Kiana James, a rising star in the WWE, made a significant life change by leaving her corporate job to pursue a career in professional wrestling. At just 28 years old, James decided to follow her passion for wrestling, enrolling at Flatbacks Wrestling School in Forest City, Florida, founded by wrestling veterans Shawn Spears and Tyler Breeze.
“I come from a corporate background,” James told Us Weekly. Her transition from a stable job in corporate America to the unpredictable world of wrestling was not taken lightly. “I fell in love with wrestling and quit my job to train,” she explained, emphasizing her determination to succeed in this new arena.
James is clear about her commitment to her wrestling career, stating, “I have an education and a career to fall back on, but I never thought about falling back. I was going to become a WWE superstar and I was going to put the work in until that happened.” This mindset reflects her dedication and the extensive preparation she has undertaken.
Her journey into wrestling is rooted in a lifetime of performance. James, who previously excelled as a competitive gymnast and dancer in college, finds that her diverse experiences blend seamlessly into her wrestling career. “I have love for the energy of a crowd,” she shared. “The acrobatics, the athleticism, the competition, it just blends it all.”
James’ decision to pursue wrestling came with the full support of her husband, Zach Klingensmith. The couple married in January 2022, and Klingensmith was quick to back her ambitions. “I decided, ‘Hey, I want to be a WWE superstar,’ and he was like, ‘Well, it seems like Florida is the place to do it,’” she recalled. Klingensmith left his job and moved to Orlando to support her dream, demonstrating their strong partnership.
After making her main roster debut on an episode of Raw in June 2024, James faced a setback when she suffered a leg injury, sidelining her for over a year. Despite this challenge, she recently achieved a significant milestone by winning a pivotal match against established wrestlers Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax. This victory earned her a spot in the upcoming women’s Elimination Chamber match, where she will compete alongside prominent names such as Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Asuka, Rhea Ripley, and Raquel Rodriguez.
Scheduled to take place on February 28, 2024, at the United Center in Chicago, the Elimination Chamber match presents a significant opportunity for James. She expressed her readiness, saying, “I always like to say, ‘Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.’” James acknowledged the unique challenges of the Chamber, stating, “It gets me excited. I think my competitive edge is my mind and my strategic ways of thinking.”
To prepare, she has been studying past Elimination Chamber matches, analyzing strategies and techniques from both men’s and women’s competitions. “I could take from that or that’s really cool,” she noted, showcasing her proactive approach to mastering the sport.
As the date approaches, anticipation builds for James’ performance in the Elimination Chamber, where a title match at WrestleMania 42 is on the line. With her determination and strategic mindset, Kiana James is poised to make a lasting impact in the world of professional wrestling.