The excitement coming out ofWWENXT Vengeance Dayis at an all-time high. To start the night, the PLEcrowned a new NXT Women’s North American Champion in Stephanie Vaquer. While no other new champions were crowned, the night ended withthe electrifying debut of Jordynne Grace. She became the top free-agent wrestler when her contract with TNA expired on January 19th, 2025. It was no secret thatWWE was her next destination.
WithTNA and WWE’s partnership, it only makes sense for her to take the opportunity to sign with the top professional wrestling company in the world. Meanwhile, Grace is keeping her feet in the door for the company she’s spent the past six years with. She will be able to make surprise appearances in TNA as well as establish herself in what is her new home: NXT. However, fans may be surprised that such a high-level star did not make her debut on WWE’s main roster.
Jordynne Grace Has Finally Debuted on NXT
NXT Welcomes Jordynne Grace to WWE
After months of speculation, Grace finally debuted onNXT. It was a huge moment becauseVengeance Day’s main event had just wrapped up. NXT Women’s North American Champion Vaquer and NXT Women’s Champion Giulia were standing in the ring holding their titles up to highlight that they’re the faces of the women’s division. Then, the siren hits. Immediately, the Washington D.C. crowd erupted, because it’s one of those recognizable themes:The Juggernaut was coming.
The PLE ends with Grace staring at both Vaquer and Giulia as they hold up their titles. It was a clear indicator that not only is GraceNXTbound, but she will be coming for one, if not both, of the championships. What was even more noticeable was the shirt that Grace was wearing.
In addition to her coming out to end the show, the “We Are NXT” shirt is a clear indicator of where she will begin her career in WWE. Instead of beginning on the main roster, she will join NXT, which already has themost stacked, best-booked women’s division in all of professional wrestling.
Why Jordynne Grace Debuted On NXT & Not Raw Or SmackDown
What Makes NXT The Destination and Not The Main Roster
Grace appeared in the 2025 Royal Rumble match in Indianapolis for the first time as a WWE superstar. The only uncertainty was which show she would be on. Some people believed that she should start on the main roster, because they felt like she’s too big of a star forNXT. However, the company has made it clear for quite some time thatNXTis no longer the developmental brand it once was. That is why WWE is adding shows likeLFGandEvolveto the fold. These will be looked at as shows that are working with young talent to prepare them for the big show whileNXTis now more like a third show, aiming to be on the same level asRaworSmackDown.
More than likely, Grace is there because the brand is set to lose a lot of their current talent to the upcoming WWE Brand Draft. Roxanne Perez, Fallon Henley, Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne are just a few women who are likely on their way to the main roster very soon. This opens up endless opportunities for other women, including Grace. Perez on her own, is going to be a huge loss forNXT.The addition of Grace adds another star to the division to replace a huge presence that will be missed. Adding Grace to an already established women’s division will only add to the brand’s prestige.
What Matches Will Jordynne Grace Have on NXT?
An Impressive Lineup of Dream Matches
The first match that comes to mind for Grace onNXTwould bea reunion with Naomi. They had a great feud in TNA that ended with Grace taking the Knockouts Championship from Naomi before she left for WWE. It would be a full circle moment for Naomi to welcome her and put over Grace to welcome her toNXT. Naomi wouldn’t be the first main roster star to appear onNXT, as it’s clear this is now a common practice.
In terms of the big picture, Grace will be a champion eventually. But Vaquer just won the NXT Women’s North American title, and Giulia just won the NXT Women’s title a month ago.These matches are more likely to happen down the road. Perhaps, heel women on NXT will take a dislike to her coming to their show, stealing their opportunities and spotlight. A match against Jaida Parker, Lola Vice, and Cora Jade instantly came to mind.
Jordynne Grace’s addition to theNXTroster is really going to shake things up in a good way. Grace becoming the face of the brand that has the best-booked women’s division in all of professional wrestling will only help her eventual move to the main roster feel even bigger than it would have been now.
