Congratulations to WWE star Masai Russell

WWE star and NIL athlete Masai Russell recently achieved a major accolade outside the world of professional wrestling. Russell is a member of the Triple H-led promotion's inaugural NIL program.

World Wrestling Entertainment started the NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) program in December 2021 to provide an opportunity for college athletes to start a career in professional wrestling and find 'Next In Line' WWE Superstars. The program also gives the athletes the ability to monetize their name, image, and likeness.

Congratulations are in order now, as NIL athlete Masai Russell has captured gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Russell won the medal in the women's 100m hurdles with a time of 12.33 seconds, which was just 0.01 seconds faster than the runner-up, Cyréna Samba-Mayela.

Although Masai Russell has been signed with WWE's NIL program since 2021, she is yet to make her debut in the Stamford-based promotion.

Meanwhile, another athlete from this program, Gable Steveson, debuted in World Wrestling Entertainment in 2021 and was then drafted to RAW. However, he made his in-ring debut at the NXT Great American Bash against Baron Corbin in 2023. He made a few appearances since but was eventually released in May 2024.

It will be interesting to see if Masai Russell will make her professional wrestling debut in the Triple H-led promotion soon.