The duo formerly known as The IIconics said goodbye to “Peyton Royce” and “Billie Kay”, Wednesday.

Jessica McKay and Cassie Lee took to Twitter to say farewell to their old WWE gimmicks, expressing gratitude towards the opportunity to portray and create the personalities.

As pointed out by Reddit user u/braincloud215 on r/SquaredCircle, the pair’s WWE 90-day non-compete clause expires on the same day they announce their separation from the names.

Similarly, Tommy End, formerly Aleister Black, posted a video on his Instagram account in which he escapes from an “insane asylum” the same day he debuted for AEW.

In June, The IIconics appeared on Renee Paquette’s Oral Sessions podcast and revealed they were unable to work in the US, due to issues with their visa status after leaving WWE.

Though it stands as mere speculation, it is interesting to note that the two former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions say “adios” to their old gimmicks on a Wednesday—the same day AEW Dynamite airs.

The IIconics have previously stated that they want to continue teaming together in the future. It appears that their post WWE names have now been revealed.

The former WWE stars have filed a trademark with USPTO for the name ‘The IInspiration’ for being used by wrestling personalities for live appearances and merchandising purposes.

The IIconics were released from their WWE contracts just days after the WrestleMania 37 PPV on April 15. They have a 90 days non-compete clause with the company that ends in mid July.

• The Iiconics Say They Were Shocked By WWE Release

The IIconics On Their Future

Discussing their future during a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, the duo had explained that they want to stay together because they are most comfortable with each other:

“We definitely want to stay together. We want to move forward together, we’re just most comfortable together. We can play off each other so easily. We don’t even have to talk about what we’re going to do.”

The former WWE women’s tag team champions had also revealed that they are considering both Impact Wrestling and AEW as potential future options.

Which company would you like to see The IIconics join once their non compete clause with WWE expires? Let us know in the comment section below.

Many fans were surprised when the former Peyton Royce and Billie Kay were amongst the mass roster cuts in April. Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay say they were also shocked by the release. They spoke on the subject during a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio.

“it was a total shock. I had no idea,” said McKay (transcriptions via Post Wrestling). “When I got the phone call, I thought it was in regards to something else. I was like, ‘Oh, they need me to do something. I’m needed for something else’ and when I heard those words, ‘We’re going to release you,’ my heart dropped and I was just — I was so shocked and I was just heartbroken and I don’t have any answers and I don’t think I’m ever gonna get answers. So at the moment I’m just trying to have peace with that.”

Cassie Lee also spoke about not expecting to be released.

“So, it was absolutely a shock because obviously they do the budget cuts once a year but they hadn’t done it in a while and then I thought last year’s was just purely because of the pandemic so, I didn’t see it coming and maybe I should have, especially because I was really doing nothing since they split us up so,” Lee said. “I was like laying in the middle of a massage in my bedroom and the husband [Shawn Spears] walks in and says, ‘You should probably check your phone’ and I was like, ‘Um, okay’ and then I checked it and I was like, ‘Yep, I’m done.’ Jumped up off the bed not wearing anything and that’s when I realized what was going down.”

Where Will The Iiconics Sign With Next?

With the former Iiconics now free agents, many fans are wondering where they will end up next. They spoke about possibly ending up in either AEW or Impact Wrestling.

“It’s tough because for example, AEW, I think we could really help their women’s division,” Lee said. “They don’t necessarily have a women’s tag division, I could be wrong, I’m not sure. But I just feel like we have that TV experience that we could bring to the division and help build that up and with IMPACT, they have a women’s tag team division, a well-established — the Knockouts division that I easily feel we could slip into so it’s like, I feel like we have a lot to offer both of them and it’s — I don’t know, I don’t know.”

“It’s tough to figure out where you think would be the best fit because we are wrestlers but then we are heavy personalities and characters and we love that so I think it’s just blending the two like we always have and just figuring out which company we think we would be better with, you know? AEW or IMPACT,” said McKay.

The IIconics have not made a decision about their future after their release from WWE but the duo has a couple of interesting destinations in mind.

The former tag team champions recently appeared on Busted Open Radio where they opened up about their time in WWE among other things.

When asked what’s next for the duo, Peyton Royce revealed that they want to move forward as a team because they are more comfortable together:

“We definitely want to stay together. We want to move forward together, just like we said in the first episode of Off Her Chops we’re just most comfortable together. We can play off each other so easily. We don’t even have to talk about what we’re going to do.”

The female star was then questioned about which promotion The IIconics might be interested in joining and Royce discussed what they could bring to the table for both AEW and Impact Wrestling:

“I think it’s tough, For example; AEW. I feel like we could really help their women’s division, though they don’t necessarily have a women’s tag division. But I feel we have that TV experience that we could bring to the division and help build that up.

And then with Impact they have a women’s tag team division, as well as an established Knockout’s division, that I feel we can easily slip into. So it’s like, I feel like we have a lot to offer both of them and, I don’t know.”

• Details Behind Why WWE Split Up The IIconics On Raw

Billie Key explained how they are not only wrestlers but personalities and characters as well and they are just trying to figure out which company they would be better with.

The IIconics were released from their WWE contracts on April 15 this year. Their non compete clause with the company expires on July 14 and it would be interesting to see which promotion they end up on after that.

Peyton Royce recently spoke to Kayla Braxton for her Braxton Beat online show. During the discussion, Royce spoke about WWE’s decision to break up the popular IIconics tag tam.

Royce admitted that she is still adjusting to the abrupt split. The two of them got called up to the main roster at the same time and this is the first time they’ve worked on different brands.

“It’s so strange,” she said. “I’ve never had to be at TVs without her. She keeps me sane. She’s just like my safety blanket and I’m not going to have that and I’m going to have to put on my panties and work it out for myself.”

“So we both have our phones ready to go on Mondays and Fridays if we need anything, just emotional support or anything. So we’re pretty much both working Mondays and Fridays.”

After years working as part of a tag team, Peyton Royce now finds herself as a singles competitor. She again said it’s a “strange” situation that she will have to get used to.

“The singles division is completely different to the women’s tag team division. I know it’s the same for the men, too, but there are so many people who, you know, I will hopefully have the opportunity to get in the ring with now that I’m in the singles division. But again, it’s going to take some getting used to even just doing my entrance without her. It’s just strange.” 

You can watch Peyton Royce on Kayla Braxton’s show in the video player embedded below:

This week on Monday Night Raw, The IIconics suffered a loss to the Riott Squad. The stipulation of the match meant the winners would receive a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship opportunity. The losers, however, would be forced to disband.

WWE’s decision to split up the IIconics lies in management’s intention to push Peyton Royce as a singles star. It is important to note that although Royce is primed for a push, this does not mean that Billie Kay will be leaving the company or is being punished.

OBille Kay got beat up quickly on Raw Underground this week, which is likely a way to get her off television for a while as they rally behind Peyton Royce.

The pair commented on their disbanding following their Raw loss. The IIconics reflected on their longterm real-life friendship and history in the company together, starting in NXT. They acknowledged how it’s “scary” to think they won’t be by each other’s side going forward. Regardless, they stressed it won’t stop them from supporting one another.

Last night on WWE RAW, The Iiconics were booked in a match against the Riott Squad. The winners would receive a tag title shot. The losers would have to disband. After Ruby Riott scored a pinfall on Billie Kay, it meant the end for the longtime Iiconics tag-team.

WWE correspondents caught up with the Iiconics backstage in an interview exclusive to WWE’s social media.

“Ever since we started in NXT 5.5 years ago, this has been us,” Royce said backstage. “It’s just very unnatural.”

“It’s scary thinking that we won’t be by each other’s sides when we walk through that curtain, we won’t be in that ring together, we won’t be on the outside cheering them on, we are going to be in this alone. That’s scary but that’s life,” Billie Kay said.

“Everyone goes through changes of growth and times where you have to evolve and we’re at that point. So as scary, and as sad as we are, we both know that we can achieve anything we set our mind’s to. And even though we won’t be supporting each other out there, back here we will have each other’s back 1000% every single damn day for the rest of our lives. And that’s something that will never go away.”

The Iiconics WWE Stats

The Iiconics became the 2nd WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions at WrestleMania 35 after winning a fatal 4-way match. They would hold the belts for 4 months before dropping them to Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships:

1. The Kabuki Warriors (1x champions) 171 days as champions.
2. Sasha Banks and Bayley (2x champions) 145 days as champions.
3. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross (2x champions) 123 days as champions.
4. The Iiconics (1x champions) 120 days as champions.
5. Nia Jas & Shayna Baszler (1x champions) 2+ days as champions.

This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw was the follow-up episode of Money In The Bank and the company followed the PPV with a number of interesting announcements and the return of the former women’s tag team champions The IIconics.

The duo appeared as the guests on “A Moment of Bliss” show hosted by the current Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross and they demanded a title shot from the current champions.

While Bliss and Cross did not grant them a title match, they did agree to a nontitle clash and the IIconics ended up winning this bout after Peyton Royce pinned Alexa for the win.

This win earned them a title shot and the company later announced that the former NXT stars will be challenging the current champions for their titles at next week’s episode of the Red Branded Show.

This week’s episode of Raw was an eventful episode and apart from the return of the IIconics, the show featured a number of buzzing announcements and segments.

The episode started with Becky Lynch announcing her pregnancy and relinquishing the Raw Women’s Championship. After this, the Money In The Bank winner Asuka was named the new champion.

The company also reintroduced the wild card rule with a new format. The shows can now challenge the other brand and the first match under this new rule has already been announced which you can check out here.

Losing the WWE Women’s Tag Team championships had quite the impact on Peyton Royce and Billie Kay. The Iiconics dropped the belts last night on RAW in a 4-way elimination match after having been the first team eliminated. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross would win the match and the titles.

• 6 Takeaways From WWE RAW (8/5)

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce’s meltdown occurred during a commercial break on RAW after they had been eliminated. WWE released footage of their meltdown as a WWE.com exclusive:

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship History

The original titles in WWE from 1983-1988 was held by teams such as the Glamour Girls and the Jumping Bombshells. Since being brought back to the promotion in February this year, 6 title matches have occurred on WWE programming:

1. Elimination Chamber 2019: Bayley & Sasha Banks defeated Nia Jax & Tamina, the Iiconics, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, Carmella & Naomi, Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan
2. Fastlane 2019: Bayley & Sasha Banks (c) defeated Nia Jax & Tamina
3. WrestleMania 35: The Iiconics defeated Sasha Banks & Bayley (c), Beth Phoenix & Natalya, Nia Jax & Tamina
4. RAW June 17th, 2019: The Iiconics (c) defeated Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
5. Smackdown July 16th, 2019: The Kabuki Warriors defeated the Iconics (c) via count-out.
6. RAW August 5th, 2019: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross defeated the Kabuki Warriors, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, the Iiconics (c)

More matches could be added to WWE’s upcoming SummerSlam card in Toronto on August 11th, 2019. In addition to matches recently added to the show, there are reportedly plans to have a women’s tag team championship match at SummerSlam as well.

According to a report heard on Wrestling Observer Radio, the Iconics could have to defend their belts in a fatal 4-way tag match on the show.

“The Iiconcis in a 4-way against Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville,” said Dave Meltzer before noting that Rose and Deville had been scheduled to face the Iconics on television but the match never came to be. “And also the fourth team which is Kairi and Asuka.

The Iiconics did not make their scheduled title defence against Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville due to Billy Kay coming down with a case of “Puppy Fever.”

Meltzer would continue to say that Oney Lorcan vs Drew Gulak for the cruiserweight title will also likely be announced soon too. Cedric Alexander vs Drew McIntyre, and Shinsuke Nakamura vs Ali could both possibly be announced soon too, though they are not confirmed.

Confirmed SummerSlam Lineup

1. RAW Women’s Championship
   Becky Lynch (c) vs Natalya
2. Universal Championship
   Brock Lesnar (c) vs Seth Rollins
3. Smackdown Women’s Championship
   Bayley (c) vs Ember Moon
4. WWE Championship
   Kofi Kingston (c) vs Randy Orton
5. United States Championship
   AJ Styles (c) vs Ricochet
6. Trish Stratus vs Charlotte Flair
7. Finn Balor vs Bray Wyatt’s “Fiend”
8. Kevin Owens vs Shane McMahon (If Owens loses, he’ll quit WWE)
9. Aleister Black vs Sami Zayn **
10. The Miz vs Dolph Ziggler ***

** Not officially confirmed.
*** Could change.

The IIconics Explain Why Their SmackDown Match Was Nixed

This week’s episode of SmackDown Live was expected to feature a tag team match between The IIconics and the team of Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.

However, the match never took place and WWE posted a backstage video of the current Women’s Tag Team Champions explaining why the bout was nixed.

In the video as seen below, Peyton Royce and Billie Kay explain that the match was nixed due to a very dangerous case of puppy fever before being interrupted by Mandy Rose and her partner:

Trish Stratus On Her Upcoming Match

After weeks of speculation, WWE finally made the match between WWE Hall Of Famer Trish Stratus and Charlotte Flair official for the upcoming SummerSlam PPV during this week’s episode of SmackDown Live.

The episode saw Trish being a guest on the King’s Court segment and she was interrupted by Charlotte Flair. Flair went on to challenge the Hall Of Famer for a match at the upcoming PPV which she accepted.

After the show, Trish Stratus was interviewed backstage where she was asked about the upcoming bout and she said that she will remind Charlotte who the queen of queens is:

Sasha Banks hasn’t been seen in WWE since she and Bayley lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 35. The women who would walk away victorious that night were Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, The IIconics.

This win surprised the WWE Universe, as many believed that Banks and Bayley were primed for a long run with the championships.

It appears the reason for the change was to set up a feud between The IIconics and The Bella Twins.

The news was revealed on a recent episode of The Bella Twins podcast.

“Bella Twins Were Coming Back In A Big Way”

During the show, Nikki divulged more information about her neck issues. She also spoke about the plans that had been put in place for a Bella return, post-WrestleMania.

“Brie and I, we were gonna come back and fight for the tag titles after WrestleMania and we were gonna go against The IIconics for a few months,” Nikki said.

She explained that “Deep down inside, I kept having this weird feeling that I needed to get an x-ray on my neck because, for a while, I wasn’t feeling okay. Brie knows that in December after Evolution, I just kept telling her that I feel off and my head doesn’t feel right…”

Brie added that they had gear ready, and the two of them were fully prepared for their return to in-ring action—despite only having retired weeks prior.

“We were ready,” Nikki said. “Bella Twins were coming back in a big way.”

They were meant to start the feud on the SmackDown Live after WrestleMania. Nikki Bella’s MRI results would scupper those plans after doctors informed her her neck was fully herniated. She was also told they had discovered a benign cyst on her brain. They warned her that one bad landing could lead to paralysis.

The IIconics haven’t had a notable feud since winning the championships. Though they have been competing against Asuka and Kairi Sane at Live Events, the duo have yet to defend them on a pay-per-view.

H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The IIconics were Lilian Garcia’s guests on the latest Chasing Glory podcast.

Some fans might not be aware that Billie Kay and Peyton Royce grew up together in Australia. They are close friends in real life and travel together on the road. Billie says Peyton is the only person she wants to see on her off days and considers their friendship ore of a sisterhood. “We really do consume each other’s lives,” she said. “And we spend every single second together”

As close as they have become, it wasn’t always that way. In fact, Billie says they “never liked each other” and had somewhat of a “silent rivalry” when they’d see each other out at wrestling events back home.

The “Silent Rivalry”

“I saw one time Peyton was ahead in the line,” she explained. “We used to spend hours trying to be the first in line. So, sometimes she would be second or third and I’d be sixth or seventh. I just knew she went to the same high school, I didn’t know who she was. I was like ‘Damn it.’ And then the next time I’d be ahead in line and we’d just shoot each other looks and stuff. There was just this silent rivalry. Years later, when Peyton joined the wrestling academy that I attended, and we spoke for the first time.”

A Fateful Encounter

Peyton Royce chimed in and said she knew she wanted to become a wrestler from a very young age. Before she started training at a wrestling academy, a chance encounter involving Billie Kay convinced her it was time to make her dream a reality.

“So, on my birthday I go out to dinner and I see a poster on the door and it says “pro wrestling” so it immediately draws my attention. So I look at the poster and it’s Billie. She’s the front and center of the poster. And I said, “Oh my god I’m going to go to this school because I know her and I want to wrestle too!” I wouldn’t have chosen that school unless I saw Billie on the poster. That just clicked. But it was also ‘I want to be with her doing this.’ This was a couple of years after the ‘silent rivalry.’ After time had passed.”

Love At First Sight

They both feel that fate brought them together and intertwined their lives to this day. Royce remembers the first time they actually spoke.

“I say this all the time – it’s like, in the romantic movies, where the heavens open up and the two people come together and fall in love – it’s like love at first sight. That’s what happened. That’s exactly what happened.”

The IIconics mentioned that when they first joined NXT, there were people who tried to separate them for the sake of allowing them to develop individual acts. The duo fought to stay together Billie also went on to explain that once they became friends they wanted to stick together.

The decision ultimately led them to tag team gold on the main roster.

Listen to The IIconics on Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia:

Paige was present during this week’s episode of SmackDown Live. She was shown backstage watching the IIconics during their first successful title defense against a team named the Brooklyn Belles. She promised that she would be bringing in a tag team. This suggests she will be segueing into a managerial role—something she has spoken about having ambitions for in the past.

After their victory, Billie Kay and Peyton Royce caught up with Cathy Kelley backstage. Kelley would bring up Paige’s promise, wanting to gauge the IIconics’ thoughts on the matter.

“Next week is the Superstar Shake-Up, so she’s probably bringing back [or] developing some new tag team, I guess, thinking that we will challenge all newcomers, and sure we’ll do that,” Peyton said.

Billie Kay would add that “We are defending champions—can’t tell if you saw it there, but we just won in our first title defense.”

Royce would continue, stating that “[The] Bottom Point is, Paige wants to come out with this hot, hot new tag team…next week, we are ready. We are fighting champions and we are here to make this tag team division absolutely iconic.”

With the Shake-Up taking place on Monday, it’s not out of the question that we could see some new talent be drafted from NXT. Rumor has suggested that Io Shirai and Kairi Sane could be on the cusp of moving to the main roster, but it could always be a brand new team or two women put together via the Shake-Up.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks have been dethroned in their second defense as champions on pay-per-view.

The IIconics (Billie Kay & Peyton Royce) beat Nia Jax & Tamina, Beth Phoenix & Natalya, and Sasha Banks & Bayley in Fatal 4-Way Match at WrestleMania 35.

Bayley and Banks won the titles to become the inaugural champions back at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event in February. This is where they outlasted teams such as Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott, Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose, Billie Kay & Peyton Royce, and Carmella & Naomi.

The company has already made it known that they’re going with the idea of one set of champions defending the gold on both brands – Monday Night RAW and SmackDown Live.

It appears that Banks and Bayley will get their rematch for the straps at the next pay-per-view event, Money in the Bank, that goes down on May 19th in Hartford, Connecticut at the XL Center.

• WWE WrestleMania 35 Results & Live Coverage

What are your thoughts on The IIconics winning the titles? Was this the right call by WWE officials? Sound off in the comment section.

The inaugural modern era Women’s Tag Team Champions are set to defend their titles at WWE’s Fastlane event on March 10th. The matchup will see Bayley and “The Boss” Sasha Banks go up against the team of Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka.

That hasn’t stopped the Boss ’N’ Hug Connection from repeatedly stating that they are ready for all comers, no matter what brand they happen to be on. This has lead to some interesting challenges, including one that Bayley extended to a few WWE Hall Of Famers.

Now it appears that their next challenge could be the SmackDown Live team, The IIconics.

Billie Kay and Peyton Royce took to Twitter in order to spark a back-and-forth with the Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Hey, @SashaBanksWWE & @itsBayleyWWE where are you guys at?… ? #SDLive pic.twitter.com/r8QQY9bp3d

— Jessica McKay (@JessicaMcKay) February 26, 2019

Taunting the Champions seems to have worked, as both Sasha Banks and Bayley would take the bait, responding to the challenge.

“The Boss” wrote, “Oh don’t worry, once we defeat Nia and tamina at fastlane, we’ll be more than happy to come over to smackdown and handle you two. By the way… How’s the catering? Jajajaja”

Oh don't worry, once we defeat Nia and tamina at fastlane, we'll be more than happy to come over to smackdown and handle you two. By the way… How's the catering? Jajajaja https://t.co/VHtX7eOUfV

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) February 27, 2019

Her partner, Bayley, would also reply, responding to The IIconics question over their whereabouts by stating, “Building this division. You guys want in?”

Building this division. You guys want in? https://t.co/BOx1llTjhz

— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) February 27, 2019

She would follow up with a more succinct reply, “Don’t you worry. See you soon…”

Assuming that Bayley and Sasha Banks manage to retain their championships on March 10th, it seems they’ll be heading to the blue brand next to answer the IIconics’ challenge.

The New Day To Exchange Gifts With The IIconics

WWE has announced a rather fun skit for tomorrow on their YouTube channel. A live stream of SmackDown Live Tag Teams The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods) and The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce) will be held.

With Christmas right around the corner, WWE will be having the pair exchanges gifs live on YouTube in front of the entire WWE Universe. The IIconics and The New Day have worked together before on Woods’ UpUpDownDown YouTube gaming channel.

It will be interesting to see what WWE has in store for their gift exchange. The festivities will commence at noon Eastern Time tomorrow.

Rousey Shops For A Christmas Tree (Video)

WWE Monday Night RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey recently went shopping for a Christmas tree. She posted her journey on her own YouTube channel. Rousey, along with her husband and UFC heavyweight fighter Travis Browne, attempt to find the best Christmas tree for their ranch, “Browsey Acres.”

You can check out Rousey’s search for the perfect Christmas tree in the video player below:

Billie Kay was possibly injured at a WWE house show over the weekend. Kay was teaming with her Iiconics partner, Peyton Royce, and facing Noami and Lana at the event.

During the match, reports are that Noami and Kay bumped heads and Kay went down after. Further reports stated she had a dazed look on her face after.

Billie Kay did not finish the match and was seen being helped to the back by a trainer. Some users on Twitter captured her being taken to the back and posted it online:

Ahh Billie Kay needed some medical attention. She walked out ok though ? pic.twitter.com/1QT5p9vLPY

— . (@kimberlasskick) December 16, 2018

Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, and Potential WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships

Earlier this fall, Billie Kay had the following to say regarding women’s tag-team championships in WWE.

“We have always spoken, and quite publicly, that we want to pioneer (a women’s tag division),” she said to TV Insider this fall. “We want to be part of this era of the women’s tag team division.”

Peyton Royce added in the following:

“We want to have a part of it when it does happen. I feel it will happen in time, so we want to have a positive influence on that.”

Speaking of the fondness she feels for her partner, Billie continued:

“When she is away from me, I feel like a chunk of me is gone. I know she feels the same way. So, when we come together…”

Peyton cut her off: “We feel complete. We really do. I feel like myself when I’m with Billie. She brings out the best in me and vice versa.”

You can read the full interview here.

Australia’s Peyton Royce and Billie Kay were victorious at WWE Super Show-Down today at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. They defeated the team of Asuka and Naomi in tag-team action.

WWE cameras caught up with both of the Iiconics shortly after their victory. Needless to say, they were emotional about the response they received from the live crowd.

EXCLUSIVE: It was an emotion-filled day for @PeytonRoyceWWE & @BillieKayWWE, who pulled out an #IIconic win at #WWESSD! pic.twitter.com/HmDfMTT0AK

— WWE (@WWE) October 6, 2018

The Iiconics: Billie Kay and Peyton Royce

While Billie Kay and Peyton Royce did go to the same high school together, they are actually 4 years apart in age. Billie is 29 and Peyton 25. They both received tryouts when WWE toured Australia in the summer of 2014, however. At the time, both were competing on the indy scene in Australia. Kay and Royce were signed and reported to the WWE Performance Center the following April.

“Melbourne is where we had our WWE tryout,” Royce said to Fox Sports recently. “Not the same venue, obviously – but it really is full circle for our whole journeys so far.”

During the same interview, Billie Kay mentioned they hope to spearhead a new Women’s tag-team division. “That’s realistically the next step in this evolution,” Kay said to Fox Sports.

Before signing with WWE, they were both regulars for the Pro Wrestling Alliance in Australia. Each was trained by Madison Eagles, a former 2x Shimmer Champion. Royce also traveled to Calgary, AB, Canada earlier in her career to train with Lance Storm. The Storm Wrestling Academy also trained the first-ever female Australian to sign with WWE, Tenille Dashwood.

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay debuted on SmackDown Live from NXT on the April 10 episode and immediately put every female superstar in the locker room on notice. With their savage attack on Charlotte Flair, the duo allowed Carmella to cash in her Money in the Bank contract to become the new SmackDown Women’s Champion.

In the WWE Network’s show Ride Along, Peyton and Billie were featured in a recent episode and they talked about the day when they came to know that they are going to debut on SD Live.

WWE’s Twitter shared a clip from the moment when they were informed of their main roster callup, which captured both their reactions as Triple H informed them the news:

What was it like when @PeytonRoyceWWE & @BillieKayWWE found out that they would be making #SDLive ICONIC? #TheIIconics go back in time on #WWERideAlong! @WWENetwork pic.twitter.com/xYEDN7Tvpz

— WWE (@WWE) July 3, 2018

This past April, The IIconics – Billie Kay and Peyton Royce – made their main roster debuts on SmackDown Live. They had quite an impact right off the bat, assisting Carmella in successfully cashing in her Money In The Bank (MITB) contract to win the SmackDown Live Women’s Championship from Charlotte Flair.

The pair have been featured as a prominent part of SmackDown Live’s women’s division since. WrestlingNews.co is reporting that WWE have been pleasantly surprised with The IIconics’ merchandise sales.

Their new shirt on WWE Shop is selling much better than expected. As a result, WWE has some big plans for the team moving forward. The idea is to utilize them as an updated version of Laycool.

This is in reference to the team formed by Michelle McCool and Layla back in 2009. They remained partners for around two years before disbanding their partnership following a self-implosion of the team when McCool attacked Layla during a segment on SmackDown.

Discussion: What do you think about WWE’s upcoming plans for the IIconics?