Lola Vice‘s status and future in WWE NXT is under intense scrutiny following her recent clean defeat, raising significant questions about her standing among the brand’s evolving women’s division. As WWE directs momentum toward its first all-women’s premium live event in years, the balance of power in NXT now hangs on the performances and prospects of its most prominent female competitors.
WWE NXT Accelerates Focus on Women’s Wrestling
Women’s wrestling in WWE has steadily ascended in prominence, with historic milestones such as Trish Stratus and Lita main-eventing Raw in 2004 marking significant progress. By 2025, WWE continues this trajectory, recently featuring Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley in a main event victory over Roxanne Perez and Giulia. In anticipation of July’s Evolution, which marks WWE’s first women-centered premium live event since 2018, recent programming is adapting to highlight women’s matches and narratives more than ever before.
This week, the focus intensified as four out of five NXT matches featured female competitors, all serving as qualifying bouts for the upcoming Number One Contender’s match. The winner of that high-stakes event will challenge for the NXT Women’s Title at Evolution. The creative direction points to WWE’s commitment to showcasing its top women talent, setting the stage for a new era in the division.
Breakthrough Performers Shape NXT’s Landscape
Among the standout names in the current NXT crop is Jordynne Grace, whose tenure across independent circuits and TNA positioned her as a formidable new force. Grace’s impact was immediate, debuting as a surprise entrant in the 2024 and 2025 Royal Rumble matches and launching her NXT run to robust fanfare. Her wrestling style, marked by sheer power and unique athleticism, earned her the “Juggernaut” nickname and has seen her deliver main event-caliber performances against competitors like Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer.
During the latest episode, Grace executed her signature finisher on Lola Vice, pinning her cleanly—a result seldom seen on NXT broadcasts where interference is common. Such victories have intensified speculation that Grace, as the sole babyface in the looming Fatal Four-Way contender’s match, is primed to face reigning heel champion Jacy Jayne at Evolution. If successful, Grace’s physical approach is poised to create a compelling dynamic against Jayne’s known underhanded tactics, elevating both the performer and the event itself.
Lash Legend, a former WNBA athlete, has built momentum of her own within NXT. Debuting in September 2021, Legend initially presented as a talk show host before shifting to in-ring competition. Her athletic advantages were evident but her wrestling ability lagged behind at first. Progress over time, enhanced by her connections within the Meta-Four faction—including Noam Dar, Jakara Jackson, and Oro Mensa—helped her develop both on the mic and in matches.
Although an injury to Noam Dar affected Meta-Four’s dominance, Legend managed to distinguish herself further. On this week’s NXT, she unveiled a revamped image and overcame Kelani Jordan, a former North American Champion, with a decisive win that secured her place in the upcoming contender’s match. Legend’s recent performances indicate that WWE is keen on protecting and elevating her profile, despite a lack of major storylines at present. Her enhanced execution of power moves positions her firmly as an emerging powerhouse in the women’s division.
Challenges and Setbacks for NXT’s Notable Names
While new stars have risen, established names face obstacles. C.M. Punk, who returned to WWE about eighteen months ago, maintains massive popularity on par with Cody Rhodes. Despite being late in his career with some physical limitations, Punk’s ability to connect with WWE fans remains robust, built on an image of being a boundary-pushing rebel with a sharp tongue who calls out hypocrisy.
Punk’s enduring rivalry with John Cena has long been a highlight for fans, with the anticipation rising for one more confrontation. In a recent poll conducted by PWTorch, Punk overwhelmingly outperformed The Rock as the match fans most wanted to see against Cena.
The highly anticipated meeting between Punk and Cena finally occurred on Raw, where Punk challenged Cena to a title match. Cena agreed but stipulated that the bout must occur at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia—a country Punk had previously criticized for WWE events. Punk’s acceptance attracted criticism, with some viewing it as hypocritical given his former stance. On Smackdown, the confrontation continued, but Punk’s performance lacked his usual energy and clarity, raising concerns among longstanding supporters. Punk appeared troubled and failed to deliver a memorable promo. This slide in delivery drew attention, especially since he is widely hailed for his microphone presence. WWE’s refusal to allow open discussion of Saudi Arabia further boxed Punk’s character in, making it difficult for him to respond or defend himself, further diminishing his aura as “The Voice of the Voiceless.”
This episode not only undercut Punk’s anti-authority persona but also cast a cloud over the much-anticipated feud’s beginning. Portraying Punk as a hypocrite could damage his rapport with fans and threaten his lead babyface status within WWE.
Lola Vice Faces Mounting Uncertainty in NXT
Lola Vice entered NXT with credibility stemming from her successful 4–1 record in Bellator, instantly standing out as a legitimate fighter. Her unique style blends a combative presence with showmanship, though some critics find this combination inconsistent. In her two years on the roster, Vice has experienced periods of notoriety—securing high-profile victories in NXT Underground against notable names like Natalya and Shayna Baszler, both by knockout. Her push saw her challenge Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Title but ultimately losing in July of last year.
Despite appearances in these major storylines, Vice’s performances did not always resonate with the broader WWE audience. Observers have described her character as somewhat flat and lacking in deeper connection, factors that may help explain her more limited exposure on recent NXT episodes. Without a defining feud or involvement in any marquee event for several months, Vice’s decisive loss to Jordynne Grace on the most recent show demoted her status to the division’s middle tier—at least for now. The current creative direction leaves her at a crossroads, with both her role on television and her longer-term prospects as uncertain as ever.
Looking Ahead: Evolution and NXT’s Dynamic Women’s Division
With WWE set to deliver its first all-women’s premium live event in seven years, the stakes for Lola Vice, Jordynne Grace, Lash Legend, and the rest of the NXT women’s roster are higher than ever. For Grace and Legend, recent victories have propelled them toward major opportunities at Evolution, with the possibility of title contention and spotlight matches. For Vice, the challenge is to recover from her recent defeat, rebuild her character’s depth, and reconnect with fans if she hopes to rise again.
The evolving narratives in NXT reflect WWE’s renewed investment in women’s wrestling, making the upcoming Evolution event a defining moment. As innovative performers break through and established acts face their own trials, the future of Lola Vice’s status in WWE NXT—and the shape of the division as a whole—remains an open question, promising compelling developments for fans and athletes alike.
