Red Velvet Bio
Stephanie M. Cardona, better known by the ring name Red Velvet, is a Colombian-American professional wrestler and dancer. She is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where she is recognized as the former and longest-reigning ROH Women’s World Television Champion. Velvet has competed across the American independent circuit, AEW programming, and ROH since making her in-ring debut in 2016.
Standing 5 feet 1 inch tall, Velvet blends athletic training with a background in dance, which has shaped her in-ring movement and presentation. Over the course of her career, she has worked as both a singles competitor and a tag team partner, and has shared the ring with several of AEW’s most prominent performers.
Early Life and Background
Stephanie M. Cardona was born on June 3, 1992, in Miami, Florida, USA. She is of Colombian descent and grew up in a household with deep ties to combat sports. Her father, Prudencio Cardona, is a former world flyweight boxing champion, and her uncle, Ricardo Cardona, is a former world super bantamweight boxing champion.
Raised in a family that valued athletic discipline, Cardona developed an interest in performance early on and trained as a dancer. Her Miami upbringing gave her access to a vibrant wrestling training scene, and she eventually channeled her athletic background toward professional wrestling.
Before entering the wrestling business, Cardona pursued dance training, an experience that later influenced her signature style and ring awareness. Those formative years in Miami helped lay the foundation for her transition into the squared circle.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Cardona began training at Fighting Evolution Wrestling (FEW) under trainer JB Cool, based in Miami, Florida, in 2015. She made her in-ring debut on March 24, 2016, under the ring name Red Velvett, in a singles match against Rebel, which she lost. The early learning curve of the independent circuit helped her sharpen the fundamentals of match structure and timing.
On August 19, 2016, Velvet won the FEW Women’s Championship in a triple threat match against Jade and Rebel, capturing her first title. She held the championship until January 21, 2017, when she lost it to Lea Nox. On November 2, 2018, she made her debut for SHINE against Avery Taylor, an appearance that broadened her visibility beyond the Florida independent scene.
By the end of the 2010s, Velvet had built a reputation as a reliable performer on the independent circuit, with regional title experience and a growing résumé of televised matches. That groundwork set the stage for her move to a national promotion in 2020.
Red Velvet Career
Early Career (2016–2021)
Red Velvet’s early career was anchored on the Florida independent circuit, where she trained at Fighting Evolution Wrestling and quickly rose to win the FEW Women’s Championship in 2016. Her reign and subsequent appearances for promotions such as SHINE established her as an emerging talent, and she also worked under the ring names Chasity Cardona and Red Velvett during this period.
As her experience grew, Velvet drew attention from larger national promotions. Her combination of athleticism, dance background, and in-ring fundamentals positioned her as a prospect worth developing for a wider audience.
All Elite Wrestling Breakthrough (2020–2022)
On June 10, 2020, Velvet made her All Elite Wrestling debut on AEW Dark, teaming in a losing effort against Allie and Brandi Rhodes. She made her AEW Dynamite debut on June 24 against Hikaru Shida, and on October 13, she picked up her first AEW win on AEW Dark over Elayna Black. On March 25, 2021, AEW announced that Velvet had signed a full-time contract with the promotion.
Throughout 2021 and 2022, Velvet worked a full schedule across AEW programming. She challenged Britt Baker for the AEW Women’s World Championship on the debut episode of AEW Rampage on August 13, 2021, in the show’s main event, and competed in both the AEW TBS Championship tournament and the Owen Hart Cup. On April 13, 2022, she aligned with Kiera Hogan and Jade Cargill to form the heel stable known as The Baddies.
Ring of Honor Era (2023–Present)
During late 2023, Red Velvet made her Ring of Honor debut and competed in a series of matches across the promotion. On February 10, 2024, at ROH tapings, she entered the inaugural ROH Women’s World Television Championship tournament and defeated Sandra Moone in the first round before defeating Leyla Hirsch in the second round on February 24, 2024.
Velvet was eliminated in the tournament semifinals by Queen Aminata, but she later challenged Athena for the ROH Women’s World Championship at AEW Battle of the Belts X in April 2024. On July 26, 2024, at Death Before Dishonor, she defeated Billie Starkz to win the ROH Women’s World Television Championship. She successfully defended the title against Leyla Hirsch at Final Battle on December 20, 2024.
In July 2025, Velvet suffered an injury that prevented her from defending the title, leading to an interim champion being crowned at Death Before Dishonor on July 11, 2025. On the November 19 episode of AEW Collision, she was defeated by interim champion Mercedes Moné in a title unification match, ending her record-setting reign at 481 days.
Style and Strengths
Red Velvet’s in-ring style reflects her background as a trained dancer, emphasizing fluid movement, quick footwork, and an ability to adapt to opponents of varying sizes. Her athleticism and timing have allowed her to deliver competitive matches against established champions, while her presentation as part of stables like The Baddies has shown her range as a performer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Velvet’s standout moments are her appearance in the main event of the debut episode of AEW Rampage, her role in the formation of The Baddies stable, and her record-setting 481-day reign as ROH Women’s World Television Champion. Her title victory at Death Before Dishonor in 2024 and her successful defense at Final Battle cemented her as a central figure in ROH’s women’s division.
Red Velvet Career Wins
Red Velvet’s verified championship success includes the FEW Women’s Championship, won in 2016, and the ROH Women’s World Television Championship, captured in 2024. Her reign as ROH Women’s World Television Champion stands as the longest in the title’s history.
ROH Highlights
Velvet won the ROH Women’s World Television Championship on July 26, 2024, at Death Before Dishonor, defeating Billie Starkz. She defended the title successfully against Leyla Hirsch at Final Battle on December 20, 2024, before an injury in July 2025 forced her to vacate the active role. Her 481-day reign remains the longest in the championship’s history.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond her ROH success, Velvet captured the FEW Women’s Championship in 2016 and made appearances for SHINE beginning in 2018. Her first televised AEW victory came on AEW Dark against Elayna Black on October 13, 2020, marking an early milestone during her run with the promotion.
Red Velvet Family
Family Background and Wrestling Lineage
Red Velvet comes from a family with a strong combat sports heritage. Her father, Prudencio Cardona, is a former world flyweight boxing champion, and her uncle, Ricardo Cardona, is a former world super bantamweight boxing champion. That athletic pedigree helped shape her competitive approach to professional wrestling.
Personal Life
Cardona was previously engaged to fellow professional wrestler Wes Brisco. As of July 2022, she is in a relationship with professional wrestler Chandler Hopkins. Her Colombian-American background remains a notable part of her personal identity outside of the ring.
2025 Season Performance
Red Velvet began 2025 continuing her reign as ROH Women’s World Television Champion, a title she had held since July 2024. Following her successful defense against Leyla Hirsch at Final Battle in December 2024, she remained a featured competitor across ROH programming while also appearing on AEW broadcasts.
In July 2025, Velvet suffered an injury that prevented her from defending the championship. ROH responded by crowning an interim champion at Death Before Dishonor on July 11, 2025. On the November 19 episode of AEW Collision, Velvet faced interim champion Mercedes Moné in a title unification match and was defeated, ending her record-setting reign at 481 days.
Despite the setback, Velvet’s 2025 campaign reinforced her standing as one of the most prominent figures in the ROH women’s division and a reliable performer within AEW. Her record-setting title reign and her willingness to compete at the highest levels of both promotions position her as a veteran presence heading into the next chapter of her career.
