WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton recently joined the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, where she shared experiences from her early days at the WWE Performance Center. Discussing her “Tiffany Stratton WWE Journey,” she reflected on the tough training and feelings of isolation she initially faced after signing with WWE alongside a small group of talents.
Starting Out Among Fellow Talent and Facing Loneliness
Stratton revealed that she was the only female in her signing class, which made those initial months lonely. She recalled being alongside future stars such as Solo Sikoa and Malik Blade during her trial period.
“Solo Sikoa was one of them. We got signed together. Who else? I had Malik Blade in my trial class. I had — those are the two that I can remember… I was the only girl in my signing group, so for the longest time I didn’t have any girlfriends. It was very lonely at first, but it got better,”
she said.
Forming Bonds with Established Stars on the Road
She also detailed how she formed an important friendship with Nia Jax during a flight to Australia. Stratton described how Jax immediately made her feel supported, saying,
“The first time that we really got to know each other was on the flight to Australia. She immediately sat down next to me… Ever since then, we’ve been attached at the hip, and she’s just been so amazing to have around.”
Grueling Training and Physical Toll at the Performance Center
On the intense physical demands early in her training, Stratton admitted to repeatedly enduring hard bumps and taking risks with her safety. She recounted the difficult start:
“In my very early days of being at the Performance Center, I would take bad bumps all the time and I would get my bell rung. Not the smartest thing. And I would continue to just keep bumping on it. But I would say those three, four months were brutal because all you’re doing is taking bumps.”
Keeping Family in the Dark Before a Big Moment
Stratton shared how she managed to surprise her parents when she cashed in her title opportunity. Rather than announcing it directly, she simply urged them to watch SmackDown, wary that they might miss the event due to busy schedules.
“I actually didn’t tell my parents that I was cashing in. I just said like, ‘Make sure you watch SmackDown tonight, please,’ because sometimes, they get busy and they don’t watch. So, I’m like, ‘Clear your schedule. Watch tonight’s SmackDown. I’ve got a match.’ My parents were flabbergasted. They didn’t know that I was becoming champion and they thought it was the coolest thing ever. Their daughter that’s only been on SmackDown for almost a year at the time, like 3 years into the business, winning a title. They were so amazed,”
she recalled.
Winning the WWE Women’s Title: A Surreal Experience
Reflecting on capturing the WWE Women’s Championship, Stratton described the moment as overwhelming but satisfying. Since she cashed in and secured the victory quickly, she had no pressure of a long match.
“I was just amazed with myself. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know it was happening that day. All in all, it was just such a good day for me. All it was a cash-in. I just hit my moonsault, so I didn’t really have any crazy stressors or had to worry about a 20-minute match. It was such a good day for me,”
she explained.
Significance of Stratton’s Early Struggles for Her WWE Career
Tiffany Stratton’s reflections reveal the physical and emotional challenges behind her rise in WWE, highlighting the intense preparation required at the Performance Center and the sense of isolation as the lone female in her class. Her ability to build strong relationships, like with Nia Jax, helped her through the toughest periods. Stratton’s swift ascent to becoming Women’s Champion, marked by her surprising cash-in victory, underscores her resilience and growing presence within WWE’s competitive environment. Fans and followers of her “Tiffany Stratton WWE Journey” can anticipate her continuing to develop as a key figure on SmackDown and beyond.
