Karissa Rivera (born April 23, 1992) is an American professional wrestler. She is signed to
WWE, where she performs on the
SmackDown brand under the
ring nameElektra Lopez. She is a member of the
Legado del Fantasma stable. Rivera has also previously wrestled for
Ring of Honor (ROH) performing under her real name.
Early life
Rivera was born in
Bergen County, New Jersey on April 23, 1992. She is the daughter of Puerto Rican wrestler Steve King who wrestled in WWE from 1976 to 1984 and died in 1998 when she was young.[2]
Professional wrestling career
WWE (2018–2019)
Rivera made her debut on the November 14, 2018 episode of NXT, losing to
Lacey Evans. She returned the following year on the April 9 episode of Smackdown Live!, under the ring name Karissa, competing as one half of the home team with
Kris Statlander (simply known as Kristen) named as The Brooklyn Belles facing the
WWE Women's Tag Team ChampionsThe IIconics in a losing effort.[3][4] Rivera also appeared as
Bobby Lashley's "ex-wife" during an episode of WWE Monday Night Raw.[5]
On February 22, 2021, it was reported that Rivera signed with WWE.[8] She made her NXT debut on the June 22 episode of NXT under the name Elektra Lopez in a match against
Franky Monet. On the August 24 episode of NXT, Lopez allied herself with
Legado Del Fantasma, helping them win against Hit Row, establishing herself as a
heel in the process. On the September 28 episode of NXT, Lopez would defeat Hit Row's B-Fab in a
no disqualification match.[9] She remained with Legado Del Fantasma until the August 23, 2022 episode of NXT when the stable, except Lopez, left the brand.[10] When LdF was called up to SmackDown, Lopez was replaced by
Zelina Vega as the stable's manager.[11]
On the January 3, 2023 episode of NXT, Lopez came out to the ring, joining the altercation between all the wrestlers of the women's division. While that is happening,
Roxanne Perez appeared and confirmed that the next week there would be a 20-Women's Battle Royal and the winner will have an opportunity for the
NXT Women's Championship at
NXT Vengeance Day,[12][13] The following week, at
NXT New Year's Evil, Lopez participated in the 20-Women's Battle Royal for a chance at Perez's NXT Women's Championship at NXT Vengeance Day, eliminating Thea Hail; however, she was eliminated by
Nikkita Lyons.[14][15] She first teamed up with
Lola Vice on the April 14 episode of NXT Level Up, losing to
Katana Chance and
Kayden Carter.[16] On the June 13 episode of NXT, Vice officially allied herself with Lopez.[17][18] Their alliance ended on the January 16, 2024 edition of NXT when Vice eliminated her from a No.1 contenders battle royal and the two then fought to the back. On the January 23 episode of NXT, Lopez confronted Vice during a Supernova Sessions segment and proceeded to attack her, and thus setting up a match for the following week.[19] On the January 26, 2024 episode of SmackDown, Lopez interfered in a match between Santos Escobar and
Carlito, helping Escobar pick up the win and re-joining Legado del Fantasma in the process.[20]
On the January 30, 2024 episode of NXT, Lopez lost to Vice, which was Lopez's final appearance in NXT.