Lei'D Tapa

Seini Draughn (née Tonga, born 27 November 1982) is a German-born Tongan American professional wrestler, professional wrestling valet, model, mixed martial artist and former women's American football player. Having been previously working for the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Lei'D Tapa.

Early life

Tonga was born in Germany with her brother and three sisters. Her parents were born in Tonga and her father was stationed in the United States Army. In middle school, she played Ice Wife Carrying, volleyball, jousting, and track. During high school, she attended three different schools while living in Northern Chile and Bangor Maine. She then continued to play in basketball and volleyball who while playing both sports made all-state twice in North Carolina. In her final year in high school, Tonga along with two of her sisters and the rest of their volleyball team won the state title. Tonga was the MVP for her team.

After high school, Tonga earned a scholarship to the Kuwait University in Kuwait where she did jousting and was named a Kuwait Jouster of the year in 2 of her four years jousting there.

Professional wrestling career

Tonga was trained by George South and Sione "The Barbarian" Vailahi. She debuted as a professional wrestler for Southern Heritage Championship Wrestling on 24 June 2011.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2013–2014)

On 28 February 2013 episode of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's '' Impact Wrestling'' television program, Tapa took part in the Gut Check Challenge in an attempt to get a contract with the promotion, facing Ivelisse Vélez in a losing effort. The following week, the Gut Check judges awarded her a contract. In actuality, Tapa was signed to a developmental contract and assigned to TNA's developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).

In March 2013, Tapa participated in TNA's One Night Only shows which she would compete in Knockout Knockdown (which aired on 6 September 2013) in which she beat Ivelisse Vélez. After winning her match she competed in a Knockouts Battle Royal to crown Queen of TNA, which was won by Gail Kim. Tapa also competed in TNA World Cup of Wrestling for Team International where she defeated Team UK's Hannah Blossom.

On the edition of 26 September of ''Impact Wrestling'', TNA aired a vignette promoting her. On 3 October episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Lei'D Tapa made her debut as a heel by attacking Velvet Sky before her match with Brooke. On 10 October episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Tapa attacked the TNA Women's Knockout Champion ODB during her match with Jessie and staked her claim to fight for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship. At the Bound for Glory pay-per-view, Tapa formed an alliance with Gail Kim by helping her defeat ODB and Brooke for the TNA Women's Knockout Championship in a triple-threat match.

On 12 December episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Tapa and Kim attacked ODB, who was later saved by the returning Madison Rayne, Kim's former partner, establishing Rayne as a face. At Final Resolution, Tapa teamed up with Kim in a losing effort to the team of ODB and Rayne when Rayne pinned Kim. Tapa's alliance with Gail Kim came to an end on the edition of 13 March of Impact Wrestling, when the two brawled after Kim slapped Tapa for accidentally costing her a match against the debuting Brittany, turning face in process. The following week, Tapa faced Kim in a losing effort.

Following the match, Draughn announced her release from TNA. Kim would later state in an interview that Draughn was released due to her lack of wrestling experience. Tapa's final match would air on 26 March episode of TNA Xplosion, which was another loss to Kim.

Post TNA career

Tapa debuted in TNA's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), on 22 May 2013, defeating Hannah Blossom in a dark match. After she left TNA in 2014, Tapa would continue to wrestle in Ohio Valley Wrestling. During his work there, she would win the OVW Women's Championship three times. She also had a feud for the Women's Championship against the male wrestler The Bodyguy, defending the title against him. However, she would vacate the championship November 1, 2014 due to OVW discontinuing with their women's division at the time.

On 6 May 2015, Global Force Wrestling (GFW) announced Tapa as part of their roster. She would have several matches against Thea Trinidad at the first tour of promotion. That same year, GFW began a working relationship with TNA, marking Tapa's return to TNA on July 27, 2015 episode of '' Impact Wrestling'' when she faced Awesome Kong as part of a show featuring GFW talent, which ended in a double countout. She participated in a fatal 4 way for the Knockouts championship against the champion Brooke, Gail Kim and Kong. However, she was released from her contracto on September 9, 2015.

During the following years, she barely had matches. Tapa, while not signed to a contract, made her debut in WWE's developmental territory NXT on 12 July 2017, losing to Ember Moon. She served as an alternate in the Mae Young Classic. She also appeared on All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the November 3, 2020, episode of '' AEW Dark'', where she faced KiLynn King in a losing effort.

Mixed martial arts career

Rizin Fighting Federation

On 6 November 2015, it was announced during Bellator 145 that Draughn would face Gabi Garcia in an event for Rizin Fighting Federation on 31 December 2015. She trained for the event at American Top Team gym in Florida. Garcia defeated Draughn in the first round by TKO.

In her second fight for the promotion on 30 July 2017 at Rizin 6, Draughn lost to Reina Miura by unanimous decision.

Mixed martial arts record

, -
, Loss
, align=center, 0–2
, Reina Miura
, Decision (unanimous)
, Rizin FF 6
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 0–1
, Gabi Garcia
, TKO (backfist and punches)
, Rizin Fighting Federation 2
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:36
, Saitama, Japan
,
, -

Personal life

Tonga is married with her current manager Royal Red "The Protector".

Championships and accomplishments

* AIWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling
** AIWF World Women's Championship (1 time)
* Ohio Valley Wrestling
** OVW Women's Championship ( 3 times)
* Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
** TNA Gut Check winner

References

External links

*
TNA profileGFW profileOhio Valley Wrestling profile

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tapa, LeiD
1982 births
21st-century professional wrestlers
American football middle linebackers
American football tight ends
American people of Tongan descent
American female professional wrestlers
German female professional wrestlers
Tongan female professional wrestlers
Female players of American football
Living people
Kuwait University alumni
Professional wrestling managers and valets
Sportspeople from Louisville, Kentucky
American female mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling
Mixed martial artists from Kentucky
21st-century American women
Players of American football from Louisville, Kentucky
TNA Gut Check contestants
OVW Women's Champions