Leva Bates

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Leva Bates
Bates in March 2023
Birth nameLeva Bates
Born (1983-05-21) May 21, 1983 (age 41)[1]
Madisonville, Kentucky, U.S.[2]
Alma materMurray State University
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Blue Pants
Leva[3]
Leva Bates[3]
Billed height5 ft 2 in (157 cm)[4]
Billed weight115 lb (52 kg)[4]
Billed from"Gotham City, Florida"[4]
"The Clearance Rack" (as Blue Pants)[5]
Fairvale, California (As "The Librarian")
Trained byBubba Ray Dudley[4]
D-Von Dudley[4]
Debut2006[4]

Leva Bates (/ˈliːvə/; born May 21, 1983) is an American professional wrestler. She is best known for her time with NXT. She also had a successful tenure on the independent circuit, most notably for Shimmer Women Athletes. She has also appeared in WWE on their developmental territory NXT under the ring name Blue Pants.

Professional wrestling career

Early career (2006–2009)

Leva Bates

Betsy Ruth and Lexie Fyfe in a three-way match. She also appeared for World Xtreme Wrestling, beginning in 2009, wrestling against Betsy Ruth and Malia Hosaka, among others.[1]

Shimmer Women Athletes (2009–2019)

Bates debuted for

Nikki Storm, Marti Belle, Veda Scott, and Jessicka Havok.[1][7][8]

Shine Wrestling (2012–2019)

The Lucha Sisters (Bates, left, and Mia Yim) in November 2014

Bates debuted in

hardcore match at Shine 15 won by Bates.[1]

In February 2014, Bates teamed with Mia Yim to enter the tournament to determine the inaugural

Evie and Madison Eagles, and Candice LeRae and Ivelisse, before losing to Legendary (Brandi Wine and Malia Hosaka) at Shine 20 on June 27, 2014.[1][15][16] The Lucha Sisters failed to regain the championship in a rematch at Shine 21 in August.[17] Bates then transitioned back in singles competition, and unsuccessfully challenged LuFisto for the Shine Championship in 2017.[18]

WWE NXT (2014–2015)

Bates first appeared in

Aiden English and Simon Gotch) to a NXT Tag Team Championship. During the match, she had an altercation with Alexa Bliss, prompting a match on the September 2 episode of NXT, which Bliss won.[25][26] Blue Pants made her final appearance on the December 2 episode of NXT, facing Nia Jax in a losing effort.[27]

Bates described the character of Blue Pants as the "ultimate fangirl", and felt the character became so popular because the audience connected with the joy the character felt in wrestling.[19] Blue Pants was noted to be very popular with the crowd at NXT shows, receiving enthusiastic applause and cheering when she appeared, despite being intended initially only as an enhancement talent and not being under contract with WWE.[19][28][29]

Other promotions (2008–2019)

Bates in 2014, wearing Frozen-inspired attire

Bates appeared on the May 28, 2008, episode of

Laurel Van Ness.[31]

Bates debuted in

Su Yung.[32]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–2023)

On April 22, 2019, it was announced that Bates would join the women's roster of All Elite Wrestling as The Librarian. She debuted at Fyter Fest, losing to Allie in a singles match after a superkick. She turned face after slapping Peter Avalon as part of an ongoing story between himself and Brandon Cutler. On May 1, 2023, Bates announced that after 4 years of working for AEW, her contract with the company had expired. She was under contract in a wrestling role and a backstage role, where she originally assisted former Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes, but eventually took over many roles, most notably with her work on the AEW Heels fan club alongside AEW referee Aubrey Edwards and Amanda Huber.

Other media

Leva Bates
Twitch information
Channel
Years active2015–present
GenreGaming
Followers25 thousand
(January 14, 2024)

Bates has been a livestreamer on Twitch since 2016. She is a Twitch Partner as well.

In 2023, Bates took part in the Netflix reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, where she was eliminated in the first round, Red Light, Green Light.

Personal life

Kill Bill
in March 2014

Bates holds two bachelor's degrees in theater and radio and television production with a minor in dance from Murray State University. She also used to work as one of the entertainers at the Universal Orlando theme park.[19] She also video blogs for The Geek Soapbox.[33]

Bates is known for her use of cosplay in her ring outfits; she regularly dresses as characters from TV, movies, video games, and comic books.[19][34] While cosplaying, she incorporates aspects of the character into her wrestling style.[19]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Leva Bates". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  2. ^ "Leva Bates profile". The Internet Wrestling Database.
  3. ^ a b "Roster". Full Impact Pro. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Bates, Leva". Shine Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
  5. ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 4, 2015). "The unexpected virtue of Blue Pants: NXT's cult phenomenon breaks her silence". WWE. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  6. ^ Benigno, Anthony (March 3, 2015). "The unexpected virtue of Blue Pants: NXT's cult phenomenon breaks her silence". WWE.com.
  7. ^ a b "Show results – 10/19 Shimmer DVD taping in Berwyn, Ill.: Shimmer Title & Tag Titles defended for Vol. 58 & 59, Cheerleader Melissa and top women's wrestlers featured". Pro Wrestling Torch. October 20, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  8. ^ Namako, Jason (June 16, 2014). "Feature: Jason Namako recaps Shimmer Volume 59". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  9. ^ Namako, Jason (February 23, 2014). "2/22 Shine #7 iPPV Results: Ybor City, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  10. ^ Namako, Jason (March 23, 2013). "3/23 Shine #8 iPPV Results: Ybor City, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  11. ^ Namako, Jason (April 20, 2013). "4/19 Shine #9 iPPV Results: Ybor City, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  12. ^ Namako, Jason (May 24, 2013). "5/24 Shine #10 iPPV Results: (Angelina Love vs. Rain)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  13. ^ Namako, Jason (July 13, 2013). "7/12 Shine #11 iPPV Results: Ybor City, FL (First Shine Champion crowned)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  14. ^ Namako, Jason (March 3, 2014). "2/28 Shine 17 iPPV Results: Ybor City, Florida". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  15. ^ Namako, Jason (April 20, 2014). "4/18 Shine 18 iPPV Results: Ybor City, FL (Ivelisse vs. Knight)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  16. ^ Namako, Jason (June 28, 2014). "6/27 Shine Results – (Ivelisse/Serena Deeb – 1 Hour Draw)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  17. ^ Namako, Jason (August 23, 2014). "8/22 Shine #21 Results: Ybor City, FL (Havok vs. Kay)". WresteView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  18. ^ Trionfo, Richard (May 12, 2017). "Complete Shine 42 iPPV coverage: a new title, new tag champions, Leva versus LuFisto, and more". PWInsider. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  19. ^
    Rolling Stone
    . Retrieved August 15, 2015.
  20. ^ James, Justin (October 16, 2014). "James's WWE NXT Report 10/16 – Week 122: Sami Zayn vs. Tyson Kidd main event, Women's champ Charlotte; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  21. ^ Parry, Josh (October 23, 2014). "WWE News: NXT Spoilers – full results from Thursday's TV taping, including line-up for the next NXT special, plus Seth Rollins makes post-taping appearance, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  22. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link
    )
  23. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link
    )
  24. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link
    )
  25. ^ Scherer, Dave (August 22, 2015). "Ongoing NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn Blog". PWInsider. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  26. ^ James, Justin (September 2, 2015). "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 9/2 – Week 178: Dusty Rhodes Tag Tournament kicks off, Gargano & Ciampa debut on NXT, Joe & Balor form team, more; Overall Reax". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 3, 2015.
  27. ^ Trionfo, Richard (December 2, 2015). "WWE NXT REPORT: JOE VS. CIAMPA, MATCHES MADE OFFICIAL FOR TAKEOVER, WERE THE VAUDEVILLAINS READY WILLING AND GABLE?, AND MORE". PWInsider. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  28. Huffington Post
    . Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  29. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original
    on April 19, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  30. ^ Namako, Jason (September 28, 2012). "Identity of unknown female on Impact Wrestling". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  31. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "Impact Wrestling One Night Only – Victory Road 2017: Next Knockout « Events Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.net. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  32. ^ "Results". Full Impact Pro. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  33. The Chicago Tribune
    . Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  34. ^ Namako, Jason (January 27, 2014). "1/24 Shine 16 iPPV Results: Ybor, Florida (Rain vs. Ivelisse)". WrestleView. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  35. ^ @TeamVisionDojo (March 17, 2018). "Congrats @WrestlingLeva! Leva beat @TenilleDashwood & @Nova_Girl1973 to win the @WrestlingAtomic Bombshells title i…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ^ "TOXIC CRUSADER CHAMPIONSHIP". Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  37. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "HOW Women's Championship". CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  38. ^ "Leva Bates (@wrestlingleva) / Twitter". June 17, 2023.
  39. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 34 (3): 32–33. 2013.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
  40. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Female 50 for 2015". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  41. ^ @wrestlingleva (November 12, 2017). "No freakin' way!!! Totally Tubular Tag Team, @delilah_doom & I, just won these sweet tag titles at @SHIMMERwomen…" (Tweet). Retrieved December 5, 2017 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Namako, Jason (March 3, 2014). "2/28 Shine 17 iPPV Results: Ybor City, Florida". WrestleView.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  43. ^ Kreikenbohm, Philip. "WC Sideshow Championship « Titles Database « CAGEMATCH – The Internet Wrestling Database". Cagematch.net. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  44. ISSN 1083-9593. Archived from the original
    on August 27, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leva Bates.
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