It's pretty safe to say that Nia Jax is destined for bonafide stardom in the WWE.
Ever since her arrival last July, she has had a rocket push strapped to her back. We all know that it's only a matter of time before she gets her hands on the coveted Women's title. This may please some and possibly upset others.
It’s no secret that Nia Jax may not have been everyone's favourite NXT darling, but regardless, she's certainly been one of the most impactful new stars on the roster. People held her short time in developmental against her and refused to give her a chance, now it's clear that she has more than held her own on Monday nights.
She's big, beautiful and the most dominant female wrestler on Monday Night Raw, but here's what you don't know about Nia Jax.
#5 She used to be a model
I guess it's not hard to tell by her stunning looks, but Nia Jax had an extended run in the modelling game before she transitioned over to wrestling. After attending a local modelling show in California, Nia was actually approached by one of the show's judges.
The judge, who was also a modelling agent, offered Nia Jax a route into the industry, Jax was still in college at the time and this offer made her not pursue a job in business.
Also read: 5 Reasons Why Bayley and Nia Jax Are Everything The Women’s Division Needs
She instead became a plus-size model for the judge's agency, she fully embraced the opportunity. She has since then spoken on how the experience made her feel like a symbol of female empowerment.
She used the role to be an example to women of all different sizes and shapes, by telling them to be proud of their looks.
#4 She was a promising basketball player
At 6 foot 2 inches tall, Nia Jax stands heads and shoulders above most human beings on the planet. Her size and height fits her dominant WWE persona, but this wasn't always the dream for Nia Jax. In High school, Jax was a very promising basketball player.
So promising was her potential, that she made the 1st team at Carlsbad High School, this success transferred into a sports scholarship at Palomar College in California.
In her last year at the college, she was part of the team that won the Pacific Coast Conference Championship in 2002 before she graduated with a business degree. Coaches at her college had tipped her to become a professional WNBA player, but she chose to go into modelling instead.
#3 She only started wrestling in 2012
Most wrestling careers start in the most fairytale of fashions, life-long wrestling fans dream their whole life to enter the squared circle. For Nia, this may not have been the case.
Yes, being born into a wrestling dynasty meant the sport would be an ever-constant in the Jax household, however, it still wasn't her first love until one match changed everything.
Wrestlemania 28, a show headlined by the once in a lifetime bout of John Cena vs. The Rock, a match that captured the imagination of the entire world, it was the most successful WWE PPV of all time, not just because of the buy rates but also due to the effect that it had on pop culture.
In a wrestling classic, the Rock would go on to end Wrestlemania 28 standing tall, to the delight of millions around the world, including Nia Jax. The match inspired her to get into wrestling and she went straight to Afa's wrestling school right after.
See how larger than life matches can change lives?
#2 Her cousin is the Great One
It's always nice to be close to a WWE legend and it’s even better to be related to one.
Nia Jax has wrestling royalty in her blood. She's an esteemed member of the Anoa'i family that consists of famous names like The Rock, Roman Reigns, Rikishi and the Usos. The Samoan dynasty is probably one of the most famous family trees in the entirety of wrestling.
Jax is known to be very close with The Rock's mother Ata Maivia-Johnson.
It was her family ties with The Rock that gave Jax an easy route into the wrestling school owned by WWE Hall of Famer Afa. She trained there first before The Rock fast-tracked her to NXT tryouts.
#1 She nearly died
After signing a professional contract with the WWE in 2014, things were looking on the up for the Samoan wrestler. Her cousin was guiding her to the promised land and she was progressing well in her wrestling training.
However, in August of that year, her life nearly took a turn for the worse. She and her aunt Ata were hit by a drunk driver who was involved in a car chase.
The driver had refused to comply to a routine police check and continued racing down the freeway with no consideration for other drivers on the road. He would crash into Nia's car and all three would be rushed to the hospital.
Thankfully all three would make speedy recoveries and nobody was severely hurt. Nia's career was literally nearly over before it had even begun.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
