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Physique plays a pivotal role in the world of professional wrestling, as a captivating look certainly garners the attention of fans. WWE traditionally loves to push big guys, who are capable of showing incredible strength between the ropes, making their characters seem larger than life. As a result, WWE has had several top guys with impressive size and appearance.
Although a majority of today's fans prefer in-ring dexterity and charisma over physique, there is still a section of fans who love to watch big wrestlers with an amazing physique. The trend has been the same with the female Superstars. Chyna, who was known to have a remarkable physique, changed the perception of how females were viewed in sports entertainment, and even competed against several big male Superstars.
Knowing the importance of physique, several bodybuilders have jumped ship to start a new career in professional wrestling. In this article, we take a look at five female Superstars who competed in bodybuilding before starting a new career in WWE.
#5 Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn was a crowd pleaser when she was part of WWE. Having signed with the company in 2010, it took Kaitlyn a few months to make her main roster debut. Eventually, she engaged in a memorable feud with AJ Lee and ended Lee's historic 153 Divas Championship reign. The 33 year old left WWE in 2014, but still makes sporadic appearances and even competed in the 2018 Mae Young Classic.
Kaitlyn was spotted by WWE, due to her success in the world of bodybuilding. She started to compete at an early age. Her first major accomplishment was in 2007, winning the NPC John Sherman Classic Bodybuilding Figure and Fitness Championship. Moreover, Kaitlyn also earned fifth place at the Arnold Classic, which was certainly a notable achievement. Although Kaitlyn doesn't compete anymore, she owns a fitness clothing brand.
#4 Aksana
Aksana was signed by WWE in 2009. After a two-year stint in the developmental brand, she made her main roster debut in 2011. While Aksana wasn't a big name in the Women's Division, she did challenge for the Divas Championship a couple of times, but came up short in her quest to capture the title. Her WWE career lasted three years, and she last appeared in the company in 2014.
Prior to her WWE career, Aksana was a professional bodybuilder, competing in a number of events. She entered the bodybuilding industry as a teenager, participating in her first show at the age of 17. Aksana won two silvers and one bronze in the World Amateur Bodybuilding Championship, but her biggest achievement was in 2009 when she won the IFBB Arnold Classic Contest.
#3 Mandy Rose
Mandy Rose is an active wrestler, and currently a part of the SmackDown roster. The 28-year got her first break in WWE as a Tough Enough contestant, finishing second in the contest to Sara Lee. Signing with the company in 2015, she spent two years in NXT, before making her main roster debut in the later part of 2017. Rose is yet to win a title since arriving on the main roster.
Mandy Rose had a different career before she decided to pursue professional wrestling. Rose won the World Bodybuilding Fitness and Fashion Show in Boston, which was her very first show. Rose eventually went on to win the World Beauty Fitness & Fashion Bikini Championship in 2014.
#2 Victoria
Victoria was one of WWE's prominent names during the Attitude Era, and she had a lengthy career in Vince McMahon's company. Victoria signed with WWE in 2000 and made her first TV appearance in 2001. During her nine-year stint in WWE, Victoria won the WWE Women's Championship twice. After her departure from the company, Victoria also wrestled for various other promotions including Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor.
While Victoria had a great career in WWE, her bodybuilding career was equally impressive. Victoria won the ESPN2 Fitness America Series in 1997, and she was the runner-up of the same competition the following year. Victoria was placed second at the National Physique Committee show in 1999, which helped her to earn the IFBB Pro Card.
#1 Alexa Bliss
Alexa Bliss, one of the most successful female wrestlers of this era, is a leading name in the WWE Women's Division. 'The Goddess' signed with WWE in 2013, and spent three years in developmental before getting drafted to the main roster. Whether it was winning the Women's Money in the Bank, the RAW Women's Championship, the SmackDown Women's Championship, or the Women's Tag Team Championship, Bliss has done it all. In 2019, she officially became the second woman to be crowned a Grand Slam Champion.
Having suffered a baleful eating disorder at an early age, she became motivated to enter the bodybuilding industry where she went on to become one of the youngest competitors to receive IFBB professional status. Although Bliss never won a major title in bodybuilding, she did participate in the Arnold Classic competition.
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