Kendal Grey Wins NXT Women's Title on Third Try

After falling short twice before, Kendal Grey finally reached the top of WWE's NXT women's division on Sunday night at The Great American Bash.

Grey, wearing gear inspired by wrestling legend Kurt Angle, faced off against champion Lola Vice at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. The match came down to a dramatic exchange of forearm shots before Grey landed her signature move, Shades of Grey, off the middle turnbuckle to secure the pin and the championship.

The victory was especially sweet considering Grey's short time with NXT. She joined the roster only in April after holding the WWE Evolve women's championship for 146 days.

Her first championship shot came at New Year's Evil, where she lost to Jacy Jayne. At Stand & Deliver, she competed in a triple threat match against Jayne and Vice, who walked away with the title that night.

Third time proved to be the charm for the determined rookie. After the final bell, Grey celebrated in the ring with WWE women's speed champion Wren Sinclair and her family, soaking in a moment she'd been chasing for months.

Why This Inspires

Grey's journey shows the power of persistence in professional wrestling and beyond. Many rookies would feel discouraged after two failed attempts at a major championship, especially so early in their tenure.

Instead, Grey used each loss as fuel. Her quick rise from the developmental Evolve brand to NXT champion demonstrates what happens when talent meets determination.

For Vice, the loss doesn't mark an ending but a transition. She continues as AAA mixed tag team champion with Mr. Iguana and has been appearing regularly on AAA programming, suggesting exciting opportunities ahead in the Mexican wrestling scene.

Grey now faces the challenge every new champion welcomes: defending her title against the next wave of competitors eager to prove themselves. If her journey to the top showed us anything, it's that she's ready for whatever comes next.