B-Fab
{{Short description|American professional wrestler}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name = B-Fab
| image = B-Fab, WrestleMania XL 2024 (cropped).jpg
| caption = B-Fab in 2024
| birth_place = Canton, Ohio, U.S.
| ring_names = B-Fab{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/b-fab|title=B-Fab|access-date=February 15, 2025|website=wwe.com|archive-date=September 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913230706/https://www.wwe.com/superstars/b-fab|url-status=live}}
Briana Brandy{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=23820|title=Cagematch profile|access-date=February 15, 2025|website=cagematch.net|archive-date=February 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221041111/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=23820|url-status=live}}
| weight =
| trainer = Dru Onyx
Tyson Kidd
Natalya Neidhart
Matt Bloom
Sara Del Rey
}}
Briana Brandy (born November 22, 1990) is an American professional wrestler and musician. She is signed to WWE, where she performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name B-Fab.
Early life
Briana Brandy was born on November 22, 1990 in Canton, Ohio. She played basketball and competed in swimming during her high school years.{{Cite web|last=Duffy|first=John|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About Hit Row's B-FAB|url=https://itrwrestling.com/features/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-hit-rows-b-fab/|access-date=February 26, 2024|website=Itrwrestling.com|date=2 October 2021}}
Professional wrestling career
= WWE (2019–2021) =
{{See also|Hit Row}}
During summer of 2017, Brandy participated in a WWE tryout which featured wrestling names such as Cody Deaner and Mike Taverna. On August 28, 2019, it was reported that WWE signed Brandy to a developmental contract.{{Cite web|last=UNKNOWN|first=STAFF|date=14 August 2019|title=Briana Brandy Signs With WWE|url=https://www.sescoops.com/.amp/news/briana-brandy-signs-with-wwe|access-date=August 6, 2023|website=Sescoops.com|archive-date=August 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807000431/https://www.sescoops.com/.amp/news/briana-brandy-signs-with-wwe|url-status=live}}
On December 5, 2019, Brandy made her debut during a live event during which she teamed with Taynara in a successful women's tag team match defeating Catalina Garcia and Rita Reis.{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Profightdb.com|title=B-FAB (2019 Matches)|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/b-fab-15947.html?year=2019&res=100&sort=rev|access-date=March 1, 2014|website=Profightdb.com|archive-date=March 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302004054/http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/b-fab-15947.html?year=2019&res=100&sort=rev|url-status=live}} The following year on February 28, 2020, she wrestled her first singles match at a NXT live event against Kayden Carter.{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Profightdb.com|title=B-FAB (2020 Matches)|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/b-fab-15947.html?year=2020&res=100&sort=rev|access-date=March 1, 2024|website=Profightdb.com|archive-date=March 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302004055/http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/b-fab-15947.html?year=2020&res=100&sort=rev|url-status=live}} On March 6 and March 7, Brandy wrestled her final live events, just one week before the COVID-19 pandemic was acknowledged in the United States, effectively restricting all sports businesses from holding live audience events.{{Cite web|last=Dawson|first=Alan|title=The inside story of the WWE ThunderDome, a futuristic arena built for the pandemic, which has had 130,000 total entry requests from fans since August|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-wwe-thunderdome-a-futuristic-arena-for-the-coronavirus-era-2020-9|access-date=March 2, 2024|website=Businessinsider.com}} She wrestled only eight matches, between years 2019 and 2020. On the September 14 episode of NXT, Briana Brandy won her only singles match victory by defeating Katrina Cortez. Under her new name B-Fab, on the May 11, 2021 episode of NXT, she appeared alongside the recently formed the stable Hit Row.{{Cite web|author=WWE Staff|title=Isaiah "Swerve" Scott introduces Hit Row: WWE NXT, May 11, 2021|url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/isaiah-swerve-scott-introduces-hit-row-wwe-nxt-may-11-2021|access-date=August 6, 2023|website=WWE.com}} On the September 28 episode of NXT, her final match was a No Disqualification match against Elektra Lopez, but she was not successful.{{Cite web|author=WWE Staff|title=B-Fab vs. Elektra Lopez – No Disqualification Match: WWE NXT 2.0, Sept. 28, 2021|url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/b-fab-vs-elektra-lopez-no-disqualification-match-wwe-nxt-2-0-sept-28-2021|access-date=August 6, 2023|website=WWE.com}} B-Fab made her main roster debut at the SmackDown brand after being drafted alongside Hit Row during the 2021 WWE Draft.{{Cite web|last=Sutter|first=Robbie|title=NXT Superstars Hit Row Drafted to SmackDown|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2021/10/01/hit-row-drafted-to-smackdown/|access-date=February 8, 2024|website=Lastwordonsports.com|date=2 October 2021|archive-date=February 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208183107/https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2021/10/01/hit-row-drafted-to-smackdown/|url-status=live}} On November 8, 2021, she was released from her contract alongside Hit Row due to budget cuts. B-Fab and Ashante "Thee" Adonis managed Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and Top Dolla in one match on SmackDown before being released.{{Cite web|last=Konuwa|first=Alfred|title=WWE Releases Hit Row, Others As Cuts Swell To Over 80 Superstars|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alfredkonuwa/2021/11/19/wwe-releases-hit-row-others-as-cuts-swell-to-over-80-superstars/|access-date=August 6, 2023|website=Forbes.com}}
= Independent circuit (2022) =
Following her release from WWE, Brandy and the rest of Hit Row, would begin appearing on the independent circuit, under the team name, The HitMakerZ.{{Cite web|title=Hit Row Reunion Announced For MCW Event {{!}} Fightful News|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/hit-row-reunion-announced-mcw-event|access-date=2024-10-31|website=www.fightful.com|language=en}}
= Return to WWE (2022–present) =
{{See also|Hit Row|The Pride (professional wrestling)}}
On the August 12, 2022 episode of SmackDown, Hit Row, minus Scott, made their unannounced return as faces, where Top Dolla and Adonis (accompanied by B-Fab) defeated two local competitors.{{Cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=August 12, 2022|title=8/12 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Gunther vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the Intercontinental Championship, Liv Morgan and Shayna Baszler contract signing for WWE Clash at the Castle, Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah vs. Xia Li and Shotzi in a WWE Women's Tag Title tournament match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/08/12/8-12-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-gunther-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-for-the-intercontinental-championship-liv-morgan-and-shayna-baszler-contract-signing-for-wwe-clash-at-the-ca/|access-date=August 13, 2022|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|archive-date=September 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927224540/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/08/12/8-12-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-gunther-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-for-the-intercontinental-championship-liv-morgan-and-shayna-baszler-contract-signing-for-wwe-clash-at-the-ca/|url-status=live}} B-Fab made her main roster in-ring debut at the women's Royal Rumble match as the seventh entrant at Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023. She was eliminated in 36 seconds by eventual winner Rhea Ripley.{{Cite web|title=7️⃣: B-Fab #RoyalRumble|url=https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1619537256712384513|access-date=|website=WWE Twitter|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=This is B-Fab's first WWE main roster match ever. It's her third televised match ever|url=https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1619537018492715008|access-date=|website=Sean Ross Sapp Twitter|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Michael Cole said that B-Fab, who lasted less than 40 seconds in the Rumble match, still lasted longer than Top Dolla would have. Damn. #RoyalRumble|url=https://twitter.com/jimmyvan74/status/1619537531674177536|access-date=|website=Jimmy Van Twitter|language=en}} Hit Row was quietly disbanded with the release of Top Dolla in September 2023{{Cite web|last=Jenkins|first=H.|date=September 21, 2023|title=WWE Releases Top Dolla From His Contract|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/wrestling/wwe-releases-top-dolla-from-his-contract|access-date=September 21, 2023|website=Ringside News|language=en}} and with Adonis being announced as a new tag team with Cedric Alexander in February 2024.{{cite web|author=WWE|date=February 9, 2024|title=Ashante "Thee" Adonis & Cedric Alexander look to make a statement: SmackDown exclusive, Feb. 9, 2024|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPKpQxstJsI|website=YouTube}}
On the February 2, 2024 episode of SmackDown, B-Fab joined Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits as The Pride and took out The Final Testament's Scarlett.{{Cite web|last=SCHIPMAN|first=SAMANTHA|date=3 February 2024|title=B-Fab Joins Bobby Lashley, Street Profits Against Final Testament On WWE SmackDown|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1508744/b-fab-joins-bobby-lashley-street-profits-final-testament-wwe-smackdown/|access-date=February 3, 2024|website=Wrestlinginc.com|archive-date=February 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203053730/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1508744/b-fab-joins-bobby-lashley-street-profits-final-testament-wwe-smackdown/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|title=WRESTLING / NEWS B-Fab Allies With Bobby Lashley & Street Profits On WWE Smackdown|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/b-fab-allies-bobby-lashley-street-profits-wwe-smackdown/|access-date=February 3, 2024|website=411mania.com}} At Night 2 of WrestleMania XL on April 7, B-Fab assisted The Pride to defeat The Final Testament in a Philadelphia Street Fight match.{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=April 7, 2024|title=WrestleMania XL results: Powell's live review of night two with Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Universal Championship with Bloodline Rules, Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/07/wrestlemania-xl-results-powells-live-review-of-night-two-with-roman-reigns-vs-cody-rhodes-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-with-bloodline-rules-seth-rollins-vs-drew-mcintyre-for-the-world-heav/|access-date=April 7, 2024|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|archive-date=May 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520212115/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/07/wrestlemania-xl-results-powells-live-review-of-night-two-with-roman-reigns-vs-cody-rhodes-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-with-bloodline-rules-seth-rollins-vs-drew-mcintyre-for-the-world-heav/|url-status=live}} On August 16, Lashley's profile on WWE's roster page was moved to the alumni section, ending his tenure with WWE and The Pride. As a result, The Pride was quietly disbanded. B-Fab continued managing The Street Profits, with no mention of The Pride as a stable.{{Cite web|last=Toolan|first=Jamie|date=2024-08-16|title=Former WWE Champion Departure Confirmed|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/former-wwe-champion-departure-bobby-lashley/|access-date=2024-10-20|website=WrestleTalk|language=en-US}} On the November 15 episode of SmackDown, B-Fab competed against Bayley and Women's Speed Champion Candice LeRae in a triple threat match in the preliminary round of the tournament to crown the inaugural Women's United States Champion, but was not successful due to Bayley pinning her.{{Cite web|last=Barnett|first=Jake|date=November 15, 2024|title=WWE Smackdown results (11/15): Barnett's review of Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Street Profits for the WWE Tag Team Titles, Nia Jax vs. Naomi for the WWE Women's Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/15/wwe-smackdown-results-11-15-barnetts-review-of-motor-city-machine-guns-vs-the-street-profits-for-the-wwe-tag-team-titles-nia-jax-vs-naomi-for-the-wwe-womens-championship/|access-date=November 16, 2024|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|language=|archive-date=November 18, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241118123203/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/15/wwe-smackdown-results-11-15-barnetts-review-of-motor-city-machine-guns-vs-the-street-profits-for-the-wwe-tag-team-titles-nia-jax-vs-naomi-for-the-wwe-womens-championship/|url-status=live}}
In February 2025, B-Fab quietly split from The Street Profits and aligned with Michin.{{Cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens in a ladder match for the WWE Title, DIY vs. MCMG in a best of three falls match for the WWE Tag Titles|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/02/01/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-cody-rhodes-vs-kevin-owens-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-wwe-title-diy-vs-mcmg-in-a-best-of-three-falls-match-for-the-wwe-ta/|access-date=February 1, 2025|website=Prowrestling.net|date=February 2025 |archive-date=February 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202094817/https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/02/01/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-cody-rhodes-vs-kevin-owens-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-wwe-title-diy-vs-mcmg-in-a-best-of-three-falls-match-for-the-wwe-ta/|url-status=live}}
Professional wrestling style and persona
Other media
- B-Fab made her video game debut in WWE 2K23 as a non-playable character in the Steiner Row Pack DLC bundle.{{Cite web|last=Lara|first=James|title=WWE 2K23 Season Pass, DLC Wrestlers and Release Dates Revealed|url=https://mp1st.com/news/wwe-2k23-season-pass-and-dlc-wrestlers-and-release-dates-revealed|access-date=March 8, 2023|website=Mp1st.com|date=6 March 2023|archive-date=March 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330140527/https://mp1st.com/news/wwe-2k23-season-pass-and-dlc-wrestlers-and-release-dates-revealed|url-status=live}} B-Fab is also featured in WWE 2K24 as a manager.{{Cite web|title=B-Fab|url=https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/roster/wwe2k24/b-fab|access-date=January 11, 2025|website=Www.thesmackdownhotel.com}} She later appears in WWE 2K25 as a playable character.
Music career
Brandy's involvement in music includes tours with the rap artists Soulja Boy and Jadakiss as well as work with Juicy J, Ying Yang Twins, Too $hort, Young Dro, and Kurupt. Brandy has also released multiple songs since 2013 that have made it ITunes Apple Music.{{Cite web|title=Briana Brandy|url=https://music.apple.com/us/artist/briana-brandy/639917511|access-date=April 22, 2022|website=iTunes.com / Apple Music}}
On March 6, 2023, Hit Row was once more partially fully reunited as rapper Monteasy dropped a music video by the name of Price Went Up.{{Cite web|last=Unknown|first=Swerve City Podcast|title=Monteasy - Price Went Up feat. FRAN¢, Rich Latta, Swerve The Realest & Briana Brandy (Music Video)|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8emlrEoFIkw|access-date=March 8, 2023|website=Www.youtube.com|date=6 March 2023}}{{Cite web|last=Unknown|first=SP3|title=SWERVE STRICKLAND, TOP DOLLA & B-FAB FEATURE ON NEW MONTEASY SONG 'PRICE WENT UP'|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/original-hit-row-monteasy-song-price-went-up/|access-date=March 8, 2023|website=Wrestletalk.com|date=7 March 2023}} On July 21, 2023, Brandy, alongside Hit Row members, dropped a freestyle single by the name of Barbie Barz.{{Cite web|last=Brandy|first=Briana|title=Barbie Barz X Hit Row 💕🅱️💅🏽🔝💵🅰️🅰️💕|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu93rGrAgjA/|access-date=July 23, 2023|website=Instagram.com|archive-date=July 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723204826/https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu93rGrAgjA/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Skudder|first=Jake|title=WWE Superstars appear in Barbie-themed photoshoot ahead of movie's release|url=https://fightfans.co.uk/wwe/wwe-news/hit-row-barbie-photoshoot-wwe/|access-date=July 23, 2022|website=Fightfans.co.uk|archive-date=July 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723205654/https://fightfans.co.uk/wwe/wwe-news/hit-row-barbie-photoshoot-wwe/|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Briana Brandy}}
- {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
- {{IMDb name}}
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Category:21st-century American sportswomen
Category:21st-century female professional wrestlers
Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers
Category:African-American professional wrestlers
Category:American women musicians
Category:American female professional wrestlers
Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets