NXT’s Kendal Grey Opens Up on Uncertain Future Amid Vertigo Battle

Kendal Grey addressed the uncertainty hanging over her career during the September 22 episode of NXT, opening up about the vertigo and severe ear trauma that have kept her out of action. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since the injury occurred, and as of last week there was still no timeline for when — or if — she’d be cleared to return to the ring.

Details on exactly how the injury happened haven’t been made public, but vertigo tied to inner-ear trauma is a serious and often unpredictable issue for athletes. Balance disorders like this can linger far longer than a typical wrestling injury, since they affect the vestibular system rather than a joint or muscle that can be rehabbed on a set schedule. That unpredictability appears to be exactly what Grey is grappling with — the fear isn’t just about missing time, but about whether her body will allow her to safely compete in a physical, high-impact environment again.

Grey has been part of NXT’s ongoing infusion of younger talent as the brand continues to lean on its developmental pipeline to build out its women’s roster. Losing any performer to a long-term or indefinite absence is a blow, but it’s especially tough when the wrestler in question is still early in her run and building momentum. For NXT, it also means adjusting plans on the fly — any storylines or program plans built around Grey will need to be reshuffled until there’s more clarity on her condition.

What stands out most is Grey’s willingness to speak candidly about the mental toll of the situation rather than keeping it behind the curtain. Injuries are common in wrestling, but performers don’t always get the platform — or choose to take it — to talk through the fear of an uncertain recovery in real time, especially one involving something as unnerving as vertigo. It’s a reminder that WWE’s current wellness-forward approach to sidelined talent doesn’t erase the human anxiety that comes with not knowing when, or whether, you’ll get back to doing what you love.

There’s no update yet on further testing, treatment, or a revised timetable for Grey’s recovery. Until WWE or Grey herself provides more information, her status remains open-ended. PW Exclusive will continue to follow her recovery and any updates on when she might be cleared to return to NXT.