Mia Yim Biography 2026: Age, Husband, Career, Net Worth & Facts

Stephanie Bell-Lee, known across the sports entertainment world by her ring names Mia Yim and Michin, is an acclaimed American professional wrestler celebrated for her hard-hitting striking style, aerial athleticism, and undeniable ring presence. As a standout competitor in WWE and a former TNA Knockouts Champion, she has broken barriers as one of the most prominent mixed-heritage female athletes in professional wrestling history. In 2026, she remains a dynamic fixture on television, continuing to captivate audiences worldwide through her veteran leadership, explosive bouts, and high-profile alliances.

Fans following modern women’s wrestling frequently follow top stars alongside Mia Yim, including IYO SKY, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Zelina Vega, Chelsea Green, and Asuka.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Stephanie Bell was born on April 16, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. Her family background blends Korean heritage from her mother and African American heritage from her father. Growing up in Vienna, a suburban town in Fairfax County, Virginia, she experienced a rich multicultural upbringing that helped shape her worldview and personal resilience.

During her youth, Bell developed a deep passion for athletics and physical competition. She practiced Taekwondo starting at a young age, earning a black belt that later influenced her distinctive martial-arts striking style in the squared circle. Bell attended James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, where she was an accomplished multi-sport student-athlete, playing competitive volleyball and softball.

After graduating high school, she enrolled at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, on an athletic scholarship for volleyball. Alongside rigorous academic requirements, she competed at the collegiate level. Bell completed her higher education with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology. Despite having a promising path in technology and corporate IT, her lifelong dream of becoming a professional wrestler remained her ultimate goal, prompting her to pursue formal wrestling training right after college.

Career Journey

Independent Circuit Beginnings (2009–2014)

Stephanie Bell began her formal wrestling training at the age of 18 in Manassas, Virginia, studying under Da Hit Squad (Mafia and Monsta Mack) and Ricky Reyes. She quickly demonstrated natural physical instincts and exceptional ring psychology. She made her official professional wrestling debut on August 22, 2009, adopting the ring name Mia Yim.

Seeking to sharpen her technical abilities, Yim traveled to Brooklyn, New York, to train under WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz. Over the next several years, she established herself across premier independent promotions in North America, including Ring of Honor (ROH), Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), Shine Wrestling, and Shimmer Women Athletes. In CZW, she gained respect for competing in intense intergender battles against top male performers, proving her toughness and versatility.

Yim took significant steps forward by touring Japan multiple times to train in the punishing, fast-paced joshi puroresu style. She wrestled for promotions like Universal Woman’s Pro Wrestling REINA and Sendai Girls’ Pro Wrestling, training alongside legendary veterans. This international excursion added deadly striking combinations, submissions, and fluid reversals to her moveset.

TNA / Impact Wrestling & The Dollhouse (2015–2017)

In early 2015, Mia Yim signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, later known as Impact Wrestling). Rebranded under the ring name Jade, she made her television debut as a member of “The Dollhouse” stable alongside Marti Bell and Taryn Terrell. The group rapidly captured the spotlight within the Knockouts Division through aggressive tactics and memorable faction rivalries.

After breaking away as a solo competitor, Jade reached the top of the division. On the April 5, 2016, episode of Impact Wrestling, Jade defeated Gail Kim and Madison Rayne in a three-way match to capture the TNA Knockouts Championship. Her championship reign featured a sequence of critically praised technical matches, notably a classic feud against Gail Kim that solidified her standing among the top female wrestlers in North America. She departed the company in early 2017 after concluding an iconic Monster’s Ball match against Rosemary.

Mae Young Classic & WWE NXT Breakthrough (2017–2020)

WWE invited Mia Yim to participate in the inaugural Mae Young Classic tournament in the summer of 2017, where she reached the second round before falling to eventual finalist Shayna Baszler. In 2018, despite suffering a severe leg injury prior to the event, she returned for the second Mae Young Classic. Following an electrifying quarterfinal showdown against Toni Storm, the audience chanted “Please sign Mia!” — prompting WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque to offer her a WWE contract on the spot.

On NXT television, Mia Yim became a central protagonist in the women’s division. She feuded with prominent stars such as Bianca Belair, Shayna Baszler, Io Shirai (IYO SKY), and Candice LeRae. She earned historic placement inside the first-ever women’s WarGames match at NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2019, cementing her role as one of the division’s toughest brawlers.

Main Roster Debut, RETRIBUTION & Free Agency (2020–2022)

In September 2020, Yim moved to WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, introduced as Reckoning, the sole female member of the masked faction RETRIBUTION led by Mustafa Ali. Although the group disbanded in early 2021, Yim’s on-screen presence remained strong. In November 2021, she was released from her WWE contract as part of budget cuts during company restructuring.

During her 2022 free agency, Yim returned to Impact Wrestling, engaging in high-profile pay-per-view matches against Deonna Purrazzo, Jordynne Grace, and Mickie James. Her stellar performances reminded the wrestling world of her elite status, leading to a prompt WWE re-signing in late 2022.

WWE Return, The O.C. & Recent Activity in 2026

Mia Yim returned to WWE on the November 7, 2022, episode of Raw, aligning with AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson in The O.C. to neutralize Rhea Ripley and The Judgment Day. Shortly afterward, she introduced the nickname Michin (derived from the Korean word for “crazy”), bringing fresh fire to her character.

Drafted to SmackDown, Michin developed a reputation as an indispensable workhorse of the blue brand. She competed in marquee matches, including the Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank qualifying contests, and championship bouts against IYO SKY, Bayley, and Nia Jax. In WWE’s active 2026 calendar, she balances singles contention with tag team warfare, regularly challenging for the WWE Women’s United States Championship and WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship while mentoring younger talent in the locker room.

Career Stats, Titles & Highlights

Personal Life

Mia Yim is widely admired for her candor, authenticity, and dedication outside the ring. She is a survivor of domestic abuse from a past relationship and has openly spoken at seminars and charity events to help raise awareness for domestic violence support organizations, encouraging survivors to find safety and empowerment.

Marriage & Family

Mia Yim married fellow professional wrestler Keith Lee on February 5, 2022, in an intimate ceremony in Florida surrounded by close friends and wrestling peers. The couple started dating during their tenure in NXT and announced their engagement in February 2021. Their shared passion for athletics, wrestling, anime, and gaming has made them one of the most beloved power couples in modern pro wrestling.

The couple resides in Florida with their rescue pets. When not on the road with WWE, Bell-Lee is an active video game streamer on Twitch and YouTube under the banner It’s Mia Yim, frequently playing titles like Dead by Daylight, Resident Evil, and Fortnite while engaging directly with her global fan community.

Physical Statistics & Measurements

Salary & Net Worth in 2026

As of 2026, Mia Yim’s estimated net worth ranges between $2 Million and $3 Million USD. Her financial portfolio is supported by multiple steady revenue streams:

• WWE Superstar Contract: An estimated annual base salary of $250,000 to $400,000, plus bonuses for premium live event appearances and television dates.
• Merchandise Royalties: Royalties generated from WWE Shop t-shirts, action figures, trading cards, and licensed video games such as the WWE 2K series.
• Streaming & Content Creation: Regular revenue from her monetized Twitch channel, YouTube gaming videos, subscriber donations, and gaming sponsorships.

Notable Quotes

“Never let anyone put a ceiling on what you can accomplish. I fought for every single inch in this business, and I wear every bruise as a badge of honor.”

“Representation matters. Being able to represent both my Korean and Black heritage on a global platform like WWE is something I hold close to my heart every time I walk through the curtain.”

Controversies & Challenges Overcome

Throughout her career, Mia Yim has steered clear of backstage drama, earning a reputation as a consummate locker room professional. Her biggest challenges have been physical injuries and navigating shifting creative directions. In late 2017, she suffered a severe leg fracture that required surgery and grueling rehabilitation. Her determination allowed her to return stronger than ever within months.

Additionally, during the short-lived RETRIBUTION faction run, she received widespread fan support for delivering strong performances despite difficult creative material, demonstrating her resilience and professional work ethic under high-pressure spotlight conditions.

Favorites & Personal Preferences

• Favorite Food: Korean BBQ, Kimchi Stew, and Street Tacos
• Favorite Video Games: Dead by Daylight, Silent Hill series, The Last of Us
• Favorite Martial Art: Taekwondo
• Favorite Music Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B, and Rock
• Favorite Travel Destination: Tokyo, Japan
• Favorite Wrestling Inspiration: Gail Kim, Lita, and Rey Mysterio

Interesting Facts

• Black Belt Striker: She holds a legitimate black belt in Taekwondo, which explains her precise, impactful roundhouse and spinning back kicks.
• College Tech Graduate: Before wrestling full-time, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, demonstrating strong technical and computer programming skills.
• Meaning of ‘Michin’: Her WWE ring moniker “Michin” translates to “Crazy” or “Wild” in Korean, honoring her mother’s roots while describing her fearless in-ring attitude.
• PWI Top 10: In 2016, Pro Wrestling Illustrated ranked her as the #6 female wrestler in the entire world in their annual PWI Female 50 list.
• Stunt Double Experience: She has performed stunt work and motion capture for various sports video game titles.

Social Media Profiles

• X (Twitter): @MiaYim
• Instagram: @miayim
• Twitch: ItsMiaYim
• YouTube: Its Mia Yim Gaming

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mia Yim’s real name?

Her real name is Stephanie Nicole Bell-Lee (born Stephanie Nicole Bell).

How old is Mia Yim in 2026?

Born on April 16, 1989, Mia Yim is 37 years 4 months old years old.

Who is Mia Yim married to?

Mia Yim is married to professional wrestler Keith Lee. The two tied the knot on February 5, 2022.

Why is Mia Yim called Michin in WWE?

“Michin” (미친) is the Korean word for “crazy” or “unhinged.” WWE adopted the moniker to highlight her fearless, high-impact style and celebrate her Korean heritage.

What is Mia Yim’s height and weight?

Mia Yim stands 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall and weighs approximately 132 lbs (60 kg).

What is Mia Yim’s net worth in 2026?

Her estimated net worth in 2026 is between $2 Million and $3 Million, earned through WWE contracts, merchandise, indie achievements, and gaming streams.

Wrap-Up

Mia Yim’s journey from local independent rings in Virginia to global stardom on WWE television stands as a testament to perseverance, technical mastery, and authentic connection with the WWE Universe. Whether battling top contenders on SmackDown or streaming for her devoted online community, she continues to inspire fans and aspiring wrestlers across the globe. If you enjoyed this biography, be sure to share it with fellow wrestling fans and leave your thoughts on her latest matches below!

Sources: WWE Official Talent Profiles, Impact Wrestling Archives, Pro Wrestling Illustrated historical rankings, verified public interviews, and official social media channels.