Indie wrestler Kennadi Brink, who recently signed a developmental deal with WWE as a referee, made her start at last night’s non-televised NXT event in Orlando, Florida.

Brink was introduced by her real name of Jessika as she took charge of the first match of the night. Jessika regularly wrestled for Maryland Championship Wrestling but has also made appearances for SHIMMER, Ring of Honor, and other independent promotions. She is 25 years old and trained at the Team 3D academy, run by Bubba Ray and Devon Dudley. She made her pro wrestling debut in 2010.

She is the first female WWE referee since the 80s. Back then, Rita Chatterton worked full time as a WWE referee but then left and sued Vince McMahon for rape. McMahon later claimed that he was the victim of a scheme to extort $5 million in hush money. A good article from 1993 detailing the story can be read at http://bit.ly/2rzOdxH.