Izzy Dame’s Journey from Volleyball to WWE Champion

Before making a splash as WWE NXT star Izzy Dame, known as the Women’s North American Champion, she had quite an athletic background—one that included spiking a volleyball in competition.

Dame, whose real name is Frankie Strefling, played collegiate volleyball for the Eastern Michigan Eagles. She pursued her career internationally, playing professionally until 2022 when she decided to join WWE and venture into professional wrestling.

In a recent conversation on a podcast, she discussed her early days in WWE and shared insights about her career journey in an interview.

Dame recounted a pivotal moment when she was in Cyprus, taking a break from volleyball. She initially thought a WWE recruitment message was a scam, and she found it hard to believe that WWE would be interested in someone like her, “an old man in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.” But to her surprise, the message was legitimate. WWE eventually brought her to Nashville, leading her to make the tough choice to break her existing contract in Cyprus, which resulted in a ten-year ban from playing there.

She reflected, “It’s a little dramatic, but yeah, you can’t play there! However, I don’t think we’re going back to volleyball anytime soon. Things are going well here.”

Many NXT wrestlers share a similar story—coming through the recruitment process without prior wrestling experience. Dame took the opportunity, believing there was more to offer beyond athletics. “Being from a big family and being abroad by myself led me to realize that there was something inside me that said, ‘You deserve more.’ Volleyball showcased my athleticism, but I felt I had more to give,” she explained.

She further articulated how WWE provided a unique blend of public speaking, performing, and athleticism, prompting her to pursue this path. “Why not? My family can come visit, and I can’t travel the world non-stop anymore. It seemed like the ideal opportunity,” she added.

Having secured the Women’s North American Championship at New Year’s Evil in 2026, Dame expressed her desire to elevate the title’s significance over the next six months to a year. She aims to redefine the perception of female wrestlers, breaking away from stereotypes. “I hope to give my name and this title meaning,” she stated, indicating her ambition to establish her identity more clearly in the wrestling world.

Dame wants to see herself as more than just a “blonde heel.” She emphasized the importance of distinct character work within the wrestling industry. “I know I won’t be doing flips like some, but I want to develop my character in ways that make me stand apart from the rest,” she noted.

As the face of a faction known as the Culling, she has relied on experience and guidance from veteran wrestler Shawn Spears. “Sean has been a mentor throughout this journey, helping me navigate both in and outside the ring,” she acknowledged, emphasizing the challenging nature of the industry and the importance of patience.

With her newfound role as champion, Dame is keen on bringing stability to the title, which has changed hands multiple times since its creation. She stated, “I really want to keep this title for myself—not just for me, but to give it some depth and meaning.”

Looking ahead, Dame plans to be strategic about title matches, contrasting herself with previous champions who were more generous with opportunities. “Not everyone can have a chance. It’s time to decide who is worthy of challenging me,” she concluded, highlighting her commitment to carve out her legacy in WWE.