The meeting eventually led to Jade and fellow “NXT” star Roxanne Perez developing a close friendship with Punk. But the bond between the three extended back into the squared circle, where Jade says Punk became an important mentor to both her and Perez, even going the extra mile to watch their performances when it was inconvenient for him.

“I just was constantly just asking him for advice, and Roxanne’s my best friend, so the three of us just became pretty close,” Jade said. “Like, he would just help us. Whether it was with promos, matches, he would just come to our shows for ‘NXT,’ just to watch us, give us advice, and then leave. And people…he would do that for anyone who would ask. I even saw him doing it with Grayson Waller one day, randomly. Just anyone who asked, he’s there. And he’ll watch and he’ll critique and he’ll be there.

“And it’s just so cool to see someone of that caliber be so humble and willing to help. Literally, he’d come to one of the ‘NXT’ shows when he has WrestleMania later in the day. He came to watch me and Roxanne on the pre-show of Stand & Deliver. And he was main eventing WrestleMania later that night. I was like ‘You don’t have to be here,’ and he came to watch us, watch our match, and then he left. I was like…it’s ridiculous.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” and provide an h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription