AFP presents a photo essay on professional wrestler Gia Scott shot by photographer Jim Watson over several months in 2018. Kierra Scott – better known by her stage name Gia – is a rising star in the US pro wrestling scene. This month, the 19-year-old became the youngest ever female champion of the MCW wrestling league in Maryland. Here: As the male counterparts gather after a training session professional wrestler Gia Scott (4th L) gets a hug from training partner and former WWE female wrestler Rosa Mendes (3rd R) during a class in Joppa, Maryland on April 17, 2018, at the MCW Wrestling school. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Months before she would become the youngest female champion ever, professional wrestler Gia Scott (R) gets pointers from her boyfriend and professional wrestler Deion Epps (L) as she wrestles with fellow female wrestler Aria Palmer (C) during a class in Joppa, Maryland on April 17, 2018, at the MCW Wrestling school that teaches a budding wrestler the ins and outs of the industry. When we meet Gia Scott, it is hard to imagine that, for her work, this polite and warm girl likes to insult, assault and provoke. And yet, Gia is a professional wrestler specializing in “naughty” roles. With some success. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





MCW Wrestling School Trainer RJ Meyer (L), a former champion pro wrestler, watches as professional wrestler Gia Scott is thrown from the top rope by one of her male counterparts during a class in Joppa, Maryland on April 5, 2018, at the MCW Wrestling school that teaches a budding wrestler the ins and outs of the industry. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (L) throws some off her gear on a table as her opponent for the Autumn Armageddon 2018, professional wrestler Aria Palmer (C), gets her hair done in their makeshift dressing room at a firehouse in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (R) puts on make up for Autumn Armageddon 2018 as she goes through her match with a MCW referee prior to her match at a firehouse in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





MCW referee Beckie Phillips (L) and another referee (R) go through professional wrestler Gia Scott (C) and Aria Palmer' s match backstage in a makeshift dressing room at a firehouse in Galena, Maryland, on October 6, 2018, prior to Autumn Armageddon 2018 to work out what will happen during the match and get their timing down. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (C) looks out from backstage at the crowd size for Autumn Armageddon 2018 at a firehouse in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (C) baby checks professional wrestler Aria Palmer (R) during Autumn Armageddon 2018 in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Aria Palmer (top) kicks wrestler Gia Scott through the ropes during Autumn Armageddon 2018 in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (R) tries to break free from the grip of professional wrestler Aria Palmer (L) during Autumn Armageddon 2018 in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (C) screams as she puts professional wrestler Aria Palmer (R) into a choke hold during Autumn Armageddon 2018 in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (L) listens to the crowd' s boos after smacking professional wrestler Aria Palmer (R) to the mat during Autumn Armageddon 2018 in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (L) celebrates after choking Professional wrestler Aria Palmer (C) into submission and winning the match during Autumn Armageddon 2018 in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)





Professional wrestler Gia Scott (L) hugs her opponent and friend professional wrestler Aria Palmer (R) backstage after being told their match was very well choreographed during Autumn Armageddon 2018 in Galena, Maryland on October 6, 2018. (Photo by Jim Watson/AFP Photo)