Cassie Lee reflects on The IIconics’ exhilarating main roster debut in WWE. The IIconics were staples in NXT prior to their main roster call-ups, with “HEY KAYLA” going viral to boost their real estate value.
The IIconics had an unforgettable journey in WWE, becoming WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They held the titles for 120 days after defeating The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection, consisting of Bayley and Sasha Banks, on February 17, 2019, at the Elimination Chamber event in Houston, TX.
The Elimination Chamber match to crown the inaugural champions featured six teams: The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection, Nia Jax and Tamina, The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan), Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville, The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce), and Carmella and Naomi. In a thrilling conclusion, The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection eliminated Rose and Deville to become the first-ever WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
They had to start somewhere. On the April 10th, 2018 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, The IIconics made their electrifying WWE main roster debut. They launched a fierce attack on the then SmackDown Women’s Champion, Charlotte Flair, leaving her incapacitated. This ambush set the stage for Carmella to seize the moment and cash in her Money In The Bank briefcase, capturing the championship for the first time in her career.
During a recent interview with Ring The Belle, Cassie Lee reminisced about that pivotal moment, revealing that she and Jessica McKay were unaware of Carmella’s impending cash-in:
“I was shaking in my little boots right there. So nervous. I can even tell watching it back and the way I talk, I just don’t have the confidence that I eventually did have. I was just so nervous. This was basically my dreams coming true in this moment. It was such a huge opportunity for us against Charlotte. We had no idea Carmella was going to cash in. No, no, no idea at all, and then we realized how big of an opportunity that was, and we didn’t actually grasp it until Carmella cashed in. But yeah, this is, I mean, we talk about it all the time. If we could dream up our debut, this is what it would be.”
Following their impactful debut, The IIconics took on the role of Carmella’s backup, solidifying their presence on the roster. Their journey culminated in capturing championship gold at WrestleMania 35, a testament to their talent and determination.
Since leaving WWE, Cassie Lee and her husband, Shawn Spears, have welcomed children into their lives. Spears made a return to WWE after a stint in AEW, where he continues to impress with his standout chair gimmick in NXT. His future remains an exciting prospect, as he is undeniably “a great hand.”
