While you might expect NXT stars to be trying to get a main roster spot in WWE as soon as possible, one wrestler wants to hone her skills just a little bit more first.
Tiffany Stratton signed a developmental deal with the company in August 2021 and made her TV debut on the November 16th edition of 205 Live, defeating Amari Miller. That December, she joined NXT and has been working her way up the ranks ever since.
At Spring Breakin’ on April 25th, Stratton will have one of her biggest matches yet, a Triple Threat bout for Indi Hartwell’s Women’s Championship also featuring Roxanne Perez.
Tiffany Stratton talks her NXT journey
In a recent interview on Busted Open Radio, Stratton discussed her beginnings in the developmental brand and adjusting to the brutal schedule all trainees are put through.
“The schedule is definitely very hard to get accustomed to. It was nothing like any other. Luckily, I had a little bit of wrestling experience and I was taught how to act, like the basic wrestling rules, so I knew what I was getting myself into.
“When you’re newer, you have a little bit of a crazier schedule. You’re training, I think like four times a week. It’s only four times because Tuesdays we have TV. Sometimes they would make you come in on Tuesdays and have a training session.
“Training started at 8:30 AM and we’d go until 1030 or 1130. Let me tell you, bumping that early in the morning sucks. After that, we would go to gym class where we’d lift. After that we would do a promo class or like an acting class, something along those terms and it was every day.
“When you’re newer, it’s kind of a mandatory thing, like an unwritten rule that you have to go to open ring and you have to keep on working.”
The star went on to talk about where she sees her weaknesses in the ring, singling out her selling and psychology.
“I think I have every single component that it takes to become a superstar. I think in the ring, I lack with my selling and my psychology. I think that’s where I need to improve, and quickly.”
With this in mind, Stratton was cautious when the topic of the upcoming draft came up, saying she would maybe like to hone some of her skills before getting the call-up. However, if it does happen, she is confident she’ll “rise to the occasion”.
“I’m not sure. That’s a good question. I definitely think for my career, I would like to stay in NXT a little longer and hone in on my wrestling skills before getting called up. But if I do get the call-up, I’m ready. I will make the most of it. I will rise to the occasion, and yeah, I’ll be ready.”
Before then, though, there is the matter of her title match, something she is ready for.
“I would say that I feel like no matter what I do, I always shine the brightest and I always find a way to shine the brightest. I feel like I have a lot to prove.
“I feel like when people see me wrestle, like in the spotlight, they can’t take their eyes off me I think those are the vibes that they should give off as a champion, and I definitely feel like I’m one of those people that give off those vibes.”
H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the above transcription.