Ex-WWE Star Sharmell Reveals Influence of Her Dancing Background on Wrestling Career

Former WWE superstar and wife of Booker T, Sharmell may not have followed the traditional path to professional wrestling. Still, her background as a dancer provided valuable preparation for her career in the ring.

Before starting her run in WCW in late 1998, Booker T’s Queen enjoyed a career in professional dance, including over three years working with the legendary James Brown. In a conversation with McKenzie Mitchell on Threads, Sharmell revealed her dance career had a huge influence on her wrestling.

Sharmell stated that all aspects of dance, such as timing, rhythm, footwork and choreography, contributed to her wrestling an opponent inside the ring, and she brought all her dance learnings into professional wrestling.

“All of it. [Laughs] Dance is choreography, timing, rhythm, and you need all of that in the ring with your opponent. Timing is key, rhythm is key, so they’re very similar. You always hear the boys say, ‘This is not ballet,’ and it is not. It definitely is not, but there is a certain rhythm and flow that dancers follow. It’s like when football players take ballet to get that rhythm, that footwork, and to be light on their feet. So I did bring all of that into wrestling.”

Advertising

Advertising

Sharmell’s dance background proved useful when she joined WCW as ‘Storm’ with the Nitro Girls dance troupe. As the dancers began participating in storylines, she transitioned to the role of ‘Paisley,’ becoming the valet for The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea.

In 2005, Sharmell began working alongside her husband, Booker T, in wrestling. The following year, she adopted the title of ‘Queen’ after Booker’s victory in the King of the Ring tournament.

The 6-time World Champion was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 and again in 2019, while Sharmell was announced to be inducted in 2022, standing proudly by her husband’s side among the list of legends with her dancing career building the foundation for her wrestling accolades.

What are your thoughts on Sharmell revealing her dancing background’s huge influence on her wrestling career? Sound off in the comments!