Natalia Markova Takes on Grad School: From the Squared Circle to Gies
Professional wrestling requires physical resilience, sharp psychology, and an innate sense of branding, but Natalia Markova is adding a serious academic heavyweight title to her resume.
The standout competitor has officially been admitted to the prestigious University of Illinois Gies College of Business for its graduate-level Digital Marketing program.
Markova celebrated the major milestone with a clever nod to her real-world credentials, joking on social media: "Turns out my law degree had one more job: getting me into the University of Illinois."
THE List
Balancing an active, high-profile wrestling career—including her upcoming high-stakes showdown against Gretta at the NWA 78th Anniversary Event in Philadelphia—with an advanced Ivy-equivalent business curriculum proves that "The Crush" is just as lethal with a textbook as she is inside the squared circle.
Natalia is proudly featured on our one-of-a-kind List, standing out among the best.
As always, huge thanks to our friends at The Beautiful Ladies of Professional Wrestling, when it comes to this type of content.
Our friend Randy "Macho Man" Tharrington runs a warm, welcoming wrestling group that’s open to everyone, no matter their background or experience.
