A new wrestler is making her WWE debut next week and she’s got a bit of a connection to our world, too. Rayne Leverkusen will be joining the major wrestling promotion’s developmental show next week as the “Maiden of Metal,” Lizzie Rain. For those in the know, “maiden” is particularly telling, as she’s also the niece of late Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr.
Last night during the brand’s April 21 episode, a vignette aired showcasing Rain, who said both she and heavy metal will “never, ever, never ever die.” She’s acting with a sort of old school heavy metal style, which again, makes sense given her connection to Iron fucking Maiden.
Known for her in-ring appearances for European promotions like PROGRESS, Hustle, ATTACK!, and EVE, Rain signed with WWE back in February. When she tried out during last year’s Summerslam, she was considered by those in attendance as the best performer among the hopefuls.
Her connection to Iron Maiden is possible because her uncle Clive Burr played with the band from 1979 to 1982. He’s got credits on all three of Iron Maiden’s first albums, Iron Maiden, Killers, and The Number of the Beast. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2013 due to complications from multiple sclerosis.
Rain revealed her relation to Burr in an episode of Wrestling with Johners, where she admitted that her “Maiden of Metal” persona is a direct reference to her connection with her uncle. She did admit, however, that she never got close to Burr because he was too sick by the time she got to know him. Still, it’s gotta be pretty cool that she’s going to be making her debut a few months before her famous uncle is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
We’ll definitely keep an eye on her progress at NXT. Who knows? Maybe this time next year she’ll make the main roster and kick some ass on some bigger stages.