Major WWE Royal Rumble update on Jordynne Grace - Reports
WWE really opened up its forbidden door in a major way this year. Jordynne Grace played a key role in the ongoing working relationship with TNA, and now she has several matches for the competition under her belt. Grace debuted in the Women's Royal Rumble, and now backstage sources have provided a big update on her WWE future and potential Royal Rumble involvement.
The Juggernaut shockingly debuted as the fifth entrant in the 30-Woman Royal Rumble earlier this year as Knockouts World Champion. Grace did not land any eliminations of her own, but she was tossed out after 19 minutes by Bianca Belair as the seventh elimination. Since then, the 28-year-old has worked four more matches for the company, all for the NXT brand.
Grace is approaching the end of her TNA run, and the rumor mill is turning on her potential chances with WWE or another top promotion. Fightful Select has confirmed that Grace's TNA contract was set to expire early next year instead of the length that the two sides originally agreed to, which would have been mid-2025. However, there is more to the story, as Grace agreed to an amendment to her contract a while back.
Several TNA stars have been released as of late due to their contract expiring, with more coming up at the end of 2024. However, Grace does not fit in that pool of talent as her deal actually goes beyond 2025.
TNA will return to Texas to kick off 2025, starting with Genesis on January 19 in Dallas, then Impact TV tapings on January 23 in Los Angeles. Sources have confirmed that Grace's last contracted dates for TNA are set for Genesis Weekend, where she will wrestle Tessa Blanchard in a major match at the pay-per-view.
WWE will present its 38th annual Royal Rumble just two weeks after TNA puts on its 13th Genesis. After the match with Blanchard, Grace is set to hit free agency and will be free to sign with any promotion she wants. Sources have confirmed that WWE still has interest in signing the inaugural TNA Knockouts Triple Crown Champion, and she will be a free agent just in time for the Royal Rumble PLE.
John Cena set for his last WWE Royal Rumble
John Cena is set to hang up his boots next year. The 16-time World Champion will kick off his 2025 retirement campaign on January 6 during the WWE RAW Netflix premiere in Los Angeles.
WWE has confirmed that The Face That Runs The Place will compete at the Rumble, but it wasn't clear if he will be in the 30-Man Royal Rumble or another match. Cena's last Rumble bout came in 2018, which was won by Shinsuke Nakamura, and before that, he last worked the 30-man match in 2013, where he was the winner.
The 2025 Royal Rumble PLE is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. This will be the first Rumble event to not take place in the month of January. The men's and women's Rumble matches will see the winners earn title shots at WrestleMania 41 in April.
