotion and Westside Xtreme Wrestling in Germany. She also appeared for Global Force Wrestling during its GFW UK Invasion show on October 30, 2015, where she had the privilege of wrestling WWE and TNA alumni Mickie James.
World Wonder Ring Stardom (2016-2018)
Storm signed with Japan's World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion in mid-2016. She debuted on May 20th during the first day of the ABC 4eme Gala International De Catch Feminin ~ Stardom Europe tour, where she wrestled a title match for the Women Wrestling Stars's WWS Championship successfully retained by her opponent the defending champion Diosa Atenea. During the course of May 16th, Storm competed in a SWA Undisputed World Women's Championship Tournament, losing the final round on May 21st against Io Shirai. On July 24th however, Storm won her rematch at Stardom X Stardom 2016, defeating Shirai to win the SWA Undisputed World Women's title. She wrestled her last Stardom match of 2016 on October 2nd, teaming with Yoko Bito in defeating Hiroyo Matsumoto & Jungle Kyona in a tag match. During the course of 2017, Storm defended the SWA Undisputed World Women's Title, maintaining her reign with a defense on October 21st, defeating Bea Priestley. During the course of 2018 however, Storm sustained a string of title defeats, first losing the SWA Undisputed World Women's Title to ICW Women's Champion Viper on March 28th at Stardom Dream Slam In Tokyo. On June 29th at Stardom Shining Stars, Storm lost the World Of Stardom Championship to Kagetsu.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Early matches (2017-2018)
Storm made her WWE debut on March 31st, during the second day of the 2017 WWE WrestleMania Axxess event, where she defeated Jinny. On July 13th Storm competed in the first annual Mae Young Classic on its opening night, defeating Ayesha Raymond. On second day of the event, she defeated Lacey Evans in the second round, advancing to the quarter final, where she defeated Piper Niven. Storm was eliminated in the semi final match by Kairi Sane.
On April 8, 2018, Storm returned during the fourth night of the WrestleMania Axxess event, where she successfully defended the PROGRESS Women's Championship against Lacey Evans. Two months later, Storm returned on June 4th to compete in the 2018 United Kingdom Championship Tournament, where she first competed in a dark fatal four-way match against Isla Dawn, Jinny and Killer Kelly, ending in No Contest. During the show, she went on to win a number one contendership triple threat match for the NXT Women's Championship, defeating Isla Dawn and Killer Kelly. The following night on June 19th, Storm met the NXT Women's Champion Shayna Baszler, but lost by Count Out. On August 8th, Storm returned for the second annual Mae Young Classic, where she advanced in the first round after eliminating Jinny. On the following night, Storm advanced in the second round after eliminating Hiroyo Matsumoto. She later advanced in the quarterfinals after eliminating Mia Yim. Later Storm advanced in the semifinals after eliminating Meiko Satomura.
NXT UK and NXT (2018–2021)
On 26 August episode of NXT UK (aired on 28 November), Storm lost to Rhea Ripley in a final tournament match to determine the inaugural NXT UK Women's Champion. In a rematch on 12 January 2019 at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Storm defeated Rhea Ripley to capture the NXT UK Women's Championship and reigned as champion until 31 August 2019 at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff, where Storm lost her NXT UK Women's Championship to Kay Lee Ray, ending her reign at 231 days.
On 24 November 2019 on the NXT TakeOver: WarGames post-show Q&A session with Triple H, Storm was announced to be a part of the NXT Women's Survivor Series team by team captain Rhea Ripley. At Survivor Series, Storm was eliminated after Natalya and Sasha Banks aligned and locked in a Bank Statement/Sharpshooter Combination. At NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II, Storm competed unsuccessfully in a triple threat match for the NXT UK Women's Championship against Kay Lee Ray and Piper Niven. Storm participated in the women's Royal Rumble match at the namesake pay-per-view and entered at #20 but was eliminated by Shayna Baszler. Storm wrestled her last match in the brand on 27 February 2020 episode of NXT UK, against and lost to Kay Lee Ray in an "I quit" match. Storm will not challenge for the NXT UK Women's Championship as long as Kay Lee Ray is the champion.
After a 8-month hiatus, on 4 October 2020 at NXT TakeOver 31, Toni returned to NXT following the NXT Women's Championship match between Io Shirai and Candice LeRae. On 25 November 2020 episode of NXT, Toni attacked Ember Moon, turning heel for the first time in her WWE career. She then joined Candice LeRae's team with Dakota Kai, and Raquel González for NXT TakeOver: WarGames. She competed in a triple threat match for the NXT Women's Championship involving Mercedes Martinez and reigning champion Io Shirai at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day in a losing effort. On 10 March 2021 episode of NXT, Storm challenged Shirai for the title, where she was again unsuccessful. At the NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver pre-show, Storm was defeated by Zoey Stark.
SmackDown (2021)
Storm debuted on SmackDown on 23 July episode, defeating Zelina Vega. She was defeated by Vega during the Queen's Crown tournament in the first round. She would then be placed in the 5 on 5 Survivor Series elimination match at Survivor Series; eliminating both Carmella and Vega but was then eliminated by Liv Morgan. Storm would then begin a program with SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair with Storm winning their first bout via disqualification. She then received her title opportunity on the Christmas Eve edition of SmackDown in a losing effort. This was her last appearance in WWE as the following week on 29 December 2021, Storm requested a release from her WWE contract, which was immediately granted. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter indicated that while Storm didn't physically ask for her release she seemingly quit following a Live Event in Washington DC, where she competed in a Triple Threat against Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair.
Personal life
In June 2020, it was revealed that Rossall was dating New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Juice Robinson. On 30 September 2021, Rossall revealed that she and Robinson had gotten engaged.
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- Nicknames
- "Timeless"
- Tag teams and stables
Championships and accomplishments
- All Action Wrestling
- AAW (Australia) Women's Championship (1 time)
- British Empire Wrestling
- British Empire Women's Championship (1 time)
- PWA Queensland
- Australian Women's Championship (2 times)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 13 of the top 100 female wrestlers in the PWI Women's 100 in 2019
- PWI ranked her #25 in the 2022 PWI Top 150 Females
- PWI ranked her #12 in the 2023 PWI Top 250 Females
- PWI ranked her #1 in the 2024 PWI Top 250 Females
- Progress Wrestling
- Progress Women's Championship (1 time)
- Natural Progression Series IV
- Sports Illustrated
- Ranked No. 7 in the Top 10 Women's Wrestler of the Year (2018)
- World Wonder Ring Stardom
- World Of Stardom Championship (1 time)
- 5★Star GP (2017)
- Cinderella Tournament (2017)
- Stardom Year-End Award (1 time)
External links
| 2017 PWI Top 50 Females |
|---|
| Asuka • Charlotte Flair • Alexa Bliss • Sasha Banks • Bayley • Io Shirai • Natalya • Sienna • Naomi • Kairi Sane • Mercedes Martinez • Shayna Baszler • Rosemary • LuFisto • Mayu Iwantani • Mia Yim • Allie • Ember Moon • Becky Lynch • Madison Eagles • Nicole Savoy • Nia Jax • Candice LeRae • Toni Storm • Hiroyo Matsumoto • Chelsea Green • Saraya Knight • Shazza McKenzie • Kay Lee Ray • Mickie James • Dakota Kai • Nicole Matthews • Alex Windsor • Deonna Purrazzo • Abbey Laith • Risa Sera • Viper • Carmella • Ruby Riot • Nikki Cross • Vanessa Kraven • Santana Garrett • Tessa Blanchard • Arisa Nakajima • Lady Lory • Shotzi Blackheart • Veda Scott • Alpha Female • Marti Belle • Zoey Skye |
| WWE Mae Young Classic 2017 contestants |
|---|
|
Abbey Laith • Ayesha Ray • Bianca Belair • Candice LeRae • Dakota Kai • Jazzy Gabert • Kairi Sane • Kavita Devi • Kay Lee Ray • Lacey Evans • Marti Belle • Mercedes Martinez • Mia Yim • Miranda Salinas • Nicole Savoy • Piper Niven • Princesa Sugehit • Rachel Evers • Reina Gonzalez • Renee Michelle • Rhea Ripley • Sage Beckett • Santana Garrett • Sarah Logan • Serena Deeb • Shayna Baszler • Taynara Conti • Tessa Blanchard • Toni Storm • Vanessa Borne • Xia Li • Zeda |
| Mae Young Classic 2018 contestants |
|---|
| Aerial Monroe • Allysin Kay • Ashley Rayne • Deonna Purrazzo • Hiroyo Matsumoto • Io Shirai • Isla Dawn • Jinny • Kacy Catanzaro • Jessica Elaban • Kaitlyn • Karen Q • Kavita Devi • Killer Kelly • Lacey Lane • Meiko Satomura • Mercedes Martinez • Mia Yim • MJ Jenkins • Nicole Matthews • Priscilla Kelly • Rachel Evers • Reina Gonzalez • Rhea Ripley • Taynara Conti • Tegan Nox • Toni Storm • Vanessa Kraven • Xia Brookside • Xia Li • Zatara • Zeuxis |