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When it comes to being a professional wrestler, the WWE is highest you can go.

It's a billion dollar business with millions of viewers all around the world - and making it in the business can even be a passport to Hollywood stardom.

Just ask ex-WWE star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who's just become the highest paid actor in history.

And now, a 23-year-old woman from the south Wales Valleys is on her own climb to the top off the WWE mountain.

Steffanie Newell - better know by her wrestling name Tegan Nox - is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the brightest young prospects in wrestling.

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

Appearing in the ring draped in the Welsh flag, Steffanie, from Bargoed, recently took part in the Mae Young Classic tournament and also appeared on episodes of the third brand, NXT.

She's not the only young Welsh athlete breaking into WWE. Last year, we told the story of the former Cardiff pupil making it big . And this is what life is like inside the world of Welsh wrestling .

From the Rhymney Valley to the WWE

Unlike many wrestlers, Steffanie was not always aiming to be a sports entertainer when she was growing up, despite being a big fan.

She played football for local teams and had trials for both Cardiff City and the Welsh national team. She also played tag rugby and netball.

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

But when she was 13, a knee injury ended up costing her a place on the Wales Under-16 team. When she finally turned 16, she gave up football, with the aim of taking a long break from all sports.

But this proved to be the beginning of her WWE journey.

After joining a professional wrestling school in Port Talbot, she began training under Dave Stewart and “Wild Boar” Mike Hitchman.

Five years on, the Welsh ace began to make a name for herself, performing all over the UK for promotions such as Attack! Pro Wrestling, Fight Club: Pro, Progress and What Culture Pro Wrestling.

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

According to the Cagematch , an online wrestling database that tracks the performance of athletes, she has an average rating of more than 8/10.

And as well as listing her previous exotic range of performance names - Nixon, Nixon Newell, Miss Ruby, Luchadora The Explorer - the site also allows fans to leave reviews. And they are absolutely glowing in her case.

Billy Fox said: "One of the best UK female talents ever produced in my opinion, and she's only 22. Her and Toni Storm are probably my two favorite British Commonwealth wrestlers active right now."

Another, "The MIB", added: "It’s ridiculous how much potential Nixon Newell has. She’s one of the most versatile wrestlers around today, and at such a young age, she still has plenty to go.

"She’s equally comfortable wrestling big men as she is with female wrestlers, and she’s both a great seller, and someone who can pick up the pace and amaze crowds with her agile moves.

"She can go anywhere she wants to and make an impact."

Her talent didn't go unnoticed - she quickly came to the attention of the WWE.

Battling with her knees

Anyone who thinks wrestlers are not real fighters needs to take a look at Steffanie.

Since her WWE debut, her main battle has been outside the ring - with her recurrent knee issues.

In April 2017, it was reported that she had signed a contract with WWE with plans to take part in the 2017 Mae Young Classic (a women-only tournament run by the company).

(Image: Steffanie Newell - Instagram)

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

Devastatingly, she was forced to withdraw before the tournament had even began after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament.

Unperturbed, she took on the gruelling year-long rehabilitation, returning to the ring on April 13, 2018, at an NXT live event.

It seemed like she hadn't missed a beat during her time off and she put in some incredible displays during this year's Mae Young Classic.

This good form was derailed in August when she suffered yet another knee injury after advancing to the quarter-finals.

After this latest setback she said: "This is not how I planned to finish the Mae Young Classic in any shape or form but the last two days have been the best experience of my life, despite the obvious!

"My match with Rhea was something I've wanted for a while because, damn that girl is talented (even if she is very moody).

"Freak accidents happen, it's part of the job."

(Image: WWE) (Image: WWE)

Steffanie, whose in-ring character is know as "The Girl with the Shiniest Wizard", added that she had received incredible support following the injury.

"This is more mentally draining than it is physically but you can guarantee that this isn't going to keep me down!

"I have the best friends and support system a girl could ask for.

"I worked so hard for over a year to be able to compete in this year's Mae Young Classic so you know for a fact I am fighting back stronger than ever.

"Every message I've received tonight has been absolutely overwhelming. The fact that my hospital room was full of people really warms my heart and honestly means the absolute world to me.

"I said it before and I will say it again: everything happens for a reason, so no matter what the full extent of this injury is I'll be back and I'll be shinier than ever."

She followed this statement with the Welsh flag emoji.

Despite the current injury she is loving her career

A quick glance at her social media reveals how much this Welsh woman is loving her new career.

It's not just wrestling that is a passion - she also loves dogs.

(Image: Steffanie Newell - Instagram)

Despite all this success, she still manages to regularly keep in touch with home.

Women in wrestling

If you were only familiar with wrestling from watching WWE (which was then known as WWF) in the late 1990s then you probably have quite a negative view of the role of women in the industry.

Back then, as a female performer, there was a good chance that at some point you will have taken part in a “bra and panties match” or had to kiss a pensioner as part of a story.

Even within the last few years the women’s title was actually called “The Divas Title” - hardly the mark of an industry from this century.

But this is changing very fast and Tegan Nox is part of a generation of women riding a wave of change within the industy.

The Divas Title is now the Women’s Championship. Women now headline major pay-per-views, with the show Evolution next month marking the first ever women-only show of that type.

They no longer do this based on the size of their breasts but on the merits of their athleticism, ability to tell a story and connection with the audience.

(Image: WWE)

That doesn't mean there aren't still issues. Top female talent are still paid less than their male equivalents and the company will soon be taking part in a show in Saudi Arabia, where women are not allowed to perform.

However there is a general acceptance that the world's biggest wrestling company is heading in the right direction.

Wrestling in Wales

Wrestling in Wales is thriving. Not only are events regularly selling out in the Welsh capital but other Welsh wrestlers are making a mark on the global stage.

University of Wales graduate Daniel Jones has recently moved to Japan to follow his career .

Former Cardiff High School pupil Mark Andrews is also in the WWE with Tegan and his often seen on the programming.

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This kind of momentum can snowball and it is possible that, thanks to the likes of trailblazer Tegan Nox and her compatriots, in the future there could even be a Welsh faction appearing on the grandest wrestling stage of all.

You can follow Tegan Nox on Instagram here.