Blake Monroe made her highly anticipated SmackDown in-ring debut before fans who had eagerly awaited her presence in the ring. Facing Giulia, Monroe’s entrance was a topic of discussion among fans due to her previous acclaimed entrance in NXT, where she would turn from a vanity mirror to enter the ring. Fans hoped this signature element would be part of her SmackDown debut, but it did not occur.
During her entry at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, Monroe donned a sheer robe adorned with showgirl-style feathers. Some fans expressed disappointment, unaware of the personal significance behind the choice. Monroe explained in an Instagram post how her journey began nine years ago, sharing the overwhelming fear she faced before her first wrestling class. Despite her theatre background, she was filled with apprehension, reminiscent of the night before her first class.
My journey started 9 years ago. I remember the night before my first class – I was so nervous. I had done theatre for years and never felt anything close to this level of fear.
Monroe described the symbolic appearance of a feather on her windshield that morning, reminding her of her late grandmother, who had passed several months earlier. This comforting sign inspired her to pursue her dreams. She fondly remembered her grandmother as a unique, resilient woman, and the feather felt like her grandmother’s encouragement to chase her ambitions.
Monroe expressed her commitment to following her dreams, considering it the best decision she ever made. She had eagerly awaited her SmackDown debut for nine years. Unfortunately, her grandfather passed away shortly before her debut, compounding her emotional burden. Trying to maintain normalcy, Monroe encountered another feather found by her hairdresser, offering further comfort amidst grief.
My new beautiful feathered fan entrance on Smackdown might seem like a burlesque and Great Gatsby dream, but it’s also so much more. Last night I felt like my grandparents, who are together again now, were holding my hands for one of the biggest moments in my life.
The feathered fans in her entrance served as a tribute to her grandparents, symbolically supporting her during this defining moment. Her debut match concluded with Monroe defeating Giulia. She thwarted Giulia’s attempt from the top turnbuckle, resulting in Giulia’s head injury and Monroe’s pinfall victory.
Blake Monroe’s rise to the main roster occurred after joining WWE last year and debuting in NXT in June 2025. She held the title of NXT women’s North American champion before being called up.