Aussie Profile: Tatyanna Pogonza-Dumas
Tatyanna Pogonza-Dumas, originally from Adelaide, South Australia, may not yet be a household name in professional wrestling, but her diverse background in elite sport and television already paints the picture of a driven and dynamic competitor. Her journey through high-level athletic achievement and mainstream media is anything but ordinary, and now, she’s forging her path in the world of professional wrestling.
A defining early moment in Tatyanna’s sporting journey came in 2016, when she became the first—and only—female graduate of The Australian College of Sport’s New South Wales academy. At just 16 years of age, she not only broke barriers but did so as the youngest graduate in the institution’s history. This milestone helped propel her into a basketball career.
Not long after, she turned her attention to a different kind of challenge—competing on Australian Ninja Warrior for the Nine Network. She debuted in Season 2 as the youngest female competitor at the time, just 18 years old. Her performance of remarkable agility and strength, captured the attention of both viewers and the commentators. She returned for Season 3, once again standing out as the youngest female contender.
Tatyanna would again dive into national television, joining the cast of Network 10’s reboot of Australian Gladiators, where she was introduced to the viewers as “Comet”. The role demanded physical dominance and showmanship—two traits that would certainly help for her next chapter.
That chapter began when she was signed to a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), prompting a move to Orlando, Florida, to train at the company’s prestigious Performance Center. There, she joined the same class as fellow Australian and current NXT Superstar, Zaria, as part of WWE’s global push to identify and shape the next generation of talent.
Tatyanna’s progression took another leap forward when she was cast in WWE LFG: Legends & Future Greats, a reality series produced by A&E. The programme pairs promising developmental talents with WWE legends for mentorship, and Tatyanna was selected by none other than WWE Hall of Famer Bubba Ray Dudley. Under his guidance, she is learning the nuances of wrestling psychology, character development, and in-ring performance—adding new depths to her already well-rounded athletic profile.
Tatyanna’s potential began to shine through in Episode 2, where she competed in her very first professional wrestling match. Although she wasn’t victorious, her performance would leave an impression. Among those impressed was none other than WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, who remarked that Tatyanna had the true look of a sports entertainer. This would get her picked by Bubba Ray as being apart of his team.
Tatyanna would soon score her very first victory, defeating Leigh Laurel in a rematch of their first encounter. Tatyanna Dumus would begin touting a new name, as the “Gold Standard”. In the May 4 episode, Tatyanna “The Gold Standard”
Dumus would once again face Laurel, this time under higher stakes as the first round of eliminations began. Despite picking up a the win, her time on the show came to a close when Bubba Ray made the tough call to eliminate her from the competition.
As her professional wrestling journey continues in the performance centre, Tatyanna Pogonza-Dumas is certainly one to keep an eye on. With her blend of athletic pedigree, media experience, and an ever-growing presence in the ring, she may well be on the fast track to becoming one of Australia’s next breakout wrestling stars.
I’m Matty, a lifelong wrestling fan who first discovered the world of wrestling in 2006. It wasn’t until 2014 that I became immersed in Australian wrestling, which has since become a major passion of mine—a passion that has now evolved into showcasing Australian wrestlers through writing.
