WWE: Nikki Cross is Chasing a PhD in History

When fans think of WWE life, they picture travel days, bruises, bright lights, and the kind of schedule that laughs at the word “sleep.” That’s why Nikki Cross’ latest milestone hits different: the former Raw Women’s Champion has been putting in serious work off-camera—finishing her master’s degree in history, and pushing forward toward a PhD.

This isn’t a “fun side hobby” announcement. It’s a long-term commitment that takes discipline—exactly the kind of trait wrestling fans already associate with Cross. Multiple outlets have reported that Cross completed her master’s and has said she’s working toward a PhD with an expected completion year of 2029.

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Graduation from MSc Masters in History June 2023.

Haha really holding that scroll tight,I mean knowledge is power 😊

Working towards PhD, set for completion in 2029.

The third picture shows my current morning with a box of Kleenex for the tears 😂😅 and of course, coffee ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NkT7BgGTW4

— Nikki Cross (@WWENikkiCross) May 10, 2024

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Nikki Cross + Grad School: The Part Fans Don’t Always See

The public version of a WWE Superstar is the entrance music and the match card. The private version is early flights, rehab, media, training, and constant adaptation. What makes Cross’s academic path stand out is how she’s done it while staying active in a demanding entertainment-sports ecosystem.

Cageside Seats noted that Cross attended the University of Edinburgh remotely while working full-time, and that her dissertation focused on women’s wrestling—treating it as a serious subject worthy of academic attention.

That detail matters. A dissertation topic like that isn’t random—it’s an extension of lived experience, reframed through research. It’s also a reminder that the stories inside wrestling—women’s eras, gatekeeping, global scenes, cultural shifts—are history, too.

Why This Matters For WWE Fans (And Sports Fans in General)

For a lot of people, athletes and performers get boxed into one lane: “You’re great at that thing, so stay there.” Nikki Cross’ academic grind challenges that stereotype.

It also adds texture to the way fans talk about legacy. Titles and moments matter, but so does impact. Pursuing a PhD—especially in a field like history—signals that Cross is thinking about context, origins, and the long arc of storytelling. Wrestling is built on storytelling. History is, too.

The “Dr. Nikki Cross” Timeline

If things stay on track, Cross could be finishing her PhD in 2029—opening the door to a future where WWE (and the wider sports world) might literally be calling her “Doctor.”

Whether or not she ever puts that title on a graphic, the pursuit itself is the headline: it’s ambition with patience.

The Bigger Message: Being Multidimensional Isn’t a Gimmick

A lot of fans love “real” moments—announcements that feel human, not scripted. This one lands because it’s aspirational in a grounded way. A master’s degree completed. A PhD in progress. A timeline shared. No flashy over-sell—just work.

And for anyone balancing a job, family, training, or chaos: it’s a reminder that progress can be slow and still be real.

Call to action: Follow me on Instagram @LandonBuford for more WWE and sports culture stories.