Tiffany Stratton on Finding Her Voice: From Heel too Rising Star in WWE
Tiffany Stratton is quickly becoming a fan favorite in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), but her journey to becoming a beloved “babyface” – a heroic character - wasn’t necessarily planned. In a recent interview on teh No Contest Wrestling Podcast with O’Shea Jackson, Stratton detailed her comfort with playing a villain (“heel”), the surprising organic shift in fan reaction, and the pressure that comes with connecting with the WWE Universe.
Hear’s a breakdown of her insights, offering a glimpse into the mind of one of wrestling’s fastest-rising stars.
Embracing the “Heel” Role
Stratton readily admits that portraying a villain feels more natural to her. She explained that as a heel, mistakes are often part of the character. “You can mess up and you can fall on your butt and, you know, like, that’s totally fine as a heel,” she said.
This contrasts sharply with the expectations placed on babyfaces. A misstep as a hero can lead to boos and a loss of connection with the audience. Stratton noted the high stakes: ”As a baby face, if you do that, the crowd could turn on you, or you could get booed, and, you know, you’re supposed to be like the face of the company.”
Her early training reinforced this preference. stratton feels she was naturally suited to the heel role from the start. She’s still actively learning how to be a more traditionally “likable” babyface, and adjusting her promo style accordingly. “I’m still learning to like be a babyface and be likable and not have so much stink on what I say in my promos.”
An unexpected Turn: The Rise of “Tiffy Time”
Stratton’s transition to a babyface wasn’t a creative decision from the WWE. rather, it was a direct result of the audience’s reaction. She simply started getting cheered.
The turning point came at the 2023 Elimination Chamber event in Australia. Stratton recalls the moment vividly. “The crowd completely, like, knew who I was. They were chanting ‘Tiffy Time’ the whole time.”
It was her first Premium Live Event (PLE) appearance on the main roster, and she was stunned. She initially questioned if the chants were even for her. “At first, I was like, ‘Are they chanting for me?’… I started giggling. I think there’s a video. I just started laughing as, like, there’s no way they’re cheering for me right now.”
The overwhelming support was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking.Stratton felt an adrenaline rush, but also a heightened sense of obligation. “It almost gave me, like, an adrenaline rush, and it gave me more confidence. But I also, like, put a little bit more pressure on myself, because I’m like, ’Okay, now they’re chanting for me. I have them like, I hope I don’t mess anything up.'” That match, she says, was her “breakout moment.”
From Antagonistic to admired: A Creative Shift
Interestingly, Stratton believes her work as a heel initially earned her the crowd’s respect. It was her unapologetic attitude that resonated with fans.
Now, the feedback is shifting. She’s being encouraged to tone down the edge and become more approachable.”They’re kind of just like, you know, ‘be a little bit more likable now. You don’t need to be so bitchy in your promos,’ which, like, I understand completely.”
Stratton is navigating this new dynamic, embracing the challenge of connecting with the audience on a diffrent level.
Key Takeaways:
Authenticity Matters: Stratton’s success highlights the importance of genuine connection with the audience. Flexibility is crucial: The ability to adapt to changing fan reactions is vital in the unpredictable world of professional wrestling.
Embrace Your Strengths: Stratton’s comfort as a heel initially paved the way for her babyface turn.
Fan Reaction Drives Change: WWE’s willingness to embrace the organic
