Published: May 6, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: May 6, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor
Sanchez has over six years of pro-wrestling news writing experience, covering the biggest news stories in WWE, NXT, AEW, TNA Wrestling and more. He has personally interviewed a number of top stars, producing exclusive content with the likes of AEW's Swerve Strickland and WWE's Nick Aldis.
WWE
Former WWE Evolve Women’s Champion Kali Armstrong has revealed that it was a rapper who made her first consider becoming a wrestler.
Following a successful run on Evolve, Kali Armstrong is now making a name for herself on NXT TV, notably defeating Jaida Parker on Tuesday’s (May 5) show.
Speaking on Busted Open After Dark following the show, Armstrong commented on her transition from track star to pro-wrestler.
Stating that it was rapper Wale who encouraged her to pursue wrestling, Armstrong said:
“I think my journey was just a little bit different, because (WWE) didn’t necessarily reach out, I wasn’t like NIL. I ran track professionally for some years.
“I eventually stopped running track, I entered into the workforce, working a 9 to 5. About a year after I stopped running track, one of my good friends Wale – he’s a rapper, he was doing WaleMania and stuff – he would reach out.
“He said, ‘Man, I see your physique and your charisma, I feel like you could be a wrestler.’ I’m like, ‘Wrestler? I don’t think I could do that.’ But then I’d still post funny videos or just being athletic, and he hit me up like two or three more times.
“I eventually was like ‘Okay, let me look into this.’ I ended up reaching out to the recruiters myself, they gave me a tryout, and the rest was history from there.”
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link back to this page.
With numerous pathways into WWE, the company appears to be finding a balance between young athletes from other disciplines, and experienced wrestlers from other promotions, in terms of recruitment.
We’ve had numerous names join WWE from both camps recently, with the likes of British independent standout Will Kroos and former NJPW IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL – now Mason Rook and Naraku respectively – making big debut appearances last week.
Meanwhile, WWE also previously announced its latest rookie class, featuring three former college athletes.
With WWE also having NIL and Independent Development programs running simultaneously, it appears that WWE will continue to recruit stars from a variety of backgrounds.
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