Liv Morgan has been one of the biggest breakout WWE stars in recent years, with her organic rise to the top one of the most feel-good stories of late.
Prior to moving to the main roster, Morgan wrestled in NXT for two years from 2015 to 2017. When she debuted on Smackdown in November 2017 it was as a member of Riott Squad alongside Ruby Riott and Sarah Morgan.
Liv established herself as a singles competitor following the departure of her stablemates, with a groundswell of fan support for the very likeable superstar. Her organic rise to the top culminated at Money in the Bank when she won the briefcase and cashed it in to become Smackdown Women’s Championship.
Liv is set to defend her title against Ronda Rousey in an extreme rules match at the titular pay per view this Saturday. It is hoped that Triple H will be able to right the wrongs from their bout at Summerslam, that didn't help Morgan as a new champion.
With this in mind, there might be a few things about the Smackdown Women’s Champion that fans are not aware of, so GiveMeSport takes you through 10 things you didn’t know about Liv Morgan…
She began wrestling at an early age
The real-life Gionna Daddio is the youngest of six siblings. Growing up, she said she took pedigrees and powerbombs like it was her job in their backyard wrestling ring. As a tomboy, she channelled Lita when competing with her four brothers and sister.
Liv Morgan was a member of the Riott Squad
Her WWE idol growing up
As well as Lita, Morgan idolised John Cena growing up due to his one-time rebellious nature as “The Doctor of Thuganomics.”
She worked in Hooters
Liv did not have an easy childhood as her father died when she was quite young. As such, money was tight in the family. This led to her dropping out high school at 16 and working in Hooters. She credited the company with giving her an opportunity and responsibility for the first time in her life.
Her WWE career started in a gym
Liv had heard about Joe DeFranco and his training of professional athletes, including Triple H. Taking a chance, she approached DeFranco in his gym, telling him she loved WWE and wanted to be a wrestler. Impressed by her workouts, he recommended her to WWE and the rest is history.
Liv Morgan and Ronda Rousey will face off at Extreme Rules
She debuted on NXT as a “fan”
Morgan is a product of WWE development, having never wrestled prior to signing with the company in 2014. She made her first appearance at NXT Takeover: Rival on February 11th, 2015 as a planted fan who jumped Tyler Breeze.
She did not win a televised match in her first year
Competing in her first televised match on November 4th, 2015, she wrestled under the ring name of Marley. Soon the Live Morgan character was born but it would not be until late 2016 that she won her first televised match.
She was not friends with Riott Squad before
The Riott Squad became extremely close friends during their main roster run, evident by all of their social media posts to this day. But Liv barely knew Ruby and Sarah before, instead being closer with Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose in NXT.
She is an ordained minister
Morgan revealed on social media in 2020 that one time after a breakup she got a license to be an ordained minister, as well as becoming CPR certified and the owner of a new piano. How to get over a guy in 3 simple steps?
Liv Morgan is the reigning SmackDown Women's Champion
Becky Lynch told her she would be champion
When Becky Lynch became pregnant and relinquished her Raw Women’s Title in 2020, she told Liv that by the time she came back that she would be champion. Becky’s prediction was just a year off and showed her belief in Morgan.
She is in a relationship with an ex-WWE superstar
Liv is currently in a relationship with Taylor Rotunda, better known as ex-NXT Champion Bo Dallas. The two live together on a farm and recently started a real estate business in preparation for life after wrestling.