Tatum Paxley Says Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair Took Her Under Their Wing on WWE SmackDown
Tatum Paxley is living a wrestling fan’s dream. The former powerlifter is a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, and her partner is the same woman who sparked her passion for the sport. Quick Facts From Fan to Tag Team Partner Paxley says Bliss is the reason she got into pro wrestling at all. Bliss opened her eyes to the kind of story she could tell in WWE, and standing beside her now feels unreal. Paxley called the experience insane and said no word can describe it. How Their Paths First Crossed The two met in the ring in 2025, when Paxley challenged Bliss and Charlotte Flair for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at WWE NXT Homecoming. Less than a year later, Paxley joined forces with both stars during her WWE main roster debut. Learning From Two Veterans Paxley credits Flair and Bliss with helping her adjust to life on SmackDown. She said she has the best people looking out for her, and although she has only been on the main roster for about two months, it feels like she has been there much longer. In her words, she’s with the right people. Title Gold on SmackDown Paxley and Bliss captured the Women’s Tag Team Championships this month, defeating Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence on the blue brand. The win gave Paxley a major early milestone as a main roster performer. Finding Her Dark Stalker Character Paxley’s character journey hasn’t been simple. She started in Diamond Mine, a faction of powerful performers, and leaned on her powerlifting background. She says that “strong” gimmick never matched her personality. Once WWE let her pitch her own vision, she moved toward a darker, stalker-style persona. She said she struggled for years to show who she really is, and that WWE gave her a platform to dig deep and reveal her weirder sides. The Hair Dye That Changed Everything Paxley first appeared on WWE TV with her natural brown hair. After she dyed it black, her confidence and connection with fans took off. The eyeliner and dark eyeshadow stayed, but the new hair color helped complete the look. A Familiar Style The article notes that Paxley’s current presentation resembles the one Bliss used in 2020 and 2021, when Bliss portrayed a twisted, otherworldly character alongside Bray Wyatt and played with dolls. That link adds another layer to the Paxley-Bliss partnership. What Fans Are Asking Who is Tatum Paxley’s tag team partner? Alexa Bliss. Who did they beat for the titles? Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence. Who else mentors her? Charlotte Flair. What was her original WWE gimmick? A strength-focused character in Diamond Mine. What changed her look? She dyed her hair black and leaned into a dark, stalker-style persona. What to Watch Next Fans should watch for Fatal Influence seeking a rematch, new challengers for the tag titles and further evolution of Paxley’s character on SmackDown. Source: Wrestling Inc. Quotes courtesy of No Holds Barred.