Kelani Jordan Next WWE NXT Women’s Championship Challenger After Heatwave

WWE

At WWE NXT Heatwave 2026, Kelani Jordan defeated Kendal Grey to win the NXT Women’s Championship.

Now that “The Standout” finally has the gold, there should be no shortage of new challengers coming for the title.

From former champions to rising stars, these names will be looking to take down Jordan sooner rather than later.

Here are six potential Kelani Jordan next WWE NXT Women’s Championship challengers after Heatwave.

8. Jaida Parker

Kelani Jordan was not the only star who picked up the biggest win of their career at WWE NXT Heatwave 2026.

After months of issues, Jaida Parker finally shut up Nattie with a win in a Submission Match at Heatwave.

Then on the September 1 episode of WWE NXT, Parker stepped up to the new NXT Women’s Champion and issued a challenge for the gold.

Now that their title match is set for the September 8, fans could see Ms. Parker reach the next level of her career against Jordan.

7. Thea Hail

Another WWE NXT star who let Kelani Jordan know that she was looking for her gold is Thea Hail.

On the September 1 edition of WWE NXT, Hail picked up another victory over current Evolve Women’s Champion Nikkita Lyons.

With this win, Hail could have put herself in line for an opportunity against the new champ.

Kelani Jordan defending against Thea Hail would be interesting with two of the brightest stars on the NXT roster going at it.

6. Izzi Dame

Another rising star on the WWE NXT roster that could be gunning for a title shot is Izzi Dame.

Ever since losing the NXT Women’s North American Championship to Tatum Paxley earlier this year, Dame has been looking to the top prize in the women’s scene.

Dame has Niko Vance by her side that could help her make the case to get a shot at the NXT Women’s gold.

Dame challenging Kelani Jordan would be intriguing to see how she fairs against the new champion.

5. Lizzy Rain

Debuting on WWE NXT in April, Lizzy Rain quickly impressed management and fans alike.

With her energetic personality and rockstar looks, Rain is someone who can truly establish themselves as a cornerstone of the NXT women’s division.

While she has had her opportunity at the NXT Women’s North American Championship, Rain is still in pursuit of her first crack at the richest prize in the NXT women’s division.

Lizzy Rain might be a wild card that could offer a formidable test for the new NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan in the near future.

4. Kali Armstrong

Kali Armstrong is no stranger to championship gold, being the inaugural Evolve Women’s Champion.

Since moving up to NXT in April, Armstrong has been looking to get some more gold around her waist.

“The Difference Maker” has the speed, size, look, charisma and intensity to be a champion on the NXT brand.

With Kelani Jordan now holding the NXT Women’s Championship, Armstrong might be the right combination that could potentially dethrone “The Upstart.”

3. Wren Sinclair

Wren Sinclair came into WWE NXT Heatwave 2026 on the hunt to become a double champion.

However, ZARIA defeated Sinclair and Kali Armstrong to become the NXT Women’s North American and WWE Speed Women’s Champion.

Now that she has lost her title, Sinclair might want to move up the ladder on the NXT brand.

After seeing her friend injured in their title match, Sinclair might be more motivated than ever to wrestle the NXT Women’s Championship from Kelani Jordan and bring it back to the WrenQCC.

2. Kendal Grey

Another champion who obviously lost their gold at WWE NXT Heatwave 2026 was Kendal Grey.

Coming into the bout with an injured ear, Grey fell victim to Kelani Jordan targeting the hurt body part and even used an exposed turnbuckle to her advantage.

On the September 1 edition of WWE NXT, commentary revealed that Grey will be out of action indefinitely to recover from the damage to her ear.

Grey returning to reclaim the NXT Women’s Championship from Jordan would be fitting and culminate their months-long rivalry with one another.

1. ZARIA

There is probably no one who looked more dominant in victory at WWE NXT Heatwave 2026 than ZARIA.

At the premium live event, ZARIA defeated Wren Sinclair and Kali Armstrong to become a double champion as the NXT Women’s North American and WWE Speed Women’s Champion.

After relinquishing the Speed Women’s Title, ZARIA looks to leave her mark on the North American gold, but she may want to do the one thing that her former tag team partner and friend Sol Ruca was unable to do.

ZARIA wanting to become double champion again by beating Kelani Jordan would see her finally reach the mountaintop of the NXT women’s division after a long wait.

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• wwe nxt
• Kelani Jordan
• WWE NXT Heatwave 2026
• NXt Women's Championship

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