Ember Moon " For the wrestler known as the Goddess Athena , see Amy Young . " Adrienne Reese ( August 31 , 1988 ) is an American female professional wrestler best known by the ring name Athena . She is currently signed to WWE in their development territory NXT , under the ring name Ember Moon . Working as an independent circuit wrestler , Reese has wrestled for promotions including SHIMMER , Women Superstars Uncensored and to an extensive degree for the Texas - based Anarchy Championship Wrestling promotion where she held two ACW singles titles . Career . SHIMMER Women Athletes . Debut and Various Feuds ( 2010 - 2011 ) . Reese debuted for SHIMMER Women Athletes under the name Athena on September 11 , 2010 . Originally portraying a villainous character , Athena teamed with Jessie Brooks in a losing effort to Rachel Summerlyn and Jessica James at SHIMMER 33 . She was defeated by Tenille later that same day at SHIMMER 34 , and she went on a losing skid at the promotion until October 1 , 2011 , when she defeated Jessie McKay and Mia Yim in a three way match at SHIMMER 42 for her first victory at the promotion . Face Turn ( 2011 - 2014 ) . On the following day , Athena competed to a double countout against Mercedes Martinez at SHIMMER 43 , and her willingness to fight Mercedes again resulted in a face turn for Athena . At SHIMMER 44 , Athena defeated Mercedes via disqualification after Mercedes turned heel and attached her with a steel chair . At SHIMMER 45 on March 17 , 2012 , Athena defeated Mercedes via pinfall . Athena received her first opportunity at the SHIMMER Championship on October 17 , losing to Saraya Knight at SHIMMER 49 . Athena defeated Ayako Hamada at the SHIMMER 53 IPPV on April 6 , 2013 . On the following week at SHIMMER 54 , Athena was defeated by Courtney Rush in a # 1 Contender ' s four way match that also included Saraya Knight and Madison Eagles . At the SHIMMER 62 IPPV on April 5 , 2014 , Athena competed for the first time since returning from injury , defeating Candice LeRae . Women Superstars Uncensored ( 2014 - 2015 ) . Athena debuted for Women Superstars Uncensored at their " Mutiny " event on February 8 , 2014 , competing in a losing effort against LuFisto . She was defeated by LuFisto again at the annual " Queen and King " event on May 10 , this time in a 2 Out Of 3 Falls Match for the vacated WSU Championship . At " Resurgence " on September 13 , Athena defeated Hania , but she would lose a rematch to Hania at " Breaking Barriers III " on November 8 . Athena would defeat Hania at the " WSU 8th Anniversary Show " on February 21 , 2015 in a TLC Match , and was later attacked by Hania after the match ended , turning Hania into a villainess . At " Power " on May 9 , Athena defeated Niya Barela in the first round of the WSU Spirit Championship Tournament . Shine Wrestling ( 2012 - 2015 ) . Athena debuted for Shine Wrestling on November 16 , 2012 and defeated Ivelisse in singles action . She returned at SHINE 19 on May 23 , 2014 and was defeated by Amazing Kong . At SHINE 24 on January 23 , 2015 , Athena competed in a losing effort against Allysin Kay . World Wrestling Entertainment . NXT ( 2015 - present ) . On September 11 , 2015 , it was reported that Reese had signed a contract with WWE , and would be assigned to their developmental territory , WWE NXT , based at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando , Florida . She made her NXT in - ring debut at a live event on October 10 , teaming with Gionna Daddio in a tag team match , where they were defeated by the villainous Peyton Royce and Alexa Bliss . At another live event in Tampa , Athena teamed with Asuka and Carmella in a winning effort against Emma , Peyton Royce , and Cameron . At on June 8 , 2016 , Reese defeated Peyton Royce during a dark match , in which she debuted a new character , Ember Moon . After a series of introductory vignettes , Moon debuted at on August 20 , where she defeated Billie Kay .