Kelani Jordan Talks WWE NXT ‘Gold Rush,’ John Cena & Wedding Planning

Kelani Jordan has undergone a transformation on WWE NXT ] over the last few weeks. The bubbly former gymnast has replaced smiles for scowls, and her wholesome approach was traded in for winning by any means necessary. Now Jordan, the TNA Knockouts Champion, is taking that new attitude into the Theater at Madison Square Garden for Gold Rush. 

The two-week special on The CW broadcasts live from New York City on November 18 and 25. These events will feature champions from AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide, Evolve, and TNA. Night 2 sees Jordan defend against Jordynne Grace and Léi Ying Lee in a triple threat match. 

We caught up with the emerging wrestler to preview the big bout and talk about her recent onscreen more villainous turn. The 27-year-old also provides a wedding planning update to fiancé fellow WWE superstar Carmelo Hayes. 

How was it making this onscreen change where you have this edge? 

Kelani Jordan: I’ll just go back to when I had my first title, the North American Championship. I would say I was just so happy to finally get a championship. I was happy to be here. But I feel like Kelani Jordan today is more confident. She believes in herself more, and realizes that pressure is privilege. I feel like I’ve evolved in that way. Yes, of course I’m thankful and happy, but also I earned it. That has been the biggest thing is this new confidence. 

WWE/TNA

Where are you pulling from for inspiration? Anyone in particular you’re studying? 

One, we have a lot of amazing coaches here at the Performance Center. We have Coach Normal Smiley, Coach [Robbie] Brookside, Coach Fit Finlay. Also, we have HBK [Shawn Michaels]. We have so many people I can pick their brain and figure out what I can do better, dial back on or whatever the case may be. They’ve helped me out tremendously in my journey and wrestling in general. I do watch a lot of films and matches. I watch a lot of promos. I’d say my favorites that I’m watching at the moment are HBK and Eddie Guerrero. Those two I’ve really been watching as I’m in this new evolution of Kelani Jordan. 

There is a lot of pressure I’m sure when you’re representing another company in TNA as a contracted WWE NXT talent. What have you taken from this Knockouts Championship run? 

I feel like being able to do both WWE NXT and TNA has allowed me to grow tremendously as an athlete, an entertainer, and as a wrestler and all the things. One, I’m able to time manage my schedule. Also, I’m able to get a lot more reps, and also double the work. This has honestly helped me be better at talking, be better at wrestling, I’m able to work with girls I’m not able to work with before such as Xia Brookside or Léi Yǐng Lee. I feel like I’m learning so much, experiencing different people and being flexible and adaptable. 

What is great about these NXT Gold Rush shows is it brings together all these brands with TNA, AAA Lucha Libre, and Evolve represented. It’s an exciting time to be a fan but also a wrestler.

I love it. I love to experience all the different brands coming together. AAA for example brings the lucha style and is a little different. For us, to wrestle and adjust, I feel like that’s how you learn. I love all the cross-promoting and being able to experience different brands and upbringings with what they had with their training. 

You got engaged over the summer. How has it been to have Carmelo to lean on as you’re both finding your respective ways in WWE? 

For one, I am so thankful for Melo. Not only is he super supportive, but he also helps me navigate my ups, but also helps me regulate my emotions when I’m in the low period or thinking about what I can do better, what am I doing wrong. I feel it’s a blessing to have someone in the business who knows the schedule, knows the time, the dedication to being the best of the best. He has helped me not only in the ring but also helped me by believing in me. Sometimes he believes in me more than I believe in myself. Actually, that happens a lot of the time. It’s amazing to have someone who understands what you’re going through and also has been a champion and also knows what it’s like to be at a top level. So if you’re at a period where you’re trying to find yourself, he just helps me so much. I’m so thankful for him. 

Any update on wedding planning? 

Yes, we’re planning on getting married toward the end of next year. That is the goal. 

How is it for you to put your life out there? As this public figure, it then becomes how you handle being recognized at the airport or how you handle yourself on social media. What is it like weathering through all that? 

Whenever you’re putting yourself out there, it can always be positive or negative. It can be a bit scary. Nobody wants to be vulnerable all the time or put your life out there. I love it though when I’m at the airport and a little girl stops me and says, ‘hi Kelani Jordan, you help me wear my hair natural.” It could be other things too, but I’ve gotten that a number of times. I’ve also gotten that I inspired them or helped them through a difficult time. I feel like that is why I do what I do. One of the reasons I love wrestling so much is because it’s a chance for people to come together, forget what is happening in their life or reality and have a good time. Whether they want to cheer me or boo me, for me that’s a checkmark. I feel like if I can do that and impact a life, I don’t mind putting myself out there and being vulnerable on social media and whatever comes with it. 

Speaking of social media, you got quite the response when you posted on X about being the Knockouts Champion and called out a few former champions. Are you secretly hoping to face off with some of them? 

I feel like I want to put some legends in their place, you know? But no, I’m secretly hoping I could work with some of these women. But also if I could pick one at the top of my list who is also still active, it’s Mickie James. I would absolutely love getting in the ring with her. Someone who is incredible but also so knowledgeable about what we do and women’s wrestling. She helped pave the way for girls like me. If I had to pick one, it would be Mickie James. But hey, you never know. I’m manifesting. I’m manifesting and putting it out in the universe. I may wrestle all of them one day. 

The women’s division is so competitive. How would you describe the locker room? Do you have a chip on your shoulder when you have a Kendal Grey coming into the mix and seeing what is going on Raw or SmackDown? 

Yes, the women’s division is the strongest it has ever been. I’m a very big advocate that NXT has the best women’s division. I love to see up-and-coming talent raise the bar because that means I want to work with them. I want to work with people who also love it, are talented and have a lot of potential. I’m still very new. I’ve only been wrestling for three years, so I’m up and coming. But I love being able to see girls that are good and want to work. I’m also not the kind of version who envies or is jealous of anyone else. It’s more, bet, I can work with these people and now we can have a bigger match and some great moments. I’m so confident in my abilities and talent, it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing unless they want to put on a banger match. 

Kelani Jordan and  Jordynne Grace (WWE)

John Cena mentioned on Raw that he wants to see NXT wrestlers on Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 when he has his last match. What did you think of that? 

I absolutely would love to wrestle someone from the main roster on John Cen’s last match show. It’s such a history-making moment and a good opportunity for someone like me. It’s a chance to show I’m the future of this business and have potential and that I want to one day hope to main event WrestleMania. Being able to have the opportunity would be incredible. Also, John Cena is a amazing. He really does give back. I love so much he wants to include the young and new and fresh for the future of this business. That takes  a very selfless person. I’m thankful for that. 

Were you there when he recently visited the WWE Performance Center?

I was there. He is incredible. He knows so much. He knows the in’s and out’s. He has been through it all. He can talk to you about when he was on top of the world, but he can also talk to you about when he faced adversity. He is very much a well-rounded person, but also tells the truth and tells it like it is. I feel like he is very selfless to be able to speak with us during his busy, busy, crazy schedule. 

If you do get the opportunity to face off against a Raw or SmackDown talent, who would be on the other side? 

I would say Rhea [Ripley] and Iyo [Sky]. I feel like Iyo and I have a very similar style, so I feel like it would be a high-flying exciting match. Then Rhea is a powerhouse, so I feel like she compliments high-flying. I feel it would be a really good match. 

You have the Gold Rush match coming up at the Theater of Madison Square Garden with Jordynne  and Léi. How are you approaching this? 

I’m ready for the triple threat. I actually think I have an advantage because I have beaten Jordynne Grace. I’ve also beaten Léi Yǐng Lee to win this championship. Going into this match I’m just going to do what I do and that’s be Kelani Jordan. I’m going to make sure I have my head screwed on tight. I’ve been preparing mentally, physically, and honestly been working. I’ve been working on two brands in the ring and everything is crisp. I hope they’re ready because I’m keeping this championship at MSG. 

WWE NXT, Wednesdays, 8/7c, The CW