Patricia Forrest Gresham (born March 5, 1996), most famously known as Jordynne Grace, is an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder, and powerlifter. She is currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the NXT brand. Grace has become a prominent figure in professional wrestling, known for her incredible strength, explosive power, and her pioneering spirit in women's wrestling. Her journey has been marked by breaking barriers, advocating for body positivity, and achieving significant success in multiple promotions, including TNA Wrestling (formerly Impact Wrestling) and WWE.
Early Life and Debut
Born in Austin, Texas, Grace began her professional wrestling journey at the young age of 14 in 2010. She honed her skills and built a reputation on the independent circuit before joining Impact Wrestling (now TNA) in 2018.
Rise in TNA Wrestling
In TNA, Jordynne Grace made history by competing against both women and men, capturing multiple titles, and challenging conventional body-image standards in the industry. She is a three-time TNA Knockouts World Champion, one-time TNA Digital Media Champion (the first woman to hold the title), and TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion. Notably, she was recognized by TNA as the first Knockouts Triple Crown winner upon becoming the inaugural Digital Media Champion.
Title Reigns and Accomplishments
- Knockouts World Championship: Grace has held this title three times, showcasing her dominance in the women's division.
- Digital Media Championship: As the inaugural champion, she set a precedent for future titleholders.
- Knockouts Tag Team Championship: This title win further solidified her status as a versatile and accomplished performer.
- Knockouts Triple Crown Winner: Being the first to achieve this honor underscores her significant contributions to TNA.
- Call Your Shot Gauntlet Winner: Grace was the first woman to win the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match at Bound for Glory, earning a championship match for any title she wanted.
Notable Matches and Feuds
Grace's career in TNA was marked by several high-profile matches and feuds that elevated her status in the wrestling world.
- Challenging for the Knockouts Championship: Multiple attempts to capture the title showcased her determination and skill.
- Feud with Tessa Blanchard: Their rivalry culminated in a match at Genesis, adding to the intensity of TNA's Knockouts Division.
- Queen of the Mountain Match: Grace won the Knockouts title for the second time at Slammiversary 2022 in the first-ever Queen of the Mountain Match.
- Title vs. Career Match: Grace lost the Knockouts title to Mickie James in a title versus career match at Hard to Kill in January 2023.
- Feud with Deonna Purrazzo: Their matches were highly competitive, with Grace ultimately defeating Purrazzo at Victory Road.
- Matches against Masha Slamovich: These bouts were intense and physical, with Slamovich eventually ending Grace's third reign as Knockouts Champion.
Transition to WWE and NXT
In 2024, Grace made a surprise debut in WWE at the Royal Rumble, marking her entry into one of the world's most prominent wrestling organizations. She also appeared on WWE's NXT brand, challenging for the NXT Women's Championship.
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Royal Rumble Appearance
Grace entered the Women's Royal Rumble match as the second Knockouts Champion to participate while holding the title, following Mickie James in 2022.
NXT Career
- NXT Women's Championship Challenge: Grace faced Roxanne Perez for the title at Battleground, although she was unsuccessful due to interference.
- Feud with Blake Monroe: Their rivalry culminated in a weaponized steel cage match at No Mercy, which Grace won.
- Match against Sol Ruca: A match on "NXT" ended in a no-contest due to interference by Wendy Choo and Rosemary.
- NXT Women's Championship pursuits: Grace unsuccessfully challenged Stephanie Vaquer for the NXT Women's Championship in a fatal four-way match and in a singles match at Battleground.
Powerlifting Career
In addition to her wrestling achievements, Jordynne Grace is an accomplished powerlifter. She credits powerlifting with enhancing her wrestling abilities. Grace holds records in the World Natural Powerlifting Federation (WNPF) for the 165 lb weight class, including:
- Squat: 320 lb (150 kg)
- Bench Press: 210 lb (95 kg)
- Deadlift: 355 lb (161 kg)
Grace's transition to bodybuilding workouts in 2021 further demonstrates her commitment to physical fitness and strength. She even won a bodybuilding competition at the Tri City Classic in April 2023.
Advocating for Body Positivity
Jordynne Grace has been a vocal advocate for body positivity, challenging conventional standards in the wrestling industry. She has spoken out against negative comments about her appearance and uses them as motivation.
Overcoming Criticism
Grace has faced relentless hate on social media regarding her appearance. She has been told she was too big, too short, too muscular, and even that she looked like a man.
Read also: Body and Soul Rejuvenation
Promoting Self-Acceptance
Grace emphasizes the importance of loving one's body as a process and focusing on the body as a whole, rather than fixating on perceived flaws.
Training Regimen
Grace maintains a rigorous training regimen that includes both wrestling and strength training. She typically works out every day, incorporating mobility training, yoga, and powerbuilding exercises.
Workout Routine
- Stationary Bike: Efficient for burning calories and strengthening the heart, lungs, and muscles.
- Burpees: A full-body exercise for building strength and burning calories.
- Core Workouts: Exercises like sit-ups and toe touches to improve balance and stability.
- Kettlebells and Lateral Pulldowns: Strength training exercises to manage weight, increase metabolism, and enhance overall fitness.
- Yoga: To maintain flexibility and recover after strenuous lifting sessions.
Personal Life
On December 21, 2018, Jordynne Grace announced her engagement to fellow professional wrestler Jonathan Gresham. The couple married in September 2020.
Impact and Legacy
Jordynne Grace has left an indelible mark on professional wrestling. Her accomplishments, advocacy for body positivity, and dedication to her craft have made her an inspiration to many.
Breaking Barriers
Grace was the first woman to enter AEW’s “Over Budget Battle Royale” and almost won, eliminating Brian Cage in the process. She has also achieved numerous firsts in TNA, including being the first Knockouts Triple Crown winner and the first woman to win the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match.
Read also: The Grace Dent Story
Inspiring Others
Grace has inspired many with her athleticism and her message of self-acceptance. She encourages others to love their bodies and focus on their overall health and well-being.
Quotes
- "One of the most important things to understand is that loving your body is really a process, it’s a day-to-day thing. Look at your body as a whole, as opposed to ‘I hate how fat my thighs are’ or ‘I hate my stomach’ and stuff like that."
- “I’ve gotten relentless hate about the way I look on social media. I’ve heard I was too big or that I was too short-now I hear that I’m too muscular and I look like a man."
- “That was my mindset. The first step into wrestling, for me, was lifting weights and getting strong.”
- “Where I came from, there was no difference in the training."
- “It’s very difficult to lift heavy alongside professional wrestling so I started taking up yoga just because in the past year or so, doing the powerlifting competitions with wrestling has just been crazy. With the yoga, I’ve been trying to get my body back into feeling better.”
- “It’s difficult to say, because they both mean completely different things to me. Professional wrestling pays the bills and I’ve been doing it forever and I love it, but powerlifting is something different. There’s no ‘if’s’, ‘and’s’ or ‘but’s’ about it, you can either lift the weight or you can’t, so I do feel a different type of fulfillment when I’m able to do something in a competition.”