‘It Meant A Lot’: WWE Star Discusses Main Roster Debut Opponent

Published: Jan 16, 2026 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Jan 16, 2026 by Dave Adamson

Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.

WWE

Following their main roster debut, a WWE star has discussed their first opponent and their history together.

Having officially signed with WWE in January of last year, Jordynne Grace would head to NXT before being called up to the main roster on January 9.

Her first match as a main roster star would see Grace score a victory over Alba Fyre, a WWE star with whom she has a history.

Grace would share an insight into that history, which dates back to Fyre’s time as an independent wrestler, during a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio.

Looking back at a match, Grace referred to Fyre as an “incredible wrestler”, praising the quality of their work, saying:

“Me and Alba – when she was Kay Lee Ray on the indies – we actually wrestled probably 10 years ago now. That match is on YouTube, and that match is really, really good, if anybody wants to seek it out.

“I think she’s an incredible wrestler. When I was coming up, she was someone that I looked up to, so it meant a lot to me to be able to wrestle her in my debut match on SmackDown.”

Grace and the then-Kay Lee Ray had a singles match at OTT Defiant 2 in October 2018, with that match shared on YouTube right here.

The former Kay Lee Ray has been a fixture in WWE since signing with the company in 2019, having made earlier appearances on NXT and in the first Mae Young Classic.

Following her SmackDown debut, Grace was confronted by Champion Jade Cargill, and would have far less kind words about the WWE Women’s Champion.