Daria Hodder, known in WWE NXT as Zaria, is an Australian professional wrestler making a significant impact on the wrestling scene. Born on May 11, 1999, in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Zaria, now 26 years old, has quickly risen through the ranks, showcasing her unique blend of strength, agility, and charisma.
Zaria proudly represents Australia in the world of professional wrestling.
Early Career as Delta
Hodder began her wrestling journey on the Australian independent circuit under the ring name Delta, primarily competing for Riot City Wrestling (RCW) and Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW). Her passion for wrestling was ignited by her older brother, Dean Brady, also an Australian wrestler, after watching him at an RCW show.
Debut and Tag Team Success
After a successful tryout with RCW, she debuted as Delta Brady on December 31, 2020, teaming with her brother to defeat Cayden Cornell and Savannah Summers. She then transitioned to the mononym Delta and focused on singles competition in RCW's Women's division.
Together with Dean Brady, she secured the RCW Tag Team Championship on two occasions. Delta also achieved individual success, winning the MCW Women's Championship twice and becoming the first woman to hold the MCW Intercommonwealth Championship.
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Delta and Dean Brady, a formidable tag team in the Australian independent scene.
Transition to WWE and NXT Debut
In February 2024, Hodder participated in WWE tryouts held in Perth, Western Australia, before Elimination Chamber: Perth. On the October 1 episode of NXT, a vignette aired, hinting at her debut. On October 22, another vignette revealed her new ring name, Zaria, marking her official arrival in WWE.
Zaria made her first appearance at NXT Halloween Havoc, confronting Fallon Henley and Fatal Influence. She made her NXT in-ring debut on October 29, defeating Brinley Reece.
ZaRuca: A Promising Partnership
After NXT Deadline, Zaria formed a partnership with Sol Ruca, becoming known as ZaRuca. The pair achieved their first tag team victory on February 4, 2025, against Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolin. On the April 1 episode of NXT, Zaria qualified for the six-woman ladder match for the vacant NXT Women's North American Championship at NXT Stand & Deliver, where Ruca ultimately won the title.
Zaria made her main roster debut appearance on the July 11 episode of SmackDown, accompanying Ruca in a fatal four-way match. On October 3, Zaria wrestled her main roster debut match where ZaRuca defeated The Green Regime (Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre). However, on October 17, ZaRuca's challenge for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship was unsuccessful, with Ruca sustaining a knee injury.
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Her momentum seems to have cooled down which shouldn't be a surprise at all considering they've teased her split from Sol for almost a year now. It doesn't change the fact that she's a really good wrestler however.
Zaria makes her shocking NXT debut: NXT highlights, Oct. 22, 2024
Wrestling Style and Persona
Zaria is often described as a fine power-based wrestling worker. She possesses an impressive physique and an intimidating presence, which has resonated with fans. Her in-ring skills have steadily improved, featuring a diverse move set including a moonsault, an F5, and a spear. Some have even compared her to a female version of Brock Lesnar.
While some critics note that her character work needs improvement and her in-ring ability can be inconsistent, many praise her unique design and potential for growth. Some see her as best suited for tag team wrestling, while others believe she has the potential to be booked as a monster heel.
Zaria in action in NXT, showcasing her power and presence.
Championships and Accomplishments
Zaria has achieved significant success in her young career, including:
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- RCW Tag Team Champion (2 times)
- MCW Women's Champion (2 times)
- MCW Intercommonwealth Champion (1 time)
- RCW Champion
- RCW Women’s Champion
- RCW Grand Champion
Titles Held by Zaria
| Championship | Promotion | Times |
|---|---|---|
| RCW Tag Team Championship | Riot City Wrestling (RCW) | 2 |
| RCW Champion | Riot City Wrestling (RCW) | 1 |
| MCW Women's Championship | Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW) | 2 |
| MCW Intercommonwealth Championship | Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW) | 1 |
| RCW Women’s Champion | Riot City Wrestling (RCW) | 1 |
| RCW Grand Champion | Riot City Wrestling (RCW) | 1 |
Future Prospects
With her impressive physique, unique look, and growing in-ring skills, Zaria has the potential to become a major star in WWE. Whether as a dominant singles competitor or as part of a successful tag team, Zaria's journey is one to watch. Her ability to constantly improve and adapt suggests a bright future in the world of professional wrestling.