The 10 Best WWE Performance Center Projects To Not Have A Wrestling Background

Since the WWE Performance Center first opened its doors, they have taken in all sorts of athletes from all over the world, whether they had wrestling experience or not. Even if these athletes aren't fans of WWE or pro wrestling, sometimes they're just made for the business.

For many of the athletes invited to join the PC, once they catch the wrestling bug, there has been no turning back. Some of these Superstars have risen to the top of the card and proven to be a big success not just for themselves, but for the reputation of the PC. Without further ado, here are the 10 best WWE Performance Center projects to not have a wrestling background.

10 Kacy Catanzaro

For a moment, it looked like the light that was Kacy Catanzaro almost flickered out. The former gymnast and finalist of American Ninja Warrior was having doubts about competing in the wrestling business. But that doubt went out the window when she returned to NXT earlier this year. She continues to fight and push through to showcase that does undoubtedly belong.

9 Jessamyn Duke & Marina Shafir

Before all landing in the WWE, The MMA Horsewomen had all made a name for themselves, even if Ronda Rousey was the biggest name. With their Horsewomen friends Shayna Baszler and Ronda Rousey getting in on the action, it was only a matter of time before Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir jumped into the WWE. They each signed around the same time and were being used as heaters for Shayna during her two NXT Women's Title reigns. Once both ladies are fully prepared, they will be a threat to any team holding the Women’s Tag Titles.

8 Dana Brooke

Should the WWE ever turn Dana Brooke loose, they might have an unstoppable force on their hands. She has the kind of old school body that fans of The Attitude Era still covet to this very day, along with a bodybuilding background that The Chairman himself could admire. Like her fellow Buckeye, Alexa Bliss, Brooke as well competed in the Arnold Classic. She also had a background in gymnastics.

7 Mojo Rawley

Very similar to King Corbin, Mojo Rawley as well spent some time on both the Cardinals and Green Bay Packers practice squads. But when an injury forced him on the sidelines, he opted for a WWE career instead of taking a job in the NFL’s offices.

It paid off for the big Hype Man. Rawley has shown time and time again that he has staying power and does his best when he’s out in the ring. It’s always interesting to see how the company uses Mojo and how he maximizes his minutes.

6 Bianca Belair

Debuting on the main roster at the 2020 Royal Rumble, Bianca Belair made a strong showing and quickly established herself as what she says she is - the EST of WWE. The former CrossFit star had to abandon her career due to Shifting Rib Syndrome. She actually had submitted her information to the WWE on a whim as a joke.

But "The World’s Strongest Man" Mark Henry wasn’t playing when he gave her a call. She has been increasing her game every time she heads out to the ring, and that’s a mark of a person who is not only willing to learn but is able to be taught every time out of the gate.

5 Sonya Deville

Sonya Deville posing with rainbow colors around her

The Jersey Devil, Sonya Deville had a background in MMA before joining Tough Enough. She was eliminated from the competition but signed to NXT fairly quickly. Similar to Tough Enough partner, Mandy Rose, Deville has been showcasing her talents on the main roster for several years now. She had been on her own since slightly before WrestleMania. Hopefully, she returns to television someday soon after losing to Rose in a Loser Leaves WWE match at the 2020 SummerSlam.

4 Mandy Rose

News flash to all female bodybuilders of the world, if you compete in the circuit, there’s a chance for you to land in the WWE if you want it. God’s Greatest Creation is the third name on this list to come from that world.

She made it to the end of Tough Enough, but since that was a reality show, viewers didn’t prefer her personality enough to win. But she has been on the main roster and one of the WWE’s most popular talents, especially since pairing with Otis, once again proving you don’t need to win Tough Enough to be successful.

3 King Corbin

It took some time for Corbin to find his footing, but once he did, he has done nothing but rise up the card as one of the WWE’s top heels. The former football player was part of offseason and practice squads for both the Colts and The Cardinals came to the PC as fan of the old St. Louis territory (Corbin is from the area), but with no formal training. He has risen up the ranks doing what an old school heel would do, which is not care what the fans have to say to him, so long as their booing him.

2 Montez Ford

It’s a shame that there still aren’t huge crowds because The Street Profits' entrance requires a humongous crowd reaction. Dawkins got his start in amateur wrestling at Harper College. Meanwhile, Montez Ford was a star athlete in Track and Field and a US Marine before starting in NXT. Both Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins got their starts at the Performance Center, Dawkins however, has amateur training while Ford did not. The team’s recent success might not have happened though. Dawkins made his NXT television debut back in June 2012. Averting getting released several times, he’s proof positive that “the smoke” rises to the top. Ford made his NXT debut in 2016 and has quickly become one of the most popular tag team wrestlers in the business, alongside Dawkins.

1 Alexa Bliss

Not all princesses are nice girls. Disney devotee Alexa Bliss has made her bones in the WWE as being one of the biggest heels, but she is actually loved by the fans for it! The Goddess went full babyface last summer and has formed a fun friendship with the nutty Nikki Cross. She seems like a gifted natural, but she also had no training before landing at the PC. She instead honed her skills as a cheerleader and bodybuilder, who competed at the Arnold Classic.

Next: 5 Wrestling Stars Who Were Made In The WWE Performance Center (& 5 That Were Stars Before Signing)