From improv comedy to breaking glass ceilings in sports broadcasting
In short: Before becoming a staple of professional wrestling, Renee Paquette was pursuing a career as a comedic actress in Los Angeles. Her journey from the improv stage to becoming the first permanent female commentator on Raw highlights a pivot fueled by frustration and a drive to redefine roles in sports media.
Renee Jane Paquette's path to broadcasting was not linear. After high school, she moved to Los Angeles at age 19 to pursue comedy acting. However, a lack of auditions led her back to Toronto, where she shifted her focus toward broadcasting and began working for The Score Television Network in 2009. She initially presented programs like Right After Wrestling (later renamed Aftermath) alongside broadcasters such as Arda Ocal and Mauro Ranallo.
Her career reached a turning point in October 2012 when she signed with WWE. Initially given the ring name Renee Sterling, she chose 'Renee Young'—a tribute to Neil Young. She made history by breaking gender barriers in sports media; from July 3, 2014, to January 9, 2015, she served as a full-time color commentator on Superstars, making her the first woman in more than a decade to hold that role. On August 13, 2018, she made history as a female commentator by hosting a full Raw broadcast.
Paquette's tenure was marked by high-profile moments and personal milestones. In December 2016, a scripted storyline involving her real-life relationship with wrestler Dean Ambrose (Jonathan Good) led to a physical confrontation on screen that resulted in a fine for her co-star. After departing WWE in August 2020 following the cancellation of 'WWE Backstage,' she joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in October 2022. Today, she balances broadcasting with personal ventures, including hosting a SiriusXM show and publishing her own cookbook.
Her career serves as a case study in professional pivoting. By transitioning from failed acting auditions to niche sports broadcasting, Paquette navigated the complexities of 'worked' storylines while establishing legitimate authority as a commentator. A notable icon for women within sports media, she earned various honours, such as the 2013 Slammy Award for Favorite Web Show of the Year.
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