5 Shocking Facts About Sophie Cunningham's 'Take Down' And Her Unexpected New Career Path
As of December 22, 2025, the name Sophie Cunningham has become synonymous with both elite WNBA play and a controversial, ultra-physical moment that rocked the league: the infamous "take down" of Connecticut Sun rookie Jacy Sheldon. This single incident, which some analysts compared to a martial arts move, solidified her reputation as the Indiana Fever's unapologetic enforcer and sparked a massive debate about physicality in women's basketball.
The fallout from that flagrant foul was immediate, leading to ejections and league fines. However, the conversation around Cunningham has since shifted dramatically, moving from on-court brawls to a serious, season-ending injury and a stunning potential career pivot that could see her trade the basketball court for the wrestling ring.
Sophie Cunningham: Complete WNBA Biography and Profile
Sophie Elizabeth Cunningham is an American professional basketball player known for her tenacity, three-point shooting, and fierce competitive spirit. She is currently a key guard for the Indiana Fever.
- Full Name: Sophie Elizabeth Cunningham
- Date of Birth: August 16, 1996
- Age (as of Dec 2025): 29
- Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
- College: University of Missouri (Mizzou)
- WNBA Draft: 2019 (13th overall pick, 2nd Round)
- Former WNBA Team: Phoenix Mercury (2019-2024)
- Current WNBA Team: Indiana Fever
- Position: Guard/Forward
- Career Highlights: All-time leading scorer in Missouri Women's Basketball history. Known for her career-high 36-point game with the Mercury.
- Current Status: Out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season due to a torn MCL.
The Viral 'Take Down': Jacy Sheldon Incident and The Enforcer Role
The incident that catapulted the phrase "Sophie Cunningham take down" into viral sports headlines occurred during a heated matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun.
In the final minute of the game, with tensions already high, Sun rookie Jacy Sheldon stole the ball. As Sheldon sprinted down the court, Cunningham delivered a hard, physical foul, taking Sheldon to the ground.
The action was immediately reviewed and ruled a Flagrant 2 foul, resulting in the ejection of both Cunningham and Sheldon, as the latter reacted strongly to the aggressive play.
A Retaliation Foul or Just Hard Play?
Many fans and analysts viewed the "take down" as a clear act of retaliation. The physical nature of the play—which some observers compared to a wrestling or martial arts maneuver—was seen as Cunningham sending a message.
The WNBA's increased physicality, particularly in games involving the Indiana Fever, had become a major storyline, with the league levying supplemental discipline following several dustups.
Cunningham quickly embraced her role as the team's "enforcer," particularly in defense of star teammate Caitlin Clark, who had been on the receiving end of several hard fouls throughout the season.
Following the incident, Cunningham even trolled her rival by signing a fan's Jacy Sheldon basketball card with a cheeky message, further cementing her reputation as one of the league's most outspoken and confrontational players.
From Flagrant Fouls to Future Fights: Injury and The WWE Rumors
Just weeks after the viral "take down" incident and the subsequent debate on WNBA physicality, Cunningham's season took a devastating turn. The Indiana Fever announced a major update: Sophie Cunningham had suffered a torn MCL in her knee and would be out for the remainder of the 2025 WNBA season.
The knee injury, which required her to be helped off the court, was a painful blow to both the player and the team, sidelining one of their most fiery competitors.
While recovering from a career-threatening injury, Cunningham has openly discussed a surprising and dramatic career change, one that leans heavily into the physicality she displayed on the court.
The Bold Move to Professional Wrestling
In a recent interview, Cunningham threw a subtle jab at the WNBA's pay scale and floated a bold idea: a move to professional wrestling, specifically the WWE.
The speculation is more than just talk. Her on-court persona—the aggression, the trash talk, and the viral "take down" that was compared to a wrestling move—makes her a natural fit for the entertainment-heavy world of WWE.
She has expressed interest in either teaming up with or facing off against a major WWE star, indicating a serious consideration for the career pivot once her WNBA playing days are over.
What’s Next for Sophie Cunningham?
The "Sophie Cunningham take down" incident was far more than a simple foul; it was a defining moment that encapsulated the fierce, often controversial, new era of WNBA physicality. It established Cunningham as a lightning rod for debate, a player who plays with an edge that fans either love or despise.
With her 2025 season cut short due to the torn MCL, the immediate future is focused on intense rehabilitation. However, the long-term question remains whether she returns to the WNBA as the Fever's enforcer or takes her reputation for aggressive play and her martial arts-like moves to the WWE ring.
Her potential move highlights a growing trend of professional athletes exploring the lucrative and performance-driven world of wrestling. For Cunningham, a WWE career could offer a chance to capitalize on the very persona that made her infamous in the WNBA: a tough, unyielding competitor who is not afraid to take down anyone in her path.
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