WWE NXT star Kelani Jordan shared with Fox News Digital how AJ Styles’ encouragement shaped her experience following the recent women’s Royal Rumble. Jordan, who entered the match as the 27th participant aiming for a WrestleMania 42 opportunity, did not win but made a memorable impact in the event.
During the match, Jordan executed an impressive Phoenix Splash from the top rope and demonstrated her gymnastics skills in the ring while taking down competitors including Bayley, Liv Morgan, Jacy Jayne, and Raquel Rodriguez. Later, backstage cameras showed Jordan speaking privately with Styles, who whispered words of motivation that deeply resonated with her.
Early Encouragement from AJ Styles Helped Shape Jordan’s Confidence
Jordan recalled how Styles’ mentorship began shortly after she joined the WWE Performance Center, when she was still very new to professional wrestling. She described a training session with him only two or three months into her journey that left a lasting impression.
AJ Styles is awesome, I mean, phenomenal. But he was someone when I was literally maybe like two or three months in at the Performance Center and I was training and I remembered he happened to be there,
Jordan told Fox News Digital.
He was actually in the ring and worked with me and trained with me. I was so new and remember him telling me early on – only like two or three months in – he was like, you have something special, keep going, believe in yourself, and just keep pushing yourself. He’s like, you have something special and that was very early on so him being able to see me when I was only two to three months in and now being in my first-ever Rumble, it was like just a crazy moment.
Post-Rumble Advice Reinforced Jordan’s Determination
After the Royal Rumble, Styles continued to motivate Jordan by praising her determination and willingness to take risks in front of a large audience. She recounted how the advice he gave encouraged her to perform the high-risk Phoenix Splash maneuver despite her initial hesitation.
After the Rumble, he just mentioned how proud he was of me, how I kept my foot on the gas, I kept pushing, I didn’t allow anything to stop me and I took the risk. The Phoenix Splash was something I was kind of questioning should I do it, should I go for it? This is a big stage, what if it doesn’t go well? And I remember him telling me, he’s like, without risk, there’s no reward. You go for it, you shoot for the stars. And then it went well and I remember he told me never forget that, never doubt yourself, believe in yourself because you can do it. And so that was just something like … he believed in me in that moment more than I believed in myself.
AJ Styles’ Career Milestones and Jordan’s Upcoming Challenges
AJ Styles recently concluded his in-ring career after a loss to Gunther at the Royal Rumble, which led to his retirement. He was later honored with an announcement that he would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2026, an event highlighted by The Undertaker’s appearance on Monday Night Raw.
Meanwhile, Kelani Jordan has continued to compete at NXT, including a recent underground match at NXT Vengeance Day where she faced Lola Vice, although Vice emerged victorious. Jordan’s progress and the mentorship she received from Styles indicate a promising trajectory in her career as she continues to develop her in-ring skills.
The Impact of AJ Styles’ Guidance on Jordan’s Career Direction
The mentorship from AJ Styles has played a crucial role in Jordan’s rapid growth within WWE’s ranks. His early recognition of her potential and ongoing encouragement have helped Jordan overcome doubts and take bold steps in her performances. This relationship not only highlights the importance of veteran support in wrestling but also underscores Jordan’s readiness to embrace bigger challenges ahead.
As Jordan gains more experience in high-profile matches and hones her abilities, her journey reflects the lasting influence a seasoned mentor like AJ Styles can have on a rising star in WWE’s competitive environment.
After Aj Styles retired he immediately stopped and gave Kelani Jordan advice to help her out in the future.
What a guy Aj Styles is man.
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 20, 2026
