Shadow

Jennifer Annette Hampton, better known by her ring name Shadow, is a retired American professional wrestler. She was a performer for MECCA from 2005 to 2011. Prior to that, she worked for FPPVW/RCW as a performer.

In MECCA and FPPVW/RCW, Shadow has been a part of many of the most important events and pay-per-views. In MECCA, she was the leader of The Dangerous Liaison, a group of heels bent on controlling the ladies' division and a member of The House of Lords. In FPPVW/RCW, she held the RCW Ladies' Title once during the promotion's tenure and was the last woman to hold the belt. After moving on to MECCA, she won the MECCA Ladies' World Championship four times, a record for most title reigns.

1 Early career
2 Professional wrestling career
         2.1 Future Pay-Per-View Wrestling
         2.2 Renegade Championship Wrestling
         2.3 Modern Establishment of Competitive Combat Arts
3 Other media
4 In wrestling
5 Championships and accomplishments

Shadow

Professional wrestling career

Early career

Shadow began to train in 2001 under Jon Z, who was also training her friends Ronin Fox and Nykk She debuted the following year and worked various independents for the following months.

Future Pay-Per-View Wrestling/Renegade Championship Wrestling (2003-2005)

The Beginning

In July of 2003, Jon Z started his own promotion Future Pay-Per-View Wrestling. One of the things he wanted was a strong women's division, and Shadow was amongst the first lady wrestlers he hired. She debuted under the name Kai Kitta at FPPVW's first event in May 2003, Premiere Showcase with a win in a four-way match over Naomi Leach, Kara Draxus, and Vix. She faced Leach again in a singles match at Shut Up and Wrestle, but the match went to a twenty-minute time limit draw. She faced Leach and Draxus in a three-way match the next month at Breakout, and Naomi won the match after pinning Draxus, who Kitta had stopped from using a chair to her advantage. She faced Draxus on the second episode of Foundation on September 12, getting the win. Draxus came back with a win at Bloodbath. They met to settle the score in a Steel Cage match at November Pain, with Kitta securing the victory.

In December, a Ladies' Championship was introduced, and Kitta was immediately entered into the tournament to crown the first champion. She beat Draxus once again in the first round, and Precious Lucy in the semi-finals. The finals against Naomi Leach took place at Darkest Night, but Kitta lost a match that ended with handshakes. Kitta would pursue a title shot over the next few months, but Leach seemed reluctant to give her a rematch, saying the match should be saved for a special occasion. Jon Z told Shadow that FPPVW's first anniversary show WrestlingRevolution was a special occasion, and Kitta received her rematch. Naomi took several shortcuts in order to win, and would not release her finishing hold after the bell until threatened with reversal. But after seeming to calm down and help Kitta to her feet, she attacked again and reapplied her hold. On the next Foundation, Naomi said all she wanted was to show Kitta the right way to do things and to stay out of her way, but she couldn't even do that.

Kitta took a sabbatical following WrestlingRevolution, but in May vignettes began airing for a mysterious woman named Shadow. She made her debut at the end of June, pinning Mary Alice Latino. She continued the momentum with a win at the first show under the RCW banner, Breakout, pinning LuFisto. Naomi Leach began to take an interest in Shadow, wanting to use her the same way she tried to use Kitta. They teamed up at Firestorm and lost to the team of LuFisto and Lisa Letty, with Naomi taking the pin from Letty. Naomi blamed Shadow, who remained stoic. With a victory over Naomi on Foundation in the following weeks, LuFisto was catapulted into the title picture along with Letty. However, LuFisto left the company after the three-way match was booked for Bloodbath, leaving a spot open. Naomi managed to get Shadow inserted into the match. However, Shadow turned on her ally and hit Leach with the Interceptor, Kai Kitta's favorite move, before pinning her. She unmasked after the match, revealing she had been Kai Kitta all along.

However, despite having the Ladies' Title, the months of isolation and betrayal took its toll on Shadow. She perpetrated attacks on potential challengers Jade and Lisa Letty, and kept her melancholy persona. Naomi Leach received her rematch at Homecoming Hell in October, but Shadow won after using similar shortcuts that Naomi did in their earlier match. The fight continued after the match was over, and Leach received another title shot at Darkest Night. Shadow won, and afterward Naomi actually seemed pleased. Naomi told her she was finally worthy to be her shadow, and Shadow knelt before her before they left the ring together. However, no one would know how this played out, as shortly into 2005 the promotion went dark. The roster would reunite for one last show, WrestlingRevolution II in May 2005, before shutting its doors. Shadow retained the title in a three-way match against Lisa Letty and Naomi Leach on the show.

Modern Establishment of Competitive Combat Arts (2005-2011)

A New Beginning

With RCW's funds gone and the promotion caught up in a legal battle with its creditors, Nykk hastily put together a deal of his own. He started MECCA, which at first stood for the Midwestern Establishment of Competitive Combat Arts, in order to save the jobs of the workers and crew of RCW. On the debut of Go Time, MECCA co-owner Katie Piehl wasted no time in crowning the first Ladies' Champion in a Gauntlet Match. Shadow beat Misery in the first match, but would lose to Lisa Letty a few minutes later. Lisa would go on to become the first Ladies' Champion, and afterward was betrayed by her former partner and mentor LuFisto, who she had beaten to win the title. LuFisto recruited former WWE star Gail Kim to her side, and they became known as the Dangerous Liaison. Shadow helped out her old rival Lisa in the feud and teamed with her several times against the hardcore and submission specialists. Shadow competed on the countdown show for the first MECCA Challenge event in April 2005 in a Four Corner Chaos, but the match was won by Misery. Shadow would be patient and work her way up the ranks, eventually receiving a title shot from Lisa at Midsummer Night Slam on June 25. Shadow won the match and the title with help from the Dangerous Liaison and a chair.

Dangerous Liaison

It was revealed Shadow had joined the Dangerous Liaison as their leader and had the goal of using them and the title to control the ladies' division. She retained over fellow Liaison member Gail Kim at Liberty or Death, and ducked anyone not in the Dangerous Liaison. But Lisa wouldn't be denied her rematch, and she won the title back from Shadow at Summer Showdown in August. Shadow worked her way back up to a rematch, but lost to Letty again at Scared Stiff. However, the next month, Gail Kim won the title from Lisa at No Regrets, and a power struggle ensued. Even though Shadow was the leader, Kim had the title and was calling a lot of shots. Shadow resented Kim's rising power, but could do nothing to stop it, even when Kim recruited Misery into the group without her permission. The other ladies of MECCA eventually organized and fought back, culminating in a ten-woman elimination tag match at The MECCA Challenge II, with the stipulation that the Dangerous Liaison would have to split up if they lost. Shadow teamed with LuFisto, Kim, Misery and Nora Greenwald to take on Letty, Kelly Schweickart, Zoe Alexander, Heather Star and Daizee Haze. Letty was the sole survivor, and the Dangerous Liaison was forced to disband.

Mainstay

Now on her own, Shadow would continue to try to win back the Ladies' Championship. By the fall of 2006, she worked her way back in contention and faced her former mentor and ally LuFisto for the title at Scared Stiff. She had to cheat, but she beat the current champion and captured the title once again. She was immediately faced with three women hungry for the gold, but retained in a Four Corners match against Kim, LuFisto, and Schweickart at No Regrets. She entered into a rivalry with Heather Star and retained against her at New Year's Knockout. She also retained against Kelly Schweickart in a singles match at Bloody Valentine when she tricked Kelly into getting herself disqualified. Kelly and LuFisto both received a shot in a Triangle Match on February 14, and Kelly pinned LuFisto to walk away with the title. Shadow raged at the fact she had never been beaten for the gold, and received a rematch against Kelly at The MECCA Challenge III, but lost.

The House of Lords

The same night, Nykk formed an alliance with Ronin Fox and Lisa Letty, taking control of MECCA and forming The House of Lords. They soon recruited Cynric, Huh and Joey Sprinklers to their ranks, and Fox won the World Title. Lisa also won the Ladies' Title, and promised Shadow a shot if she would help her with Gail Kim. Shadow cost Kim a match against Lisa at Punked Out, and again in the rematch a couple of weeks later. As a result, she was offered membership in the House of Lords, which she accepted. Shadow received her promised shot the next week, but Letty won the match. As a result of losing a tag team series at Liberty or Death, Katie Piehl won the right to book the House of Lords' matches for Summertime Showdown. Shadow was put against Sara Del Rey with help from Nykk.

In September, cracks began to show in the House of Lords as they lost titles they had acquired. Letty lost the Ladies' Title to Shelirious at At Your Own Risk and failed to win it back in a rematch. This allowed Shadow to step up, and she took the title back for the House of Lords at Scared Stiff. Her victory was marred somewhat on the next Go Time as Naomi Leach made her MECCA debut and attacked her old rival. Naomi and Shadow would clash over the next several weeks as the House of Lords' feud against the MECCA loyalists heated up. A Best of Five series for control of the company was booked for End of the Line in December, which included Shadow defending her title against Leach. Shadow accidentally got herself disqualified during the match, which saved her title but cost the House of Lords an important match. They would go on to lose the series, and Nykk proceeded to fire everyone who lost their match on the next Go Time with the exception of Fox, who was his co-conspirator and still held one half of the tag belts, and Shadow, who was still Ladies' Champion.

However, Shadow would not hold gold for long as Katie Piehl grew weary of her taking count-out and disqualification losses to save her title and had it vacated. Shadow was incensed at Katie, but was put in a women's Four Corners tag match at The MECCA Challenge IV, where partners were picked randomly and the winners would go on to face one another at New Dawn the next month to wrestle for the vacant championship. Shadow drew Coquette as her partner, but Naomi Leach and Lisa Letty won the match. Naomi would go on to win the Ladies' Title at New Dawn, and Shadow immediately positioned herself for a title shot, having never been beaten for the belt once again. Naomi beat Shadow at Punked Out. Shadow was in a rage once again, and told Katie Piehl to give her a rematch and physically threatened her if she wouldn't. Fed up with Shadow's constant whining and complaining over the years, Katie gave her the rematch but if she lost she would never receive a title shot again, against anyone who held the Ladies' Title. Shadow accepted, and blindsided Katie as soon as her back was turned. The rematch took place the next week, with Katie Piehl overseeing it. When Shadow got her foot on the ropes while caught in Naomi's submission, Katie knocked her foot off before the ref could see it and Shadow had to tap out.

The war was on as far as Shadow is concerned, and she abused and goaded Katie to the point where she decided to step into the ring against Shadow at Summertime Showdown in an unofficial fight. Though there was no official winner due to there being no referee, Katie got the better of Shadow, humbling her somewhat. Shadow gained some respect for Katie, and shook her hand on the September 10 edition of Go Time, which didn't sit well with Nykk and the rest of the House of Lords. After being passed over for a title shot a few weeks later, Lisa Letty would attack Katie in the ring with Shadow at her side. But Shadow refused to join in and left the arena. Nykk called her out on it the next week, and Shadow responded by quitting the House of Lords. Lisa attempted to attack her, but was repelled, but when the rest of the House of Lords got involved, Eddie Crowe made the save. Katie appreciated the loyalty that Shadow had shown. At Scared Stiff, Lisa called out Shadow, who attacked immediately. On the next Go Time, Lisa challenged her to a career-ending match at No Regrets. Shadow accepted the challenge, and they met in the first women's match in MECCA history to headline a pay-per-view. Shadow pinned Lisa, and showed her respect after the match. But she was confronted by Sassy Stephie, who was starting to break out in the ladies' division. Stephie attacked her, but Lisa made the save and then shook hands with Shadow, parting on good terms.

Lifting the Ban

Shadow met Stephie at Ignition, but lost after Stephie cheated. However, Shadow won the rematch at Bloody Valentine. When the summer came around, Shadow approached Katie Piehl about lifting the ban on her challenging for the Ladies' Championship. Katie said she would evaluate Shadow's behavior over the next few weeks and make a decision then. Shadow also joined the MECCA vs. ROH feud, going up against Shelirious, who had returned at the side of Delirious on Team ROH. Shadow won a match against her on July 1, and won the rematch on the July 22 Go Time. Katie was so pleased that she lifted Shadow's ban, and told her if she won a match next week against newcomer Nevaeh, she would get her title shot. Shadow beat Nevaeh the next week and faced current champion Sara Del Rey at Summertime Showdown, winning the title for the fourth time.

In the following weeks she was accosted once again by Sassy Stephie, who had formed an alliance with Zoe Alexander. Shadow beat them both in title defenses, and retained in a rematch against Del Rey at Scared Stiff. Allison Danger would return to MECCA competition full time shortly thereafter just as Shadow was set to defend against Naomi Leach at No Regrets. However, a couple of weeks before the match Naomi was injured while training. Danger won the right to face Shadow as her replacement, but as Shadow as about to win their match Stephie and Zoe attacked, disqualifying Allison. Danger joined in on the beatdown that followed, and revealed she had formed The Triumvirate with Stephie and Zoe. Danger sought a rematch over the next few weeks, and received it at End of the Line. Danger won the title with help from her stablemates. Shadow would continue to feud with the Triumvirate throughout the winter, getting help from Daizee Haze, Coquette, Naomi Leach and LuFisto at several points.

Shadow attempted to work her way back into title contention throughout 2010, but her efforts were often fruitless. She finally won a shot at the title in December at End of the Line, winning a Six-Woman Shootout. She faced Sassy Stephie, the current champion, at Ignition, but lost the match. In the following months, Shadow made the decision to retire as an in-ring competitor. She wrestled her farewell match in Dayton, Ohio, the site of many of her important career moments, on June 26, 2011, ending her career with a win over her old rival and friend Naomi Leach.

In wrestling

• Finishing moves
       
• The Interceptor (Rolling elbow) - 2002-2011
       
• Dragon Sleeper, with a body scissors applied - 2005-2011
       
• The Shadowfall (Three-quarter nelson neckbreaker) - 2004-2005

• Signature moves
       
• The Skullbuster (Inverted jawbreaker), usually followed by the Dragon Sleeper
       
• Top rope double stomp
       
• DDT
       
• Multiple pushup facebusters
       
• Snapmare, followed by a spine kick
       
• Swinging neckbreaker

• Entrance themes
       
• "Faint" by Linkin Park (FPPVW; 2003-2004; MECCA; 2008-2009)
       
• "Stay in Shadow" by Finger Eleven (FPPVW/RCW; 2004-2005)
       
• "Gangsta Bitches (Instrumental)" by Eve ft. Trina and Da Brat (MECCA; 2005-2008)
       
• "Alive" by Superchick (MECCA; 2009-2011)

Championships and accomplishments

• Future Pay-Per-View Wrestling/Renegade Championship Wrestling
       
• RCW Ladies' Championship (1 time)

• Modern Establishment of Competitive Combat Arts
       
• MECCA Ladies' World Championship (4 times)