Jordynne Grace disappeared from WWE and secretly trained for bodybuilding stage, making a surprise comeback that ended with a second-place finish and national qualification (Credit: Getty Images)
Fans now had a whole new reason to talk about her, thanks to her surprise guest appearance at the 2026 Heart of Texas bodybuilding event. Grace appeared on stage September 19, 2026, at the Heart of Texas competition in Euless, Texas. It was also Grace’s first competitive bodybuilding appearance since 2023. She’s a former bodybuilder who won first place in the Women’s Physique division at the 2023 Tri-City Classic. Women’s Physique was among the divisions listed by the National Physique Committee at the 2026 Heart of Texas event in Euless, Texas, on September 19. Her 2023 bodybuilding appearance showed that her muscular build was not just a part of her wrestling persona but linked to years of dedicated training. The latest result is particularly telling considering the gap between her 2023 competition and her 2026 Heart of Texas appearance.
Because the competitive demands of pro wrestling and bodybuilding are quite different: WWE performers have to stay in shape for matches, travel and TV, whereas bodybuilding preparation can involve very strict training, nutrition and contest prep focused on a specific show date, that distinction matters,. The surprise appearance was an even bigger development when the results were announced. No date has been announced for her return to WWE so the bodybuilding contest gives us a major update on what she’s been up to during her recent absence but doesn’t establish what WWE has planned for her next appearance.
She later said she had spent the previous four weeks preparing for the event and deliberately keeping the plan under wraps. Grace said she didn’t even tell her husband she was competing until earlier in the week leading up to the show. Grace placed second at the Heart of Texas competition and said the placement also qualified her for nationals.
Jordynne Grace was nowhere to be seen on regular WWE programming, her time away from the wrestling spotlight was not just a period of inactivity. The WWE Superstar was secretly getting ready to return to a different competitive ring, one she was familiar with before she became a big name in pro wrestling. She wrestled under her real name, Patricia Gresham, not her familiar WWE persona. Grace came second and qualified for a national bodybuilding competition after four weeks of private training. There was little fanfare when Jordynne Grace returned to bodybuilding. Grace was training behind the scenes for a very different type of contest While wrestling fans waited for word on her WWE appearances. The secrecy went well beyond her audience of wrestlers. That made her eventual appearance on the bodybuilding stage all the more surprising, as there had been no lengthy public campaign announcing her return. The athlete faced another demanding challenge in returning several years later while still working as a professional wrestler. Thus, Grace’s participation was more a return to an organized bodybuilding setting than simply a personal fitness appearance. Grace was already a force in strength sports before her WWE career became a major part of her public profile. Grace decided to have a concentrated period of preparation and only reveal the result when she was ready to walk on stage, instead of announcing a gradual comeback over a number of months. She later characterized the outcome as a fair loss, rather than framing the runner-up spot as a setback. The bodybuilding result is just another chapter of that athletic background. Grace didn’t just show up back at the gym, or give a training update. She entered an official competition, got up on stage after a secret period of rehearsals and came second, gaining national qualification in the process. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines For those who follow the WWE, the development also leaves open the question of when Grace will next appear on wrestling television.
Grace holds WNPF Georgia State and National records in the 165-pound weight class, including a 320-pound squat, a 210-pound bench press and a 355-pound deadlift, according to Muscle & Fitness. The available reports still list Grace as a WWE talent, and no official statement has confirmed that her bodybuilding competition signifies a change in her wrestling status. Her credentials of strength are impressive too. Grace’s return to bodybuilding comes at a time when her WWE presence has been limited. Since June, reports say, she hasn’t wrestled for WWE, with her most recent match coming on WWE Main Event. The break from regular WWE TV helped make her surprise appearance in bodybuilding more of a surprise. However, her absence from WWE programming should not be interpreted as her leaving the company.
2026 Heart of Texas detail Jordynne Grace Competition Heart of Texas Date September 19, 2026 Location Euless, Texas Competition name used Patricia Gresham Preparation Approximately four weeks Result Second place Qualification National-level competition Previous bodybuilding competition 2023 Grace’s reaction to the outcome was consistent with how she talked about her comeback prior to the contest. Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news , check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule . She has not, however, announced a date for a national competition, or said how often she plans to compete going forward.
The result means Grace can return to the bodybuilding stage at an event on a national level. The qualification does not guarantee a next appearance but allows for one. It wasn’t about winning for her, but about the fact that she had come back to the stage, and that was important to her. But the second-place finish was another competitive accomplishment and opened the door to another level of bodybuilding. The qualification is another example of Grace competing successfully outside the traditional wrestling environment. She’s competed in WWE, but her resume also includes professional wrestling, bodybuilding and powerlifting, giving her a competitive background well beyond WWE. Ultimately, the surprise itself may be only the beginning. Grace has proved she’s been working on a serious athletic project during her time off from the WWE spotlight and the national qualification means there’s still a possibility for another bodybuilding appearance. The Heart of Texas result is a big step in her return to the sport until she announces her next move. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.