WWE News: Mae Young Classic wrestler opens up about her father's death two months prior to her WWE tryout

What’s the story?

Lacey Evans (Macey Estrella), a competitor in the Mae Young Classic recently discussed her tough upbringing and her dream of making it to the WWE. Evans, 27, like so many others, dreamed of making it big in the WWE, but not for the same reasons as most people.

She is using her love of professional wrestling as a platform to share her story.

Growing up in a house ripe with addiction, eventually led Evans to battle her own demons, but her journey now acts as fuel to power an unmatched work ethic and keep her focused on her goals.

In case you didn’t know…

Evans is one of seven children who grew up in a household where both parents were addicts. She states that her mother left when she was 10, leaving the children to be raised by her father who also struggled with addiction and depression.

Evans spent the majority of her childhood moving from state to state in the southern U.S. often carving out a life in questionable surroundings, including at a few points living in tents.

The details

Lacey Evans’s father fatally overdosed a mere two months prior to her WWE tryout. In her own words:

“My biggest thing, and he didn’t make it. He didn’t make it to any graduation I’ve ever had. Not high school. Not college. Not the Marine Corps. I’ve done big things and he never made it to one.”

Evans explains that staying busy is what helped keep her away from addiction, she was active in sports, including wrestling, held a job, and joined the Marines at 19. While in the military she earned a nursing degree and served on the Special Reaction Team in the military police.

What's next?

The Mae Young Classic tournament is currently being telecast on the WWE Network and the final of the event will be held on September 12, 2017.

Author’s Take

Lacey Evans’s story is the textbook example of hard work paying off. Through her motivation and focus, she was able to achieve success, even in the face of such strong odds. Every story can have a happy ending, but it is up to the main character to make it happen.