When we talk about professional wrestling, we rarely use the term “rookie,” at least in comparison to more traditional sports. On the surface, it would seem odd to group Victor Wembanyama, Paul Skenes or Connor Bedard together with Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes or Ilja Dragunov.

In wrestling parlance, “rookie” isn’t even the term for an inexperienced hand. “Greenhorn” — or simply “green” — is the more commonly used phrase in and around the business.

When it comes to Tiffany Stratton — one of WWE’s hottest rookies — “green” certainly doesn’t fit. No, we’re all watching as everything Stratton touches in her first year on WWE’s main roster turns an obnoxious, vibrant, refreshing shade of pink.

A former gymnast, Jessica Woynilko doesn’t have a romantic story about her entry into the world of professional wrestling. There weren’t meet-and-greets with stars of yesteryear or hours upon hours spent watching WWE events growing up. Wrestling wasn’t even Woynilko’s first option when she decided to stop her gymnastics pursuit after seven top-10 finishes (four top-five) in national competitions in the late 2010s.

“I knew what wrestling was because my brother and my dad used to watch it,” Woynilko told Uncrowned. “There was a moment where I was flipping through the channels and 'SmackDown' was on. I saw Charlotte Flair and I immediately related to her. My mom always said it was something I could totally do and was up my alley.”

Woynilko’s mom continued to nudge her daughter, putting her in contact with Greg Gagne, son of legendary AWA promoter Verne Gagne. Gagne, who was born into the business, took Woynilko on as a student and prepared her for a tryout with WWE.

Wrestling was more of a “why not” endeavor than a dream at the time for Woynilko.

“[Gagne] agreed to get me tryout but I had to train first, he wouldn’t let me try out without rolling, bumping, and running the ropes,” Woynilko said. “I trained for quite some time, then COVID hit. Eventually I got invited back, tried out, and they signed me like a week later.”

Woynilko was announced as part of WWE’s six-member 2021 recruiting class, of which she was the only woman. Of her class, Woynilko and Joseph Fatu (AKA Solo Sikoa) are the only two from that class who are on WWE’s main roster. The pressure of being the only woman in her class at the WWE Performance Center — and not having a traditional or familial wrestling background — created a relatively difficult environment for Woynilko as she broke into the industry.

“I didn’t really have many friends,” Woynilko admitted. “No one was really like, ‘Oh my God, let’s be friends with the new girl.’ The guys in my recruitment class weren’t jumping to be my friend either. It was definitely hard, but then a new signing class came and a new signing class and eventually I made friends.”

Woynilko debuted on NXT, WWE’s de facto developmental promotion, late in 2021, using the ring name Tiffany Stratton. Her character — imagine WWE’s version of Regina George — was an instant heel, but also a major change from what many of her NXT peers were doing at the time. She got an additional boost from the relatively recent rebranding of NXT to “NXT 2.0,” which traded in the original black and gold color scheme for something more Lisa Frank-esque.

“I feel like my character is refreshing in a way,” Stratton said. “Women in wrestling now and when I first got into it were gothic and black, dark colors, piercings, tattoos. That was the general vibe of the women. I was so lucky because I was brought in during the 2.0 era and no one was really doing [what my look is] in NXT, so why don’t I just be something completely opposite what everyone else is doing?”

Stratton made a name for herself in NXT over the next two years, managing to capture the NXT Women’s Championship and, in January of this year, became one of the only two NXT brand representatives in the women’s Royal Rumble match. During her run Stratton admits there were moments of doubt, but she never visibly faltered — due in part to the protection her character affords her.

“Back in NXT, there were a couple of times where I wondered to myself, 'What am I doing?'” Stratton said. “I had moments where I said, 'I have no idea what I am doing,' or, 'Who am I?' I feel like you never really could tell. I’ve always been very good at masking those moments.”

Stratton’s official call up to "SmackDown" came in February — kicking off her WWE “rookie” year — and she was immediately thrust into an Elimination Chamber match at the Elimination Chamber premium live event that same month in Perth, Australia. Stratton shared the ring with Becky Lynch, Naomi, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, making her by-far the most inexperienced wrestler in the match.

“It was all very new and nerve wracking at first,” Stratton said. “I was kind of thrown into things and told to either sink or swim, and usually I am very good in those high-pressure moments. Obviously I swam and it’s been amazing. I’m super grateful.”

Stratton inevitably lost the Elimination Chamber match, meaning she would not get a championship opportunity at WrestleMania, but since then, the 25-year-old star has had the proverbial rocket strapped to her back. She got a WWE Women’s Championship opportunity against Bayley and Naomi at Backlash: France in May and then — in her biggest break yet — won the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match in July, securing a guaranteed championship match any time, any place.

Kayfabe implications aside, entrusting the Money in the Bank briefcase to Stratton is an indicator of the trust WWE brass have in the young star. She’s rewarded that trust by exhibiting an understanding of the business beyond the ropes disproportionate with her level of experience — even putting her own spin on the briefcase itself.

“I’m always getting new gear, that’s like my favorite part of wrestling,” Stratton said. “I’m always coming up with new ideas and things that I can have in the WWE shop. One example is that I want to start wearing more headbands and have a different color one for every gear combination. You can never have too many ideas.

“I am a girly girl to my core. It definitely helps that I am that in real life and I stand out because of that. When [I tagged with Rhea Ripley recently], I made sure to wear bright pink just so people could see the opposites there. I think people love that dynamic.”

Saturday at WWE's Crown Jewel event, Stratton gets her best opportunity yet to cash in and capture her first major championship on the main roster. Although she’s not directly involved in the champion-versus-champion match between Nia Jax and Liv Morgan, Stratton’s increasingly uneasy on-screen alliance with Jax has been building toward a climax we may see sooner rather than later.

It’s another sink-or-swim moment in a young career defined by them.

“Of course I feel pressure, I’m on the verge of winning a title,” Stratton said. “However, I wouldn’t be in this position if people didn’t think that I was worthy or had the skills to be in this position. If they have confidence in me — I have this briefcase for a reason — I’m going to have confidence in myself.”

Should Stratton cash in on Jax — all signs point to this being the case — it’ll be a full-circle moment for the two women.

While their on-screen relationship is rocky, at best, Jax was one of Stratton’s first friends after her call-up in February. Jax and Stratton were neighbors on the nearly 20-hour charter flight to Australia for Elimination Chamber and their friendship “bloomed” from that.

“She sat next to me and immediately we clicked, bonded, made TikToks,” Stratton said. “We travel together now, stay in the same hotel room, we’re basically attached at the hip. I love her so much, she’s guided me through everything and given me advice. She’s been amazing to me.”

Jax, a two-time WWE Women’s Champion and veteran of the industry, has also imparted some wisdom on Stratton, reminding her to soak in the moments which can often be fleeting in the world of professional wrestling.

“Nia always tells me to be in the moment and not take this rookie year for granted,” Stratton said. “Embrace it all because it’s going to get hard, eventually you’re going to get sick of wrestling, you are going to get sick of traveling. Embrace your rookie year and love it right now.

“I would say I am pretty good at understanding and realizing where I am in my career, to have fun and not take it too seriously.”

No woman who has held the Money in the Bank briefcase has failed in their cash-in attempt, meaning Stratton’s eventual moment will be historic, one way or another. It’s also an event fans absolutely adore, as the teasing finally pays off with a sudden potential championship change. Stratton has proven in less than a year on WWE’s main roster that she’s up for the challenge, and that sooner or later …

It’s going to be Tiffy’s Time.