Last night, at NXT Gold Rush 2025, Léi Ying Lee became the new TNA Knockouts World Champion. She defeated both the current Champion, NXT’s Kelani Jordan, and NXT’s Jordynne Grace. The Angel Warrior made a fighting miracle of bringing the title back home, where it belongs.
When TNA Head of Talent Relations Tommy Dreamer, alongside TNA President Carlos Silva and TNA producer Jazz, announced her re-signing live at TNA Emergence 2025, it was easy to understand that something was in the making. Her road to the Knockouts Championships was paved. It was now a matter of when, rather than if, it would happen. And it happened last night at NXT Gold Rush.
A Warrior Angel
Since her debut in September 2024, Lee has consistently impressed. She’s never afraid of fighting against both Knockouts and men. She is a true warrior, as Masha Slamovich stated when she gave her a title chance at TNA Against All Odds 2025. Lee is also one-half of the Angel Warriors, alongside Xia Brookside.
The best way to describe Léi Ying Lee is to quote what Tommy Dreamer said at Emergence PLE: “It’s all about our journeys in life. (…) This young lady came from China, didn’t know one word of English, also never knew what professional wrestling was, and moved across the world to start a brand new dream. (…) She truly represents the Knockouts, her culture, and women in general for her goals, and what they should be, as strong as fighters.”
BREAKING: @TheLeiYingLee has re-signed with TNA Wrestling! @THETOMMYDREAMER @carlossilva @XiaBrookside @Phenom_Jazz
Watch #TNAEmergence LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/33dWERG6GX pic.twitter.com/wfQD5nHtz6
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) August 16, 2025
Right when she started with TNA Wrestling, Léi Ying Lee brought something different to the mix. If the Knockouts are supposed to be beautiful, strong, and kick-ass, Lee showed the kick-ass side first. As her tag-team partner Xia Brookside said, “Léi Ying Lee is such a hard-hitting, kicking, fighting, just warrior in herself.”
The former WWE’s Xia Li made her pro wrestling debut in 2017. Her Thunderstruck tornado kick finishing move has led to many wins. The award-winning combat sports athlete brought extensive martial arts experience and seven years in WWE to the TNA ring. Léi Ying Lee is a martial arts specialist.
She is a lethal kickboxer, a renowned bodybuilder, and an accomplished CrossFit specialist. Her all-time favorite pro wrestler is Manami Toyota, one of the greatest female professional wrestlers of all time.
And An Angel Warrior
After Jordynne Grace left TNA Wrestling in early 2025, the company needed a new Knockout to fit the definition above. Masha Slamovich seemed to be that person, but some personal matters led to her forfeiture from the Knockouts division.
Because Slamovich described Lee as a warrior and gave her the chance to prove her Championship potential, she immediately became the Knockout who could lead the division.
The 37-year-old wrestler proved, as Slamovich could, that she can fight men, be fierce, and be able to spread her blood to the ring if it is required. As she seemed to be on the road to the Knockouts Tag Team Championship with Xia Brookside, things took a strange twist in the iMPACT Zone.
As Ash by Elegance was forced to retire, it ultimately came down to NXT’s Kelani Jordan or Léi Ying Lee competing for the Championship.
HEAVEN SENT secures the victory for @TheLeiYingLee and @XiaBrookside!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/bHjlPJoTeH pic.twitter.com/wz6vmY0suc
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) October 3, 2025
If she failed to win at TNA Victory Road 2025, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella dropped the bombshell on NXT. Not only did Kelani Jordan defend the TNA Knockouts World title against Jordynne Grace, but also Léi Ying Lee. This match was the right match to become the Champion. Even if, in the hearts of the TNA fans, she has always been a true fighting Champion.
Last night, the three incredible athletes left it all in the ring in hopes of securing one of professional wrestling’s most prized possessions. The closing moments saw Grace deliver a spinning powerbomb to Jordan. Lee would neutralize Grace with a roundhouse kick. She then pinned Kelani for the three-count.
With this monumental victory last night, Léi Ying Lee became the new TNA Knockouts World Champion. And the first Chinese Champion in TNA Wrestling history. Warriors are angels, and angels are warriors.
WHAT. A. FINISH. @TheLeiYingLee IS THE NEW @ThisIsTNA KNOCKOUTS WORLD CHAMPION!!! pic.twitter.com/pmNZc7z8KW
— WWE (@WWE) November 26, 2025
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Header image credit – WWE – Stay tuned to Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on TNA Wrestling, Léi Ying Lee, the TNA Knockouts World Championship, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Catch all TNA events and shows on TNA Plus.
