Nia Jax is a professional American wrestler also known by her ring names Lina and Zada. She studied at Palomar College in San Marcos, California, where she played basketball and received a scholarship. Despite her interest in bodybuilding and modeling, her love for wrestling grew after fighting against her cousins, The Rock and John Cena, in Once In a Lifetime.
Since her debut in 2015, Nia Jax has achieved several titles, including former Raw Women’s Champion and two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. She also has a net worth of $5 million as of 2023, earnings from wrestling, merchandise royalties, and PPV appearances.
About Nia Jax
Savelina Fanene, better known by her in-ring name Nia Jax, was born on May 29, 1984. Despite being born in Sydney, Australia, she grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, and later moved to San Diego, California, cementing her status as a professional American wrestler. During her early life, Nia Jax developed a keen interest in sports, showing talent and prowess that would later be instrumental in her wrestling career.
For her education, Jax attended Palomar College in San Marcos, California. She was an indispensable player for the school’s basketball team, earning a scholarship that allowed her to attend the university. She played basketball for four years as a student-athlete, demonstrating strength, resilience, and a competitive spirit that would later translate to the wrestling ring.
Following her time in college, Nia Jax turned her sights on bodybuilding and modeling. She lived in California at the time, and her imposing physique quickly gained attention. She started her career as a plus-size model, breaking stereotypes and promoting body positivity.
Nia Jax Personal Details
Full name | Savelina Fanene |
Nickname | Nia Jax |
Born | May 29, 1984 |
Weight | 272 lb |
Salary | $100,000 |
Father’s name | Joseph Fanene |
Marital Status | Unmarried |
Instagram handle | @linafanene |
Twitter handle | @LinaFanene |
Nationality | Australian |
Net Worth | 5 million (approx) |
Birthplace | Sydney, New South Wales |
Height | 183 cm |
Age | 39 |
Mother’s name | Renate Fanene |
Career
Interestingly, Nia Jax is related to some of the biggest names in professional wrestling. She is a cousin of the legendary Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena. It was a wrestling match featuring these relatives, titled “Once in a Lifetime,” that sparked her interest in professional wrestling.
In 2014, Nia Jax’s life took a significant turn when she was signed by WWE. Initially, she was sent to the developmental brand NXT, where she made her in-ring debut under the ring name Zada. It wasn’t long, though, before her name was changed to Nia Jax, under which she began making a significant impact.
She was drafted to the main roster in 2016 and assigned to the Red-brand. Her career saw her win the Raw Women’s Championship once and the Women’s Tag Team Championship twice, once with Shayna Baszler. However, her wrestling career wasn’t without controversy. Jax was often criticized as an “unsafe worker,” most notably after an incident where she busted open Becky Lynch’s nose, causing Lynch to miss some valuable in-ring competition.
Despite the controversy, Nia Jax continued to make her mark in the WWE. However, in November 2021, the WWE released her from her contract. Regardless of her departure, Nia Jax’s legacy in the WWE and her impact on the wrestling industry remain significant, serving as an inspiration for many aspiring wrestlers.
Nia Jax Net Worth, Salary, and Earnings
As of 2023, professional wrestler and model Nia Jax has an impressive net worth of $5 million USD. This considerable wealth is the culmination of her successful careers in wrestling, modeling, and even basketball.
As a WWE superstar, Jax was one of the top earners in the female division. She reportedly earned a salary of $100,000 per year from her wrestling career alone. This income came from her regular appearances on WWE’s weekly shows and pay-per-view events. These numbers, however, don’t account for the bonuses and perks that WWE wrestlers often receive.
Quick Facts
Nia Jaxs Boyfriend/Husband
Nia Jax, the Australian-born American wrestler, is currently single and unmarried. She prefers to focus on her growth and give herself more time and attention. However, she had a relationship with Josh Woods from 2014 to 2016. Nia Jax has had a successful wrestling career, having won the Raw Women’s Championship and Women’s Tag Team Championship twice. She is also the cousin of famous wrestlers The Rock and John Cena.
Age
Nia Jax is 39 years old (as of 2023).
Height
Nia Jax is 183 cm tall.
Achievements
Nia Jax, known for her impressive strength and determination in the wrestling ring, has amassed a number of notable achievements throughout her career, earning her a place among the top female wrestlers in the world.
In the world of professional wrestling, Nia Jax has received numerous accolades. In 2016, she was named “Rookie of the Year,” a testament to her immediate impact and skills in the ring. In 2018, she was recognized by Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI), where she was ranked number 8 among the top 50 female singles wrestlers in their Female 100 list. Her success continued in 2021, as she climbed the ranks to number 30 in the PWI Women’s 150, a list of the top 150 female wrestlers. Moreover, she and her tag team partner managed to secure the number 24 spot among the Top 50 Tag Teams in the 2021 PWI Tag Team 50.
In the realm of sports more generally, Nia Jax also made her mark, earning a spot in the top 12 among 30 female wrestlers in 2018. Her physical prowess and athletic ability were clearly recognized beyond just the wrestling community.
Rolling Stone Magazine also recognized Nia Jax’s potential and talent, naming her the “Most Overdue Yet-to-Be Title Holder of the Year” in 2017. This accolade reflected the general sentiment that her talent deserved recognition with a title.
Within WWE, Jax’s success was clear and tangible. She secured the WWE Raw Women’s Championship once, a significant achievement that highlighted her as one of the top performers in the company. Additionally, she won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship twice, showcasing her ability to work in a team and excel in a different format of wrestling competition.