WWE's Tiffany Stratton Reveals Unplanned Babyface Turn, Gimmick Shift

Tiffany Stratton, the current WWE Women's Champion, initially debuted with a 'daddy's little rich girl' gimmick inspired by pop culture figures like Sharpay Evans and Paris Hilton, but WWE scrapped this character due to a lack of storyline payoff, as confirmed by NXT creative head Shawn Michaels. Stratton then evolved into the arrogant yet athletically gifted 'Buff Barbie Doll,' a persona that gained significant fan support and propelled her to the top of WWE's women's division. Her unexpected babyface turn on SmackDown was not planned by WWE but resulted from strong positive crowd reactions, particularly at the 2024 Elimination Chamber event in Australia where fans chanted for her, forcing a character shift from heel to face. Despite her success as a babyface, Stratton admits that playing a heel feels more natural and WWE has advised her to be a bit more likable in promos without completely abandoning her edge. Stratton's rivalry with Nia Jax intensified after she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Jax in January 2025, culminating in a Last Woman Standing match where Stratton retained her title, and their real-life friendship began during a flight to Australia. Overall, Stratton's career trajectory highlights a flexible adaptation to fan reactions and creative adjustments that have solidified her as a top star on WWE's main roster.