For a night that brought WWE to the UFC Apex for the first time, it was only fitting that it kicked off with another historic first. Kelani Jordan soared above the competition, literally and figuratively, to become the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion in a thrilling ladder match at Battleground. Jordan bested five other fierce competitors, delivering a jaw-dropping performance that fans will remember for ages.
The match started with all six women — Jordan, Sol Ruca, Michin, Fallon Henley, Lash Legend, and Jaida Parker — mesmerized by the championship belt hanging from the rafters. This reverie quickly shattered as they got down to business. Jordan and Ruca launched into athletic dives to the outside within minutes, setting the tone for a high-flying, high-stakes showdown. Henley delivered a stunning swinging kick around the ring post, dropping Ruca and raising the intensity.
Jordan’s energy was unmatched from the get-go. Even after being precariously laid out on a ladder perched between the ring ropes and taking a Bonzai Drop from Parker, she sprang back into action. Her resilience and offensive prowess kept her a step ahead of the competition, evading the peril that the others faced.
The climax of the match saw a collective effort to eliminate Legend from the fray. As the five remaining competitors eyed the title belt, chaos ensued. Ruca hit a pair of Sol Snatchers on Parker and Henley, but Jordan seized the moment. After neutralizing Ruca, she ascended the ladder, pulling down the title belt to secure her historic victory.
With a Split-Legged Moonsault and an ascent that seemed to defy gravity, Jordan etched her name in the annals of WWE history. The first-ever NXT Women’s North American Champion has been crowned, and her name is Kelani Jordan.