When NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne shattered her nose in three places during a match with Thea Hail back in April, she never imagined it would lead to a heartfelt backstage moment with The American Nightmare. The Fatal Influence leader has now opened up about her ongoing injury struggles and that unforgettable encounter with Cody Rhodes that had her marking out like a childhood fan.
The Injury That Changed Everything
Jayne’s world turned upside down on April 30, 2024, when a routine NXT match against Thea Hail went sideways fast. The impact left her nose broken in three separate places, requiring immediate surgery and forcing her off television for over a month. But like any true competitor, Jayne wasn’t about to let a busted nose keep her away from the squared circle for long.
The creative solution? A protective face mask that would become the centerpiece of one of NXT’s most touching backstage segments. What Jayne didn’t know was that WWE had something special planned that would connect her injury storyline to wrestling history.
Cody Rhodes’ Surprise Gift Catches Champion Off Guard
Speaking to WWE – Die Woche, Jayne revealed she had zero clue about Rhodes’ appearance until he walked through the door that day. The surprise was so well-kept that even the champion herself was left speechless.
“I wasn’t even cleared. I was off TV for like four or five weeks because I had to get surgery and then, they were like, ‘Well, we can get you back on TV if you wear this protective mask’ and I’m like, ‘Yes, give me the mask, get me back on TV. I’ll figure it out as I go’ and then the next week they’re like, ‘We have a special guest coming to see you.’ I’m like, ‘Special guest?’ It’s like, ‘Who’s coming?'”
When Rhodes appeared with his iconic ‘Undashing’ mask from his 2011 gimmick, Jayne’s reaction was pure gold. The same mask that defined one of Rhodes’ most memorable character runs was being passed down to help another wrestler through their own facial injury storyline.
A Piece of Wrestling History
The mask wasn’t just any replica – it was the real deal, complete with battle scars from Rhodes’ own matches. Jayne couldn’t hide her excitement about receiving such an authentic piece of WWE history.
“That was crazy because I remember watching him in the mask growing up. The ‘Smoke and Mirrors,’ all that stuff. I was a fan back in the day so, 10 years later for him to come and give me the exact same, it was crazy. It still had the crack in it from when he got hit in the face. It was the real deal. It was cool.”
The Storyline That Never Was
Jayne’s creative mind didn’t stop at just wearing the protective gear. She pitched WWE creative on incorporating another element from Rhodes’ ‘Undashing’ character – the brown paper bags used to cover audience members’ faces. Unfortunately, that particular callback never made it to television.
“I tried to pitch doing the brown bag thing. After the mask, I was like, ‘Can I start putting brown bags over ugly people’s faces?’ We never got that far in the storyline. I don’t know why, you know, they said no to all that.”
The champion hasn’t given up on the idea entirely, jokingly suggesting she might pitch it again if she ever suffers another facial injury – though she hopes that never happens.
The Ongoing Medical Reality
Behind the storylines and memorable moments lies a more serious reality. Jayne revealed that her nose injury continues to affect her daily life in ways fans might not realize. The initial surgery only addressed making her nose straight again, leaving more complex issues unresolved.
“Mine never actually got fixed like that. Mine was shattered in three places and they basically were like, ‘Your nose is so broken, that we just have to make it straight first and then if you wanna have another surgery, you can come back and we’ll fix the septum. But I never had the second surgery so I can’t breathe out of my nose at all… I’m like a mouth-breather now. It’s really bad.”
This revelation shows the real physical toll that professional wrestling can take on performers, even from seemingly routine moves and bumps.
Championship Success Despite Setbacks
Jayne’s injury ordeal ultimately led to career-defining success. On May 27, she captured her first NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Stephanie Vaquer, who has since moved up to Monday Night Raw. The title victory proved that sometimes setbacks can fuel greater achievements.
Her reign got off to a strong start with a successful defense against Lainey Reid on the June 10 episode of NXT. Now, with a tournament beginning on June 17 to determine her next challenger for WWE Evolution, Jayne faces the exciting challenge of proving herself as a fighting champion.
From Injury to Inspiration
Jacy Jayne’s journey from a devastating facial injury to championship gold, complete with a heartwarming assist from Cody Rhodes, perfectly captures the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling. Her story demonstrates how setbacks can become stepping stones, and how the wrestling community often rallies around its own during difficult times.
As she prepares to defend her title at WWE Evolution, one has to wonder: will Jayne ever get that second nose surgery to fix her breathing issues, or will the demands of her championship schedule keep her pushing through the discomfort that reminds her daily of where this incredible journey began?
