As blood dripped to the ring floor, Yim composed herself and valiantly fought on in what would prove to be one of NXT’s greatest all-time matches. While she came up just short against Shirai (due primarily to outside interference from NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray), Yim displayed before a worldwide audience why she is one of WWE’s most promising Superstars.

As WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently described Yim on his podcast, the NXT Superstar is a true “warrior.” While her ability inside the squared circle will always stand out to WWE fans, Yim is much more than a wrestler and has had a remarkable journey on her way to wrestling stardom. In this article, we reveal five things you didn’t know about the NXT Superstar.

#5. Her dad was in the FBI

Mia Yim grew up in a strict household and that was primarily due to her father’s career in the FBI. Yim’s father was first in the gang unit and then helped develop the missing and exploited children’s unit. Having seen the worst of the world, Yim’s father ran a tight ship at home. Yim recently appeared on Chasing Glory with Lilian Garcia where she talked about her father’s career,

While Yim understands her father’s protective instincts now as an adult, it was difficult to accept them as a young child, especially when that meant she was subject to the limits her father placed on her,

#4. She went to college on a volleyball scholarship

Mia Yim’s family moved from California to the Washington D.C. area and it was a struggle for her. While she excelled in California’s school system, Yim was labeled as “slow” by the schools in Washington D.C. She was placed in special education classes and never believed college to be even the slightest possibility.

Mia Yim, however, was a stellar athlete and in particular, a phenomenal volleyball player. Although she was only 5'7" (short for volleyball) she was often placed in the front row due to her incredible leaping ability.

Without her knowledge, Yim’s father sent her highlight reel to Virginia Union University. The school offered Yim a full-ride scholarship to play volleyball. While she was reluctant at first (due primarily to self-doubts), she eventually accepted.

Yim played volleyball for two years at Virginia Union University before transferring to Marymount University. Yim excelled at college, took several honors classes, and ended up graduating with a 3.45 GPA. That’s not too shabby for someone who never thought she would even go to college.

The NXT Superstar summed up the entire experience while being interviewed by Lilian Garcia,

ALSO READ: 5 Things You Might Not Know About NXT UK Superstar Rhea Ripley

#3. She is terrified of public speaking

In her recent Chasing Glory appearance, Mia Yim revealed that she is terrified of public speaking. That may come as a shock to wrestling fans who watch Yim excel weekly on NXT, but none the less Yim revealed the following,

While Yim has made strides with stuttering, she still struggles with speaking publicly,

Yim also revealed that she isn’t comfortable doing interviews,

ALSO READ: 5 Things You Need to Know About Ruby Riott

#2. Shelton Benjamin was there for her during domestic abuse

Mia Yim suffered through a terribly abusive relationship. Now free from the clutches of her abuser, Yim opened up about her past struggles. She was often beaten, cheated on, tied up, and even locked in a closet. Her significant other did everything in his power to limit Yim’s contact with friends and family.

One such friend was WWE Superstar Shelton Benjamin, whom Yim refers to as her “big brother.” Yim and Benjamin are friends to this day and often jokingly chide one another via social media, but their friendship has deep roots. Benjamin supported Yim during one of the most difficult times of her life,

Yim then sent Benjamin a long text, letting him know that the two could no longer be friends. Benjamin respectfully backed off but knew something was up. Still, the WWE Superstar would randomly text Yim to let her know that he was still there for her. He not only offered Yim a plane ticket but even opened his home to her.

Eventually, something clicked with Yim and she came to the understanding that what she was enduring could in no way be love. One day, she broke out of the closet she was regularly locked in but found herself being choked on a bed with a towel. She fought back and finally left.

A tearful Yim opened up to Lilian Garcia about what was going through her mind during that final struggle,

#1. WWE’s early rejection devastated & motivated her

Mia Yim’s road to WWE was paved with many twists and turns. Having been prepped by The Dudleys for her WWE tryout, Yim was certain to make an impact in the company. Yim believed WWE was her destiny, but it would come later than she had hoped.

Yim opened up to Lilian Garcia about her first WWE tryout,

Yim describes the rejection as devastating and even thought about quitting professional wrestling. Ultimately, Yim used the rejection as motivation and set new goals for herself. She developed her character, traveled the world, and went to Impact Wrestling where she excelled as Knockouts Champion.

Yim competed in two Mae Young Classics before being signed by WWE. It was the fans, who prompted Triple H to finally sign her. After Yim’s second Mae Young Classic, fans chanted, “Sign Mia!” Triple H happily obliged and the rest is history.

(Transcription Credit: Michael McClead, Sportskeeda)

Readers may watch Lilian Garcia’s interview with Mia Yim in its entirety below:

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