'I wanted to be a dancer - now I'm a WWE star'

Isla Dawn, a talented WWE wrestler, has captured the hearts of many fans with her incredible performances in the ring. Recently, she celebrated a significant victory at an event called Clash at the Castle, where she won a prestigious title. Despite her success and the cheers from her fans, Isla faces a humorous challenge at home – her nephews refuse to watch her matches. 'They won't watch me,' she laughs. 'They'll watch anyone else, but when it comes to Auntie Coco, they just skip through my matches! ' While her nephews may not be her biggest supporters, Isla has a strong connection with her fans around the world. Winning the tag team titles in 2024 was a dream come true for her, especially because her family was there to witness the moment. 'Winning a title in WWE is something every wrestler dreams of, but having my family in the audience made it even more special,' she explains. 'I remember seeing them in the second row, and it was such a nice moment since they don't get to see me wrestle often. My sister even cried when we won, and my brother-in-law took a picture of her, which is now the cover photo for our family group chat! ' Isla Dawn began her wrestling career in the smaller NXT promotion before making her way to WWE. Alongside her tag team partner, Alba Fyre, she held the tag team titles for an impressive 77 days before losing them to former champions. Now, with WWE expanding its programs, Isla is excited about reaching new audiences. Growing up in Balornock, Glasgow, Isla was inspired by legendary wrestlers from the early 2000s, such as Trish Stratus and Lita. 'I loved the matches, but what really drew me in were the characters and the stories they told,' she shares. 'Wrestling is like acting, and I was captivated by the big personalities and the performances. ' Although Isla had a passion for performing in acting and dance classes, she didn't consider wrestling until later in her life. While studying acting at Langside College, she participated in a play about professional wrestling. Her uncle, who had connections in the wrestling world, introduced her to local wrestlers like Big Damo and Nikki Cross, who encouraged her to pursue wrestling. 'They became like my wrestling family, guiding me and telling me I would be good at it,' she recalls. Since then, Isla has been wrestling across Scotland and eventually signed with WWE in 2018. She moved to Florida to continue her wrestling journey, and she is not alone in this adventure. Many other Scottish wrestlers, including Piper Niven and her mentor Nikki Cross, are also part of WWE, and they support each other. Isla enjoys sharing her Scottish culture with her friends in WWE, especially through her baking. 'I'm a great baker, and I love making tablet, a traditional Scottish sweet. I share it with everyone whenever I can,' she says. Moving from Glasgow to Florida was a significant change for Isla, but she credits her family for their unwavering support. 'My family has always been my biggest supporters, whether it's in acting, dancing, or any of my hobbies,' she explains. 'When I moved to America, it was my first time living alone, and I don't know if I could have done it without their encouragement. Knowing that I have a room waiting for me at home or that my dad will pick me up from the airport means the world to me. ' While Isla portrays a villainous character in the ring, her real-life personality is quite different. 'My wrestling persona is an exaggerated version of myself,' she explains. 'I take bits of my personality and amplify them for the character. The best wrestlers are the ones who are true to themselves, like Drew McIntyre or others. I think that's how you connect with the audience – just be yourself and turn it up a notch. ' Isla is eagerly looking forward to returning to Scotland for a major event in March. She knows that the fans in Glasgow are some of the most passionate and energetic in the world. 'I hope that when I come back, there will be a young girl in the audience who dreams of becoming a wrestler,' she says. 'When I started watching WWE, it felt so far away, like a different world. I want to show that there is a path to achieving your dreams, whether it's wrestling, acting, singing, or starting your own business. It's never too far away if you believe in yourself and work hard.