Kelani Jordan, known as Carmelo Hayes WWE partner, recently appeared alongside a wrestler who was released last year and had been off television for nearly 170 days, marking a surprising collaboration on NXT. This teaming took place amid NXT’s ongoing storylines, increasing the attention on Jordan’s rising prominence within WWE’s development brand.
Jordan’s Impressive Track Record and Upcoming Challenge
Jordan arrives with an impressive resume, including her reign as TNA Knockouts Champion, the equivalent of WWE’s Women’s and Women’s World Championships. Additionally, she is noted as the first-ever NXT Women’s North American Champion. Jordan now aims for the NXT Women’s Championship, demonstrating a trajectory of success that arguably surpasses Carmelo Hayes’ achievements at a similar point in his career. Her immediate focus is on her upcoming match against Lola Vice on NXT Underground’s Vengeance Day event.
Preparing for the Fight Against Lola Vice
To gear up for her bout with Lola Vice, Jordan sought advice from Shayna Baszler, who experienced a loss to Vice on NXT Underground. Baszler, who had just returned after a long hiatus following her WWE release, offered caution but Jordan remained confident that she could defeat Vice. This is notable given that Vice holds an undefeated 3-0 record on NXT Underground, making her a formidable opponent.
Shayna Baszler’s Evolving Role Within WWE
Baszler’s involvement with WWE has shifted from active competition to supporting roles backstage. Last year, she was officially credited as an NXT backstage producer and has undertaken guest coaching sessions at the WWE Performance Center, a fact she shared with interviewer Chris Van Vliet. Her appearances on NXT Underground add further complexity to her evolving participation in WWE programming.
Significance of This Collaboration and What Lies Ahead
This alliance between Jordan and the recently returned WWE superstar highlights WWE’s strategy of blending returning talent with rising stars to boost storylines and viewer interest in NXT. Jordan’s growing reputation and her high-profile match against Lola Vice could shape the future of NXT’s women’s division. Observers are eager to see how this team-up influences upcoming events and career trajectories within WWE.
“Baszler warned Jordan that Lola Vice was no joke as she was speaking from her own appearance, but the former Women’s North American Champion reassured her with confidence that she would be victorious.” – Source content
.@kelani_wwe enlists the help of @QoSBaszler ahead of her Underground Match! 👀 pic.twitter.com/CyqkMGuL9Z
— WWE (@WWE) March 4, 2026
