“Big E is too dominant.” “There’s no way Bo is winning that match.” “He’s good, but not that good.”

Heading into his NXT Championship Match against Big E Langston, Bo Dallas had heard it all. It seems few expected the young athlete to pull off an upset victory over NXT’s Immovable Force. Yet Bo did, in fact, achieve his goal of becoming NXT Champion while simultaneously silencing the doubters. One might think the win came as a surprise to the new champion, but a deeper look into the genetic makeup of the Brooksville, Fla., native tells another story.

Photos of Bo Dallas on NXT

Dallas’ first mainstream exposure in front of the WWE Universe was during a life-changing opportunity last January. After winning an NXT Tournament during Royal Rumble Axxess, Dallas earned himself a coveted spot in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match. Though many debuting Superstars might have buckled under the pressure, Dallas managed to last an impressive 21 minutes. Furthermore, he secured an upset elimination of Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett. His ensuing rivalry with Barrett nearly captured the Intercontinental Championship from the bare-knuckle fighter, and though Dallas came up short, he didn’t let frustration become his proverbial Achilles heel. Instead, he used the experience as motivation to work harder and surpass expectations. It’s a lesson he has learned at a very young age.

There are very few who can lay claim to as strong a family lineage of wrestling greats as Dallas. He is the grandson of WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan, the nephew of WWE Hall of Famer Barry Windham and brother, Kendall, as well as the son of former WWE Superstar Mike Rotunda (IRS). Dallas was taught by the best that nothing is given – only earned – through hard work and determination. 

When Dallas joined the ranks of WWE’s developmental system in 2008, he never lost touch of the lessons taught to him by his forefathers. Though some might suspect a Superstar with such family ties may be given the fast track to success, Dallas insisted on earning his spot the old-fashioned way. Arriving early for training and being the last one to leave became a regular occurrence while he soaked up the lessons of his trainers. Dallas embraced the ice baths to repair his wounds of battle, and endured endless hours traveling the open road because it’s what he loves. The simple opportunity to step inside the ring was payment enough for his efforts.

Just as WWE scouts began to notice Dallas’ meteoric rise, an injury nearly forced it all to slip away. In September 2011, he began experiencing increasing discomfort in his lower back. While attempting to maintain his hard work mantra, he ignored the pain and kept pushing through, until trainers finally forced him to visit a doctor. The suggestion proved to be lifesaving, as doctors revealed that Dallas was suffering from a lacerated kidney. With his career – more importantly, his life – at risk, Dallas had to once again heed the lessons taught to him by his family. With the bleakest semblance of hope for an in-ring return, he trudged through rehabilitation, regained lost weight and just five months later, exceeded medical expectations. He not only recovered from the injury, but returned to the ring better than ever. Some might say the health scare motivated Dallas more than ever to pursue his dream, and create a career-changing opportunity inside the NXT Arena.

When Bo Dallas charged down the arena ramp to challenge Big E Langston for the NXT Championship, a montage of his 23-year existence flashed before his eyes: the lessons taught by his family, the hardships of in-ring competition and his life-threatening injury. In that moment, Dallas knew in his heart that this was his time to shine. Winning the NXT Championship created a milestone career achievement, a second chance at a dream and an open door to show the WWE Universe just how good he really is. Most of all, Bo Dallas’ lifelong chapter of hard work now stands face-to-face with every Superstar’s most coveted prize: success.

Bo Dallas' road to the NXT Championship

“Big E is too dominant.” “There’s no way Bo is winning that match.” “He’s good, but not that good.”

Heading into his NXT Championship Match against Big E Langston, Bo Dallas had heard it all. It seems few expected the young athlete to pull off an upset victory over NXT’s Immovable Force. Yet Bo did, in fact, achieve his goal of becoming NXT Champion while simultaneously silencing the doubters. One might think the win came as a surprise to the new champion, but a deeper look into the genetic makeup of the Brooksville, Fla., native tells another story.

Photos of Bo Dallas on NXT | Bo Dallas' Superstar profile

Dallas’ first mainstream exposure in front of the WWE Universe was during a life-changing opportunity last January. After winning an NXT Tournament during Royal Rumble Axxess, Dallas earned himself a coveted spot in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match. Though many debuting Superstars might have buckled under the pressure, Dallas managed to last an impressive 21 minutes. Furthermore, he secured an upset elimination of Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett. His ensuing rivalry with Barrett nearly captured the Intercontinental Championship from the bare-knuckle fighter, and though Dallas came up short, he didn’t let frustration become his proverbial Achilles heel. Instead, he used the experience as motivation to work harder and surpass expectations. It’s a lesson he has learned at a very young age.

Watch Bo Dallas vs. Wade Barrett on Raw.

There are very few who can lay claim to as strong a family lineage of wrestling greats as Dallas. He is the grandson of WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan, the nephew of  WWE Hall of Famer Barry Windham and brother, Kendall, as well as the son of former WWE Superstar Mike Rotunda (IRS). Dallas was taught by the best that nothing is given – only earned – through hard work and determination.

Bo Dallas' road to the NXT Championship

When Dallas joined the ranks of WWE’s developmental system in 2008, he never lost touch of the lessons taught to him by his forefathers. Though some might suspect a Superstar with such family ties may be given the fast track to success, Dallas insisted on earning his spot the old-fashioned way. Arriving early for training and being the last one to leave became a regular occurrence while he soaked up the lessons of his trainers. Dallas embraced the ice baths to repair his wounds of battle, and endured endless hours traveling the open road because it’s what he loves. The simple opportunity to step inside the ring was payment enough for his efforts.

Watch Dallas win the NXT TItle on Hulu Plus!

Just as WWE scouts began to notice Dallas’ meteoric rise, an injury nearly forced it all to slip away. In September 2011, he began experiencing increasing discomfort in his lower back. While attempting to maintain his hard work mantra, he ignored the pain and kept pushing through, until trainers finally forced him to visit a doctor. The suggestion proved to be lifesaving, as doctors revealed that Dallas was suffering from a lacerated kidney. With his career – more importantly, his life – at risk, Dallas had to once again heed the lessons taught to him by his family. With the bleakest semblance of hope for an in-ring return, he trudged through rehabilitation, regained lost weight and just five months later, exceeded medical expectations. He not only recovered from the injury, but returned to the ring better than ever. Some might say the health scare motivated Dallas more than ever to pursue his dream, and create a career-changing opportunity inside the NXT Arena.

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When Bo Dallas charged down the arena ramp to challenge Big E Langston for the NXT Championship, a montage of his 23-year existence flashed before his eyes: the lessons taught by his family, the hardships of in-ring competition and his life-threatening injury. In that moment, Dallas knew in his heart that this was his time to shine. Winning the NXT Championship created a milestone career achievement, a second chance at a dream and an open door to show the WWE Universe just how good he really is. Most of all, Bo Dallas’ lifelong chapter of hard work now stands face-to-face with every Superstar’s most coveted prize: success.