Xia Li, the first Chinese woman to sign with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has successfully transitioned to a new combat sport, winning her amateur Muay Thai debut this past weekend.
Competing under the name Lei Ying Lee at a Combat Night MMA event on May 17, Li faced off against opponent Myriame Essalki in what proved to be a closely contested match. After three intense two-minute rounds, Lee emerged victorious by split decision, marking a successful first foray into the world of Muay Thai.
The victory represents a significant new chapter for Li, who was released from her WWE contract in April 2024. Following her departure from the wrestling giant, she had been performing on the independent wrestling circuit under the name Xia Zhao before deciding to test her skills in the traditional Thai martial art.
Li’s WWE journey was historic, as she broke barriers by becoming the first Chinese female performer signed to the company. Her successful transition to Muay Thai demonstrates her diverse combat sports abilities and suggests she may have a promising future ahead in this new athletic endeavor.
Combat sports fans and followers of Li’s career will undoubtedly be watching with interest to see if this debut victory marks the beginning of a new competitive path for the former WWE star or if she will continue to balance both wrestling and Muay Thai moving forward.
