5 WWE Superstars discovered in the most surprising of places

WWE Superstars can come in all shapes and sizes, from huge towering monsters like the Big Show, to diminutive pint-size powerhouses like Alexa Bliss.

Over the years, the company has hosted a range of talents from various backgrounds, though every single person who joined came with the goal of being the next big Superstar.

For some, the journey to wrestling was relatively simple, with many stars like Bret 'Hitman' Hart and Eddie Guerrero practically born to be wrestlers due to their families.

For others, the road was long and arduous, though thankfully culminated in working for the biggest promotion in the entire world.

And then there are some Superstars, who got their biggest breaks from the most unlikely of methods.

Here are five WWE Superstars who were discovered in the most surprising of places.

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#5 Ali: Policeman

Ali had a great start to his time on SmackDown Live, feuding with then WWE Champion Daniel Bryan.

In the latest WWE NEWS, though Ali may be riding high as one of SmackDown Live’s newest and brightest stars, things weren’t always so easy for the 33-year-old.

Long before joining the WWE in 2016, the Cruiserweight was busy tackling criminals on the streets of Chicago.

During an interview with ESPN, the SmackDown star revealed just how difficult this was, as he had to juggle shifts on the force with managing bookings on the indie scene.

After four years as a cop, Ali’s big break would come when Brazil’s Zumbi was forced to pull out of the Cruiserweight classic

Needing a replacement, Ali’s name came up, and the company were very impressed with his commitment to both his job and the tournament, choosing to sign him to a contract not long after.

#4 Nia Jax: Plus Size Modelling

Jax is currently out with an injury, and could miss the rest of this year.

Whilst being related to The Rock Is never a bad thing, it wasn’t her connection to the Brahma Bull that got Nia Jax a role in WWE.

Before entering the squared circle, Jax made a name for herself as an athlete at high school, and later as a plus-size model.

Being talked into the role by a judge at a fashion show, Jax battled self-conscious thoughts about her body, but later participated in several bikini shoots, helping her to grow in confidence.

After this, the future RAW Women’s Champion looked at other ventures to show her new confidence self, and it wouldn’t be long until she started at Afa of the Wild Samoan’s wrestling school.

And though she still receives more than her share of idiotic comments from fans about her appearance, it’s clear that Jax is confident about her appearance.

#3 Bianca Belair: CrossFit

Bianca Belair has been onf of NXT's most impressive Superstars.

Bianca Belair has become one of NXT’s hottest stars in recent years, and has kept the brand’s women’s division thriving after the departures of stars like Asuka and the Four Horsewomen.

But if it had not been for the intervention of Mark Henry, Belair may never have made it to the WWE.

Scouring CrossFit profiles, the World’s Strongest Man spotted Belair’s name, and was amazed by her skill as a CrossFit showcase.

Weeks later, the former World Heavyweight Champion contacted Bianca via Twitter, asking if she’d ever considered pro wrestling.

We can’t imagine what the NXT star felt that day when she checked her DMs, and found a 400lb mastodon trying to convince her to join WWE.

Whatever Henry said, it clearly worked, as Belair quickly joined the WWE and is now one of NXT’s brightest stars.

#2 Titus O’Neil: Shoe Shopping

The first ever 24/7 Champion had a surprising start in wrestling.

Titus O’Neil’s rise to WWE sounds like something right out of a fairytale.

In 2009, the former Tag Team Champion was in need of some new shoes, and decided that Orlando’s shopping district was the place to be.

Whilst out, O’Neil remembered that WWE’s training school was nearby, a fun fact he’d learned from old friend and WWE legend Batista.

Calling the Animal, O’Neil quickly got the directions, and checked the place out to say hello.

Within weeks, the former Florida Gator was the WWE’s newest signing, and was learning to take bumps in the ring.

Less than a year later, O’Neil would debut on season 2 of the original NXT format, and though he would become a WWE Tag Team Champion in 2015, many feel his career reached a new high, or should that be low, at the Greatest Royal Rumble.

#1 The Big Show: Basketball

The Big Show has spent over 20 years in the WWE.

It probably won’t come as any surprise, but when you stand over 7-foot tall like the Big Show, you tend to be pretty good at Basketball.

In 1995, Show was still trying to break into wrestling at Larry Sharpe’s Monster Factory, but wasn’t having much luck.

Fortunately, everything changed for the giant, when he met actor Danny Bonaduce, and the Partridge Family star chose him for a special charity game.

Already a standout star at Whichita State, Show’s colossal size caught everyone’s attention, included Hulk Hogan, who was also playing.

As the event was being cross-promoted by WCW, Hogan got to know the young star, and was very impressed according to Show's interview on Stone Cold's podcast.

Not long after, WCW were in touch, and quickly signed the Giant, pushing him to the moon, by having him win the WCW World Title from the Hulkster in his first televised match, at Halloween Havoc 1995.