8 Things WWE Fans Need To Know About Candice LeRae
Another week, another huge signing.
A prominent name was ticked off many WWE fans' 'most wanted' lists this week, as it was confirmed that independent wrestling mainstay Candice LeRae is finally on her way to the company, ending months of rumours and speculation.
The 32-year-old is set to report to the Performance Center by the end of the month, and will start competing for NXT soon after. This isn't her first rodeo, though. LeRae was involved in last summer's Mae Young Classic, where she fell to eventual finalist Shayna Baszler in the third round, and has also competed for NXT on a freelance basis twice in the past, sparking talk of a full-time role.
LeRae arrives in WWE following a long, storied run with companies like PWG, DDT, and, briefly, ROH. She's among the women's wrestling scene's most celebrated talents, and should make an excellent addition to NXT, where potentially awesome matches with Ember Moon, Kairi Sane, and more await. Her marriage with NXT Title contender Johnny Gargano opens up all kinds of storytelling possibilities, too.
Let's get to grips with Candice's career before she inevitably becomes Full Sail University's favourite women's wrestler.
8. WWE Was Always Her Goal
Signing with WWE isn't necessarily the be all/end all it used to be, with wrestlers like The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Cody Rhodes' independent success proving that it's possible to build a great reputation without the world's biggest promotion's help. Regardless, it remains the end goal for many performers, and Candice LeRae is no different, as revealed in a post-Mae Young Classic interview for Ring Rust Radio.
"Still to this day it's insane to me because it is something that I've wanted since I was a six-year-old little kid," she said on finally competing for WWE. LeRae claimed she'd been "preparing her entire career for [it]," and that everything she'd accomplished thus far was done with the intention of working towards an opportunity with WWE.
"My dream has always been to have a full-time contract with WWE," she added, noting that she would've been "cheating [herself] out of a lifelong dream" by signing anywhere else.
Perhaps the journey took longer than she'd expected, but Candice has finally reached her destination. Here's hoping her transition from indie darling to NXT prospect is as seamless as she deserves it to be.