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Backstage Insights on Kendal Grey’s WWE NXT Therapy Segments
While Kendal Grey remains away from in-ring competition, the former NXT Women’s Champion has been featured in a series of therapy-themed vignettes on recent episodes of “NXT.” These segments sparked discussion on Wednesday’s “Wrestling Observer Radio,” where Bryan Alvarez criticized the current and prior vignettes. Dave Meltzer agreed, offering context on WWE’s intentions behind the angle.
“They see her as a top-tier athlete in the ring, so they want to help her develop acting skills,” Meltzer explained.
Both analysts voiced their disapproval, with Alvarez suggesting the skits made Grey appear unsuited for the wrestling industry. Meltzer admitted he became distracted enough to pick up a book during the segment but clarified his critique was directed at the writing rather than Grey’s performance.
Meltzer said, “I understand their goal—they want to teach her to act because someone believes this is creative direction. Still, it’s not connecting well. Grey has immense potential; athletically, she’s exceptional and could be one of the best women WWE has seen. But they view her as purely a technical wrestler and feel the need to expand her persona through these acting exercises. This material is tough, and it’s unfair to her.”
If quoting, please credit “Wrestling Observer Radio” with a hat tip to Wrestling Inc. for transcription.
Opinion: WWE Should Stop Overcomplicating Kendal Grey’s Rise and Let Her Excel Naturally
In wrestling, the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” often gets ignored. Promotions frequently attempt to mold wrestlers who are already successful, pushing them to overcome perceived weaknesses, usually with mixed results. Kendal Grey, a rare talent blessed with outstanding athleticism and relatability despite her limited experience, has thrived by simply being great. WWE’s NXT could capitalize on that success, yet instead, they’ve placed her in these divisive therapy segments.
What’s puzzling is that NXT’s explanation for Grey’s current absence—vertigo—seems more storyline than reality. This is not a situation where she’s injured and needs an on-screen reason to stay visible; it appears to be a creative decision meant to develop her character through these vignettes. While the long-term payoff is uncertain, the immediate effect seems detrimental. If NXT wanted to keep her involved while her ally Wren Sinclair pursued a title opportunity, they could have crafted promos focusing on her wrestling background or portrayed her regaining confidence for a triumphant return. Even simply having her quietly out of action, only to reappear with a surprise comeback, would have been more effective and true to her persona. Instead, WWE insists she act in ways that feel forced, proving again that they believe every talent must become an actor. The old adage holds true here: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sadly for Kendal Grey, the current approach feels more harmful than helpful, even if it won’t damage her career long-term.
Fan Take:
This situation is important because it highlights the ongoing challenge wrestling promotions face in balancing in-ring talent with character development. For fighting fans, Kendal Grey’s treatment serves as a reminder that authenticity in performance can be just as crucial as physical ability, and missteps in storytelling could hinder a superstar’s momentum and impact the sport’s future stars.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
