Mariah May’s Journey from Accountancy to AEW Champion

One big thing: AEW’s newest Women’s World Champion, Mariah May, reveals her unconventional path to professional wrestling stardom.

Why it matters: May’s story highlights the diverse backgrounds of pro wrestlers and the global nature of the industry, showcasing how determination can lead to success in unexpected ways.

The details:

• May initially worked in accountancy after leaving school, despite her desire to wrestle.
• The U.K.’s limited wrestling scene made it challenging to find training and work opportunities.
• She eventually found a reliable training facility, initially aiming for mainstream American TV.
• May’s interests shifted to Japanese wrestling, particularly STARDOM.

The journey:

• Spent four years on the English independent wrestling scene.
• Debuted in STARDOM in early 2023.
• Won the Goddesses of Stardom tag team championship with Mina Shirakawa.
• Transitioned to AEW, defeating Toni Storm for the Women’s World Championship at All In.

Key quote:

“I just wanted to be a wrestler, and then when I left school I actually worked in accountancy,” May said on Barstool’s “Rasslin'” podcast. “I still really wanted to wrestle, but obviously in the U.K., it’s not as big. It’s harder to find places to train and to actually just work.”

The big picture:

May’s rapid rise from accountancy to STARDOM to AEW champion demonstrates the evolving landscape of professional wrestling, where talent can emerge from unexpected places and achieve global success.

What do you think about Mariah May’s journey to becoming AEW Women’s World Champion? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts on her unique path to wrestling stardom.