Prime Video’s American Gladiators is back on 17 April – and one of the warriors ready to light up the arena is Jessica ‘Supernova’ Roden.
Standing at 5’10” and 160lbs, the Ohio native is quick, powerful, and will no doubt be a crowd favourite.
1) She’s a Professional Wrestler
Roden, better known in the ring as ‘J-Rod The Ultimate Athlete’, has competed on some of the biggest stages in professional wrestling, appearing for AEW, Ring of Honor, and NJPW, as well as holding the OVW Women’s Championship.
She trained under WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi and Reno Anoa’i at KnokX Pro Academy in California, making her pro debut in 2021.
She also earned a WWE tryout along the way, with evaluators telling her she has the “it factor.”
2) She Was a Multi-Sport Athlete Growing Up
Wrestling is just the latest chapter in a lifelong story of athletic achievement. Growing up in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Supernova competed in no less than five sports: volleyball, softball, cheerleading, track, and gymnastics.
Her versatile sporting background goes a long way to explaining her wrestling nickname, and is what will make her such a tough competitor in the Gladiators Arena.
3) She Holds a Business Degree From the University of Alabama
As well as being a formidable athlete, Supernova has an entrepreneurial spirit. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing, and has spoken about her ambition to mentor young people and write a children’s book.
SEE ALSO: American Gladiators Reboot: Everything You Need to Know
