A current NXT star secured a significant championship outside WWE by winning the TNA Knockouts title. At the TNA Victory Road event, Ash by Elegance, who held the Knockouts Championship, unexpectedly surrendered her title without providing any explanation. Present in the ring with her were TNA President Carlos Silva and former WWE star Santino Marella.
Ash had claimed the championship at NXT Heatwave, defeating both the previous champion Jacy Jayne and contender Masha Slamovich. While Slamovich was intended to challenge Ash at Victory Road, allegations of domestic abuse against Slamovich led to the cancellation of their match and the start of an official TNA investigation.
Following Ash’s relinquishment of the title, TNA quickly organized a 10-woman Knockout Battle Royal to determine a new contender. NXT’s Kelani Jordan emerged victorious in that contest and subsequently faced Lei Ying Lee for the vacant championship. Jordan clinched the title after delivering her finishing move, the ‘One of a Kind’ split-legged moonsault, in the final moments. Ash by Elegance then joined Jordan in celebrating the victory.
Indi Hartwell Set to Challenge New Champion Kelani Jordan at Bound For Glory
Kelani Jordan’s reign is set to be tested by former NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell, who will challenge her for the Knockouts title at the upcoming Bound for Glory event. Hartwell, now signed with TNA, played a pivotal role at Victory Road, acting as the special guest referee for the Knockout Battle Royal.
The decision to make Hartwell the next challenger was announced well ahead of Bound for Glory. Hartwell’s history with WWE began in 2019 at the Stamford promotion, culminating in a July 3, 2024 debut on RAW alongside Candice LeRae. The pair competed unsuccessfully in tag team title matches on both RAW and SmackDown before Hartwell’s release in November of the same year.
During her time in WWE, Hartwell captured both the NXT Women’s Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championship once each, establishing her as a notable competitor prior to her transition to TNA.
Additional Wrestling News Highlights
A former WWE Champion has been announced for an exclusive match taking place in Japan, while an AEW legend has responded to Bryan Danielson’s move to a commentary position. Meanwhile, a former WWE star stated that Stephanie McMahon does not deserve induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Lucha Libre star Penta has made promising statements about his future plans. Veteran WWE performer recalled a moment when John Cena accidentally knocked him out during a key ringside event. Jeff Hardy expressed his reaction to a current TNA champion using Hardy’s signature Swanton Bomb maneuver.
The ESPN President of Content spoke on the quality of WWE programming following Wrestlepalooza and discussed the network’s direction in wrestling coverage. Lastly, debates are ongoing concerning whether Brock Lesnar should face a 330-pound WWE star after his recent victory over John Cena.
Significance and Upcoming Developments in Wrestling
Kelani Jordan’s win as an NXT Champion capturing a major title in TNA underscores the fluid dynamics between wrestling promotions and highlights the growing prominence of NXT talent on larger stages. The upcoming match between Jordan and Indi Hartwell at Bound for Glory promises to be a major attraction, potentially shaping the future direction of the Knockouts division in TNA.
The continued crossover of WWE stars into other organizations, as well as headline events spanning global venues such as Japan, shows a widening landscape for professional wrestling. Fans and industry watchers will be closely following the outcomes of these developments as they influence championship lineups and storylines moving forward.
