NEW YORK — Former Sun Devil Cam Skattebo wasn’t the only Valley product to make headlines on WWE’s Monday Night Raw.
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Maxxine Dupri kicks Ivy Nile down Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. © Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Former Phoenix Suns dancer Sydney Zmrzel added gold to her wrestling career that same night.
Zmrzel, also known as Maxxine Dupri, defeated then-champion Becky Lynch to capture her first WWE title. An emerging fan favorite in recent years, her win drew an overwhelmingly positive reaction from fans both in the arena and watching from afar.
A history-making moment in @TheGarden!
Congrats, @maxxinedupri!! 👏 pic.twitter.com/zVraMhYx7N
— WWE (@WWE) November 18, 2025
PHX Off-Court also posted about Zmrzel’s win on Instagram, congratulating the former dancer on her championship moment.
“Love y’all,” the former Suns dancer writes back, adding a white heart emoji.
View this post on Instagram
Zmrzel’s journey from the basketball court to the football field and now the wrestling ring highlights her growth as an entertainer. Like Skattebo, the former Suns dancer has developed her talents in the Valley before expanding them into new areas and building her brand.
Aug 18, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams cheerleader Sydney Zmrzel performs during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While outcomes in professional wrestling are scripted, Zmrzel’s victory represents the culmination of years of work, beginning with her time with the Suns and continuing through her rise in WWE. It may not be a championship earned with a local Arizona team, but seeing someone who spent part of her path in this state flourish on a national stage is still something to applaud.
Jan 26, 2024; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Maxxine Dupri during the WWE Media Junket at Hilton Carillion Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a reminder of how determination helps Valley-grown entertainers break through ceilings.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
