Rayne

Roxanne Annabelle Hardy (née Henderson; born August 8, 1980), is an American actress, dancer, and retired professional wrestler, best known for her work in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and her stint in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), under the name Rayne.

Early Life
Henderson was born in Miami, Florida to Jason and Edith Henderson. Henderson is the youngest of two children, her sister, Hannah Henderson (Chapman) being the oldest.

As a child and teen, Henderson was very active spending more time outside in the yard than inside watching TV. At an early age, Henderson showed a love of animals, particularly dogs and endangered species. Since the family lived not far from the beach, they would often take daily trips. As such, both Henderson girls developed an affinity for the water, joining both the swim and surf team during high school. Henderson would also go on to join her high school’s cheerleading squad.

It wasn’t until her junior year in high school that Henderson became interested in professional wrestling. Henderson states that it was because of her active nature that it took so long for her to become a fan, but once she saw it, she was hooked.

Early Career
Henderson began training to be a wrestler immediately after high school with her best friend, Cynthia Carras. In the time between first getting hooked and graduating high school, Henderson stressed the fact that she wanted to become a pro wrestler to her parents. Though apprehensive about their daughter “roughing it up” as a wrestler and getting injured, or worse having her dream ripped out from around her, they did not stop her. Supporting her like they supported Hannah when she joined the police academy.

In the summer of 1998, Henderson and Carras traveled to Atlanta, Georgia in the hopes of entering the WCW Power Plant. The two planned on paying the $3,000 required, using the money they had earned over several summers and other small jobs.

Since the two girls were still not eighteen by the time they arrived at the Power Plant, they had obtained written permission from their families.

Once in Atlanta, the two immediately sought out the facility in which the training would occur because the following day would be their tryout day. And they didn’t want to get lost and miss their chance.

World Championship Wrestling (1998-2000)
Henderson states that although WCW was her introduction to wrestling, she often wishes she’d never had to go through it.

While Henderson and Carras were accepted into the Power Plant (even after arriving almost 20 minutes late to the tryout session) they weren’t given their money’s worth, at least that is what Henderson believes. This was mainly due to the fact that they were girls, very few women entered the Power Plant, and the ones that did didn’t go for the wrestling. Despite that, the two stuck through the training they were given. This is where Henderson’s dislike for WCW began.

When Carras and Henderson were offered jobs at the WCW shows at the end of 1998, the two were ecstatic, Carras more than Henderson. When they were originally offered the jobs, they had not been told what it was that they would be doing, both assumed they’d be working as wrestlers. However, WCW had other plans and placed them as Nitro Girls; Rayne and Serenity.

Despite the fact that Henderson knew she should easily do the dancing the job required, she felt that with each show she did, a bit of her integrity went down the drain. Just like her wrestling career. Henderson kept working though, not wanting to show to her parents how much she regretted wanting to be a wrestler.

These feelings began driving a wedge between Henderson and Carras.

The tension between the two boiled over in mid-1999. Henderson had began dating then WCW Cruiserweight, Karlos Kaos, earlier that year and the WCW writers decided to work it into a storyline. Throughout the arc Henderson and Carras could be seen bickering, pushing, and shoving each other during dance routines. Carras would be seen flirting with Kaos and constantly interrupting the couple when backstage. Kaos would eventually come out when the two escalated their bickering into an all out fight, pulling the two apart.

The following week the two would be slotted for a dance-off but that would also go on to dissolve into a fight with Carras attacking Henderson during her dance. Kaos would come out again in an attempt to stop the girls from fighting. Carras would gain the upper hand in the fight and during the scuffle steal a kiss from Kaos before running off. A stunned Kaos would make an effort to aid Henderson but would be pushed away before she rolled out of the ring.

Henderson and Carras would not be seen on TV for a month. During that time the two would patch up their relationship with Henderson expressing her feelings over the situation.

When Henderson and Carras returned to WCW programming, whatever pop they had attained in during their short rivalry was gone. The bookers and writers did nothing more with them, acting as though nothing had happened.

The last months of 1999 were a blur to Henderson. She has stated, “I was very detached from the business and myself. Constantly I asked myself if it was worth it. Yeah, I kept on working, but I just went through the motions. Literally.” By the time the new year rolled around, Henderson was on the verge of madness. With nothing more than dance routines as her career highlights, Henderson pushed for another angle, constantly taking ideas to the writer. And it wasn’t just angles Henderson pushed for. During her last few months with the company, Henderson began pushing for matches for the girls. Despite the support from a few of the other Nitro Girls, the higher ups paid no attention to the petition.

In March of 2000, Henderson left WCW.

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2000-2003)
In February of 2000, claiming to be going home for personal matters, Henderson traveled to Stanford, Connecticut for a tryout match for WWF.

Though still relatively green, having only had training from the Power Plant and extra from friends, Henderson was signed to a developmental contract after leaving WCW. Henderson was sent to Memphis Championship Wrestling to work on her wrestling skills.

Debut and Team Xtreme
In May of 2000, Henderson debuted as one of The Godfather's hoes. While the Godfather and the rest of the “hoes” tried to lure Essa Rios away from his valet, Lita, Henderson felt guilt about what was going on and tried to stop the happenings. When Rios turned on Lita, Henderson ran out to try and help in some way, going as far as to try and perform a headscissors takedown on Rios but would ultimately fail. The two women would then be saved by the Hardy Boyz and would go on to form the stable known as Team Extreme. Much like Lita, Henderson would embrace the “alternative” image after trading in her more revealing “hoe” outfits.

During the initial days of Team Extreme Henderson acted more like a valet as opposed to a wrestling member of the team as she was still undergoing some training.Her official in ring debut occurred in late 2000 when she teamed up with Lita, in a winning effort, to take on the team of Trish Stratus and Stephanie McMahon. Both Henderson and Lita would go on to feud with McMahon and Stratus for a portion of the year with Lita ultimately defeating McMahon for the WWF Women's Championship. During a run in with the conservative stable of Right to Censor Henderson was belittled and criticized (more so than Lita) for her time as one of the Godfather's hoes. It was during this time that Jeff Hardy came to the young Diva's aid, standing up for her and competing with her in tag team matched against members of Right to Censor.

On the November 2nd episode of SmackDown Henderson took part in her first championship match, a Fatal-Four Way match against Ivory, Lita, and Stratus, which was won by Ivory. While Lita continued to feud with Ivory, Henderson returned to her valet roll until Lita began feuding with Dean Malenko. At this time, Henderson received a push and was allowed to compete for the Women's Championship after defeating both Stratus  and Jacqueline (who she'd previously beaten out for the spot in the four way match) in order to become number one contender for the title. While she lost the initial bout against the champion at a SmackDown event, she and Stratus went on to Armageddon to face Ivory. On December 10th Henderson claimed her first Women's Championship in an upset victory.

Hiatus From Wrestling (2003-2006)
After asking for her release in April of 2003, Henderson stepped away from the ring stating that she was “mentally and emotionally burned out” and that it was “WCW all over again.” Henderson would hang up her wrestling boots for an indefinite amount of time.

During this time Henderson had been asked to join several independent pro wrestling companies, even the up-and-coming Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), but she refused every time.

Return to World Wrestling Entertainment (2006-2012)
May of 2006 saw Henderson resign a three-year contract with the WWE.

Teaming with Rated RKO; Rated X-treme
On October 2, 2006 Henderson made her re-debut to the company on RAW. The night saw Henderson interfere in a match between Karlos Charisma and Randy Orton, on Orton’s behalf, solidifying a heel run. Later that night Henderson would compete as part of the tournament to determine the new WWE Women’s Champion against Torrie Wilson, coming out victorious after using numerous heel-like tactics.

The following week Henderson, Randy Orton, Edge, and Lita would form the teams of Rated RKO and Rated X-treme, respectively.

Feud with Valerie Rose and Retirement (2012)
On the February 27th episode on Raw, Henderson would set out an open invitation to any Diva past, present, or future (who she called 'wannabe Divas' in her promo). This would be answered by the re-debuting Valerie Rose. In an upset victory, the ten year veteran was defeated by Rose.Following the loss Henderson would set out to make Rose’s life on the main roster a nightmare. The two would feud and battle for the Divas Championship, the two being featured on WWE programming on a near weekly basis until the August 21st taping of SmackDown! (aired on August 24th) right after SummerSlam.

At Extreme Rules (2012) the two would have their first match for the Divas title in a ladder match. Henderson, as many knew, was the winner of the bout reminding everyone why she was the Queen of Xtreme. Henderson would sit out the next PPV, joining the commentary team to watch the battle royal to determine the number one contender for her belt. At No Way Out (2012) Henderson would lose the Divas Championship to Rose. At Money in the Bank (2012) Henderson would participate in a six-Diva tag team match alongside Ember and Eve Torres to go against Rose, Miss MC, and Kaitlyn. Rose’s team would be the victors of this match.

While not featured on the Raw 1000 show, Henderson would appear out of character in a backstage WWE.com exclusive alongside Trish Stratus and Lita.

Henderson and Rose would once again face off at SummerSlam (2012) during the pre-show where Rose would retain the belt. On the following SmackDown! Henderson would challenge Rose for the belt once again, having grown annoyed at her unsuccessful attempts at regaining the butterfly belt. Henderson would be the loser of this final match after which she would go on a verbal tirade insulting everyone she deemed a hindrance in her career (including the crowd) much in the style of her former tag team partner Lita. As she continued her verbal assault Eve Torres would interrupt her and attempt to fire her, an act that made Henderson burst into laughter and say that Eve didn't have the power to do so, following this statement Stephanie McMahon would make an appearance (having also been called a hindrance) and have a few words with Henderson before promptly firing her much to the crowd’s pleasure. Henderson’s contract would go on to expire at midnight on the 21st of August.

Other Media
During her three year hiatus from wrestling, Henderson ventured into acting, she co-starred in several small budget movies and guest-starred on several television shows. It was during this time that she could be seen on the reality TV show Dog the Bounty Hunter helping out the Chapman family, but mainly there as a babysitter for her niece and nephews (Hannah's children).

In 2009, Henderson was offered, cast, and shot for a very minor role in the Marvel film Iron Man 2. While it was a very small part at the start of the film Henderson enjoyed the experience as she has often gone on record in stating that Iron Man is her favorite male superhero and had enjoyed the interpretation of Tony Stark by Robert Downey Jr. Henderson’s role in the film was that of an Ironette dancer, taking part in the dance sequence during Stark’s arrival at the Stark Expo and in a minor segment as Stark is being led out of the Expo by Happy Hogan where he quickly thanks and praises a small group of Ironettes (including Henderson) for their routine and outfit choices. She is credited as Roxanne Henderson.

In 2012, Henderson had a two-episode guest appearance on the spring season of the hit USA Network television series Psych, playing the role of Cecelia Spencer, an independent professional wrestler and cousin of lead super-sleuth Shawn Spencer.

On September 4th 2013, Henderson was announced as part of the cast of season 17 of Dancing with the Stars. Her partner will be Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Henderson was eliminated during week nine.

Personal Life
In early 1999 Henderson began dating fellow WCW roster member, Carlos Belmonte (Karlos Kaos). The two would break off their relationship when Belmonte left WCW to join WWF.

In late-2000, Henderson would begin dating WWF Superstar Jeff Hardy after having worked with him for a few months on-screen. Since their initial days as a couple the two would go on to have an "off-and-on" relationship. They broke up (indefinitely) in 2003 for reasons still-unknown. The two began dating again in 2007 and have continued their off-and-on relationship.

In September of 2001 Henderson, unknowingly pregnant, would take part in an angle with The Two-Man Power Trip, along with the other members of Team Xtreme, and because of a bump she took would suffer a miscarriage. Henderson stated that she'd never suspected that she was pregnant at the time but nonetheless feels remorse for the child she lost. When asked about it now Henderson said, "Never in my wildest dream did think I'd be pregnant at 21, so to hear that I'd lost a child I never knew about really shook me. But I think it might have been for the best. Jeff and I were nowhere near ready to have a baby."

In December of 2009, Henderson announced that she and Hardy were expecting their "official" first child. In late February 2010, Henderson went on to announce that they were expecting twins. On August 20, 2010, Henderson gave birth to fraternal twins Christian Jeffrey Hardy (5.7 lbs; 16 in) and Alexandria Ruby Hardy (5.3 lbs; 14 in).

On Independence Day 2012, Hardy would propose to Henderson using a pyrotechnics display. The couple would marry in January of 2014.

As of 2005, Henderson has two tattoos (black and blue nautical stars on her ribs) which she got that year at Love Hate Tattoos (co-owned by her ex-brother-in-law, Ami James). Henderson has stated that there was never that much real meaning to them other than that of a new beginning for her. In 2011, Henderson added her children's names around each star. Since then, Henderson has stated that she plans on getting another tattoo or two in the near future.

Since 2006 Henderson has been dyeing her hair blue, black, and purple (her now signature look), only stopping when she does not have any appearances for months (like when she is on a hiatus).

Henderson is good friends with several of her fellow wrestlers, most notably: Molly Copeland, Cynthia Carras, Carlos Belmonte, Beatriz Belmonte, Felicity Fliehr, Deborah Belmonte, Chirs Irvine, The Core Group, Randy Orton, Amy Dumas, and Adam Copeland.

Finishers

 * Downpour (Corkscrew 630 Senton)
 * Eye of the Storm (Standing Shiranui) – 2009-present; used as a signature form 2002-2009
 * Storm of the Century (Shooting Star Senton)

Signatures

 * Lightningsault (Corkscrew Moonsault)
 * Rayne Fall (Lifting Sit-out Double Underhook Facebuster)
 * Tempest Twist (Swinging Headscissors Takedown)
 * Dragonrana
 * Full nelson facebuster
 * Hurricanrana
 * Inverted facelock backbreaker
 * Reverse of Fate
 * Russian legsweep backbreaker
 * Step-up enzuigiri
 * STO
 * Twist of Fate

Wrestlers Managed

 * Jeff Hardy
 * Matt Hardy
 * Lita
 * Randy Orton
 * Karlos Kaos

Nicknames

 * “The Queen of Xtreme”
 * “The Dare-Diva”
 * “Miami’s Favorite Diva”

Entrance Themes

 * (2000-2003)
 * Loaded by Zack Tempest (2000-2003) – with Team Extreme
 * By Myself by Linkin Park (2003; 2006-2007; 20011-2012)
 * The Feel Good Drag by Anberlin (2007-2009; 2011)

Pro Wrestling Illustrated

 * Woman of the Year (2007; third runner-up 2006 & 2008)
 * Comeback of the Year (third runner-up 2007)
 * Rookie of the Year (first runner-up w/Lita 2000)

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

 * WWF Hardcore Championship (1 time)
 * WWF/WWE Women’s Championship (6 times)
 * WWE Divas Championship (3 times)
 * Slammy Award for Diva of the Year (2009)

Miscellaneous/Tivia

 * Henderson is a key part of the Twisted Fates Series. She is one of the TFS Originals.