Ex-World Champion Returns From Injury Ahead Of WWE WrestleMania 42
A former world champion ‘graced’ fans by returning from injury ahead of the SmackDown episode on April 10.
Jordynne Grace competed on the WWE Main Event show ahead of the blue brand’s taping in San Jose, California, on Friday.
Incidentally, she sustained an ankle injury on the same show on April 6 while wrestling against Alba Fyre. Due to her being unable to carry on, the referee awarded the match to Fyre.
Later, Grace shared a video of her injury via X, where she joked about getting injured as soon as she turned 30 while being injury-free earlier. The former TNA Knockouts World Champion was spotted in a wheelchair backstage and wearing a walking boot.
On Friday, at WWE Main Event, she faced Zelina Vega in a singles match, securing a much-needed win ahead of WrestleMania 42, scheduled for April 18 & 19.
After the match, she posted a few pictures from her match while announcing her return and thanking the San Jose crowd.
Jordynne Grace became a part of the main roster in January and was immediately inserted into the title picture with a feud against Women’s Champion Jade Cargill.
While she faced Cargill for the title on February 13, she was unable to win the high-stakes bout.
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WWE Announces The Return Of Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
As of now, Jordynne Grace is not part of the WrestleMania card. Meanwhile, the commentators announced two matches for the go-home edition of SmackDown next week.
Continuing the WrestleMania weekend tradition, WWE announced the return of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal for the April 17 taping.
No participants have been announced thus far, but fans can expect to see superstars from either brand who are not involved in WrestleMania matches.
Last year, Carmelo Hayes won the Battle Royal. Since its inception in 2011, no wrestler has won the trophy twice.
Hayes, meanwhile, dropped the United States Championship to Sami Zayn last week on the blue brand. On April 10, he was featured in a backstage segment, still nursing the leg injury he sustained last week.
Later in the show, Zayn’s WrestleMania opponent, Trick Williams, faced Matt Cardona in a singles match. In the closing minutes, Zayn took out Williams’ aid and rapper Lil Yachty with a Helluva Kick.
The episode opened and closed with ladies’ singles matches. Bayley surprisingly lost her singles match against Alexa Bliss in her hometown of San Jose.
Both women will be part of WrestleMania on opposite teams, challenging for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship, currently held by The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend).
The evening also witnessed the next step in Rhea Ripley’s feud with WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, who assaulted Ripley’s friend Iyo Sky on last week’s SmackDown.
To close the show, Sky took on Cargill in a non-title match. Before the bout, Ripley took out Cargill’s aides, B-Fab and Michin, backstage. The Women’s Champion won the match clean, as the episode ended with a face-off between her and Ripley.