In an interview with Denise Salcedo, WWE NXT wrestler Kelani Jordan opened up about one of the most surreal moments of her young career – receiving direct praise and personal approval from WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam.
Jordan recalled the moment vividly, admitting she was overwhelmed when she met RVD late last year. “I was fan-girling for sure,” she said with a huge smile. “I was like, ‘This is so crazy. I can’t believe this is happening.’” Despite the nerves, the experience quickly turned into something she’ll never forget.
She described RVD as warm, encouraging, and unexpectedly invested in offering her advice. “RVD is so cool,” Jordan said. “It was just a fun thing to be able to hear his experience and also just give me some motivation saying like, you know, you’re going to be someone. Just keep at it. Believe in yourself and just dare to be different.”
Jordan said hearing those words from someone of Rob Van Dam’s stature was deeply validating. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear. I got the nod, the yes – the cosign.”
But the moment didn’t end there. According to Jordan, RVD specifically complimented the way she incorporates elements of his famous arsenal into her own move set. “He loved how I attributed a lot of my move set to his move set,” she explained. “He was like, ‘I love it.’”
Then came the line that made Jordan’s face light up during the interview. “You’re my prodigy,” RVD told her – a moment Jordan says she’ll carry with her forever. Hearing that from one of the most influential innovators in wrestling history meant more to her than she could ever put into words.
Salcedo pointed out how meaningful it must feel for RVD to see his legacy reflected through the next generation. Jordan agreed wholeheartedly. “Every time I go out there and do anything that is attributed to RVD, people think of him,” Jordan said. “His spirit continues on through me and the new generation.”
For Jordan receiving RVD’s blessing seemed to cement her identity as one of today’s fastest-rising performers. “I needed to hear that,” she said. “It meant everything.”
Here are Kelani Jordan’s top accomplishments in pro-wrestling so far:
– 1x NXT Women’s North American Champion (inaugural)
– 1x TNA Knockouts World Champion
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