Quick Links
During their time as a team in WWE, The IIconics became one of the most over acts in the company. Made up of Billie Kay and Peyton Royce, the duo showed an immense amount of personality, charisma, and charm. They were fan favorites and had genuine friendship that was apparent through the work that they did as a team. Beginning their time in WWE wrestling in NXT, they debuted on the main roster in 2018. The IIconics should have become one of the biggest acts in WWE’s women’s division. However, poor booking led to the company completely dropping the ball on a fantastic duo.
RELATED: 10 Things About The IIconics' Careers That Made No Sense
The IIconics Started Out With Great Potential
Kay and Royce, who are real life best friends from Australia, first made their presence felt in NXT. They did well for themselves in NXT, even winning the NXT Breakout of the Year. They both even challenged for the NXT Women’s Title across both live shows and televised events as well.
Then, on the April 10, 2018, edition of SmackDown Live, The IIconics made their debut on the main roster. They interrupted and attacked Charlotte Flair. They got cheers and applause from the audience, even though they were supposed to be the heels. They ended up costing Charlotte Flair her SmackDown Women’s Title as Carmella then cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase.
WrestleMania 35 Was The Peak Of The IIconics WWE Career
The IIconics popularity only grew more and more. When they delivered promos and segments, they were genuinely hilarious. Their charisma and great comedic timing made them beloved by fans. In 2019, WWE introduced the Women’s Tag Team Titles. While they did not win them in the inaugural match for the championships, they ended up winning the titles at WrestleMania 35. It was truly a great moment as the two shed tears when they had their hands lifted. The IIconics held the titles for 120 days before losing them to Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross.
RELATED: Every WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Ranked Worst To Best
The Decline, Break Up, And Release Of The IIconics
After they lost the titles, The IIconics would challenge for the titles again but were unsuccessful. In 2020, Kay and Royce entered a rivalry with Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan. They feuded for weeks, resulting in a number one contender’s match where the losing team must disband. The IIconics lost the match, facing off against each other the following week.
The two embarked on their own solo runs, but neither really had much success. While they both more than had the capabilities to be stars, WWE never committed to either Kay or Royce as a singles wrestler. Even though Kay had developed a comedic resume gimmick and Royce delivered great promos, WWE never did anything with them. The IIconics were both released by WWE on April 15, 2021.
RELATED: 10 Funniest Billie Kay Moments In WWE
After their release, Kay and Royce rebranded themselves as The IInspiration. In addition, they changed their names as well. Royce now went by Cassie Lee and Kay by Jessica McKay. In their debut match for Impact Wrestling, they won the Knockouts Tag Team Titles at Bound For Glory 2021. They held the titles for a few months before losing them to The Influence. The IInspiration have since stepped away from in-ring action.
The IIconics Were Frustrated With Their Booking In WWE
The story of The IIconics in WWE saw them have an immense amount of momentum behind them in the beginning to the company not knowing at all what to do with them after they split. Their time with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles was entertaining. They also had one of the longer reigns with the titles, which WWE has never truly shown the Women’s Tag Team Titles the respect they deserve. In addition, they were broken up with no plans as to what to do with them in the long term. McKay said of this on Busted Open Radio (h/t Post Wrestling) “I had no idea who I was. You just took away not only my best friend and my tag team partner, but she was like my comfort zone, my support system…” In addition, Lee also criticized her booking. She said of her final WWE match against Asuka, “I found out afterwards I only got that match because someone had COVID. It wasn’t because my Raw Talk promo got me the opportunity or — every time I spoke to creative, I couldn’t get past creative.”
The IIconics could have been some of the biggest stars in the women’s division. They had all the necessary tools to be. Due to poor creative and a lack of concrete direction, The IIconics never became the big stars that they should have become in WWE.
