NXT boss Shawn Michaels has explained how Jordynne Grace’s debut on the brand came about as it stemmed from his jealousy of Triple H.

NXT General Manager Ava had warned NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez that she’d find out her opponent for Battleground on the 28th of May edition of NXT. While rumours had swirled about a main roster name potentially returning to the developmental brand to face Perez, Ava shocked everyone when she brought out current TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace.

Reports have since emerged suggesting that TNA and WWE’s relationship is set to continue past Battleground and it might extend past just Grace appearing in NXT.

Jordynne Grace has of course competed for WWE in the past all while still representing TNA as the promotion’s top women’s champion. Grace was part of the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble where she lasted just shy of 20 minutes before being eliminated by Bianca Belair.

Shawn Michaels Was Jealous Of Main Roster WWE Debut For TNA Star
Speaking to Adrian Hernandez, Shawn Michaels explained how Jordynne Grace’s appearance in NXT came about and admitted Triple H owed him a favour:

Right now, a lot of things are still being worked out internally. There are people above me that I leave to making those kinds of decisions. What I enjoy doing is what we did last night, which is having the opportunity to putting real surprises and real ‘oh my God’ moments back to WWE, wrestling, and NXT. That’s what we had last night.

I have been very public about being a fan of Jordynne Grace. I expressed to Hunter [Triple H] privately that I was very jealous that he had her for the Rumble. He owed me.

We’re thrilled to have her for Battleground and next week. This is going to be an epic event. To one up ourselves, which we always try to do, having TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace contend for the NXT Women’s Championship, fighting Roxanne Perez, is going to be really big.

Grace will challenge Perez for the NXT Women’s Title at Battleground on the 9th of June in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The confirmed card for Battleground so far is –

• Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Jordynne Grace – NXT Women’s Championship
• Oba Femi (c) vs. Wes Lee vs. Joe Coffey – NXT North American Championship
• Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. The O.C. – NXT Tag Team Championship
• Shayna Baszler vs. Lola Vice – NXT Underground
• Sol Ruca vs. Lash Legend vs. Fallon Henley vs. Jaida Parker vs. Michin vs. Kelani Jordan – Ladder Match for NXT Women’s North American Title