Tenille Dashwood
Tenille Dashwood (born March 1, 1989) is an Australian professional wrestler known for her WWE persona “Emma,” her time in Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor, and her resilience inside and outside the ring. Explore her life, career, philosophy, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Tenille Dashwood is an Australian professional wrestler who gained global visibility through her tenure in WWE under the ring name Emma. Versatile, outspoken, and resilient, she has competed across multiple wrestling promotions including WWE, Impact Wrestling, ROH (Ring of Honor), and the independent circuit. Her journey is not just about athletic performance—it also speaks to overcoming adversity, embracing identity, and paving paths for Australian women in pro wrestling.
Early Life and Family
Tenille Averil Dashwood was born on March 1, 1989 in Boronia, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
From a young age, she was drawn to wrestling, looking up to performers like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Trish Stratus, and Lita. Her early exposure to the sport helped spark her ambition to pursue it professionally.
Youth and Training
Dashwood began training in wrestling in Australia when she was about 13 years old (around 2003).
In 2008, she traveled to Canada and trained under Lance Storm at the Storm Wrestling Academy, refining her in-ring skills.
Before joining large promotions, Dashwood wrestled on the independent circuit under various ring names (e.g. Tenille Tayla) in Canada and Australia, including promotions such as ECCW (Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling), Shimmer Women Athletes, and others.
Wrestling Career & Achievements
WWE Era (2011–2017)
Dashwood signed with WWE in 2011, becoming the first female Australian wrestler ever signed to the company. Florida Championship Wrestling, later rebranded as NXT), she adopted the ring name Emma.
She made her NXT televised debut in late 2012, and over time developed a distinctive persona, including a “clumsy dancer / comic relief” gimmick early on.
Emma’s in-ring style combined technical wrestling, character work, and expressive energy. She competed in tournaments (for the inaugural NXT Women’s Championship) and engaged in feuds with names like Paige, Asuka, and others.
On the main roster (Raw / SmackDown), she appeared in matches involving other female talent and participated in special events.
Her time with WWE ended in 2017 when she was released from her contract.
Ring of Honor & Independent Circuit
After WWE, Dashwood competed for Ring of Honor (ROH) starting in 2018, joining the Women of Honor division and participating in tournaments for the Women of Honor title.
She also returned to wrestling independently in various smaller promotions, maintaining her in-ring edge and visibility.
Impact Wrestling & Tag Team Success (2019–2022)
In July 2019, Dashwood signed with Impact Wrestling.
Notably, she and Madison Rayne formed a team called The Influence. Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship, adding a significant title to her career achievements.
Her final match in Impact came in July 2022, after which she gradually shifted away from full-time active competition.
Return to WWE & Recent Activity (2022–2023 / Beyond)
Dashwood made a surprise return to WWE on October 28, 2022, once again under the name Emma, appearing on SmackDown. 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble, and had matches on both SmackDown and Raw.
However, her return was relatively brief: on September 21, 2023, WWE announced her release (alongside several other talents).
In April 2024, she made an in-ring return at Starrcast’s HER event in Australia, defeating Jessica Troy in front of her home crowd.
As of late 2023 and early 2024, Dashwood has expressed uncertainty about whether she will ever wrestle regularly again.
Personal Challenges, Health & Advocacy
Throughout her career, Tenille has faced and spoken openly about psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition she has had since her teenage years (since age 14).
In her personal life, Tenille was arrested in 2014 over an alleged unpaid “iPad case” at a self-checkout machine in a Walmart, though the matter was later dismissed.
On the relational front, she began dating fellow wrestler Mike Rallis (ring name Riddick Moss).
In March 2025, she and her husband welcomed their first child, a son named Leo Austin Rallis.
Legacy and Influence
Tenille Dashwood’s legacy in professional wrestling includes:
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Historic milestone: Being the first female Australian ever signed by WWE.
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Versatility: Competing credibly across multiple major promotions (WWE, ROH, Impact) and adapting to different roles and character arcs.
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Representation & inspiration: As an Australian woman reaching global wrestling stages, she offers a role model for aspiring wrestlers from Australasia.
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Resilience amid challenges: Her openness about health struggles and career uncertainties underscores perseverance in a demanding field.
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Tag team & championship credentials: Her reigns as Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion validate her presence not only as a singles competitor but as a team player in high-stakes matches.
Though she has oscillated between full-time wrestling and stepping back, her recent return in Australia reaffirms her continuing connection with fans and her wrestling identity.
Personality and Mindset
Tenille has often spoken about ambition, acknowledgment of limits, and the drive to do more:
“Although I’ve achieved a lot in my career so far, there’s also so much more I want to do. I’ve never held a championship at a professional level.”
This quote reflects her honesty about gaps she still wishes to fill.
Her public interviews show a combination of humility and determination. She acknowledges that wrestling is physically and mentally taxing, but she pursues it with passion. Her compassion toward those dealing with health issues, and willingness to speak about them openly, further anchors her persona beyond just the ring.
In wrestling, she’s often portrayed as both charismatic and emotionally expressive—willing to shift between comedic, dramatic, or serious tones depending on storyline needs.
Famous Quotes from Tenille Dashwood
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“Although I’ve achieved a lot in my career so far, there’s also so much more I want to do. I’ve never held a championship at a professional level.”
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(While not a widely quoted figure, this is one of her more public reflections about her aspirations and self-perception.)
Due to the more private nature of her public statements, her direct quotes are fewer and less catalogued compared to mainstream celebrities or actors. But her interviews often stress themes of growth, persistence, and authenticity.
Lessons from Tenille Dashwood
From her life and career, here are several insights one might draw:
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Pioneer paths matter
As the first Australian woman signed by WWE, her breakthrough opens doors and expands the horizon for others. -
Adaptability counts
Shifting between promotions, styles, and roles shows that staying active and relevant often means flexibility. -
Owning vulnerabilities is strength
Speaking candidly about health conditions or career uncertainty humanizes a public figure and can help others. -
Ambition without complacency
Even with achievements, Tenille emphasizes there’s more to explore—growth is ongoing. -
Return when your spirit calls
Her return to the ring in 2024 suggests that even when stepping back, the wrestling identity remains part of her story.
Conclusion
Tenille Dashwood’s journey is more than a tale of athletic performance—it is a story of persistence, identity, and breaking barriers. From a young girl in Melbourne inspired by wrestling icons, to working independent circuits, to WWE stardom, Impact tag championships, and now motherhood—her path is layered and evolving.
Whether or not she continues as a full-time wrestler, her influence among fans in Australia and globally remains. Explore her match history, interviews, and public reflections—and draw from her story the courage to chase long-tail dreams with heart.