FROM WWE COMMUNICATIONS STAFF
WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of Sara Lee.
Born and raised in Hope Township, Michigan, Lee excelled in powerlifting before eventually joining the sixth season of WWE’s “Tough Enough.” Lee went on to win the fan vote for “Tough Enough” and serve as an inspiration to many in the sports-entertainment world.
WWE offers its heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans.
FROM WIKIPEDIA COMMONS
Sara Ann Lee (June 7, 1992 – October 6, 2022) was an American television personality and professional wrestler, best known for her time in WWE between 2015 and 2016. In 2015, she was the female winner of the sixth season of the WWE competition Tough Enough, earning a one-year contract with WWE
Sara Lee resided in Orlando, Florida. She married former WWE wrestler Wesley Blake on December 30, 2017. Their daughter was born on May 1, 2017. Their first son was born on February 27, 2019, and their second son was born in 2021.
Lee died on October 6, 2022, at the age of 30. Her cause of death has not been publicly revealed.
EARLY LIFE
Lee was born and raised in Hope Township, Michigan. She spent time in competitive powerlifting. She graduated from Meridian High School in 2010, and went on to study diagnostic medical sonography at Delta College in Bay City, Michigan.
PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING CAREER
In June 2015, Lee was one of the thirteen finalists for the sixth season of the WWE competition Tough Enough. After being at risk of elimination five times throughout the course of the competition, on August 25, Lee was chosen by fan vote as one of the winners, along with Josh Bredl, earning a $250,000 one-year contract with WWE. During the final, Lee adopted the ring name Hope, and lost a singles match to Alicia Fox.[1][12]
In September, Lee was assigned to WWE’s developmental territory NXT, based at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, to begin training. Returning to her real name, Lee made her first appearance for NXT at a live event on January 16, 2016, where she delivered a heel promo. She made her in-ring debut at the January 30 live event during a six-Diva tag team match, which also involved fellow Tough Enough competitor Mandy Rose. On September 30, 2016, Lee was released from her WWE contract.
