Leva Bates

Shine Wrestling (2012–2019)

Bates debuted in Shine Wrestling at their first event in July 2012. Initially a singles competitor, she faced Mercedes Martinez, Portia Perez, and Jessicka Havok, before having a series of matches with Kimberly, with the pair trading wins. they faced off again at Shine 8 in a Fans Bring the Weapons I Quit match, which Kimberly won by referee stoppage. The feud ended at Shine 9, when Bates won an "Arkham Asylum" steel cage match. Bates then competed in the tournament to determine the inaugural Shine Champion; she defeated Taylor Made before losing to Mia Yim. This was followed by a feud with Nevaeh, which culminated in a hardcore match at Shine 15 won by Bates. They successfully defended the title against Evie and Madison Eagles, and Candice LeRae and Ivelisse, before losing to Legendary (Brandi Wine and Malia Hosaka) at Shine 20 on June 27, 2014. The Lucha Sisters failed to regain the championship in a rematch at Shine 21 in August. Bates then transitioned back in singles competition, and unsuccessfully challenged LuFisto for the Shine Championship in 2017.

WWE (2014–2015) Bates first appeared in WWE, accompanying Adam Rose as one of his "Rosebuds". Bates made her debut in WWE's developmental territory on the October 16, 2014, episode of NXT, as an enhancement talent, losing to the debuting Carmella. She was introduced as "Blue Pants" by Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady because of her blue ring attire, and retained the name for her subsequent appearances. She returned at the NXT television tapings on October 23, losing again to Carmella; the match aired on November 27. Blue Pants earned her first victory on the January 1, 2015, episode of NXT, defeating Carmella in their third match. She made further appearances on the February 18, April 15, and June 10 episodes, losing to NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks, Dana Brooke, and Emma respectively. Blue Pants made a surprise appearance at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn on August 22, managing The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) to a NXT Tag Team Championship. During the match, she had an altercation with Alexa Bliss, prompting a match on the September 2 episode of NXT, which Bliss won. Blue Pants made her final appearance on the December 2 episode of NXT, facing Nia Jax in a losing effort.

Bates described the character of Blue Pants as the "ultimate fangirl", and felt the character became so popular because the audience connected with the joy the character felt in wrestling.

Other promotions (2008–2019)

Bates appeared on the May 28, 2008, episode of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact!, accepting Awesome Kong's $25,000 challenge, which she would lose. She later had a try-out match for the company against Isis the Amazon in February 2011, but lost the match. Bates made a brief return to TNA for the Knockouts Knockdown 2016 pay-per-view as her cosplayer character losing a well received match to TNA Knockouts champion Jade. Bates returned to Impact Wrestling again for One Night Only: Victory Road – Knockouts Knockdown defeating Allie. Later the same night she teamed with ODB, Alisha, and Santana Garrett in an eight-man tag team match where they defeated Angelina Love, Rosemary, Diamanté, and Laurel Van Ness.

Bates debuted in Full Impact Pro (FIP) in May 2008, when she and Rain defeated Portia Perez and Mimi in a tag team match. She returned five years later,

All Elite Wrestling (2019–2023) On April 22, 2019, it was announced that Bates would join the women's roster of All Elite Wrestling as The Librarian. She debuted at Fyter Fest, losing to Allie in a singles match after a superkick. She turned face after slapping Peter Avalon as part of an ongoing story between himself and Brandon Cutler. On May 1, 2023, Bates announced that after four years of working for AEW, her contract with the company had expired. She was under contract in a wrestling role and a backstage role, where she originally assisted former Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes, but eventually took over many roles, most notably with her work on the AEW Heels fan club alongside AEW referee Aubrey Edwards and Amanda Huber.

Other media

Bates has been a livestreamer on Twitch since 2016. She is a Twitch Partner as well.

In 2023, Bates took part in the Netflix reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, where she was eliminated in the first round, "Red Light, Green Light".

Personal life

Bates holds two bachelor's degrees in theater and radio and television production, with a minor in dance, from Murray State University. On October 17, 2024, she was recognized by Murray State University as one of their Outstanding Young Alumni in the Fine Arts. She also video blogs for The Geek Soapbox.

Bates is known for her use of cosplay in her ring outfits; she regularly dresses as characters from TV, movies, video games, and comic books. While cosplaying, she incorporates aspects of the character into her wrestling style. All-Out Pro Wrestling APW Women's Championship (1 time, Current) Coastal Championship Wrestling CCW Women's Championship (1 time) Heavy on Wrestling HOW Women's Championship (1 time, inaugural) Murray State University Outstanding Young Alumni in the Fine Arts (October 2024) Pro Wrestling Illustrated PWI Feud of the Year (2012) Ranked No. 28 of the top 50 female wrestlers in the PWI Female 50 in 2015 Shimmer Wrestling Shimmer Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Delilah Doom Shine Wrestling Shine Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Mia Yim Shine Tag Team Title Tournament (2014) Southeastern Championship Wrestling SCW Women's Championship (1 time) World Wrestling Entertainment Nxt Women's Championship (1 time)(unrecognized)