Former NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley opens up on her transformation from a depressed supplement store clerk and powerlifting standout to WWE success. In recent interviews, she credits a chance sponsorship for bridging her worlds, sharing how strength training rebuilt her confidence and led to signing with WWE in 2021.
Dallas, Texas – Tatum Paxley, the eccentric powerhouse who’s captivated WWE NXT fans with her quirky intensity and unyielding drive, recently pulled back the curtain on her pre-wrestling life. In a candid interview on “Busted Open Radio,” the 29-year-old former NXT Women’s Champion detailed how powerlifting became her lifeline during dark times—and unexpectedly her ticket to the squared circle. Born Natalie Holland on October 29, 1996, Paxley wasn’t always the obsessive grappler we see today; she was a lost soul working retail, grappling with self-doubt until heavy iron and a serendipitous connection changed everything.
Paxley’s story is one of reinvention: From cheerleading roots in Texas to dominating powerlifting platforms, her athletic foundation has fueled a WWE career that’s seen her capture gold and cross over to TNA. As she eyes a potential rematch after dropping the NXT Women’s title to Jacy Jayne at a recent event, her reflections highlight resilience in a high-stakes industry.
Rock Bottom at the Supplement Store: A Wake-Up Call
Paxley’s entry into powerlifting wasn’t glamorous—it was born from desperation. After years as a cheerleader, she landed a job at a supplement store, but the grind eroded her spirit. “I was working at a supplement store for maybe four or five years. I just was losing myself entirely. I didn’t like how I was feeling. I didn’t like how I was talking to people. I just felt like what I was doing was killing me,” she shared on “Busted Open Radio.”
Around 2019, amid this fog, Paxley discovered powerlifting as an outlet. It wasn’t just exercise; it was therapy. “That’s when I started the powerlifting thing,” she recalled, crediting the sport with restoring her sense of self. Her breakthrough came swiftly: She clinched USA Powerlifting (USAPL) championships in 2019 and 2021, proving she could lift over three times her body weight— a feat that’s become a signature in her wrestling matches.
- Powerlifting Highlights: Two-time USAPL Champion (2019, 2021); Bench press PR: 225+ lbs; Squat: 400+ lbs at 121 lbs body weight.
- Personal Impact: “Powerlifting’s purpose in my life was to get me to WWE,” Paxley told ESPR, emphasizing how it built the mental toughness she now channels in the ring.
This phase wasn’t without isolation—Paxley admits she didn’t grow up a wrestling fan, her world confined to weights and workouts.
The Serendipitous Spark: A Sponsorship Leads to Wrestling
Fate intervened through her powerlifting success. A sponsorship from Dymatize, a sports supplement company, connected Paxley with a pro wrestler athlete. “There was an athlete at Dymatize who was a pro wrestler. I remember talking with her and I started to get kind of interested in it,” she explained on the “Eat Sleep Podcast Repeat.”
What began as casual chats evolved into obsession. About two years before signing with WWE, Paxley dove into wrestling tapes, realizing her strength could translate. “Life works in such funny ways,” she mused on ESPR. “I was like, ‘I think I can do this.’ But no way was I thinking on the level of WWE.” That Dymatize contact proved pivotal, forwarding her name to WWE scouts and landing her a tryout in Las Vegas in August 2021—despite zero in-ring experience.
Her raw athleticism shone: She signed a developmental deal that month, reporting to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Shawn Michaels later praised her as an “unbelievably unique individual” for blending powerlifting grit with wrestling flair.
NXT Debut and Championship Glory: Power Meets Performance
Paxley’s WWE journey kicked off on February 15, 2022, on NXT Level Up, where she teamed with Ivy Nile for a submission win—her powerlifting background evident in her suplexes and holds. Debuting under her ring name, she aligned with Diamond Mine before carving a solo path as the “obsessed” competitor, fixated on rivals like Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez.
Her crowning moment arrived at Halloween Havoc 2025, defeating Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship—her first title, held briefly before a recent loss. Crossovers, like challenging TNA’s Jordynne Grace at Against All Odds, showcased her versatility. At 5’5″ and 121 lbs, Paxley’s ability to toss foes stems directly from those USAPL lifts.
Reddit’s r/SquaredCircle hails her as a “simp magnet” for her innovative offense, with fans noting: “She reminds me a lot of Kanyon—15 years from now, we’ll see her moves as finishers.”
- WWE Milestones: In-ring debut: Feb 2022; NXT Women’s Champion: 2025 (1 reign); TNA Debut: June 2024.
- Signature Style: Power-based moves like the Paxlex (modified powerslam); Eccentric persona blending obsession with athletic dominance.
Lessons from the Lift: Gratitude and Future Ambitions
Looking back, Paxley sees her path as predestined. “Powerlifting got me here,” she told PWMania, grateful for how it combated her directionless youth. Now engaged to fellow wrestler Javier Bernal (Randy José Beidelschies), she balances personal life with pro ambitions, eyeing main roster calls and more gold.
Her story resonates in women’s wrestling, where non-traditional backgrounds like hers—cheerleading, powerlifting—add depth. As she plots a title reclaim, Paxley’s journey reminds: Sometimes, the heaviest lifts happen outside the gym.
Tatum Paxley’s evolution from a fading retail worker to NXT force is a testament to grit and serendipity, proving powerlifting’s “purpose” was always WWE-bound. With her championship pedigree and unshakeable drive, expect more chapters—perhaps even a main roster splash. Fans, keep lifting her up; the bar’s only rising. (Word count: 612)
Sources: Wrestling Inc., 411MANIA, PWMania, Wikipedia, WrestlingNews.co, eWrestlingNews, Reddit r/SquaredCircle, and Cagematch.net (November 2025). For full interview, listen to “Busted Open Radio” episode. Follow her on X via @TatumPaxleyWWE.