Candice LeRae Bio
Candice LeRae Dawson is an American professional wrestler currently performing on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Candice LeRae. Born in Riverside, California, she began her wrestling career in 2002 and built an impressive resume on the independent circuit before joining WWE. LeRae made history as the inaugural WWE Women’s Speed Champion and is a former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion. Throughout her career, she has competed in major promotions including Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, where she became the only female PWG World Tag Team Champion in the promotion’s history.
Early Life and Background
Candice Dawson was born and raised in Riverside, California, where she grew up watching professional wrestling with her two brothers. She was often the only girl when playing sports with her brothers and many male cousins, which helped shape her competitive nature from an early age. Before pursuing wrestling full-time, Dawson earned a degree in culinary arts and worked as a baker at Universal Studios Hollywood for several years.
During her youth, Dawson participated in her school’s marching band where she played both flute and piccolo. Her early exposure to professional wrestling came through watching the sport with her family, ultimately inspiring her to pursue it as a career. This foundation in athletics and performance arts helped prepare her for the physical and entertainment demands of professional wrestling.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Dawson began her professional wrestling training in 2002 at the age of 16, starting with the Empire Wrestling Federation promotion. She spent her formative years wrestling for EWF and the International Wrestling Council, developing her skills and gaining valuable experience in the ring. During this period, she competed against established wrestlers including Hurricane Havana, Kid Omega, and Amazing Kong, honing her craft through these challenging matches.
As her career progressed, LeRae expanded her reach to other promotions including All-Pro Wrestling and Ground Zero Wrestling. In 2007, she branched out to the Midwestern United States, competing for Insanity Pro Wrestling and making appearances in Ring of Honor. This period of development helped establish her reputation as a skilled competitor capable of holding her own against wrestlers from various backgrounds and styles.
Candice LeRae Career
Early Career (2002-2011)
LeRae spent her first several years establishing herself across the California independent wrestling scene. In 2004, she appeared as a substitute in the ChickFight tournament, replacing an injured competitor. By 2005, she had become a mainstay in the Empire Wrestling Federation, consistently competing against both male and female wrestlers. Her early career demonstrated her versatility and willingness to compete in intergender matches, which would become a hallmark of her wrestling style.
In December 2007, LeRae began wrestling for the Alternative Wrestling Show promotion, where she captured the AWS Women’s Championship in May 2009. She successfully defended this title against multiple opponents before losing it in September of that year. Throughout this period, she also appeared for the National Wrestling Alliance, unsuccessfully challenging Amazing Kong for the NWA Women’s Championship in 2008, further building her reputation on the independent circuit.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Breakthrough (2006-2016)
LeRae debuted in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in 2006, initially appearing in an eight-man tag team match alongside future WWE stars Seth Rollins, Chris Hero, and Kevin Owens. In April 2007, she returned as the valet of Human Tornado, which led to her first major storyline when Tornado began abusing her character. This angle saw LeRae stand up for herself and align with Chris Hero against Tornado, showcasing her ability to work compelling narratives.
From 2009 to 2011, LeRae engaged in a notable feud with Christina Von Eerie, including what was the first women’s match in PWG in over a year. In October 2013, she began teaming with Joey Ryan, and the duo known as the World’s Cutest Tag Team defeated The Young Bucks to win the PWG World Tag Team Championship in July 2014. This victory made LeRae the only female title holder in PWG history. The team held the titles until May 2015, making several successful defenses against top tag teams.
DDT Pro-Wrestling and Other Promotions (2011-2018)
LeRae expanded her international reach by debuting for Japanese promotion DDT Pro-Wrestling in January 2016. She toured with the company multiple times, competing in both mixed tag team and singles matches. During her time with DDT, she also won their Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship in a dream sequence match against Joey Ryan. She appeared for DDT’s all-female sister promotion Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, debuting in January 2016.
Throughout the 2010s, LeRae competed for numerous other promotions including Combat Zone Wrestling, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Shimmer Women Athletes, and Family Wrestling Entertainment. She captured the FWE Women’s Championship in October 2013 and defended it successfully before losing it in early 2015. These performances across multiple promotions established her as one of the most versatile and respected female wrestlers on the independent circuit before her WWE signing.
WWE NXT Era (2017-2022)
LeRae made her televised WWE debut on the May 3, 2017, episode of NXT, participating in a number one contender’s battle royal. She later competed in the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals before being eliminated by Shayna Baszler. In January 2018, WWE announced that LeRae had signed a contract with the company. Her early NXT involvement included being inserted into her husband Johnny Gargano’s feud with Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega, leading to a victory over Vega in April 2018.
Throughout 2019 and 2020, LeRae evolved from a supporting character to a featured singles competitor. She participated in the first-ever Women’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in November 2019 as part of Rhea Ripley’s victorious team. In April 2020, she aligned with Johnny Gargano’s heel turn, debuting a new look and entrance theme. The couple formed The Way stable with Indi Hartwell and Austin Theory in late 2020, with LeRae and Hartwell winning the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship in May 2021.
Main roster Return (2022-Present)
LeRae returned to WWE on the September 26, 2022, episode of Raw as a fan favorite, defeating Nikki A.S.H. in her comeback match. She competed in the 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumble matches and reunited with Indi Hartwell after Hartwell’s promotion to the main roster. In early 2024, LeRae showed a more aggressive side during a storyline with Maxxine Dupri, turning heel in the process. During the 2024 WWE Draft, both LeRae and Hartwell were drafted to SmackDown together.
On October 9, 2024, LeRae defeated Iyo Sky to become the inaugural WWE Women’s Speed Champion, marking her first singles championship in WWE. She held the title for 189 days before losing it to Sol Ruca in April 2025. In May 2025, LeRae aligned herself with Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa on SmackDown, forming a new alliance on the blue brand.
Style and Strengths
Candice LeRae is known for her technical wrestling ability and willingness to compete against both male and female wrestlers. Her career on the independent circuit featured numerous intergender matches that demonstrated her ability to work various styles and match types. LeRae incorporates high-flying maneuvers and technical submission holds into her repertoire. Her experience across multiple promotions has made her adaptable to different wrestling environments and storytelling approaches.
Notable Events and Milestones
LeRae has achieved several significant milestones throughout her career. She became the only female PWG World Tag Team Champion in history, a distinction that remains unique in the promotion’s history. Her participation in the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament and the first-ever Women’s WarGames match at NXT highlighted WWE’s investment in women’s wrestling. Winning the inaugural WWE Women’s Speed Championship in 2024 added another historic accomplishment to her resume, solidifying her status as a pioneer in women’s professional wrestling.
Candice LeRae Career Wins
Throughout her career spanning over two decades, Candice LeRae has captured championships across multiple promotions. Her title victories include the PWG World Tag Team Championship, the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship, the FWE Women’s Championship, and the WWE Women’s Speed Championship. Each championship represents different phases of her career, from independent circuit prominence to WWE success.
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla Highlights
LeRae’s most notable achievement in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla came in July 2014 when she and Joey Ryan defeated The Young Bucks to win the PWG World Tag Team Championship. This victory made her the first and only female champion in PWG history. The World’s Cutest Tag Team successfully defended their titles against several top teams including The Inner City Machine Guns and the team of Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian. Their reign lasted nearly ten months before losing the titles in May 2015.
WWE Highlights
In WWE, LeRae captured the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship with Indi Hartwell in May 2021, defeating Ember Moon and Shotzi Blackheart. The pair held the titles for approximately two months before dropping them to Io Shirai and Zoey Stark. In October 2024, LeRae defeated Iyo Sky to become the inaugural WWE Women’s Speed Champion, holding the title for 189 days. These championship victories established her as a successful competitor in both WWE’s developmental and main roster systems.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PWG World Tag Team | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| NXT Women’s Tag Team | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| WWE Women’s Speed | 1 | N/A | N/A |
Candice LeRae Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Candice LeRae married fellow professional wrestler Johnny Gargano at Disneyland on September 16, 2016. The couple’s relationship has been featured in WWE programming and documentary content, showcasing their dynamic as both wrestling partners and spouses. On August 12, 2021, LeRae and Gargano announced that they were expecting their first child. Their son was born on February 17, 2022, during LeRae’s hiatus from wrestling.
Outside of wrestling, LeRae is an avid fan of Disney movies and the Anaheim Ducks NHL team. She grew up with two brothers, one of whom was adopted by her parents when she was in high school. Her personal interests and family background have occasionally been incorporated into her wrestling persona and storylines, adding depth to her character presentation.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transition period for Candice LeRae following her historic inaugural Women’s Speed Championship reign. After losing the title to Sol Ruca in April 2025, LeRae has shifted her focus to alliances and new storylines on SmackDown. Her reunion with Johnny Gargano and partnership with Tommaso Ciampa in May 2025 suggests a move toward tag team competition and faction-based storytelling. This alliance positions LeRae for potential championship opportunities in the women’s tag team division.
LeRae’s experience and veteran status make her a valuable asset to the SmackDown women’s division as the company continues to expand its women’s programming. Her ability to work both as a singles competitor and in tag team situations provides flexibility for booking decisions. Following the release of Indi Hartwell in November 2024, LeRae has established new partnerships that could lead to fresh rivalries and championship pursuits throughout the remainder of 2025.
