Leyla Hirsch (Russian: Лейла Хирш; born September 27, 1996)[5] is a Russian-born American professional wrestler. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and performs regularly for its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH). Before joining AEW in 2020, Hirsh was active on the independent circuit, primarily in the northeastern United States, and also performed for Japanese promotions.
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2017–present)
Hirsch made her professional wrestling debut at Combat Zone Wrestling's Dojo Wars: Super Show 4 event on September 29, 2017, where she lost to Dojo DEEJ in a intergender match.[6] During her time in CZW, she worked with other infamous personalities such as Penelope Ford, whom she faced at CZW Greetings From Asbury Park on February 23, 2018, in a losing effort.[7] She even challenged Eran Ashe for the CZW Medal of Valor Championship in a last man standing match at CZW Dojo Wars SuperShow Seventeen on February 15, 2019, but unsuccessfully.[8] Hirsch also competed in Westside Xtreme Wrestling, making her debut against Valkyrie at wXw Road To World Tag Team Festival: Neumünster on September 14, 2019.[9] She fought in the wXw Femmes Fatales 2019 Tournament where she managed to reach the final match, the prize being a wXw Women's Championship at the 19th Anniversary show. She eventually got defeated by LuFisto.[10] Hirsch had a brief run with the Japanese promotion World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she was a part of the Tokyo Cyber Squad stable and often fought alongside her fellow stablemates Hana Kimura, Jungle Kyona and Konami.[11] On August 28, 2021, Hirsch faced Kamile at NWA Empowerrr for the NWA World Women's Championship, which Hirsch lost.[12]
On the July 6, 2023, episode of ROH on Honor Club, Hirsch made her debut for AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), replacing Maria Kanellis in a six person tag match, where she teamed with The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) to take on The Infantry, in which Hirsch scored the victory after submitting Trish Adora. In a post-match promo, Hirsch declared that she would focus on ROH going forward.[21] Hirsch defeated Adora again by submission on July 21, during the pre-show of Death Before Dishonor.[22] After the match, Hirsch reapplied her submission on Adora until Skye Blue made the save.[22]
On December 27, 2023 Leyla entered the inaugural ROH Women's World Television Championship tournament[23] and was victorious against Rachael Ellering in the first round.[24] On the February 24th, 2024 episode of Ring of Honor Leyla faced Red Velvet in the second round of the ROH Women's World Television Championship tournament but was not successful.[25]
Personal life
Hirsch was born in Moscow, Russia and lived there until being adopted by an American couple at age eight, subsequently being raised in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey.[26] At 15 years old, she began amateur wrestling in high school and college.[27] On March 10, 2022, shortly after the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Hirsch issued a statement on social media supporting Ukraine and calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a "brutal dictator".[28]
Hirsch is openly lesbian; she announced her engagement to partner on October 15, 2023.[29]
Other media
Hirsch, along with other CZW wrestlers, appeared in the music video "If I Ever See You Again" by the American rock band Grayscale.[30][31]
^ abKreikenbohm, Philip. "Leyla Hirsch Personal Data". cagematch.net (in German). Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
^Mrosko, Geno (October 27, 2020). "Watch AEW Dark Episode 58". cagesideseats.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
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