Brooke revealed a bevy of personal struggles, opened up about what brought her into the world of professional wrestling, her relationship with NBA star Enes Kanter, and the tragic death of boyfriend Dallas McCarver. We unpack all that and more in 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Dana Brooke.

#5 The New Dana Brooke Is Not A Character

Dana Brooke has spent the majority of her professional wrestling career as a forgotten component of the main roster, but things have changed recently. Brooke was surprised by new WWE creative member Dana Warrior, who informed Brooke that WWE had something special planned for her.

Brooke was taken aback by the announcement. She routinely pitched ideas to the company only to be forgotten time and time again. Recently, she was particularly disappointed about being left off the Fastlane pay-per-view, which took place in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio.

Brooke opened up on Chasing Glory,

Brooke had been pitching the idea of being on Fastlane for over three months and offered her services in any capacity including commentary, the pre-show panel, or anything backstage. WWE made the creative decision to leave the Cleveland native off the show entirely. The move frustrated Brooke, opening up an opportunity for her career’s most memorable promo on the following RAW.

Dana was handed a pre-written promo to do on RAW, but was urged to put things in her own words with her own feelings. The written promo nearly matched Brooke’s thoughts identically and she delivered her authentic promo flawlessly.

#4 Dana’s Promo Mirrored How She Really Felt About Rousey

WWE finally gave Brooke an opportunity to be herself. She was encouraged to speak from the heart and put things in her own words. Brooke purposefully came out wearing little make up to add authenticity to the moment.

Brooke had already grown genuinely frustrated with RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey.

Brooke consulted with Paul Heyman before cutting the promo and confessed that it came from such a personal place that she may cry. Heyman’s advice? “That’s OK. If you cry, that’s OK.”

Dana; however, had other plans.

Brooke tapped into a special place in her heart.

Dana Brooke made her way to the ring to interrupt Rousey.

The promo was deemed a resounding success and led to a championship opportunity for Brooke the following week on RAW.

#3 Dana Brooke Nearly Quit WWE

Dana Brooke would pitch ideas routinely and frequently, but no one listened. Instead, the RAW Superstar became a forgotten component in WWE - an afterthought. Her position with the company grew tiring for Brooke and things came to a head when a match between her and Natalya was unceremoniously removed from RAW.

Brooke told Lilian Garcia,

Brooke began to have doubts and wondered if she was being removed for personal reasons. She even questioned whether the company had lost all faith in her. The incident nearly caused Dana Brooke to walk out on the company.

Ultimately, Brooke decided to stay with the company.

#2 Dana Brooke Chose Wrestling For Her Family

Dana Brooke was supposed to be a gymnast; however, injuries derailed her career. The derailment was a huge adjustment for Brooke, who did not plan for life after gymnastics. She relied on her family’s support to get her through the adjustment period.

After the death of one of her aunts, Brooke and family reminisced about old times watching wrestling together.

It had brought the family together then and Brooke surmised it could benefit the family further. “This was just an amazing time in my life growing up when we would all play wrestle. We were all so happy.” Shortly thereafter, Brooke was offered an opportunity with WWE.

She thought to herself, “If this can make my family close again…I felt our family could have a common ground to talk about what we used to.” The WWE Superstar was correct in her assessment and enjoys a rejuvenated close-knit relationship with her family.

#1 NBA Star Enes Kanter Is Her Real-Life Angel

After Dana Brooke’s 26 year old boyfriend Dallas McCarver died tragically and unexpectedly, Brooke struggled to find her bearings. Brooke tried to push the negative feelings away, but things didn’t improve until she met NBA star Enes Kanter. “I tried to push it away with Enes, who I am currently with now, who has helped me a lot through this. He’s been a blessing for me.”

Before Kanter, Brooke felt “so alone,” and struggled to find “what she had to live for.” Brooke felt “lost” and confesses to being in “a dark place for a very long time.” She could not eat or sleep.

McCarver’s mother encouraged her. “Don’t live your life like this. Don’t live your life sheltered and alone. You will find love again.” Brooke doubted that she ever would.

Eight months later while wrestling at Madison Square Garden, Brooke made an instant connection with former New York Knicks star Enes Kanter. Brooke opened up about her relationship with Kanter.

Brooke found support from the NBA star.

Kanter’s advice motivated Brooke.

Readers are encouraged to listen to Lilian Garcia’s interview with Dana Brooke in its entirety HERE.

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