From Track Star To WWE Champion: Inside Lainey Reid’s Rise To The Top

Whether she’s dominating in the ring on WWE’s SmackDown or holding gold as one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Lainey Reid (real name Tylynn Register) is taking the sports entertainment world by storm. The former track and field star turned wrestling phenom has quickly transformed from a standout recruit into one of the most talked-about competitors in the ring.

Athletic Roots in Alabama

Before stepping onto the blue canvas, Reid was setting records on the track in her home state of Alabama. Attending Hokes Bluff High School, she became a three-time track and field state champion in hurdles and the triple jump. She later competed at Jacksonville State University, earning top finishes in collegiate hurdles and relay events.

“I’ve always been driven by competition,” Reid has shared about her athletic background. “Transitioning those hurdle leaps to ring rope jumps felt like a natural evolution.”

The WWE Breakthrough

Joining the WWE Performance Center as part of the spring 2023 rookie class, Reid spent months honing her craft before making her televised debut on NXT Level Up in early 2024.

Her strategic mindset and explosive ring style quickly caught the eye of veteran competitors, leading to her call-up to SmackDown.

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 LAINEY REID FAST FACTS                  │
├─────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Hometown        │ Gadsden, Alabama                      │
│ College         │ Jacksonville State University         │
│ Ring Debut      │ November 2023                         │
│ WWE Alignment   │ Fatal Influence (SmackDown)           │
└─────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────────┘

Dominating with Fatal Influence

Reid’s momentum skyrocketed after aligning with the formidable group Fatal Influence alongside Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley. The trio made immediate waves on Friday nights, culminating in a landmark victory at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Reid and Henley captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.