Update on Jordynne Grace’s WWE Absence

Update on Jordynne Grace’s WWE TV Absence

Jordynne Grace’s continued absence from WWE television has been one of the more puzzling stories of 2026, especially given the hype surrounding her signing. Now WrestleVotes has provided new context, reporting that Grace has become a casualty of SmackDown’s increasingly crowded two‑hour structure — and the women’s division is feeling the squeeze more than anyone.

Why SmackDown’s Format Shift Is Hurting the Women’s Division

According to the report, Grace’s lack of TV time isn’t about creative disinterest or backstage issues. It’s simply a numbers game. She has worked a handful of Main Event matches, but without a storyline and with limited space on SmackDown, she has struggled to find a consistent spot.

The situation worsened when SmackDown lost its third hour. That extra block of time previously allowed WWE to feature women who weren’t directly involved in top angles. Multi‑woman matches, tag bouts and showcase segments helped keep the division visible. With the show now back to two hours, that real estate has disappeared.

WrestleVotes noted that the shift has made it significantly harder for WWE to fit in talent outside the main stories. SmackDown currently features Cody Rhodes, CM Punk and Sami Zayn in major arcs, while the returns of Kevin Owens and Randy Orton have added two more top names who require weekly attention. The result is a heavily male‑dominated lineup that leaves little room for women not already in major programs.

Grace’s situation reflects what we reported in July — she was still traveling to TV tapings but wasn’t being used. Even her occasional Main Event appearances eventually dried up. On one occasion, WWE reportedly flew her to Lexington only to send her home without putting her on the show.

Her momentum had already taken a hit earlier in the year when an ankle injury derailed plans for a WrestleMania 42 Women’s United States Championship Triple Threat involving Grace, Tiffany Stratton and Giulia. But she has been healthy for months, making her continued absence harder to ignore.

The picture is now clearer. SmackDown went from three hours to two. The men’s roster became stacked with some of WWE’s biggest names. And the television space that could have gone to Jordynne Grace simply isn’t there anymore. She’s available, she’s ready, but she’s stuck in the numbers game.

EDITORIAL NOTE: This is one of several unsourced reports that should be treated as speculation rather than confirmed news.

SmackDown moving to a two-hour format may have affected plans for Jordynne Grace’s return. However, WWE’s women’s division remains active, and if the company were fully committed to bringing Grace back, it is reasonable to assume that creative could have found a place for her.

That raises questions about whether the reduced SmackDown runtime is really the main reason for her absence. If Grace is healthy and available, the situation could instead point to WWE having less interest in using the former TNA Champion at this time.

Of course, that conclusion is also speculation…