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Renee Paquette

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Renee Paquette
Paquette in 2023
Born
Renee Jane Paquette

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Citizenship
  • Canada
  • United States
Occupations
  • Sports broadcaster
  • commentator
  • television personality
Years active2009–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2017)​
Children1
Ring name(s)Renee Young
Renee Paquette
Billed height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)[1]
DebutNovember 18, 2012

Renee Jane Paquette is a Canadian-American television personality working as a backstage interviewer for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). She was previously known for her time in WWE between 2012 and 2020, where she served as a commentator, presenter, and interviewer under the ring name Renee Young. During her time in WWE, Young also appeared as a main cast member on the reality TV series Total Divas. Before signing with WWE, she was a sports broadcaster for The Score Television Network.

Early life

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Renee Jane Paquette[2][3] was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[4][5] After high school, she applied to several colleges and began training in improv comedy.[6] At the age of 19, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a comedic actress, but later moved back to Toronto and auditioned for films, music videos, and commercials there instead.[6] After becoming frustrated with her lack of auditions, she became interested in broadcasting instead of acting.[6]

Career

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The Score Television Network (2009–2012)

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Paquette began working for The Score Television Network in 2009 on a program called Right After Wrestling, later renamed Aftermath,[7][8] where she presented alongside broadcasters Arda Ocal and Mauro Ranallo as well as former WWE referee Jimmy Korderas.[9]

WWE (2012–2020)

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Young in 2014

Paquette signed with the American professional wrestling promotion WWE in October 2012,[10] where she was initially given the ring name Renee Sterling[11] before choosing the name Renee Young (a nod to Neil Young).[12] Her first appearance was as a co-host on the 2012 Survivor Series pre-show alongside Scott Stanford.[13] Young then debuted on the January 23, 2013, episode of NXT as a backstage interviewer.[14] She began performing interviews exclusively for WWE Active in February 2013.[15] Renee made her SmackDown debut on the March 29 episode, interviewing Randy Orton, Big Show, and Sheamus.[16][17]

Renee Young in April 2014

Young began co-hosting the World Tour segments, which was a segment detailing the city they were filming in, showcasing various tourist attractions, before later being promoted as a third main presenter on the JBL and Cole Show, which was shown on YouTube and WWE's website, until its cancellation in June 2015.[18] It received a Slammy Award for Favorite Web Show of the Year.[19] She also presented WWE Vintage Collection alongside Gene Okerlund.[20]

In September 2013, Young made her commentary debut on NXT.[21] She began performing color commentary during women's matches, before later becoming a full-time color commentator on NXT for several months.[6][22] From July 3, 2014, to January 9, 2015, Young served as a color commentator on Superstars, alongside Tom Phillips, which made her WWE's first full-time female announcer in more than a decade.[23] In April 2015, Young began hosting her own WWE Network show, Unfiltered with Renee Young, in which she interviews fellow WWE employees.[24] In June, Young served as the co-host of the sixth season of Tough Enough, alongside Chris Jericho.[25]

On the December 20, 2016, episode of SmackDown, Young interviewed WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz following his successful title defense against Apollo Crews. After Young asked Miz about his "obsession" with Dean Ambrose, Miz sarcastically responded by revealing Young and Ambrose's real-life relationship, prompting her to slap Miz.[26] On December 27, Young was confronted by The Miz's real-life wife, Maryse, backstage on SmackDown.[27] Maryse slapped Young the following week in retaliation, for which she was fined.[28]

Young filled in for Jonathan Coachman as a guest commentator on the August 13, 2018, episode of Raw, making her the first woman to call an entire episode of Raw.[29] Young joined the Raw commentary team full-time the following month and became the first permanent female commentator on the program.[30] Beginning in October 2019, Young moved to SmackDown as a "special contributor" and began co-hosting the new studio program WWE Backstage on Fox Sports 1 with Booker T.[31] On November 1, 2019, Young filled in as commentator on SmackDown, as Michael Cole and Corey Graves missed the episode due to travel delays returning from Crown Jewel.[32] Young announced her departure from WWE at SummerSlam in August 2020, stating that the event would be her last appearance with the company.[33] Young explained that she left WWE because of the cancelation of WWE Backstage and that she felt that she had accomplished everything in WWE.[34]

Post-WWE work (2021–present)

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Paquette, as Renee Young, returned for a special SmackDown pre-show on Friday, October 16, co-hosting the kickoff show alongside Booker T as a part of the celebration of season two of SmackDown on Fox.[35] Paquette made a special appearance on the return of WWE Backstage, for the January 30, 2021, episode, promoting the upcoming Royal Rumble, with her returning co-hosts Paige, and Booker T.[citation needed]

In 2021, Paquette began her own podcast Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette (later renamed The Sessions with Renee Paquette).[citation needed] In addition to the podcast, she created her own YouTube channel to accompany the audio episodes in the form of video clips, and full podcast episodes, under the channel name of Renee Paquette.[36] In September 2021, she also began hosting a show on Sirius XM with former Strikeforce and UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate called Throwing Down with Renee and Miesha.[37]

All Elite Wrestling (2022–present)

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On October 12, 2022, Tony Khan confirmed via his social media account that Paquette had signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[38] She made her debut the same night on Dynamite.[39]

Other media

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Before joining The Score, Paquette worked for BiteTV, where she presented a show about extreme sports and music called Rippin' It-N-Lippin' It during 2008 and 2009.[6] She appeared in a commercial for Oxy and had a part in a Tom Green music video.[6] Prior to this, she had a cameo in the music video for Kelly Clarkson's 2005 song "Behind These Hazel Eyes".[6] She also appeared in a national Noxzema commercial and did a photoshoot for Toro Magazine.[40] In 2016, Paquette began appearing as a main cast member for the sixth season of Total Divas.[41] She had previously appeared in several episodes on a recurring basis. She also hosted the podcast Regular Girls with Stacy McGunnigle.[42]

Personal life

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Paquette began dating American professional wrestler Jonathan Good (better known as Jon Moxley and formerly Dean Ambrose) in 2013.[43][44] They were married at their Las Vegas home in an impromptu ceremony in April 9, 2017.[3][45][46] In November 2020, Paquette and Good announced that they were expecting their first child.[47][48] Their daughter, Nora Murphy Good, was born on June 15, 2021.[49][50][51]

Paquette is a fan of the Vegas Golden Knights ice hockey team.[52] On being a wrestling fan in both her childhood and adulthood, she said, "I attended a few events and WrestleMania VI. My father is a concert promoter and he used to get me into events. I recall being backstage and meeting Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Chyna, & Trish Stratus as a kid, so it's really funny to me that I ended up here. I went down a distinct path than wanting to be a WWE Superstar."[6]

In March 2021, Renee reported that she became an American citizen.[53] In May, she posted her cookbook Messy in the Kitchen: My Guide to Eating Deliciously, Hosting Fabulously and Sipping Copiously.[54]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 The Main Event Herself

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Smart Woman Survival Guide Cute Intern Episode: "Go Big or Go Home"
2010 Gotta Grudge? Herself 8 episodes
2011–2012 Gillette Drafted Judge, mentor
2013 WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History Host
2014 WWE Countdown Episode: "Coolest Catchphrases"
2014–2020 WWE Music Power 10 Voice-over host
2014–2020 WWE Quick Hits Host
2015–2019 Total Divas Recurring (seasons 4 & 5)
Main cast (season 6)
Guest (seasons 7, 8 & 9): 38 episodes
2015–2017 Unfiltered with Renee Young Host
2015 WWE Tough Enough Co-host
2016–2018 WWE Talking Smack Host
2016–2018 WWE Raw Talk Host
2017–2018 Total Bellas 4 episodes
2018 Miz & Mrs. Episodes: "A Simple Mizunderstanding" & "Proud Papa"
2019–2020 WWE Backstage Co-host

Web

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Year Title Role
2013–2015 The JBL and Renee Show Herself
2013–2015 After Total Divas Herself

Awards and accomplishments

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Bibliography

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  • Paquette, Renee (2021). Messy in the Kitchen: My Guide to Eating Deliciously, Hosting Fabulously and Sipping Copiously. Permuted Press. ISBN 978-1-64293-930-9.

References

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  3. ^ a b "Washoe County Search Results". Washoe Clerk Search. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  4. ^ "Actress Renee Paquette puts laughs ahead of looks". DurhamRegion.com. February 5, 2009. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  5. ^ "Toronto's Renee Young says being WWE's first full-time female commentator a 'cool opportunity'". Toronto Sun. September 14, 2018. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Linder, Zack (January 9, 2014). "Exclusive interview: Backstage with WWE's broadcasting beauty Renee Young". WWE. Archived from the original on September 19, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  7. ^ Byer, Matthew (August 30, 2012). "Some thoughts on The Score/Rogers deal and how it affects WWE shows". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ Murphy, Jan (February 10, 2012). "Aftermath's Paquette blazing a trail that started in grade school". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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  10. ^ Meltzer, Dave (October 13, 2013). "Sat. Update: First Punk vs. Ryback match, Rutten Box Office, 69-year-old legend still packs a whallop, previews of tonight's Bonnar & Fitch matches, WWE signs new announcer, new WWE DVD". Wrestling Observer. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
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  12. ^ Chris Jericho (June 19, 2015). "Talk is Jericho – EP153". Talk is Jericho (Podcast). PodcastOne. Event occurs at 14:33. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  13. ^ Johnson, Mike (November 18, 2013). "Complete WWE Survivor Series PPV coverage". PWInsider. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
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  19. ^ Nissim, Mayer (December 10, 2013). "Daniel Bryan wins Superstar of the Year at the 2013 Slammy Awards". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
  20. ^ Varsallone, Jim (March 28, 2016). "The Natural: WWE's Renee Young inspired by Chelsea Handler". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  21. ^ James, Justin (September 26, 2023). "10 YRS AGO – NXT TV Report (9-25-2013): Enzo & Big Cass vs. Tyler Breeze & C.J. Parker (Juice Robinson), Bayley vs. Sasha, plus Sami Zayn, Triple H, Dawson, Rusev, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
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  23. ^ Wortman, James; Pellegatto, Brian (July 3, 2014). "Renee Young joins the 'WWE Superstars' commentary booth". WWE. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2014.
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  25. ^ "Hulk Hogan, Chris Jericho, Paige and Daniel Bryan headline new season of WWE Tough Enough". WWE. May 7, 2015. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
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  28. ^ Parks, Greg. "1/3 WWE Smackdown LIVE – Parks's Ongoing, Real-Time Report, including Miz vs. Ambrose for the I.C. Title". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  29. ^ Gerken, Tom (August 10, 2018). "WWE: Renee Young to be first female commentator on Raw". BBC News. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  30. ^ Campbell, Brian (September 10, 2018). "WWE names Renee Young the first full-time female member of its Raw announce team". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  31. ^ Gartland, Dan (September 26, 2019). "WWE studio show hosted by Renee Young coming to FS1". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  32. ^ "WWE Sets Announcers for 'SmackDown' in Wake of Saudi Arabia Delays". TheWrap. November 1, 2019. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  33. ^ Chase, Stephanie (August 23, 2020). "Renee Young confirms departure from WWE". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  34. ^ "Renee Young explica el motivo de su marcha de WWE". Solowrestling.com (in Spanish). September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  35. ^ "Renee Young Returns to WWE SmackDown". essentiallysports. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
  36. ^ "Renee Young Youtube". Renee Paquette. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  37. ^ "Renee Paquette Teams Up With Miesha Tate For New Show | EWrestling". ewrestling.com. September 9, 2021. Archived from the original on September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  38. ^ Powell, Jason (October 12, 2022). "Renee Paquette signs with AEW". ProWrestling.net. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  39. ^ Powell, Jason (October 12, 2022). "10/12 AEW Dynamite results: Powell's live review of Chris Jericho vs. Bryan Danielson for the ROH Championship, Pac vs. Orange Cassidy for the AEW All-Atlantic Championship, "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry vs. Luchasaurus, Toni Storm and Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter, Swerve Strickland vs. Billy Gunn". ProWrestling.net. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  40. ^ Deleo, Franco. "Renee Paquette – Toro Women". toromagazine. Archived from the original on September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  41. ^ Maglio, Tony (November 15, 2016). "WWE's Renee Young Previews Goldberg-Brock Lesnar at 'Survivor Series'". TheWrap. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  42. ^ "Regular Girls with Renee Young and Stacy McGunnigle". audioboom.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
  43. ^ "WWE's Renee Young Confirms She IS Dating Dean Ambrose!". MTV. Archived from the original on May 31, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  44. ^ "WWE's Dean Ambrose comments on dating Renee Young". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. September 2, 2015. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  45. ^ "WWE's Renee Young and Dean Ambrose recently got married". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  46. ^ "Washoe County Search Results". Washoe Clerk Search. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  47. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (November 18, 2020). "Jon Moxley Reveals Renee Paquette Pregnancy On AEW Dynamite". Fightful. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  48. ^ Juneau, Jen; Leon, Anya (November 20, 2020). "WWE's Renee Paquette and Jon Moxley Expecting First Child". People. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  49. ^ Wilding, Josh (May 21, 2021). "Renee Paquette (Renee Young) Reveals The Name Of Her And Jon Moxley's (Dean Ambrose) Baby". TheRingReport.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  50. ^ Paquette, Renee (June 15, 2021). "Baby girl is officially here, so I'm checking out and becoming a mom. (She's absolutely incredible!! 🥰)". Twitter. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  51. ^ Paquette, Renee (July 27, 2021). "For the Chicken 🐥 Nora Murphy Good 👶🏼". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021.
  52. ^ "Dean Ambrose and Renee Young spotted at NHL game". Wrestling News | Wwe and Aew Results, Spoilers, Rumors & Scoops. WrestlingNews.co. January 14, 2018. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  53. ^ "I became an American citizen today!". Twitter. Renee Paquette. March 11, 2021. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  54. ^ Paquette, Renée (May 18, 2021). Messy in the Kitchen. Permuted Press. ISBN 978-1-68261-938-4. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
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