The WWE Universe was eagerly waiting in excitement for the arrival of NXT Superstar Blake Monroe, and the fans got it — but not in the way they thought they would.
Joining WWE from rival brand AEW, which she departed from in May 2025, where she was known as Mariah May, which is her legal name, Mariah made her shocking WWE debut on the 3rd June episode of NXT, confronting NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and adopting the name Blake Monroe.
She made her in-ring debut at NXT The Great American Bash on 12th July, teaming with fellow SmackDown star Jordynne Grace to defeat the new SmackDown Women’s Tag Team Champions, Fatal Influence. Blake would eventually turn heel on Jordynne Grace at WWE Evolution, attacking Jordynne with the championship belt. Blake and Jordynne would then enter into a feud, with Jordynne winning the rivalry by taking the victory in their third and final match.
Blake would then set her sights on the NXT Women’s North American Championship and would defeat Zaria for the title, winning her first championship in WWE. She would then go on to lose the title to Thea Hail.
Blake would then begin the final chapter of her time in NXT with a feud against Tatum Paxley. Monroe would steal the title from Paxley after she retained the championship in a match at NXT Stand & Deliver. On April 4th, Monroe failed to win the title from Paxley. She would then, on the next episode of NXT, decide to declare herself the new champion after receiving a gifted title from Vanity Project.
At NXT Revenge Night 2, which took place on 14th April, Monroe once again failed to win the title from Paxley in a Casket Match. This brought an end to their feud and Monroe’s time on the NXT brand.
Twelve days later, on the 24th April edition of Friday Night SmackDown, a cinematic vignette aired, teasing the arrival of Blake Monroe on the blue brand. After just over two months of waiting and seeing vignettes every week, which included Monroe speaking about her future opponents such as former WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton and Giulia, Blake would finally make her first live appearance in the ring.
Blake attacked Giulia in front of her hometown crowd in London. Following the attack, she would be seen on Friday Night SmackDown attacking stars backstage, with the vignettes continuing. However, no match had been announced for Blake — until now.
During a social media exclusive featuring SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, Blake Monroe and Giulia which was posted on the official WWE X page it was announced that the pair would go one-on-one next week in Toronto on SmackDown.
Blake fans will now be getting their hopes up and will be excited to see what is next for “The Glamour”.
After #SmackDown General Manager @RealNickAldis informs @BlakeMonroeWWE that it’s time for her to have a match, @giulia0221g makes it clear that she is more than happy to give her would-be opponent what she deserves. pic.twitter.com/qFLFAq8P92
— WWE (@WWE) August 15, 2026
