Stratton says COVID-19 halted her first WWE opportunity after she left college to pursue a wrestling career
Summary
– Tiffany Stratton revealed her first WWE tryout was cut short after she dropped out of college
– The shutdown forced WWE to send tryout participants home the same day they arrived
– Stratton stayed focused through bodybuilding, nonstop training, and another push for a WWE opportunity
Tiffany Stratton’s rise to WWE television came after a major risk and an unexpected setback.
During an appearance on Shot of Brandi with Brandi Rhodes, Stratton explained that her path toward wrestling began after years in gymnastics. Her mother noticed Charlotte Flair on television and believed Tiffany’s athletic background could translate well inside the ring.
Stratton later moved away from gymnastics and turned to CrossFit to keep her competitive drive alive. That training helped her build the strength and confidence that would later become part of her WWE presentation.
Getting noticed by WWE was not simple. Stratton said she first submitted her information online, but did not hear back. Her mother then reached out through a connection to Greg Gagne, which eventually led Stratton into formal wrestling training.
She later trained at Mr. Kennedy’s wrestling school in Minneapolis, where she laid the foundation for a WWE tryout.
Stratton eventually received that tryout invitation, but the timing became a major obstacle. She had already dropped out of college to fully commit to wrestling when COVID changed everything.
WWE flew the tryout group to the Performance Center, but everyone was sent home the same day. The company needed the building for RAW and SmackDown tapings after the shutdown changed its television schedule.
Instead of stopping, Stratton shifted her focus. With her wrestling school closed, she used the time to prepare her body through bodybuilding while continuing to contact WWE about another opportunity.
That commitment paid off. Stratton said she entered her next tryout ready to bump, run the ropes, roll, and cut a promo. She believed she had prepared every part of her game before walking back through WWE’s door.
The momentum continued quickly from there. Stratton won her bodybuilding show, learned she had signed with WWE one week later, reported to the Performance Center, and reached 205 Live within weeks.
Her story shows that her fast rise was built on more than natural athletic ability. Stratton took a major gamble, dealt with a failed first chance, and kept working until WWE gave her another shot.
