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Sports News of Saturday, 8 February 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Aja Smith becomes first full-time WWE female black referee

Aja Smith play videoAja Smith

The World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, has appointed its first full-time African American female referee.

Canyon Ceman, senior director of talent development, broke the news to Aja Smith that she was officially hired. A video that captured the moment was released by the company.

"That is the greatest moment of my life," Smith said through tears. "Having this platform as a female, as a female of color, is really an honor and I'm so thankful to be given this moment."

Both Smith and the company took to Twitter to share their excitement.

"Your love and support over the years has gotten me to this moment. This is bigger than me. To follow a dream. TO MAKE HISTORY. And I'm just getting started. We can do it all and I'm honored to be lighting the way. Let's change the world! #BlackGirlMagic," Smith tweeted.



"For Aja Smith, a dream has now become history," The company tweeted.



Prior to becoming a referee, Smith was a wrestler who went by the name Aja Perera and competed across the US, Japan and Mexico. She also won two championships. Smith will officiate matches for WWE NXT on the USA Network, according to WWE's website.

"Referees are really the unsung heroes and they put in so much work and they're seemingly invisible, but without them there would be no wrestling, honestly," Smith said in the WWE video. Smith isn't the first woman to make history in the WWE. In December, Jessika Carr became the first full-time female referee.

CNN