Nia Jax returns to the ring on WWE Raw

After a year away from the ring, Nia Jax returned to action on the Raw after WrestleMania 36.

Jax defeating Deonna Purrazzo aired on tonight’s Raw. Jax attacked Purrazzo once the bell rang, gave her short-arm clotheslines, and hit a Samoan drop. Jax then used a new cradle DDT finisher (like Paige’s RamPaige) to get the win.

Paige tweeted about Jax using the move: “You never use another persons finishing move unless it is given to you. I gave it to @NiaJaxWWE and she just killed it. I have chills. Proud moment”

Jax had announced on April 12, 2019 that she would need to undergo surgery to repair both of her ACLs. “Some of you may or may not know, but I will be out of action for a little while,” Jax wrote at the time. “Unfortunately, I have been pushing through some pain over the last year due to injuries in my knees and I will be undergoing surgery to repair both of my ACLs. I’m grateful to everyone who has supported me! Thank you!”

The last time that Jax was in action prior to tonight’s show was when she teamed with Tamina against Sasha Banks & Bayley, Peyton Royce & Billie Kay, and Natalya & Beth Phoenix in a fatal four-way Women’s Tag Team title match at WrestleMania 35 last year.

Dave Meltzer confirmed last month that Jax was cleared to return and was earmarked for Raw.