Samantha Irvin Age, Net Worth, Career & Husband 2025

Samantha Irvin age has captured the attention of wrestling fans worldwide as this talented 36-year-old former WWE ring announcer recently married AEW superstar Ricochet on March 26, 2025, marking a new chapter in both her personal and professional life.

Born Samantha Johnson on January 9, 1989, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Irvin has transitioned from being WWE’s most beloved ring announcer to pursuing her lifelong passion for music after departing the company in October 2024.

Her journey from America’s Got Talent semi-finalist to historic WWE personality, and now to newlywed pursuing her musical dreams, represents a compelling story of authenticity, talent, and the courage to follow one’s true calling despite tremendous success in another field.

Quick Facts About Samantha Irvin

Category	Details
Real Name	Samantha Johnson
Ring Name	Samantha Irvin
Date of Birth	January 9, 1989
Age	36 years old (as of 2025)
Birthplace	New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	African-American
Zodiac Sign	Capricorn
Height	5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m)
Profession	Former WWE Ring Announcer, Singer, Musician
Years Active	2011-Present (Entertainment), 2021-2024 (WWE)
Net Worth	$1-1.5 million (2025 estimate)
WWE Salary	$350,000 annually (when employed)
Husband	Ricochet (Trevor Mann) – Married March 26, 2025
Children	Daughter Myra LeeAnn, Stepmother to Ricochet’s son
Instagram	@samanthairvinwwe (1.3+ million followers)
Known For	First African-American female WWE ring announcer, WrestleMania XL (14 matches)
Musical Background	AGT 2015 semi-finalist, classical flutist, Thriller-Live performer
Latest Single	“Make Me” (Released February 2025)
Languages	English, Spanish, French, Portuguese
Sobriety	6+ years sober

Samantha Irvin Age / Biography

Samantha Irvin was born on January 9, 1989, which makes her 36 years old as of 2025. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn, an earth sign known for ambition, discipline, practicality, and a strong work ethic, traits that have clearly manifested throughout her multifaceted career in entertainment.

Born Samantha Johnson in New Bedford, Massachusetts, she adopted the ring name “Samantha Irvin” as a tribute to her father, Irvin Johnson, honoring her family heritage while building her professional identity in the entertainment world.

At 36 years old, Irvin has achieved remarkable milestones across multiple industries. By age 26, she had already performed as the lead vocalist in Thriller-Live, a Michael Jackson tribute show that toured internationally from 2011 to 2015. At 26, she reached the semi-finals of America’s Got Talent in 2015, showcasing her vocal and flute abilities to millions of viewers.

Her WWE career began at 32 when she was discovered by Hall of Famer Mark Henry in April 2021, making her relatively late entry into wrestling all the more impressive given her rapid rise to prominence.

Her age-related career achievements demonstrate consistent evolution and willingness to embrace new challenges. At 33, she became the lead ring announcer for WWE SmackDown in January 2022, making history as the first African-American female ring announcer in WWE history.

At 35, she announced all 14 matches at WrestleMania XL, setting a record and earning praise from legendary announcers Michael Buffer and Lillian Garcia.

Now at 36, she has married her longtime partner Ricochet and embarked on a new chapter focusing on her original passion for music, demonstrating that age is merely a number when pursuing one’s authentic calling.

What makes Samantha Irvin’s age particularly significant is the maturity and life experience she brought to every role she undertook.

Unlike many who enter WWE in their early twenties, Irvin came to wrestling with over a decade of professional entertainment experience, including classical music training, theatrical performances, and television appearances.

This foundation allowed her to quickly master the unique art of ring announcing, infusing each introduction with musical phrasing, dramatic timing, and emotional resonance that made even standard match announcements feel like special moments.

Her age and experience translated into confidence, professionalism, and artistic choices that set her apart from traditional wrestling announcers.

Who is Samantha Irvin?

Samantha Irvin is a talented American singer, musician, and former WWE ring announcer who made history as the first African-American female ring announcer in WWE history.

Known for her powerful voice, dramatic delivery, and emotional connection with audiences, Irvin transformed the traditionally straightforward role of ring announcer into a performance art that enhanced every match she introduced.

Her unique style combined her classical music training, theatrical experience, and genuine passion for entertainment, creating memorable moments that resonated with both live audiences and viewers watching from home.

Born Samantha Johnson in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Irvin grew up as the eldest of six siblings in a musically inclined family.

Her mother was a professional flutist, and music permeated the household from Irvin’s earliest memories. She began studying classical flute at just four years old, displaying natural musical talent and dedication that would shape her entire career trajectory.

This early musical foundation developed her understanding of rhythm, timing, phrasing, and emotional expression, skills that would prove invaluable in her later entertainment career, including her unique approach to ring announcing.

Before WWE discovered her talents, Irvin had already established herself as a legitimate performing artist. She served as the lead vocalist for Thriller-Live, a Michael Jackson tribute show, touring internationally from 2011 to 2015 and performing for thousands of fans who appreciated her ability to channel the King of Pop’s energy and style.

In 2015, she auditioned for America’s Got Talent, advancing to the semi-finals with performances that showcased both her vocal abilities and flute skills. She also appeared on the Fox show I Can See Your Voice in 2020, further establishing her television presence and entertainment credentials.

Her WWE journey began in April 2021 when WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry discovered her talent and recommended her for a ring announcer position.

Interestingly, Irvin initially auditioned to become an in-ring wrestler but didn’t receive that opportunity. However, WWE recognized her exceptional voice and stage presence, offering her the ring announcer role for 205 Live instead.

She quickly proved herself in this position, leading to promotions to NXT and then SmackDown, where she became the show’s lead announcer in January 2022. Her meteoric rise continued when she was moved to Monday Night Raw in May 2023, WWE’s flagship program.

What distinguished Irvin from previous ring announcers was her willingness to bring authentic emotion and personality to every introduction.

She didn’t simply read names; she performed them, modulating her voice to match each wrestler’s character and the significance of the moment.

Her introductions became viral sensations on social media, with fans creating compilation videos of her most memorable calls.

Her facial expressions during matches, reactions to surprising moments, and visible investment in the storytelling made her a character in WWE programming rather than simply a functional element of production.

Irvin’s current status in 2025 represents another evolution in her remarkable career.

After departing WWE in October 2024 to pursue her music career and spend more time with family, she married longtime partner Ricochet on March 26, 2025, in a beautiful ceremony that brought together wrestling and entertainment personalities. She released her latest single “Make Me” in February 2025, signaling her commitment to her original artistic passion.

While she has ruled out joining AEW despite her husband’s employment there, she has indicated that she hasn’t closed the door on returning to professional wrestling in some capacity, potentially in a more prominent on-screen role than ring announcing.

Samantha Irvin Age and Birthday

Samantha Irvin celebrates her birthday on January 9 each year, a date that places her squarely within the Capricorn zodiac sign (December 22 – January 19).

Born in 1989, she entered 2025 at 36 years old, reaching an age often associated with confidence, self-awareness, and clarity about one’s true priorities and purposes.

Her birthday typically falls during the post-holiday period, a quieter time that may have allowed for more intimate family celebrations throughout her childhood and adult life.

Capricorn traits are often described as ambitious, practical, disciplined, responsible, and patient, characteristics that align remarkably well with Irvin’s career path and personal choices.

Her willingness to spend years developing her craft in various entertainment fields before finding WWE success demonstrates Capricorn patience and long-term thinking.

Her decision to leave a lucrative WWE position to pursue her authentic passion for music, despite the financial security announcing provided, reflects Capricorn practicality in recognizing when a situation, however successful externally, doesn’t align with internal values and goals.

When calculating age for 2025, it’s important to note that Irvin turned 36 on January 9, 2025, meaning she has been 36 for the majority of the year including her March 26, 2025 wedding.

This timing is significant as she entered marriage at an age when many people have established clear identities, career directions, and understanding of what they want from partnerships.

Her relationship with Ricochet, which began when they were both in their early to mid-thirties, reflects mature partnership between two established professionals who chose each other with full awareness of their individual goals and values.

Career achievements relative to her age paint a picture of consistent accomplishment and evolution. At 36, most WWE performers are either established main event stars or winding down their careers, yet Irvin is just beginning what could be a decades-long music career.

Her willingness to essentially “start over” in pursuing music, despite WWE success, demonstrates remarkable courage and commitment to authentic self-expression. Many people at 36 feel locked into their current career paths; Irvin’s choice to pivot demonstrates that age 36 can be a beginning rather than a midpoint or decline.

Her age also provides context for her relationship with wrestling culture. Unlike performers who grew up as lifelong wrestling fans and dreamed of WWE careers from childhood, Irvin came to wrestling as an adult professional with established identity and career accomplishments outside the industry.

She attended WrestleMania XIV as a child with her father, enjoying wrestling as entertainment, but it wasn’t her defining passion.

This outside perspective may have contributed to her ability to walk away from WWE when it no longer served her goals, a decision many lifelong wrestling fans might struggle to make due to emotional attachment to the industry itself.

Early Life and Background

Samantha Johnson was born on January 9, 1989, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a historic coastal city known for its whaling heritage and diverse cultural population.

Growing up in New Bedford provided Irvin with exposure to various cultures, musical traditions, and working-class values that would influence her artistic sensibilities and down-to-earth personality.

As the eldest of six siblings, she naturally assumed leadership responsibilities from a young age, developing confidence, communication skills, and ability to command attention that would serve her throughout her entertainment career.

Her family was deeply musical, with her mother working as a professional flutist whose career and passion for music created an environment where artistic pursuit was normalized and encouraged.

This familial support for artistic endeavors proved crucial in Irvin’s development, as she never had to justify or defend her creative ambitions.

Music wasn’t considered an impractical dream but rather a legitimate career path, giving Irvin confidence to pursue entertainment professionally rather than treating it as a hobby secondary to a “real job.”

Irvin began studying classical flute at the remarkably young age of four, demonstrating early aptitude and dedication that suggested genuine talent rather than simply parental pressure.

Classical music training at such a young age develops discipline, pattern recognition, fine motor skills, and understanding of complex musical structures that benefit musicians throughout their lives.

Her flute studies progressed to a level where she competed in national competitions, achieving recognition among serious classical musicians and establishing credentials that would later enhance her credibility as a professional performer.

Beyond music, Irvin’s childhood included exposure to professional wrestling through her father, Irvin Johnson, for whom she would later name her professional persona.

In 1998, when Samantha was nine years old, her father took her to WrestleMania XIV at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts, where “Stone Cold” Steve Austin defeated Shawn Michaels to win the WWE Championship in a match many consider a turning point in WWE history.

This early exposure to wrestling’s spectacle, energy, and emotional storytelling planted seeds that would eventually bloom into her WWE career over two decades later, though at the time it was simply a fun father-daughter experience.

Her school years in New Bedford public schools balanced academic responsibilities with intensive musical training and performance opportunities.

She participated in school music programs, local youth orchestras, and various performance venues that allowed her to develop stage presence and comfort performing before audiences.

These early performance experiences taught her how to manage nervousness, connect with audiences, and present herself confidently, skills that translated directly to her later work in theater, television, and eventually wrestling.

The financial and logistical challenges of raising six children while supporting artistic ambitions meant Irvin learned early about hard work, sacrifice, and the practical realities of pursuing entertainment careers.

She understood that talent alone wasn’t sufficient for success; dedication, professionalism, networking, and willingness to work harder than competitors were equally important.

This realistic understanding of entertainment industry demands prepared her for the challenges ahead and prevented the disillusionment that often affects artists who discover their passion must also function as their business.

Her Massachusetts upbringing also exposed her to the region’s rich cultural and entertainment history, including Boston’s thriving theater scene, numerous music venues, and proximity to New York City’s entertainment industry.

This geographical positioning allowed Irvin to access opportunities, attend performances by world-class artists, and envision herself as part of the professional entertainment world rather than viewing it as an impossible fantasy.

Growing up near major entertainment markets normalized the idea of pursuing these careers, making her eventual success seem like a natural progression rather than an impossible dream realized.

Musical Career Journey

Samantha Irvin’s musical journey began at age four when she started studying classical flute under her mother’s guidance and formal instruction.

Her natural aptitude for the instrument, combined with dedicated practice and excellent instruction, advanced her skills to a level where she competed in national classical music competitions during her teenage years.

These competitions required not only technical mastery but also musical interpretation, stage presence, and ability to perform under pressure, all skills that would prove invaluable throughout her entertainment career.

Her classical music foundation provided sophisticated understanding of musical theory, phrasing, dynamics, and emotional expression that distinguished her from performers with only popular music training.

When she later transitioned to vocal performance, she brought classical musician’s discipline and attention to detail, allowing her to tackle complex arrangements and deliver technically impressive performances while maintaining emotional connection with audiences.

This combination of classical rigor and contemporary appeal made her a versatile performer capable of succeeding across multiple musical genres and entertainment contexts.

Irvin’s first major professional breakthrough came in 2011 when she was cast as a lead vocalist for Thriller-Live, an internationally touring Michael Jackson tribute show.

From 2011 to 2015, she performed in this production, channeling the King of Pop’s energy, vocal stylings, and stage presence for audiences worldwide who craved authentic connection to Jackson’s legendary performances.

This role required not only vocal ability but also understanding of Jackson’s unique performance style, ability to capture his emotional intensity, and stamina to deliver high-energy performances night after night during extensive touring.

The Thriller-Live experience provided Irvin with invaluable professional entertainment experience, teaching her how to maintain vocal health during grueling tour schedules, connect with diverse international audiences, collaborate with fellow performers and production staff, and deliver consistent quality performances regardless of personal circumstances or external challenges.

These years of professional touring prepared her for WWE’s demanding schedule and taught her the mental and physical discipline required to perform at elite levels consistently over extended periods.

In 2015, Irvin auditioned for Season 10 of America’s Got Talent, performing under her real name Samantha Johnson. Her audition showcased both her vocal abilities and flute playing, demonstrating the versatility and unique combination of skills that distinguished her from typical AGT contestants.

The judges and audience responded positively, advancing her through multiple rounds until she reached the semi-finals, exposing her talent to millions of viewers and significantly raising her entertainment industry profile. While she didn’t win the competition, reaching the semi-finals validated her talents and opened doors to new opportunities.

Following her AGT exposure, Irvin released an EP titled “27Underground” in 2016, providing fans with recorded material showcasing her artistic vision and musical range.

This independent release allowed her creative control over production, song selection, and artistic direction, though it didn’t achieve mainstream commercial success.

The experience of producing, releasing, and promoting independent music taught her about music industry business aspects, challenges of marketing without major label support, and realities of building sustainable music careers in the streaming era.

In 2020, Irvin appeared on the Fox television show I Can See Your Voice, a music game show where contestants must determine whether mystery singers are good or bad singers without actually hearing them sing.

Her appearance on this show kept her in the public eye, maintained her television presence, and reminded entertainment industry professionals of her talents during a period when live performance opportunities were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When WWE offered her the ring announcing opportunity in 2021, Irvin faced a significant decision about whether to accept a role that, while entertainment-related, wasn’t directly pursuing her music career.

She ultimately accepted, viewing WWE as both a financial opportunity and a platform that could expose her to massive audiences who might later support her music.

This pragmatic approach demonstrated mature understanding that artistic careers rarely follow linear paths and that sometimes apparent detours provide valuable experiences and opportunities that ultimately serve long-term goals.

Throughout her WWE tenure from 2021 to 2024, Irvin never completely abandoned her musical identity. She performed the national anthem at various WWE and sporting events, reminding audiences of her vocal abilities beyond ring announcing.

She occasionally posted musical content on social media, maintaining connection with fans who appreciated her singing. She strategically used WWE’s platform to showcase her musical talents whenever opportunities arose, ensuring she wasn’t pigeonholed exclusively as a ring announcer.

Her departure from WWE in October 2024 marked a decisive return to prioritizing her music career. In February 2025, she released her latest single “Make Me,” marking her first new music in years and signaling her commitment to music as her primary creative focus going forward.

The song’s Valentine’s Day-adjacent release timing suggested themes of love, relationships, or emotional connection, though specific lyrical content and critical reception information is limited.

This release represents the beginning of what Irvin hopes will be a sustained, successful music career that finally allows her to fully realize the artistic vision she’s pursued since childhood.

WWE Career Path

Samantha Irvin’s WWE journey began in an unexpected way in 2021 when WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry discovered her talents and recommended her to WWE officials.

Interestingly, Irvin initially auditioned to become an in-ring WWE wrestler, hoping to follow in the footsteps of performers like Bianca Belair who combined athleticism with performance skills.

However, WWE determined she wasn’t suited for in-ring competition, either due to athletic limitations, training timeline concerns, or simply because they saw greater potential in utilizing her other skills.

Rather than giving up after the failed wrestling audition, Irvin demonstrated flexibility and openness when WWE offered her an alternative opportunity: becoming the ring announcer for 205 Live, WWE’s cruiserweight-focused show that aired on the WWE Network (now Peacock).

She accepted this role in April 2021, beginning her WWE career in a relatively low-profile position that many performers might have considered beneath their ambitions.

However, Irvin approached ring announcing with the same professionalism and artistic commitment she brought to all her performances, immediately distinguishing herself through her unique vocal delivery and emotional investment in each introduction.

Her 205 Live performances quickly caught the attention of WWE management and fans who appreciated how she elevated the show’s presentation through her energetic, musical approach to announcing.

Unlike traditional wrestling announcers who simply read names and accomplishments in straightforward manner, Irvin treated each introduction as a mini-performance, modulating her voice to match wrestlers’ characters, building drama and anticipation, and making even relatively unknown 205 Live performers sound important and exciting.

This innovative approach demonstrated understanding of how ring announcing could enhance storytelling rather than simply convey information.

WWE rewarded her excellent work by promoting her to NXT, the company’s developmental brand that had evolved into a legitimate third brand with its own identity and fan base.

Announcing for NXT provided greater exposure and worked with talent who would eventually move to WWE’s main roster shows. Her time in NXT further refined her skills and built relationships with wrestlers, producers, and other personnel who would advocate for her continued advancement within WWE’s structure.

Her breakthrough to WWE’s main roster came in January 2022 when she was named the lead ring announcer for Friday Night SmackDown, one of WWE’s two flagship shows alongside Monday Night Raw.

This promotion made history as Irvin became the first African-American female ring announcer in WWE history, breaking a barrier in a company that, despite recent improvements, still struggled with representation in certain roles.

Her historic achievement received recognition from media outlets, wrestling fans who valued diversity and representation, and opened doors for future diverse talent who could now see themselves in roles throughout WWE’s production.

SmackDown provided Irvin with her largest regular platform to date, exposing her talents to millions of weekly viewers and allowing her to work with WWE’s biggest stars including Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, and other top-tier talent.

Her distinctive introductions became signature elements of SmackDown’s presentation, with fans anticipating how she would announce various wrestlers and moments.

Her ability to make entrances feel special contributed to SmackDown’s consistently strong presentation and fan engagement during her tenure.

In May 2023, WWE moved Irvin to Monday Night Raw, traditionally considered WWE’s most prestigious weekly show as their longest-running program and historical flagship.

This move represented another promotion and vote of confidence in her abilities. Raw’s larger production scale, bigger stars, and more significant storylines provided Irvin with even greater opportunities to showcase her talents.

Her Raw introductions became must-see moments, with her announcements of stars like Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and Gunther generating social media buzz and fan reactions.

The pinnacle of Irvin’s WWE career came at WrestleMania XL in April 2024, where she served as the ring announcer for all 14 matches across the two-night event.

WrestleMania represents WWE’s biggest annual show, equivalent to the Super Bowl of professional wrestling, and announcing all matches was both an honor and an enormous responsibility.

Her performance received widespread praise, with legendary boxing and wrestling announcer Michael Buffer commending her work, and WWE Hall of Fame announcer Lillian Garcia publicly praising her excellence.

The physical and mental stamina required to announce 14 major matches over two nights while maintaining energy, vocal quality, and emotional investment demonstrated her elite professional abilities.

Throughout her WWE career, Irvin’s facial expressions and reactions during matches became almost as famous as her introductions.

Cameras frequently captured her genuine emotional responses to surprising moments, dramatic turns, and exciting action, making her a character within WWE’s storytelling rather than simply a production element.

These authentic reactions resonated with fans who appreciated seeing their own excitement reflected by someone inside the production, creating connection and shared experience that enhanced overall viewing experience.

However, beneath the external success, Irvin struggled with an internal conflict that ultimately led to her departure. She revealed in interviews following her exit that ring announcing, while something she excelled at and approached professionally, wasn’t her passion.

She loved wrestling and valued her WWE experience, but she fundamentally identified as a singer and performer, not as an announcer. WWE apparently saw her exclusively as an announcer and wasn’t interested in transitioning her to other on-screen roles she desired, such as manager, authority figure, or even in-ring competitor with proper training.

On October 21, 2024, Irvin shocked the wrestling world by announcing on social media that her time with WWE had ended. She clarified in subsequent posts that she had given notice months earlier, not hours before as some reports suggested, and that her decision was entirely her own rather than a release.

She explained that she couldn’t continue ring announcing without sacrificing her identity as a singer and performer, and that if she continued much longer, she would become permanently pigeonholed as an announcer, potentially closing doors to other opportunities she valued more than WWE employment.

Her departure generated mixed reactions. Many fans expressed sadness and appreciation for her contributions to WWE, understanding her desire to pursue authentic passions even when it meant leaving success and security.

Others, particularly after she revealed she “didn’t like announcing,” criticized her for appearing ungrateful or disrespectful to WWE and the ring announcing profession.

Irvin defended herself on social media, clarifying that she loved her WWE experience and worked hard to excel at announcing precisely because she’s a professional performer, but that doesn’t mean announcing was her calling or something she wanted to do indefinitely.

Net Worth and Salary Breakdown

Samantha Irvin’s net worth is estimated to range between $1 million and $1.5 million as of 2025, accumulated through her various entertainment career endeavors including WWE employment, musical performances, television appearances, and social media influence.

This estimate reflects her relatively recent entry into high-earning entertainment roles, with her WWE career from 2021 to 2024 representing her most lucrative employment period.

Her net worth is respectable for someone her age in entertainment professions, though modest compared to top-tier WWE performers or major music stars, accurately reflecting her career stage and earning history.

During her WWE employment from April 2021 to October 2024, Irvin earned an impressive annual salary of approximately $350,000, making her one of the highest-paid announcers in professional wrestling history.

This salary was reportedly double what typical WWE ring announcers earned, reflecting WWE’s recognition of her unique talents, her ability to enhance production value, and her growing social media influence that extended WWE’s reach to audiences who might not otherwise engage with wrestling content.

Her WWE compensation also included per-appearance bonuses and payment structures tied to specific events and broadcasts.

Breaking down her WWE compensation further, reports indicate she earned approximately $10,000 per regular televised match announcement at Raw, SmackDown, and premium live events.

For major pay-per-view events, her compensation increased to approximately $20,000 per event, reflecting the higher stakes, larger audiences, and greater production demands of these showcase events.

These per-appearance rates, combined with her base salary, created substantial annual earnings that allowed her to build savings and financial security during her WWE tenure.

However, it’s crucial to understand that WWE employment ended in October 2024, meaning Irvin has not received WWE compensation for several months as of mid-2025.

Her current income sources have shifted entirely to musical endeavors, possible appearance fees, social media monetization, and whatever other entertainment opportunities she’s pursuing.

This transition period likely involves reduced income compared to her WWE earnings, a sacrifice she accepted to pursue her authentic artistic goals rather than remaining in a lucrative but unfulfilling role.

Her pre-WWE entertainment career generated more modest income typical of working performers in music and theater. Her years with Thriller-Live from 2011 to 2015 provided steady employment with guaranteed income from performances, though touring show performers typically don’t earn celebrity-level salaries.

Her America’s Got Talent appearance in 2015 likely generated some prize money and definitely provided valuable exposure, though contestants don’t receive significant compensation unless they win or secure subsequent deals.

Her independent music releases generated limited income due to independent artists’ challenges in monetizing music in the streaming era without major label support and marketing resources.

Social media represents an additional income stream that has grown significantly as Irvin’s follower count increased during and after her WWE tenure.

With over 1.3 million Instagram followers as of 2025, she has influence that brands and companies value for promotional partnerships and sponsored content. Social media influencers with her follower count can typically earn thousands of dollars per sponsored post, depending on engagement rates and audience demographics.

While she hasn’t heavily monetized her social media to date, these platforms provide income potential she could tap if needed.

Comparing Irvin’s WWE compensation to other wrestling announcers provides context for her earnings. Traditional WWE ring announcers historically earned much less than in-ring performers, typically in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 annually depending on experience and role prominence.

Legendary announcer Michael Cole, as WWE’s lead play-by-play commentator, reportedly earns over $1 million annually, though his role as a commentator providing ongoing analysis differs from ring announcing. Irvin’s $350,000 annual salary positioned her at the very top of ring announcer compensation, reflecting WWE’s recognition that she brought exceptional value to their programming.

Her post-WWE financial situation remains somewhat uncertain as she pursues music career success, an notoriously unpredictable and often financially challenging field even for talented artists.

Her “Make Me” single released in February 2025 represents her return to music, though information about its commercial performance, streaming numbers, or revenue generation is limited.

Building a sustainable music career typically requires years of consistent releases, touring, building fan base, and establishing industry relationships, meaning Irvin may face leaner financial years ahead as she invests in her long-term artistic goals.

Irvin’s marriage to Ricochet, who has reportedly accumulated net worth estimated at several million dollars through his lengthy wrestling career in WWE and now AEW, provides financial partnership and security as she pursues less immediately lucrative musical career.

She herself acknowledged this dynamic on social media when defending her decision to leave WWE, noting that her “millionaire husband” made it possible for her to leave a job she didn’t love to pursue her passions. This financial security, combined with her own savings from WWE years, positions her to take risks and invest time building her music career without immediate financial pressure.

Physical Appearance

Samantha Irvin stands at an impressive 5 feet 8 inches tall (approximately 1.73 meters), giving her a commanding physical presence that served her well as a ring announcer where visibility and stage presence are essential.

Her height is above average for American women, allowing her to stand confidently alongside WWE’s often physically imposing male and female wrestlers without appearing diminished or overwhelmed.

Her stature contributes to the authoritative quality of her announcements, as audience subconsciously associates height with power and command.

Her build is athletic yet feminine, reflecting someone who maintains physical fitness without the extreme muscularity of competitive wrestlers.

Throughout her WWE tenure, she maintained professional appearance that balanced approachability with polish, never appearing overly casual but also not so formal as to seem distant from fans.

Her physical conditioning allowed her to maintain energy and stamina during long WWE event days, particularly notable during WrestleMania XL where she announced 14 matches over two nights, requiring sustained vocal power and physical presence across many hours of performance.

As an African-American woman, Irvin brought important representation to WWE’s broadcast team, becoming the first Black female ring announcer in company history.

Her presence in this visible role mattered to fans who rarely saw people who looked like them in certain WWE positions, and opened conversations about diversity in wrestling beyond just in-ring performers.

Her professional excellence in the role helped normalize diverse representation in all aspects of wrestling production, potentially paving the way for more diverse hiring across various WWE positions.

Irvin’s fashion sense throughout her WWE career balanced elegance with contemporary trends, typically appearing in sophisticated dresses, well-tailored suits, or stylish separates that looked professional while allowing freedom of movement necessary for her energetic announcing style.

She avoided overly revealing clothing that might distract from her professional role while also steering clear of overly conservative styling that might appear dated or disconnected from contemporary fashion. Her style choices projected confidence, professionalism, and understanding of appropriate workplace fashion for someone in a visible public-facing role.

Her distinctive facial features and expressive face became signature elements of her WWE presence, with her genuine emotional reactions to matches frequently captured by cameras and shared on social media.

Her ability to convey excitement, shock, concern, or joy through facial expressions made her relatable to audiences who saw their own emotions reflected in her reactions.

These authentic expressions couldn’t be manufactured or faked; they revealed someone genuinely invested in the storytelling and outcomes rather than simply going through professional motions.

Hair and makeup throughout her WWE career varied but consistently presented polished, professional appearance appropriate for broadcast television.

She worked with WWE’s hair and makeup teams to create looks that photographed well on camera, remained intact during long event days, and aligned with her personal style preferences.

Her willingness to experiment with different hairstyles, makeup looks, and fashion choices while maintaining consistent professional quality demonstrated versatility and understanding of how personal presentation contributes to overall character and brand.

Samantha Irvin’s Husband – Ricochet

Samantha Irvin is married to Trevor Mann, better known by his ring name Ricochet, a high-flying professional wrestler currently performing in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

The couple’s relationship represents a modern wrestling love story, with two professionals from different aspects of the entertainment industry who connected personally despite the challenges of demanding careers, extensive travel schedules, and public scrutiny that accompanies relationships between public figures in the wrestling industry.

Ricochet, born Trevor Mann on October 11, 1988, making him approximately six months older than Samantha, is a veteran professional wrestler with over 15 years of experience across various promotions worldwide.

Before joining WWE in 2018, he built his reputation in independent wrestling promotions including Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), Lucha Underground, and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where his high-flying, athletic style and willingness to take incredible risks earned him reputation as one of the most exciting performers in wrestling.

His signature moves include the 630° splash (performing a full backflip and an additional 270° rotation before landing on opponents), showcasing the aerial abilities that inspired his ring name.

The couple first connected through social media in 2021, demonstrating how modern relationships often begin in digital spaces before progressing to in-person connections.

Their initial online interactions apparently revealed compatibility and mutual attraction that led to their first official date at the Grand Canyon, a romantic and memorable location that set the tone for their relationship.

They went public with their relationship in November 2021 when Ricochet posted a photo of Samantha on his Instagram using only an infinity symbol as the caption, a subtle but meaningful announcement that signaled the significance he placed on their connection.

Their relationship developed while both were employed by WWE, with Ricochet as an in-ring performer and Samantha as a ring announcer. This shared workplace provided common ground, understanding of industry demands, and built-in social circle of wrestling colleagues.

However, WWE television programming rarely featured their real-life relationship, treating them as separate entities rather than as a couple, likely to maintain kayfabe (wrestling’s tradition of maintaining storyline reality) and avoid complicated romantic storylines that might overshadow other programming.

Their engagement was announced in January 2023 during a romantic trip to Las Vegas, where Ricochet proposed at the Luxor Hotel, a pyramid-shaped resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

The proposal represented a significant commitment milestone after approximately two years of dating, demonstrating that their relationship had progressed from initial attraction to serious partnership with marriage intentions.

Samantha shared the news on social media with photos of the proposal and her engagement ring, receiving congratulations from wrestling colleagues, fans, and entertainment industry friends.

Their engagement period lasted approximately 26 months from January 2023 to March 2025, providing time to plan their wedding while navigating complicated career situations including Samantha’s WWE departure in October 2024 and Ricochet’s own WWE exit and AEW signing that followed.

These major career transitions during their engagement period could have strained many relationships, but apparently strengthened theirs as they supported each other through significant professional decisions and life changes.

Ricochet’s own WWE departure came in summer 2024, shortly before Samantha’s October 2024 exit. His final WWE appearance was in June 2024, concluding a six-year tenure that included championship reigns, high-profile matches, and status as one of WWE’s most athletic performers.

However, he reportedly felt frustrated with his creative direction and booking in WWE, desiring more significant championship opportunities and main event positioning than WWE provided.

These frustrations led to his decision to join All Elite Wrestling (AEW), WWE’s primary competitor, where he debuted on September 7, 2024, at AEW All Out under his ring name Ricochet.

Currently in AEW, Ricochet has quickly established himself as a featured performer, appearing on AEW Dynamite (their flagship weekly show) and Collision, while also working Ring of Honor (ROH) programming that AEW operates.

His AEW salary is reportedly substantial, with estimates suggesting a lucrative multi-year contract that provides financial security for their family.

His move to AEW represents a fresh start and opportunity to reinvent his character and in-ring presentation with a different company’s creative approach and audience expectations.

Wedding Details 2025

Samantha Irvin and Ricochet married on March 26, 2025, in a ceremony that brought together their families, close friends, and wrestling industry colleagues for a celebration of their love and commitment.

The date fell on a Wednesday, an unconventional choice that suggests they prioritized personal preferences and guest availability over traditional weekend wedding timing.

Ricochet notably missed AEW Dynamite that week to attend his own wedding, demonstrating that despite his relatively recent arrival in AEW, the company was willing to accommodate this major life event, or that Ricochet prioritized his wedding over a single television appearance.

The wedding took place after a 26-month engagement period that allowed ample time for planning and preparation. While specific venue details and ceremony particulars haven’t been widely publicized, social media posts and reports suggest an elegant celebration that reflected the couple’s personalities and values.

The wedding apparently included traditional elements like vows, rings, and formal ceremony structure, combined with personal touches that made the event uniquely meaningful to Samantha and Trevor rather than simply adhering to generic wedding templates.

Guest lists for celebrity weddings always generate interest, and Samantha and Ricochet’s wedding included both wrestling industry colleagues and friends from outside wrestling.

Notable attendees reportedly included WWE couple Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux, who have remained friends with both Samantha and Ricochet despite their departures from WWE, demonstrating that genuine friendships within wrestling transcend company affiliations and corporate politics.

Other wrestling personalities likely attended as well, though comprehensive guest list information hasn’t been publicly shared, respecting the couple’s desire for some privacy during their intimate celebration.

Wedding photos shared on social media showed Samantha in an elegant wedding dress and Ricochet in formal wedding attire, both glowing with happiness and surrounded by loved ones celebrating their union.

The images conveyed joy, love, and the significance of the moment, providing fans with glimpses of the celebration while still maintaining privacy around more intimate aspects of the day.

Their willingness to share some photos demonstrated appreciation for fan support while establishing boundaries about what remained private family moments.

The “We Do” announcement on social media following the ceremony used wordplay that’s become common in contemporary wedding culture, replacing the traditional “I Do” with “We Do” to emphasize partnership and unity rather than individual commitment. This small linguistic choice reflected modern relationship values emphasizing equality, partnership, and shared decision-making rather than traditional hierarchy or individual submission. Their announcement received thousands of likes, comments, and congratulatory messages from fans worldwide who had followed their relationship and were thrilled to see them married.

Their wedding occurred during a transitional period for both, with Samantha having left WWE in October 2024 and focusing on her music career, while Ricochet was establishing himself in AEW after his summer 2024 arrival.

This timing meant they entered marriage with fresh starts professionally and personally, free from previous employer obligations and able to build their married life together based on current priorities and goals rather than legacy commitments or corporate expectations.

The freedom to prioritize their relationship and family over external pressures provided an ideal foundation for beginning married life.

Family Life and Children

Samantha Irvin is the biological mother of a daughter named Myra LeeAnn, who is approximately five years old as of 2025.

While Samantha maintains significant privacy around her daughter to protect her from public scrutiny and media attention, she occasionally shares carefully curated glimpses of motherhood on social media that reveal her deep love and commitment to parenting.

Myra’s age suggests she was born around 2019 or 2020, predating Samantha’s relationship with Ricochet and her WWE career, meaning Samantha was navigating single motherhood while pursuing her entertainment ambitions before finding both professional success and partnership with Trevor.

Ricochet is the biological father of a son from a previous relationship, making Samantha a stepmother when she married Trevor in March 2025.

While specific details about Ricochet’s son, including his age and custody arrangements, remain private to protect his wellbeing, Samantha’s role as stepmother adds complexity and richness to their blended family structure.

Blended families require patience, communication, and commitment to prioritizing children’s needs over adult preferences, suggesting that Samantha and Ricochet have worked thoughtfully to create family dynamics where all children feel valued, secure, and loved.

Their blended family structure reflects the reality of many modern families where previous relationships, co-parenting arrangements, and stepparenting relationships require flexibility, maturity, and focus on children’s best interests.

Successful blended families don’t happen automatically but require intentional effort, clear communication, respect for biological parents’ relationships with their children, and gradual relationship building between stepparents and stepchildren.

Samantha and Ricochet’s apparent success in creating a functioning blended family demonstrates emotional maturity and commitment to their children’s wellbeing above all other considerations.

Samantha’s parenting approach, based on limited public information, appears to prioritize privacy, stability, and protecting Myra from the challenges and scrutiny that come with having a public figure parent.

She doesn’t feature her daughter prominently in her social media content, doesn’t share identifying information that might compromise her safety or privacy, and maintains boundaries between her public professional life and her private family relationships.

This protective approach reflects understanding that children of public figures face unique challenges and that parents have responsibility to minimize these challenges wherever possible.

The couple’s decision about whether to have additional children together remains their private business, though given Samantha’s age (36) and Ricochet’s age (36), they’re in a life stage where many couples consider expanding their families if they desire more children.

The biological reality of female fertility declining after 35, combined with the demands of their careers and existing parenting responsibilities, means any such decisions involve complex practical, medical, and personal considerations. Whatever they decide will reflect their priorities, family goals, and assessment of what’s best for everyone involved.

Family privacy represents a consistent value for both Samantha and Ricochet, who rarely discuss their children publicly and don’t use their children for social media content or public image management despite the engagement such content would generate.

This restraint demonstrates that they prioritize their children’s privacy and wellbeing over potential professional benefits like increased social media engagement, brand partnership opportunities, or public sympathy.

Their protective parenting approach, while limiting some information available about their family life, reflects admirable commitment to allowing their children as much normalcy as possible despite having parents in entertainment industries.

Post-WWE Life 2025

Samantha Irvin’s post-WWE life in 2025 centers primarily on pursuing her lifelong musical passions while adjusting to married life following her March 26, 2025 wedding to Ricochet.

Her departure from WWE in October 2024 represented a conscious choice to prioritize authenticity and artistic fulfillment over financial security and career stability, a decision that required courage given WWE’s lucrative compensation and the uncertainty inherent in music careers.

Her first months after leaving WWE have apparently focused on music creation, family time, wedding planning and execution, and reimagining her professional identity outside the wrestling industry context that defined her public image for three-and-a-half years.

Her first major post-WWE creative project was the single “Make Me,” released in February 2025. This song represents her return to music as her primary artistic focus after years where ring announcing occupied most of her time and energy.

The Valentine’s Day season release timing suggests romantic themes, though specific lyrical content, musical genre, production details, and commercial performance information remains limited in publicly available sources.

The song’s release signaled to her fanbase and the entertainment industry that she’s serious about rebuilding her music career and isn’t simply taking a break from wrestling before returning to announcing.

Her music career plans apparently include additional single releases, possible EP or album development, live performances, and building infrastructure necessary for sustainable music career including management, booking, publishing, and promotion.

These endeavors require significant investment of time, money, and energy with no guarantee of commercial success or financial return, representing genuine risk compared to the security of her WWE employment.

Her willingness to take these risks reflects confidence in her talents and commitment to living authentically rather than pursuing paths that provide external validation and financial reward but internal dissatisfaction.

Regarding potential return to professional wrestling, Samantha has ruled out joining All Elite Wrestling despite her husband’s employment there.

In social media posts and interviews, she clarified that while she has no issue with AEW as a company, she’s not interested in being a ring announcer anywhere currently, and AEW hasn’t expressed interest in utilizing her in other on-screen roles she might find appealing.

This position demonstrates that her WWE departure wasn’t about company preference or following her husband to his new employer, but genuinely about stepping away from ring announcing to pursue her authentic calling in music.

However, she hasn’t completely closed the door on future wrestling involvement if the right opportunity arose.

She’s indicated that under correct circumstances, with an offer that allowed her to perform in capacity beyond ring announcing, such as managing wrestlers, serving in authority figure roles, or even potentially training to become an in-ring competitor, she might consider returning to wrestling.

This openness suggests she values wrestling as entertainment form and appreciates the opportunities WWE provided, but requires roles that allow her to perform and entertain rather than simply announce, aligning with her core identity as a performer.

Her time away from wrestling’s demanding schedule has apparently allowed more time with her daughter Myra, an important priority that influenced her WWE departure decision.

WWE’s schedule requires extensive travel, including multiple television tapings weekly, live events on weekends, and international tours several times yearly. This schedule made consistent parenting challenging, requiring childcare arrangements and accepting missing significant moments in her daughter’s life.

Her post-WWE life allows more parental presence, involvement in daily routines, and participation in her daughter’s activities and development.

Financial considerations for her post-WWE life include managing without the substantial WWE salary she previously earned, relying instead on savings, potential music income (which is typically modest for developing artists), social media monetization possibilities, and her husband’s AEW income.

In defending her WWE departure on social media, Samantha acknowledged that her “millionaire husband” made leaving viable, referencing the financial security Ricochet’s wrestling income provides.

This economic reality allows her to invest time developing her music career without immediate pressure to generate income, a privilege many artists lack.

Social media strategy post-WWE has shifted from promotion of her announcing work to showcasing her musical endeavors, personal life updates like her wedding, and occasional wrestling-related posts that maintain connections with wrestling fans who discovered her through WWE.

Her Instagram follower count of 1.3+ million provides substantial platform she can leverage to promote music releases, announce performances, and potentially monetize through brand partnerships if desired. This existing audience represents valuable asset as she rebuilds her music career.

Historic WWE Achievements

Samantha Irvin’s most significant achievement in WWE was becoming the first African-American female ring announcer in the company’s history when she was promoted to SmackDown’s lead announcer position in January 2022.

This groundbreaking accomplishment in an industry that has struggled with diversity representation across various roles beyond in-ring performers represented important progress and provided representation for fans who rarely saw people who looked like them in certain WWE positions.

Her excellence in this role helped normalize diverse representation across WWE’s production structure beyond just the wrestlers themselves.

Her WrestleMania XL performance in April 2024 represented another historic achievement, as she announced all 14 matches across the two-night event, a record number for a single announcer at WWE’s biggest annual show.

WrestleMania represents WWE’s showcase event where production quality must be absolutely flawless, stakes are highest, and any mistakes or subpar performances face intense scrutiny from critics and fans.

Her flawless execution across 14 matches, maintaining energy, vocal quality, and emotional investment throughout many hours of live broadcasting, demonstrated elite professional capabilities and earned praise from industry legends including Michael Buffer and Lillian Garcia.

Michael Buffer, widely considered the greatest combat sports announcer in history famous for his “Let’s get ready to rumble!” catchphrase, specifically praised Irvin’s WrestleMania XL performance, noting her exceptional vocal quality, dramatic timing, and ability to enhance moments through her introductions rather than simply convey information.

This endorsement from arguably the most respected announcer in combat sports history validated Irvin’s unique approach and artistic choices, confirming that her musical, dramatic announcing style represented legitimate innovation rather than deviation from announcing traditions.

Lillian Garcia, WWE Hall of Fame ring announcer who set the standard for female WWE announcers over her multiple-decade career, also praised Irvin publicly, creating a passing-of-the-torch moment between generations of groundbreaking female announcers.

Garcia’s endorsement carried special significance as someone who understood the challenges, pressures, and unique aspects of being a female announcer in male-dominated wrestling industry.

Garcia’s willingness to publicly praise and support Irvin demonstrated the respect she earned from those who truly understood the difficulty of her role and the excellence of her performance.

Irvin’s viral moments and social media impact represented another achievement, as her facial expressions, reactions to matches, and unique announcing style generated countless social media posts, video compilations, and memes that extended WWE’s reach beyond traditional wrestling audiences.

Her expressive face and genuine emotional responses made her relatable and entertaining even when she wasn’t speaking, turning her into a character within WWE programming rather than simply production element.

These viral moments drove social media engagement, attracted new viewers curious about her reactions, and demonstrated how excellence in any role can transcend traditional expectations and create cultural impact.

Her innovative approach to ring announcing transformed perceptions of what the role could be, demonstrating that announcers weren’t simply information conveyors but performers who could enhance storytelling, create memorable moments, and connect emotionally with audiences through voice, expression, and presentation.

Her willingness to take risks, inject personality, and treat announcing as performance art rather than simply functional role inspired discussions about announcing’s potential and may influence how future announcers approach the position.

Her legacy extends beyond her specific achievements to the broader impact on how WWE and the industry consider the ring announcer role’s creative potential.

Personal Life and Interests

Samantha Irvin has been sober for over six years as of 2025, representing a significant personal achievement and commitment to health, clarity, and living authentically.

While she hasn’t publicly shared extensive details about her journey to sobriety or the specific circumstances that led to that decision, her willingness to mention this aspect of her life demonstrates that it’s important to her identity and perhaps part of her desire to live authentically without substances that might mask true feelings or compromise genuine self-expression.

Her sobriety during her high-pressure WWE career, with its extensive travel, entertainment industry environment, and stressful demands, demonstrates remarkable commitment and discipline.

Her tattoos reflect her musical influences and personal values, with ink honoring The Beatles, Diana Ross, and Michael Jackson, three musical legends who shaped modern music and influenced countless artists including Irvin herself.

The Beatles represent revolutionary approaches to popular music, artistic evolution, and willingness to experiment while maintaining commercial success. Diana Ross embodies elegance, vocal excellence, and longevity in entertainment spanning decades.

Michael Jackson represents the ultimate entertainer whose musical innovation, vocal abilities, and performance artistry remain unmatched. These tattoo choices reveal the artistic lineage Irvin identifies with and the standards she aspires to in her own musical career.

Language abilities represent another aspect of Irvin’s personal accomplishments, as she speaks English as her primary language but also communicates in Spanish, with some proficiency in French and Portuguese as well.

Multilingual abilities demonstrate intellectual curiosity, cultural appreciation, and practical advantages in entertainment industry that increasingly values performers who can connect with diverse audiences.

Her language skills may prove particularly valuable in music career if she performs internationally or collaborates with artists from various cultural backgrounds.

Personal values that emerge from her public statements and actions include authenticity, family prioritization, artistic integrity, and willingness to take financial risks for emotional and creative fulfillment.

Her decision to leave WWE despite substantial salary demonstrates that money alone doesn’t define success or happiness for her, a perspective that’s admirable if somewhat unusual in contemporary American culture that often equates financial success with personal success.

Her commitment to her daughter, her willingness to publicly discuss her sobriety journey, and her defense of her WWE departure decision all reflect values centering honesty, integrity, and authentic self-presentation over image management or people-pleasing.

Lifestyle choices reflect someone balancing family responsibilities, creative pursuits, and personal wellbeing.

As a mother, wife, and artist attempting to build a music career, she presumably manages complex schedule juggling childcare, creative time for writing and recording, relationship maintenance with her husband who has his own demanding wrestling career, and self-care practices necessary to maintain physical and mental health.

Her post-WWE life likely allows greater control over daily schedule compared to WWE’s demanding travel and appearance requirements, providing flexibility to structure days around her priorities rather than external demands.

Social Media Presence

Samantha Irvin maintains an active Instagram presence under the handle @samanthairvinwwe, where she has accumulated over 1.3 million followers as of 2025.

This substantial following reflects her WWE-generated fame, as most followers likely discovered her through her ring announcing work, but has remained engaged even after her WWE departure, suggesting genuine connection and interest beyond simply her WWE association.

Her follower count places her among mid-tier influencers with significant reach and engagement potential that brands value for marketing partnerships.

Her Instagram content post-WWE has shifted from primarily wrestling-related posts during her employment to more diverse content including music promotion, personal life updates like her wedding, occasional throwback wrestling content, and lifestyle posts that showcase her interests and personality beyond professional contexts.

This evolution reflects her transition from WWE employee whose social media served partially as company promotion to independent artist building personal brand separate from any single employer or role. Her content strategy balances maintaining connection with wrestling fans who discovered her through WWE while also introducing her musical identity and broader personality.

Engagement on her posts typically generates thousands of likes and hundreds of comments, indicating an active, invested audience rather than simply passive followers inflating numbers without real connection.

This engagement suggests that her followers genuinely care about her life, career, and wellbeing, providing foundation for potential monetization through sponsored content, merchandise sales, music promotion, or other ventures that require audience investment beyond casual following.

High engagement rates are more valuable than raw follower counts for influencer marketing purposes, making her social media presence commercially viable.

Her Instagram Stories provide more immediate, casual content sharing compared to her carefully curated main feed posts. Stories allow her to share daily moments, behind-the-scenes content, quick updates, and interactive features like polls or Q&A sessions that foster more intimate connection with followers.

This dual approach of polished feed posts combined with casual Stories content helps maintain consistent presence and engagement without requiring daily creation of highly produced content.

Fan interaction in her comment sections and through direct messages appears generally positive, with followers expressing support for her music career, congratulations on her wedding, appreciation for her WWE work, and general encouragement for her future endeavors.

While negative comments inevitably appear on any public figure’s social media, the overall sentiment appears supportive, suggesting she’s successfully maintained positive relationships with her fanbase despite WWE departure that could have generated backlash if handled poorly.

Her willingness to occasionally respond to comments and acknowledge fan support helps maintain these positive relationships.

Her content strategy appears authentic rather than overly calculated or focus-grouped, reflecting her actual life, interests, and priorities rather than presenting manufactured image designed purely to maximize engagement or monetization.

This authenticity aligns with her stated values about living genuinely and may actually enhance long-term fan loyalty even if it sometimes reduces short-term engagement compared to more controversial or provocative content strategies some influencers employ.

Her approach suggests she values genuine connection and authentic self-presentation over maximum commercial exploitation of her platform.

Why She Left WWE

Samantha Irvin’s WWE departure in October 2024 stemmed primarily from her desire to pursue her authentic passion for music and performance rather than continuing in ring announcing, a role she excelled at professionally but didn’t fulfill her emotionally or creatively.

In social media posts and interviews following her exit, she explained that while she loved her WWE experience, appreciated the opportunities provided, and worked hard to excel at announcing because she’s a professional, ring announcing fundamentally wasn’t her calling or how she wanted to define her career long-term.

Her revelation that she “didn’t like announcing” generated controversy and criticism from some fans and industry observers who felt she appeared ungrateful or disrespectful to WWE and the announcing profession.

However, she clarified that not liking announcing doesn’t mean she didn’t value the experience or disrespected the role; rather, it means that despite being good at something and approaching it professionally, it wasn’t her passion or desired career path.

Many people work in professions they’re competent at but don’t love, and Irvin’s willingness to acknowledge this reality and make changes demonstrates courage rather than ingratitude.

Her desire for more prominent on-screen performing roles beyond announcing represented another factor in her departure.

She apparently approached WWE about transitioning to other roles such as managing wrestlers, serving in authority figure positions, or even training to become an in-ring performer with proper development time.

However, WWE apparently viewed her exclusively as an announcer and wasn’t interested in exploring these alternative roles, creating an impasse where continuing meant accepting permanent announcer identity or leaving to pursue other opportunities.

She chose the latter, demonstrating that artistic fulfillment mattered more than financial security or status quo maintenance.

Family considerations also influenced her decision, particularly her desire to spend more time with her daughter Myra and have greater control over her schedule.

WWE’s demanding travel schedule required extensive time away from home, making consistent parenting challenging and forcing her to miss important moments in her daughter’s development.

As someone who values family and understands that childhood is finite, she prioritized parental presence over career advancement or financial maximization, a decision many working parents understand even if they can’t always make the same choice due to financial constraints or other factors.

The timing of her departure, shortly after Ricochet’s own WWE exit and AEW signing in summer 2024, led some to speculate she left to follow him or that their dual exits were coordinated.

However, she emphatically denied these speculations, clarifying that her decision was entirely her own, made for her own reasons related to her career goals and personal priorities.

She noted that she’s not joining AEW despite Ricochet’s employment there, demonstrating that her WWE departure wasn’t about company loyalty or following her partner but genuinely about her individual career path and artistic identity.

Her candid explanations about her departure, while generating some criticism, also earned respect from many observers who appreciated her honesty and authenticity.

Rather than offering vague platitudes about “exploring new opportunities” or “pursuing other interests,” she directly stated that announcing wasn’t her passion and that continuing would mean sacrificing her identity as a performer for financial security and external validation.

This level of honesty is relatively rare in entertainment industry departures where public statements typically maintain careful diplomatic language to preserve future opportunities and relationships.

Looking forward, Samantha hasn’t ruled out potential return to wrestling if the right opportunity emerged that allowed her to perform in capacities beyond announcing.

She’s expressed openness to managing roles, authority figure positions, or even properly training to become an in-ring competitor if a company offered that opportunity.

This openness suggests she values wrestling as entertainment form and would consider returning under circumstances that align with her core identity as a performer rather than simply an announcer. However, any such return seems unlikely in the immediate future as she focuses on establishing her music career and adjusting to married life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

Samantha Irvin’s journey from classical flutist to America’s Got Talent semi-finalist, from Thriller-Live performer to historic WWE ring announcer, and now to newlywed pursuing her musical dreams represents a compelling narrative of talent, authenticity, and courage to follow one’s true calling.

At 36 years old in 2025, she has accomplished more than many achieve in entire lifetimes, breaking barriers as the first African-American female WWE ring announcer, setting records at WrestleMania XL, and earning respect from industry legends while building a devoted fanbase that has followed her across multiple career iterations.

Her March 26, 2025 marriage to Ricochet marks the beginning of a new chapter combining personal happiness with professional reinvention.

Their relationship, which began through social media connections in 2021 and survived demanding careers, public scrutiny, and major professional transitions for both partners, demonstrates genuine partnership and mutual support.

Their blended family structure with daughter Myra LeeAnn and Ricochet’s son adds complexity and richness to their lives, requiring maturity and commitment to prioritizing children’s wellbeing above all other considerations.