Tiffany Stratton: From gymnastics to WWE Women’s Champion

WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton said she had originally hoped to compete in the Olympics as a gymnast but stopped after injuries, a setback that led her to take up CrossFit, bodybuilding and ultimately professional wrestling. In a recent interview she recounted her transition from gymnastics to the WWE, described her nerves during her first televised match and discussed performing at high-profile events such as WrestleMania.

Stratton said she grew up training in gymnastics and “wanted to go to the Olympics,” but injuries forced her to quit. After stepping away from the sport she pursued CrossFit and bodybuilding, then noticed professional wrestling on social media and decided to try it. She looked up a local training school, signed up for classes, and — with help from a former wrestler who agreed to train her and arrange a tryout — was signed by WWE within a week. She spent about two years in the company’s developmental system before being promoted to the main roster around the Royal Rumble. Stratton later won the Money in the Bank contract, cashed it in and became WWE Women’s Champion.

She said her gymnastics background helped her manage the pressures of live television....