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Billie Kay and Peyton Royce have established themselves as one of the top women's tag teams in WWE since their on-screen alliance began on NXT in 2016.
The two Aussies quickly made an impression on the NXT audience with their heel antics and unique promos, and their rise up the developmental ranks saw them challenge for the NXT Women's Championship at TakeOver: San Antonio in January 2017.
Then known as The Iconic Duo, they went on to feud with Ruby Riott, Nikki Cross and Kairi Sane throughout the year before receiving a call-up to WWE's main roster in April 2018.
Renamed The IIconics, they had an instant impact on SmackDown Live when they attacked the SmackDown Women's champion, Charlotte Flair, on their debut, presenting Carmella with the perfect opportunity to cash in her Money In The Bank contract.
WWE fans have come to know a lot about Billie and Peyton as characters over the last three years, but how much do you know about their lives outside of a WWE ring?
In this article, let's take a look at five things you might not know about The IIconics.
#5 They didn’t like each other in high school
WWE fans have only ever seen Billie Kay and Peyton Royce as inseparable best friends, but it wasn’t always that way.
The Aussies were both known as obsessive wrestling fans during their time at Westfields Sports High School in Sydney, New South Wales, and it was their love of wrestling that initially prevented them from becoming friends.
Speaking to fellow WWE Superstar Sheamus on his 'Celtic Warrior Workouts' YouTube channel, Billie and Peyton explained that they would “shoot looks at each other” when standing in line for WWE autographs.
The SmackDown Live duo were in different years at school – Billie is four years older than Peyton – and it wasn’t until they started training together that the strongest friendship in WWE finally began.
#4 They slept on Bayley’s floor when they signed with WWE
When The IIconics made their main-roster debut in April 2018, their fellow WWE Superstars were full of support for them on social media.
One of the standout Twitter posts on the night of their first SmackDown Live appearance came from Bayley, who revealed that Billie Kay and Peyton Royce slept on her floor in Orlando for a few weeks when they were signed by WWE.
Now that is dedication!
#3 Billie Kay debuted on her 18th birthday
Some people go on a heavy night out to celebrate turning 18, and others take part in their very first pro wrestling match. Billie Kay, of course, belongs in the latter category.
Having had three months of training from two-time SHIMMER champion Madison Eagles at the Pro Wrestling Alliance school, Billie made her in-ring debut against Madison and Canadian wrestler Aurora in a Triple Threat match on her 18th birthday.
Not only did the match go well, but she won!
#2 Eddie Guerrero was Peyton Royce’s idol
The majority of die-hard WWE followers probably know that Sasha Banks grew up as a huge fan of Eddie Guerrero, but so did Peyton Royce.
She told former WWE announcer Lilian Garcia on the ‘Chasing Glory’ podcast that she loved how “charismatic, athletic and entertaining” the former WWE champion was as a performer.
Eddie’s influence on Peyton wasn’t entirely wrestling-based – his unique accent made her want to speak Spanish like him and she still takes lessons to this day!
#1 Billie Kay faced Asuka for the first time in 2011
As of the time of writing, The IIconics are involved in a rivalry on SmackDown Live with Naomi and her new ally, Asuka.
The most recent episode featured a match between Billie Kay and “The Empress of Tomorrow”, with the latter picking up the win in quick fashion, but their first in-ring meeting actually came way back in 2011.
Billie (then known as Jessie McKay) said before her match against Asuka (then known as Kana) at CHIKARA Small But Mighty that she will prove “she can not only hang with the best but beat the best”.
Sadly for Billie/Jessie, she wasn’t able to defeat the mighty Asuka/Kana, but you can still check out her pre-match promo below!
