Piper Niven - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Piper Niven
Niven in January 2023
Birth nameKimberly Benson
Born (1991-05-06) 6 May 1991 (age 33)
Ayrshire, Scotland
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Doudrop[1]
Piper Niven[1]
Viper[2]
Billed fromAyrshire, Scotland[3]
Trained byDamian O'Connor
Mikey Whiplash[4]
Debut2007

Kimberly Benson (born 6 May 1991) is a Scottish professional wrestler. She is better known by the ring name, Piper Niven and her previous ring name, Doudrop. Benson is currently signed to WWE on the Raw brand and is a former two-time 24/7 Champion and one-time Women's Tag Team Champion. She began her career on the independent circuit under the ring name Viper. After joining WWE, she performed on its NXT UK brand. Benson has held championships in many different companies. These include WWE, ICW, Stardom and Pro Wrestling: Eve,

Early life

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Kimberly Benson was born on 6 May 1991, in Ayrshire, Scotland.[2][5][6]

Professional wrestling career

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Independent circuit (2007–2019)

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Before becoming a wrestler, Benson kept her love for professional wrestling a secret. She did this because she was worried that her female friends would think she was "weird". They thought wrestling was a sport just for men[6] When she was 15 her oldest nephew began to watch wrestling. At that time Benson was open about enjoying wrestling.[6] She began her training at a school near her home. After training for a year, she started to perform at age 16. This was in 2007.[6] About her training, she said: "I got beat up, totally beat up. I remember lying in bed the next day, being so sore and in absolute agony, but I just loved it, I had to go back."[6]

In 2017, she worked in Japan as Viper for the company World Wonder Ring Stardom. On 7 January, she replaced Hana Kimura who was injured . She wrestled with with Kagetsu and Kyoko Kimura against the team of HZK, Io Shirai and Momo Watanabe. Her team lost that match.[7] On 13 August, she joined with Shirai and HZK to face the team of Hiroyo Matsumoto, Jungle Kyona and Kaori Yoneyama. They won this match and the Artist of Stardom Championship.[8][9] On 28 March 2018, she faced Toni Storm in Tokyo for the SWA World Championship, In this match, Viper's ICW Women's Championship was also in the line. She defeated Storm to win both championships.[10] She lost the championship in a match against Utami Hayashishita on 14 January 2019. Her EVE International Championship was also at stake.[11]

WWE

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Mae Young Classic and NXT UK (2017–2021)

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In 2017, Benson got a phone call from WWE. They asked her to be part of the Mae Young Classic 2017.[12] The event took place in 2017 and was an all-women tournament. At the time she was wrestling under the name Viper. Since this name was already being used in the WWE she competed as Piper Niven. She choose that name because she played bagpipes as a child, and Niven is her dad's first name. She defeated Santana Garrett in the first round[13] and Serena Deeb in the round two.[14] She lost in the quarterfinals to Toni Storm.[15]

In early 2019, a rumour started spreading that Niven signed with WWE.[16][17] She first appeared and on 27 March episode of NXT UK. Niven had her first televised match with WWE on Worlds Collide on 24 April, she defeated defeated Zelina Vega from SmackDown.[18]

On 12 January 2020 at the NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II event, Niven competed in a triple threat match against Toni Storm and Kay Lee Ray for the NXT UK Women's Championship. Niven was defeated and pinned by Kay Lee.[19]

Raw (2021–present)

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On 14 June 2021 episode of Raw, Niven was traded to the brand as Eva Marie's unnamed protégé. In her first match, she defeated Naomi.[20] The next week on Raw, Marie renamed her as Doudrop. Later that night, she and Marie were defeated in a tag team match by Asuka and Naomi.[21] At SummerSlam, Doudrop turned against Marie.[22] On the next episode of Raw, Marie attacked Doudrop.[23] After defeating Marie twice on 13 and 20 September episodes of Raw,[24][25] Doudrop challenged Charlotte Flair for the Raw Women's Championship, She lost because of a distraction by Marie.[26] In October, Doudrop entered the Queen's Crown tournament. She defeated Natalya in the first round and Shayna Baszler in the semi-finals, but lost to Zelina Vega in the finals.[27][28] In June and July 2022, she won the 24/7 Championship twice.[29][30][31]

On 28 January 2023, at the Royal Rumble, Benson returned as Piper Niven in the Royal Rumble match as the 18th entrant. She lasted over 28 minutes and eliminated two wrestlers before being eliminated by Raquel Rodriguez.[32] On 14 August episode of Raw, Niven returned named herself Chelsea Green's new tag partner to become the other half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship after Green's former partner, Sonya Deville, gave up her half of the titles because of an ACL injury.[33] On December 18 episode of Raw they lost the tag team titles to Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, ending their reign at 126 days.[34]

Other media

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Benson is the subject of the episode Fight Like a Girl of the documentary series Our Lives by BBC. In the episode, she talks about her life as a professional wrestler.[35][36]

Personal life

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On the Celebrate Bisexuality Day on 23 September 2019, Benson came out as bisexual.[37] On 13 December of the same year, she shared that she has Bell's palsy.[38] On 11 September 2021, Benson revealed that she got married.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Alpha Omega Wrestling
    • AOW Women's Championship (1 time)[40]
  • Association Biterroise de Catch
    • ABC Women's Championship (1 time)[41]
  • Fierce Females
    • Fierce Females Championship (1 time)[42]
  • Insane Championship Wrestling
    • ICW Women's Championship (2 times)[43][44]
    • ICW Women's Championship Tournament (2015)[43]
  • Preston City Wrestling
    • PCW Women's Championship (1 time)[45]
  • Pro-Wrestling: EVE
    • Pro-Wrestling: EVE Championship (1 time)[46]
    • Pro-Wrestling: EVE International Championship (1 time)[47]
    • Pro Wrestling: EVE International Championship Tournament (2018)
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated
    • Ranked No. 37 of the top 50 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2017[48]
  • Scottish Wrestling Entertainment
    • SWE Future Division Championship (1 time)[49]
  • Showcase Pro Wrestling
    • Caledonian Cup (2014)[50]
  • World of Sport Wrestling
    • WOS Women's Championship (2 times)[51]
  • World Wide Wrestling League
    • W3L Women's Championship (1 time)[52]
  • World Wonder Ring Stardom
    • Artist of Stardom Championship (1 time) – with HZK and Io Shirai
    • SWA World Championship (1 time)[53]
    • Trios Tag Team Tournament (2019) – with Bea Priestley and Utami Hayashishita[54]
    • 5★Star GP Award (1 time)
      • 5★Star GP Outstanding Performance Award (2017)[55]
  • WWE

References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Thomas, Jeremy (21 June 2021). "Piper Niven Gets Name On WWE Raw, Costs Eva Marie Money in the Bank Slot". 411MANIA. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brocklehurst, Steven (10 June 2018). "Kimberley Benson aka Viper: 'People wrote me off because of my size'". BBC Scotland News. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "Piper Niven". World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  4. ↑ "Piper Niven". Cagematch.net. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Piper Niven". Súper Luchas. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Asl, Nasim (18 November 2017). "The wrestler getting 'hit like the boys'". BBC News. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Stardom New Years Stars 2017 – Tag 2". cagematch.net. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. ↑ Meltzer, Dave (13 August 2017). "DAILY UPDATE: RIC FLAIR HOSPITALIZED, G1 RESULTS, SHIBATA". f4wonline. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  9. ↑ Angelita, Dark (15 August 2017). "Stardom: Resultados "MidSummer Champions 2017" 13/08/2017 Mayu Iwatani retiene, Mary Apache se corona". Superluchas. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  10. ↑ Gásco, Carlos (1 May 2018). "Resultados de los tres show Dream Slam de Stardom". Planeta Wrestling (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  11. ↑ Angelita, Dark (17 January 2019). "Stardom: "8th Anniversary" Cuatro títulos en juego". Súper Luchas (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  12. ↑ Sanchez, Jonathan (3 September 2017). "Piper Niven da su opinión sobre cierto tipo de luchadoras". Planeta Wrestling (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  13. ↑ Powell, Jason (28 August 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Three featuring Ayesha Raymond vs. Toni Storm, Kavita Devi vs. Dakota Kai, Bianca Belair vs. Sage Beckett, and Santana Garrett vs. Piper Nevin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  14. ↑ Powell, Jason (5 September 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Five featuring second round tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  15. ↑ Powell, Jason (5 September 2017). "Powell's WWE Mae Young Classic Review: Episode Seven featuring the four quarterfinal tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  16. ↑ Martínez, Sebastián (9 January 2019). "WWE noticias: Viper podría incorporarse a NXT UK – Heavy Machinery en el dark match de SmackDown" [WWE news: Viper could join NXT UK – Heavy Machinery in the dark match of SmackDown]. Solowrestling.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  17. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (13 January 2019). "Report: Piper Niven Expected To Sign With WWE; Offer Made To Bea Priestley". Fightful. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  18. ↑ Knipper, Justin (25 April 2019). "WWE Worlds Collide results: Storm vs. Cross vs. Belair". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  19. ↑ Garretson, Jordan (12 January 2020). "NXT UK Women's Champion Kay Lee Ray def. Piper Niven and Toni Storm". WWE. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  20. ↑ Powell, Jason (14 June 2021). "6/14 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Drew McIntyre vs. AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Riddle vs. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Raw Women's Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka, Charlotte Flair vs. Nikki Cross, Eva Marie vs. Naomi, final Hell in a Cell hype". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  21. ↑ Powell, Jason (21 June 2021). "6/21 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Drew McIntyre vs. Riddle, Ricochet vs. AJ Styles, Randy Orton vs. John Morrison, Asuka and Naomi vs. Eva Marie and Doudrop, and Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler in Money in the Bank ladder match qualifiers". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  22. ↑ Powell, Jason (21 August 2021). "WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. John Cena for the WWE Universal Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Bobby Lashley vs. Goldberg for the WWE Championship, Edge vs. Seth Rollins, Nikki ASH vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  23. ↑ Powell, Jason (23 August 2021). "8/23 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the SummerSlam fallout edition with an RKBro tag title celebration, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler vs. Rhea Ripley and Nikki ASH, Moist TV with guest Logan Paul". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  24. ↑ Tedesco, Mike (13 September 2021). "WWE Raw Results – 9/13/21 (Big E to cash in Money in the Bank, Lashley vs. Orton for WWE Championship)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  25. ↑ Tedesco, Mike (20 September 2021). "WWE Raw Results – 9/20/21 (The New Day vs. The Bloodline, Big E celebrates becoming WWE Champion)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  26. ↑ Tedesco, Mike (27 September 2021). "WWE Raw Results – 9/27/21 (WWE Championship match kicks off the show, Extreme Rules fallout)". Wrestleview. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  27. ↑ Currier, Joseph (11 October 2021). "WWE Queen's Crown tournament semifinals set". f4wonline.com. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  28. ↑ Powell, Jason (18 October 2021). "10/18 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Charlotte Flair vs. Bianca Belair for the Raw Women's Championship, Shayna Baszler vs. Doudrop in a Queen's Crown semifinal match, Xavier Woods vs. Jinder Mahal in a KOTR semifinal match, final hype for Crown Jewel". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  29. ↑ Johnson, Mike (21 June 2022). "New WWE 24/7 Champion Crowned". PWInsider. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  30. ↑ Leighty, Robert Jr. (23 June 2022). "Leighty's WWE Main Event Review: 06.23.22". 411Mania. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  31. ↑ Powell, Jason (18 July 2022). "7/18 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of Bianca Belair vs. Carmella for the Raw Women's Championship, Logan Paul appears on Miz TV, the build to SummerSlam continues". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  32. ↑ Powell, Jason (28 January 2023). "WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women's Championship, Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight in a Pitch Black match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  33. ↑ Rose, Bryan (14 August 2023). "Piper Niven declares herself Chelsea Green's tag team partner on WWE Raw". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  34. ↑ Tessier, Colin (19 December 2023). "Katana Chance And Kayden Carter Win WWE Women's Tag Titles On WWE RAW". Wrestlezone. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  35. ↑ "BBC – Our Lives, Series 2, Fight Like a Girl". bbc.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 20 February 2021. Documentary following Kimberly Benson – aka Viper – a top female wrestler from Scotland, as she fights in some of the most important matches of her career.
  36. ↑ Dagnall, Matt (12 June 2018). "Fight Like a Girl Report: BBC One Documentary on Kimberly 'Viper' Benson". PWInsider. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  37. ↑ C. Bell, Brian (24 September 2019). "WWE's Piper Niven comes out as bisexual". Outsports. Vox Media. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
  38. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (13 December 2019). "Piper Niven Announces She Has Bell's Palsy". Fightful. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  39. ↑ Lee, Joseph (11 September 2021). "Doudrop Got Married This Weekend (Pics)". 411MANIA. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
  40. ↑ "AOW Women's Championship". Cagematch. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  41. ↑ "ABC Women's Championship". Cagematch. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  42. ↑ "Fierce Females Championship". Cagematch. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "ICW Fear and Loathing VIII Results: Grado vs. Drew Galloway". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. 16 November 2015. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  44. ↑ Harris, Jeffrey (13 February 2018). "ICW: The Biggest Fight Club Taping Ever Results 2/12/18 – Drew McIntyre Appears for Hall of Fame Induction". 411Mania. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021. Viper eliminates Rees and Bram from the proceedings with an impressive dive, then hits Martina with her Viper's Bite and pins her to conquer the title for the second time.
  45. ↑ "PCW Women's Championship". Cagematch. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  46. ↑ Walsh, Shannon (30 June 2019). "Pro Wrestling EVE Results 6.30.19: Charlie Morgan Retires From Wrestling". 411Mania. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  47. ↑ "EVE International Championship". Cagematch. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  48. ↑ "PWI Ratings for Piper Niven". Internet Wrestling Database (IWD). Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  49. ↑ "SWE Future Division Championship History". Scottish Wrestling Entertainment (SWE). 12 September 2019. Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  50. ↑ "Caledonian Cup 2014". Cagematch. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  51. ↑ "WOS Women's Championship". Cagematch. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  52. ↑ "W3L Women's Championship". World Wide Wrestling League (W3L). Archived from the original on 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  53. ↑ "Stardom: "Dream Slam 2018" The retirement of Mimura, Viper champion". Súper Luchas. 4 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  54. ↑ Harris, Jeffrey (5 January 2019). "STARDOM Trios Tag Team Tournament Results 1.05.19 – Osaka, Japan: Bea Priestley, Viper, and Utami Hayashishita Win Finals". 411Mania. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  55. ↑ 2017年9月18日 5☆Star GP2017. World Wonder Ring Stardom (in Japanese). 19 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  56. ↑ "WWE Women's Tag Team Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  57. ↑ "24/7 Championship". WWE. Archived from the original on 23 June 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.

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