Nikkita Lyons: WWE's Most Electrifying Prospect

There are countless pieces to Lyons’ career arts, combat sports, and a knack for the theatrical but the singularity of each component make her one of the most recognizable proponents of the NXT brand. Immediate and untamed energy is tied into everything she does. With a winning combination of swagger, confidence in her combat ability, and a presence built from years on the dance floor and stage, Lyons has a resume packed with experiences garnered from her years out of the squared circle. Though her career has been marred with injuries, she has the added benefit of having her fans anticipate the comeback as she trades in her viral sensation title for one of a serious contender.

WWE Debut: A Big Personality Enters the System

Signing with WWE in 2021 meant that she would be wrestling under her real name, Faith Marie Jefferies, after previously wrestling in the Women of Wrestling circuit as Faith the Lioness. Lyons’ first match in WWE came on 205 Live’s December 31, 2021, episode against Amari Miller. WWE used her debut to showcase one of the most striking performers to enter their system given her background in the arts. It was no surprise that her debut was closely followed by a fast track to NXT. Less than two months later, on February 22, 2022, she wrestled Kayla Inlay and scored a win in her NXT debut.

The exciting part of her debut was how self sufficient her presentation was. There was no need to gradually build her presence or confidence. Lyons was a hard hitting performer with a striking entrance.

Its easy to see why she was quickly touted as a favorite by WWE fans. Her aura and finishers, which included a split-leg kick, a spin kick, and a flourish, were the perfect additions to an already packed NXT roster.

Positive Trajectory, Major Attention, Irksome Delays

Starting out in NXT 2.0, Lyons was getting the recognition she deserved. After her feud with Lash Legend, it was clear that Lyons was able to hold her own in the ring and play the charismatic baby-face role. She also secured victories over Legend and formed a tag team with Cora Jade to defeat Legend and Natalya at Spring Breakin’. These events positioned Lyons as an impressive prospect with ample power and personality, and with plenty of opportunity for new and exciting storylines.

Afterward, it appeared as if the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament could possibly be the start of her big break. Unfortunately, due to injuries, that also ended up being the first and last match for Lyons in that tournament. Again, she attempted a return to the ring in June 2022. During her brief return, she secured a disqualification victory over Manday Rose, the reigning NXT Women’s Champion at the time. However, due to poor timing, she was unable to secure any momentum for an extended push.

Her most significant injury setback occurred in 2023 and forced her to remain on the sidelines for most of the year. After she returned for her anticipated match against Blair Davenport, unfinished business with Davenport was once again cut short after a return to the sidelines due to an injury for Lyons in early 2024.

For a performer with an aesthetic built around explosive movement, these absences were particularly difficult for her. They nonetheless added dimension to her character. Lyons evolved from being a mere highlight-reel prospect into a story about overcoming adversity.

Wrestling Style: Strikes, Swagger, and Showbiz Combat

Lyons’ in-ring style is a synthesis of her personality and penchant for impact. As a performer, her background in martial arts is clearly evident. Her moves are characterized by her use of spins, kicks, sudden and sharp bursts of offense, and an overall an offensive and defensive posture which suggests a readiness to take the fight to her opponent.

Lyons thrives in matches that allow her to perform with an explosive style. She wrestles best when she is able to absorb the offense from her opponent, and use it as an opportunity to shift the momentum of the match with an offense that is refreshing and aggressive. Her signature style is perhaps best exemplified by the dramatic kicks or body checks.

Lyons’ wrestling style is definitely not that of a pure striker. She performs with an integral element of showmanship that can be in the form of dance, music, and/or attitude to her character and style of wrestling. This showbiz style can be divisive. Some fans appreciate and enjoy her over the top style, while others are more of a wrestling purist and prefer a style characterized by a greater degree of realism. This style is also what makes Lyons memorable.

Wrestling is a style that is characterized by the ability of a performer to stand out from the rest, which is something that has plagued Lyons in the past. She has splined her character using the various elements of show and scuffle. Early on, Lyons had a style that was best described as an unrefined mixture of martial arts, dance, and music, with lots of attitude and a portrayal of a heroic powerhouse. In her newer wrestling character of show, she has preferred a style more refined form of wrestling.

Nikkita Lyons' most thrilling persona fuses her signature style with more strategic movement - less about displaying for the moment, more about seeking the victory.

Character Evolution: From Called Upon Candidate to Reliance Initiative

Lyons’ evolution in the eyes of the audience is perhaps the most fascinating thing about this story. Upon arrival, audience members thought WWE was high on Lyons and rightfully so. One example could be from the In-Demand list. As challenging as it made things, it turned out to be a life-saver. Some remarked on her being bolstered before earning it on her own and being injured causing her to lose her traction, and having to hard reset and reintroduce herself.

This rebranding has made her more interesting. No longer being the new shiny attraction and being yet another prize someone’s come home with, Ms. Lyons carries with her a story of having to recover, rework, and prove her worth. The return in 2024 was accompanied by a darker persona with stronger heel character traits, while later bookings on WWE Evolve gave her the opportunity to build her timing and rhythm on the match without the harshest of spotlights.

Current Run: Evolve Gold, NXT Connections and Main Roster Patience

As of 2026, Lyons has continued to work with NXT and WWE Evolve. She debuted at Evolve in 2025 and defeated Wendy Choo to become the Evolve Women’s Champion at Evolve Succession III. This is Lyons’ first championship win in WWE. This win is hugely significant as it gives a long-awaited championship to an inspirational and solidifying comeback story.

There is talk of a possible future in the main roster as WWE officials were reportedly impressed with her work post injury.

However, recent reports say it is not likely Lyons will be called up to Raw or SmackDown anytime soon. Instead, expect her to continue working in Evolve and NXT. This may be the best approach. Lyons has star potential, and due to the evolution of her persona, the healthiest approach for her career may be the slowest. There may also be changes to her character with the addiiton of alliances.

Lyons will have the potential to display a broader range of skills, whether she is aligned with a group of upcoming stars, working in a tag team with a veteran, or being positioned as the lead of the Evolve Women’s Division. There are now many paths, with the main focus being to create a more distinct character, a lioness who has been down, but is ready to show the world her symbolic roar is not a thing of the past, but a sign of what is to come.

Why Nikkita Lyons Still Feels Like a Big Deal.....

Lyons has a big deal factor to her that other wrestlers simply do not have. Once her presence is felt, the only thing left to do is prove to fans that this will be a permanent thing. This can be achieved through consistency and her health as well as regular character development and her moveset.

Lyons has the ability to become a main roster draw, but now the greatest thing is that her journey has all of the potential it needs to be a great story.

She began as a bright young talent, experienced the many challenges that come with injury, made a return with something to prove, and now makes history with championship momentum in Evolve. This is a perfect example of a wrestling storyline. The Lioness is roaring, not just for the dramatic effect, but to symbolize her survival.