Tag: Sol Ruca

Sol Ruca shares hardest WWE lesson she’s had to learn

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Character work has been the hardest thing for Sol Ruca since transitioning to pro wrestling from a college career in athletics.

Ruca joined the WWE Performance Center in 2022 after competing in acrobatics and tumbling for the University of Oregon. She’s done well as one of the top prospects in NXT, but she’s still figuring out how to be a pro wrestling character.

“Just being a character,” Ruca responded on “What’s Your Story?” when asked what’s been the hardest WWE lesson to learn. “Just being able to be less, like, stoic and serious in the ring. I feel like that was really hard to figure out, just with sports having to be so serious all the time. Yeah, being able to show emotion and to be silly at times. I still, I really struggle with that, especially if I have to do a promo where I’m, like, angry, I don’t know how to do that yet…

“Yeah, being a character was really, really hard for me.”

Some of the advice Ruca got was to be a version of herself with the volume dialed up. That didn’t come naturally, though Ruca is starting to get the hang of it.

“It doesn’t make sense to me. Because I am myself, like, this is how I would react,” she said. “If I’m this but up, then I’m not myself, you know? So, yeah, I feel like that was really hard. But I feel like I kind of have been understanding it more and more.”

Stephanie McMahon noted that being yourself with the volume turned up is a good way to start, but Ruca could go in the opposite direction and play a character that is totally different from her real self. Personally, McMahon hates being a babyface and thinks playing a heel is both easier and more fun.

“You get to try all different kinds of stuff. And you can’t really do anything wrong, because if they hate it, good. You’re supposed to hate me,” McMahon said. “So it is much easier to be a heel. But for the same reason, it’s hard to be sort of yourself as a babyface and then when people don’t like you or it’s not working, it’s like, ‘What’s the matter with me? Why don’t they like me?’ But they never really liked me from the jump. So it’s okay, I just played into it.”

Ruca is a babyface in NXT and feuding with Zaria at the moment after Zaria betrayed her. They’re both set to challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship in a triple threat match next Tuesday.

Sol Ruca addresses her racial identity: ‘I know who I am’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE NXT star Sol Ruca is comfortable with her racial identity — even if people on social media are always questioning her about it.

A new episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast premiered today with Ruca as the guest. At the end of the interview, Ruca noted that her racial identity was a topic she wanted to address. Every year in February, there are fans who question why she’s being included among the Black talent in WWE. Ruca’s mother is white and her father is Black. But even when she posts a picture of her father, that’s not enough proof for some people.

“I feel like Black History Month — I’m mixed, I feel like a lot of people don’t really accept that, or I guess some people accept it, some people don’t,” Ruca said. “I do feel like that is — it’s always crazy every year when this month rolls around and people are like, ‘Why are you calling her Black? She’s not Black.’ Or other people defending me and stuff. I don’t know, I think people just need to, like, why would I lie about that? I don’t know, I think people just need to be a little nicer to each other…

“I get a lot of people that are asking for proof. Like, ‘Oh, prove it, show me a picture of your dad.’ And then I do, and they’re like, ‘He’s mixed, he’s not full Black.’ It always baffles my mind every time people start finding out again. I feel like it goes in waves of people, like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know she was Black.’ All this stuff. I’m like, guys, I understand how I look, but genes are crazy.”

This is an issue that Ruca has encountered more online than in real life, though she does recall an instance when she was younger where she believes she and her parents were kicked out of a shop because of their race. She’s also had to deal with people joking about her being a better athlete because she’s Black, which is a stereotype Ruca thinks undermines how hard athletes have to work for what they achieve.

Because her skin is lighter, Ruca knows she hasn’t had to experience the same level of racism Black women face. But she is proud of who she is and who her parents are.

“I’ve never claimed that I’m a Black woman, I know I’m mixed. But I still think it should be accepted,” Ruca said. “I feel like a lot of mixed people have this identity crisis because it’s like, ‘Where do I fit?’ And people are going to tell you that you’re not this, or you’re not that, or you’re not Black enough, or you’re not white enough, or you’re whatever. And I’m just like, why does it matter?…

“It’s a weird topic that I still really don’t know how to navigate, but I mean, I know who I am, I know who my dad is, I know who my mom is, and, like, there’s nothing I can do about it. So [I’m proud of who I am].”

The 26-year-old Ruca is one of the top wrestlers in the NXT women’s division. She also starred in the women’s Royal Rumble match this January and had a featured spot on John Cena’s retirement show in December 2025. Next Tuesday, she has the chance to become NXT Women’s Champion for the first time in her career.

Sol Ruca opens up about having ADHD: ‘It sucks, but it’s also pretty cool’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For Sol Ruca, having ADHD comes with both its struggles and benefits.

Ruca, appearing on a new episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast, opened up about being diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) as an adult. It was initially suspected that she had the disorder when she was younger, but her mother brushed off the concerns due to the stigma that was associated with it. Ruca was not diagnosed until she started attending college.

“I had a bit of a tricky diagnosis process because I was taken to get evaluated for dyslexia because my mom’s dyslexic, and the guy was like, ‘She does show signs of ADHD.’ And my mom was like, ‘She doesn’t have ADHD,’ just because the stigma was like people are bouncing off the walls and they’re super loud and interrupt people and stuff,” Ruca said. “But I had, you know, being in gymnastics and being in sports and just being a woman, you’re just told that you can’t do that, so you mask it.

“So I went up like pretty much my whole life until I think I was in college about, where when I started studying psychology, I was like, ‘Actually, I think I have this.’ Even my roommate was like, ‘Yeah, you definitely do.’ I was like, ‘Okay, well, maybe I’ll go get checked out then.’ And so then I got checked out and got put on the non-stimulants and stuff, which ended up not really doing anything. But, yeah, it definitely was like later in life, I guess.”

Ruca said one of the biggest struggles she faces with ADHD is how much rejection affects her. When she perceives any kind of rejection, she feels physical pain and starts to feel really hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable. ADHD also plays a big role in her always wanting to be a people pleaser.

After competing in acrobatics and tumbling at the University of Oregon, Ruca (real name Calyx Hampton) joined the WWE Performance Center in 2022 and has become one of the promotion’s top young stars, currently competing in NXT before an eventual main roster call-up.

Ruca believes ADHD helped her succeed in athletics and get her to WWE. Her brain is constantly craving dopamine, and she’s used sports as an outlet for that.

“That’s where I got my dopamine from, was from sports and from competing and from doing well and from improving and learning new skills,” she said. “And I definitely think that’s kind of what helped me push me to where I am today.”

ADHD has also caused Ruca to fixate on things and bounce from hobby to hobby. Because of that, she felt a bit of “imposter syndrome” when she first arrived in WWE since pro wrestling hasn’t always been her dream job. She now wishes she found out about wrestling earlier in life.

“I think when I first got here, I felt somewhat of like imposter syndrome because a lot of people in this business, this is what they wanted to do their entire lives. Like, grew up watching it and all that stuff,” Ruca said.

“And for me, I had like a million different things that I wanted to do. And I never had like, ‘This is my dream job.’ Like, I did for little bursts of time. But I also think it’s kind of cool that I’ve been able to pick up things and kind of like excel at stuff and then move on and excel at this and then try this thing.

“So, yeah, I think ADHD, it sucks, but it’s also pretty cool.”

Next week on NXT, Ruca and her former friend Zaria will challenge Jacy Jayne for the NXT Women’s Championship in a triple threat match.

Two title matches confirmed for WWE NXT Houston

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two title matches are set for NXT’s show in Houston later this month.

At Vengeance Day, Jacy Jayne came out and cut a promo talking about her history of being Women’s Champion. Robert Stone cut her off and said this was about finding her next challengers. After both Zaria and Sol Ruca came out to stake their claim, Stone cut everyone off and announced a triple threat match for the title on March 17.

Later on backstage, Jayne was upset about the triple threat match as the rest of Fatal Influence conspired to take out Ruca before the championship match took place.

Fallon Henley also brought up that on the same show, she would be defending the Speed title against the winner of the finals set for this coming Tuesday’s NXT between Wren Sinclair and Thea Hail, both of whom picked up victories in the qualifying round.

WWE NXT (March 17)

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne defends against Zaria and Sol Ruca
  • WWE Speed Championship: Fallon Henley defends against either Wren Sinclair or Thea Hail

Zaria turns against Sol Ruca on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Zaruca is officially over.

After weeks of teasing a breakup over and over only to remain friends, Zaria officially severed the relationship between herself and Sol Ruca Tuesday on NXT. As introductions were being made for the NXT Women’s title match, Zaria suddenly speared Sol and gave her an F5. The bell then rang and Jayne immediately hit the rolling encore for the win.

Following the match, Zaria dragged Ruca out of the ring and gave her another F5 through the announcer’s table, ending the segment by kissing Ruca on the forehead. Later in the night, Zaria told Jayne that she wanted a title match on next week’s show or what happened to Sol would happen to her.

Recent months had seen tension build between Zaria and Sol, with Zaria growing increasingly jealous of all the opportunities Sol was getting, including participating in the Royal Rumble and at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Last week saw Zaria tell off her tag team partner, only to come out for the save later when all three members of Fatal Influence jumped Sol during a promo.

WWE NXT live results: Four championship matches

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Title matches are the theme of WWE NXT tonight with four championships set to be defended.

Sol Ruca has the chance to become NXT Women’s Champion for the first time ever when she faces off against Jacy Jayne, who Ruca eliminated from the Royal Rumble last month. The ongoing tension between Ruca and Zaria could end up playing a role in tonight’s match with WWE continuing to tease a split between the two friends.

One week after setting the record for most successful defenses of the North American Championship, Ethan Page puts his title on the line again tonight against Myles Borne. Page is now officially tied with Oba Femi for the longest reign in the title’s history.

The NXT Tag Team titles will be defended as well, with DarkState facing off against Vanity Project.

A triple threat match for the men’s WWE Speed Championship will see Eli Knight and Elio LeFleur challenge Jasper Troy.

Rivals Blake Monroe and Thea Hail will meet as they face off in a women’s Speed tournament match. Plus, Sean Legacy takes on Keanu Carver.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

NXT is on the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando. Vic Joseph voices over a live introduction, and he throws it to NXT GM Robert Stone. He plays carny barker as he hypes tonight’s card. Opening the card is a tag team title match.

Vanity Project (Ricky Smokes & Brad Baylor with NXT Evolve Champion Jackson Drake) vs. Darkstate (Saquon Shugars & Osiris Griffin with Dion Lennox & Cutler James) for the NXT Tag Team Championship

—

The tag title bout goes through a commercial break. Darkstate tosses Baylor & Smokes around like ragdolls before the show cuts to picture-in-picture. Drake interferes during the break, which allows Vanity Project to gain an advantage by the time the show returns from the commercials.

Heat on Shugars as Vanity Project work him over. This builds to a hot tag, and Griffin cleans house. Griffin is fired up like Robert Gibson getting the hot tag from Ricky Morton. Wacky to see since Darkstate have been heels during their run. Griffin goes on to chokeslam both members of Vanity Project, leading to a near fall.

Darkstate go for a Doomsday Device, and Shugars delivers a missile dropkick. Shugars goes for a cover, but Drake interferes by putting Baylor’s foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Cutler James and Dion Lennox then confront Drake, and referees pour out to separate them at ringside. Griffin leaves the ring to join the melee with a flying crossbody.

With the melee going on the side of the entrance ramp, Shugars is outside the ring on the opposite side. Tony D’Angelo suddenly runs in to slam Shugars on the apron. Tony D then rolls Baylor into the ring so he can cover Shugars for a three count. And new…

Match result: Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes defeated NXT Tag Team Champions Saquon Shugars & Osiris Griffin to win the titles when Baylor pinned Shugars after interference by Tony D’Angelo.

— Sarah Schreiber interviews Myles Borne about him challenging tonight for the NXT North American Championship. Borne cuts a good promo about how he can beat Ethan Page for the title.

Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy

—

Carver looked good here despite being green in the ring. Legacy was a great opponent for Carver, who was able to look very strong with Legacy bumping for him. Carver is getting a monster push, so he pummeled Legacy during much of the match. Legacy started strong until Carver cut him off and began to pummel him. Carver also used moves like slams and backbreakers, while he also heaved Legacy across the ring.

Carver went to spear Legacy through the barricade, which is a callback to a spot they did weeks ago to set up this bout. Legacy countered with a superkick that put Carver on rubber legs. Springboard 450 splash by Legacy for a near fall. Springboard into a missile dropkick, and Legacy attempts sliced bread. Carver cuts off Legacy, and Carver hit him with a Monty Brown Pounce. Carver then lifts Legacy with a vertical suplex, and Carver drives Legacy into the mat with a powerslam. Carver covers Legacy for a pinfall.

Match result: Keanu Carver defeated Sean Legacy via pinfall.

— WWE Women’s Evolve Champion Kendal Grey is giving Wren Sinclair a pep talk ahead of her match tonight. Kelani Jordan enters to gloat about herself before bad mouthing Lola Vice. Chaos erupts as Vice rushes in trying to kick Jordan. Security and referees try to separate everyone.

Jasper Troy vs. Eli Knight vs. Elio LeFleur in a triple threat match for the WWE Speed Championship

—

They had a great fast-paced match. Troy looked strong and powerful throughout the seven-minute time limit, despite him dropping the fall. Just before they go home, LeFleur what looked like an awkward tilt-a-whirl trying to counter a black hole slam. LeFleur does not panic, as he simply takes takes Troy down with a leg lariat. Knight then moonsaults off the top rope on Troy, but Knight sells the impact. That allows LeFleur to rush in and covers Troy for a three count in the closing minute of the time limit. And new…

Match result: Elio LeFleur defeated WWE Speed Champion Jasper Troy and Eli Knight in a triple threat match to win the title when LeFleur pinned Troy.

— NXT North American Champion Ethan Page is the trainer’s room getting his ankle taped, which plays on the cliffhanger from last week that set up tonight’s main event. Ricky Saints is talking with Page in the trainer’s room when in walks the new NXT Tag Team Champions Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes. They brag on them winning the title before Saints vows to add to that when he wins the singles title at Vengeance Day. Saints also says they will ensure Page retain his title tonight.

— NXT Champion Joe Hendry is the focus of “NXT Chronicle”, which was a great personality profile hyping up Hendry.

— Damian Priest is featured in a video package that highlights his run in NXT, and he talks about what he learned in developmental.

— Lola Vice storms into Robert Stone’s office, and Vice demands Stone book her and Kelani Jordan in an Underground match. That was easy enough, as Stone books the match for Vengeance Day.

Sol Ruca (with Zaria) vs. Jacy Jayne (with Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) for the NXT Women’s Championship

—

Turns out this was more an angle than a match. After the ring introductions, the referee holds up the title belt to display what is at stake. Suddenly, Zaria spears Sol Ruca. Zaria then delivers a F5, and Ruca is out on her feet. The bell rings to start the match. Ruca gets to her feet, only for her to walk into a Rolling Encore from Jayne. She covers Ruca for a pinfall in seconds. And still…

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne defeated Sol Ruca via pinfall to retain her title.

In a post-match attack, Zaria gives Ruca another F5. This time it was on the announce desk. Zaria then taunts Ruca as the show cuts to a commercial break.

— Back from commercial and Tatum Paxley is cutting a promo alongside the studio audience. She puts over the fans for having her back, as they did not want her to change. They accepted Paxley for being herself, and she truly felt love from them.

Paxley then talks about regaining the NXT Women’s North American Championship from Izzi Dame. She wants Dame to come out, and Dame does enter the sound stage to confront Paxley. Dame goes into the crowd to confront Paxley, and the house lights in the sound stage go dark so we are left to wonder. Instead, we get the entrance of Blake Monroe.

Blake Monroe vs. Thea Hail in a Speed tournament match

—

After about a minute into the match, Jaida Parker runs down to ringside where she hits Monroe with a hip attack. Neckbreaker by Hail in the ring, and she covers Monroe for a three count. In winning, Hail advances in the tournament to meet the winner of Wren Sinclair vs. Nikkita Lyons to decide the next contender for the WWE Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley.

Match result: Thea Hail defeated Blake Monroe via pinfall to advance in the tournament.

— “NXT Chronicle” continues with more about NXT Champion Joe Hendry. He talks about his theme music becoming a hit song. That was the final puzzle piece to him becoming a superstar.

Kale Dixon (with Andre Chase) vs. Uriah Connors (with Lexis King, Arianna Grace & Stacks)

—

Two former teammates meet in this bout, albeit in somewhat of a filler position. The match begins soon as the show returns from a commercial break with both already in the ring. They had a good match with lots of flying and high spots.

For the finish, Connors counters a moonsault with knee up. Dixon follows up by landing a running knee strike to set up the pin.

Match result: Uriah Connors defeated Kale Dixon via pinfall.

— Zaria confronts the Fatal Influence trio in a locker room skit, and Zaria says Jacy Jayne owes her a favor. Zaria wants a title shot for the NXT women’s title next week, or Zaria warns she will do to Jayne what she did to Sol Ruca.

— In another locker room skit, Ricky Saints invited Vanity Project to his concert next week. This plays on Joe Hendry’s gimmick of doing live musical performances, with Saints promising an “Absolute” concert experience of his own.

Enter Shiloh Hill alongside Hank & Tank. They have what they claim is a steering wheel, as they apparently took apart Jackson Drake’s car. With that, a brawl erupts backstage. Referees pour in as the camera shakes.

— Myles Borne is the focus of a personality profile ahead of him challenging for a tile in the main event, which is up next on tonight’s card.

— Sarah Schreiber interviews GM Robert Stone. He confirms Jacy Jayne defends her NXT Women’s Championship against Zaria next Tuesday on NXT. Also next week is Shiloh Hill teaming with Hank & Tank in a six-man tag team match with Vanity Project. Stone also confirms Ricky Saints will have an “Absolute” concert next week.

NXT Women’s North American Champion Izzi Dame enters the office to say she would agree to meeting with Tatum Paxley. Stone is skeptical but seemingly agrees to the segment.

Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship

—

The match begins with a tale as old as time in pro wrestling psychology. Borne even had white flames on his trunks in his role as the white hot babyface. That babyface challenger shines at the outset until the veteran champ cuts him off and turns the tables — almost literally with the table. Page sends Borne crashing into the announce desk. Page then executes a Razor’s Edge that plants Borne hard on top of the desk. The match then goes through a commercial break.

Comeback by Borne, and he fires up on Page. Fisherman’s buster by Borne for a near fall. Page cuts Borne off again, and they trade near falls. Razor’s Edge in the middle of the ring, but Borne kicks out. Slug fest as they duke it out. They do a suplerplex that led to Page getting a near fall.

In the closing minutes they trade big moves, with Page hitting a codebreaker, and Borne answers with a zig-zag a moment later. Vanity Project runs down to ringside. New tag champs Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes distract the referee while Jackson Drake hits Borne with Drake’s Evolve title belt. Page goes for a cover, but Borne gets a shoulder up. Hank & Tank, along with Shiloh Hill, run down to brawl with the Vanity Project at ringside. Meanwhile, Ricky Saints runs in and goes to climb the turnbuckles. Joe Hendry with a save as he runs in to shove Saints off the turnbuckles. Hendry and Saints brawl at ringside.

For the finish, Page goes for a Razor’s Edge. Borne escapes his clutches, and Borne sends Page into an exposed turnbuckle (which has the padding removed earlier in the bout). Page blocks it at first and goes for Twisted Grin (Twist of Fate), but Borne counters to send Page smashing into the exposed turnbuckle. Borne then executes a zig-zag (called “Borne Again”), and Borne hooks a leg while covering Page for the deciding pinfall. This was a great television main event, and they pulled the trigger and strapped a rocket to Borne. No wonder we wore flames on his trunks. He’s on fire. AND NEW…

Match result: Myles Borne defeated NXT North American Champion Ethan Page via pinfall to win the title.

Borne celebrates his title win by posing with the belt and hugging his family, who were watching from the front row.

Sol Ruca reportedly to get ‘slight character refresh’ ahead of WWE main roster call-up

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

The days of Sol Ruca in WWE NXT are coming to an end sooner than later and with that are some plans to freshen up her character and presentation before she does.

On Thursday’s Wrestlevotes on Fightful Select, Ruca was discussed with the outlet reporting she is “poised for a slight character refresh” ahead of a main roster call-up which would include a new entrance song.

There is no timetable for when that call could come, but Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp stated Rua was tentatively planned to be in Chicago around the time of next weekend’s Elimination Chamber PLE.

The 26-year-old made her in-ring debut in June 2022, competing on both NXT house shows and WWE Level Up, debuting on the main NXT TV show shortly afterward. She made her main roster debut on WWE Main Event in September 2024 and competed in several WWE Speed matches in early-2025.

She made her televised WWE SmackDown debut in July 2026 in a four-way, followed by two appearances alongside Zaria in October. That was followed by a notable Saturday Night’s Main Event debut win over Bayley in December and her women’s Royal Rumble debut in 2026.

Three title matches confirmed for NXT Atlanta event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two matches are confirmed for NXT’s stop at Center Stage in two weeks.

Sol Ruca earned a shot at Jacy Jayne on Tuesday, pinning Kendal Grey for a Women’s title match in two weeks in Atlanta. The finish had Zaria accidentally bump into Sol Ruca, who inadvertently tagged in. Zaria was going for the F5 on Wren Sinclair, but Ruca suddenly emerged and hit Grey with the sol snatcher for the pinfall victory. The end of the show saw Jayne come out and stare down Ruca as Zaria looked on, angry about how that finish went down and creating further tension between the two friends.

Eli Knight scored a win over Josh Briggs to advance to the finals of the men’s Speed Championship match, which will take place next week. Elio Lefleur, who won the other semifinal match, came out and the two had a staredown. But Troy soon reminded them who they would be facing in Atlanta by laying out both men.

The NXT Tag Team titles will also be on the line. After a confrontation on Tuesday, DarkState will face the winners of a four-way tag team match between OTM, The Cullling, Hank & Tank, and Vanity Project that takes place next Tuesday.

After Keanu Carver wreaked havoc backstage upon being passed over for a NXT title match, Sean Legacy cut a promo saying he wanted to face Carver in his home turf of Atlanta on February 24. He said that while he might get his butt kicked, he wasn’t going to back down and awaited Carver’s response.

WWE NXT in Atlanta (February 24)

  • Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne defends against Sol Ruca
  • Men’s WWE Speed Championship: Jasper Troy defends against either Eli Knight or Elio LeFleur
  • NXT Tag Team title match: DarkState defend against either Vanity Project, OTM, Hank & Tank, or The Culling
  • Keanu Carver vs. Sean Legacy (challenge issued)

Report: WWE holds post-Royal Rumble town hall, three young stars praised

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Three young stars, Oba Femi, Je’Evons, and Sol Ruca, reportedly received major praise from WWE following their outing at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to a latest report by PWInsider, WWE held an all-hands-on-deck town hall at the WWE headquarters for its employees, with WWE President Nick Khan, Marc Shapiro, and Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque hosting.

As per the report, during the meeting, Femi, Evans, and Ruca received immense praise from the company executives for their performance in their first-ever Royal Rumble.

Femi finished the match with five eliminations, while Evans lasted around 48-minutes. In the women’s Rumble, Ruca lasted nearly 51-minutes and eliminated one wrestler.

The CM Punk-Roman Reigns face-off also became a talking point and was put over based on how strong it was on RAW to build up their WrestleMania 42 match. The majority of the meeting was reportedly on how well the company was doing at this moment.

The 2026 women’s Royal Rumble was won by Liv Morgan, while Roman Reigns won the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble, making it his career’s second-ever Rumble win.

Number one contender’s match part of next week’s WWE NXT lineup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A tag team match to determine Jacy Jayne’s next challenger is set for next week’s NXT.

Jayne was talking about her Royal Rumble experience when Zaria came out, still angry over her Knockouts Tag Team title loss earlier in the night. She demanded a shot against Jayne. Kendal Grey came out and made her claim, and so did Sol Ruca, much to Zaria’s chagrin. New interim general manager Robert Stone came out and made a unique first match for next week: a tag team match between SolRuca and Grey & Wren Sinclair where whoever scores the pinfall will challenge Jacy Jayne in three weeks when NXT heads to Atlanta, Georgia.

Jaida Parker will also be in action when she meets Blake Monroe. Parker made her return to NXT television last month and immediately set her sights on Monroe. After the two exchanged words last week, the two ended up attacking one another on Tuesday fighting outside the WWE Performance Center just before the start of the show.

Also announced for next weeks is Vanity Project taking on Hank & Tank and Josh Briggs facing Eli Knight in a Speed tournament match.

Here is the lineup for next week’s NXT:

WWE NXT (February 10)

  • Number one contender’s match for NXT Women’s title: Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair (whoever scores the pinfall is the number one contender)
  • Jaida Parker vs. Blake Monroe
  • Speed tournament match: Josh Briggs vs. Eli Knight
  • Hank & Tank vs. Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes

Daily Update: New WWE NXT Speed tournament set, Sol Ruca, Royal Rumble

Posted on by Bryan Rose

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  • Royal Rumble thoughts, odds and direction
  • The business of UFC to Paramount, the numbers that were released, what they mean, and how much revenue does this mean vs. how much they paid for rights
  • Coverage of Saturday Night’s Main Event
  • UFC 324 coverage, the fights, the future and the business
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  • Mayu Iwatani’s 15th anniversary show
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  • Jimmy Jacobs talks working for Vince McMahon
  • Mick Foey on his mother’s death
  • Controversial independent angle makes mainstream attention and gets wrestler fired
  • Former WWE champion in talks to become a weekly TV character elsewhere
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  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Looking at the AEW business with Triller
  • AEW executive there from the start leaving
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New number one contender’s for TNA Knockouts Tag Team titles crowned

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Number one contenders for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team titles have been crowned.

ZaRuca ended up winning the three way tag team match that headlined Tuesday’s NXT. With Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair taken out on the outside, Sol Ruca gained the advantage for her team by hitting a double sol snatcher on Laney Reid and Fallon Henley. Ruca then sent Henley into Zaria, who scored the win for her team with the F5.

After the match, both women celebrated to close out the show, with The Personal Concierge to the Elegance brand looking on. It wasn’t announced when ZaRuca will get their title match.

It was announced last week that the three teams would compete on this week’s show, with the winners challenging for the TNA titles. On Thursday’s TNA Impact premiere on AMC, Heather & M by Elegance regained the Knockouts Tag titles by defeating the IInspiration.

On the same show, Sol Ruca ended up answering an open challenge on behalf of Zaria for the TNA Knockouts title at Genesis. Zaria wrestled champion Lee Ying Lee at the event this past weekend but was unable to win the title.

WWE NXT reveals Year-End Award winners

Posted on by Bryan Rose

This 2025 NXT Year-End Awards are out.

Je’Von Evans and Sol Ruca ended up being the major winners of this year’s awards, scoring two trophies each. Evans won the Male Superstar of the Year and also was a part of the Match of the Year where he faced Oba Femi and Trick Williams in a triple threat match at NXT Stand and Deliver. Sol Ruca meanwhile won the Female Superstar of the Year award and also won Tag Team of the Year with Zaria.

Here are the full list of winners:

  • NXT Male Superstar of the Year: Je’Von Evans
  • NXT Tag Team of the Year: Sol Ruca and Zaria
  • NXT Match of the Year: Oba Femi vs. Trick Williams vs. Je’Von Evans from NXT Stand & Deliver
  • NXT Female Superstar of the Year: Sol Ruca

Evans lost in the main event of this week’s show to Ricky Saints, who he has been feuding with for the last several weeks. He has made appearances on the main roster and it was noted last week that he would soon become a free agent. Ruca had been a double champion in the last year, holding the Women’s Speed Championship and the Women’s North American title at the same time.

WWE NXT live results: Women’s United States title match

Posted on by Chris Aiken

WWE NXT celebrates Christmas week with a pre-taped episode airing tonight on The CW.

After defeating Bayley at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sol Ruca has been awarded a title match by NXT General Manager Ava. She gets her shot tonight against Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green. Ruca already owns a victory over Green from a tag team match that took place on SmackDown back in October.

A tournament begins tonight as WWE decides the next challenger for men’s Speed Champion Jasper Troy. The first-round matchups are Tavion Heights vs. Eli Knight and Andre Chase vs. Lexis King.

Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame is also set to air on the episode. Along with that, there will be a mixed tag team match with WWE LFG winners Skylar Raye & Shiloh Hill taking on Arianna Grace & Stacks. It’s billed as a no holds barred Christmas Chaos match.

Join us for coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

NXT was taped in front of a live studio audience. From a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando, NXT is on the air with a holiday-themed episode.

Opening the show is a singles match in the women’s division.

Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame (with The Culling)

—

The match goes through a commercial break, with Dame escaping a sleeper hold just before the show cuts to commercials. When the show returns from the break, Vice escapes a Boston crab. Vice then begins a comeback with a few near falls and an Umaga splash.

At ringside, Shawn Spears distracts Vice trying to trip her feet. That allowed Dame to boot Vice in the face. Suddenly, the noise a chain saw fills the arena. Tatum Paxley is Chainsaw Charlie, as she busts through a gimmicked section of the set wielding a chainsaw. No actual chain on the saw but the motor was revved up, so Shawn Spears ran for his life.

Dame was distracted by the chain saw run-in, and she walked into a spinning back fist from Vice. Dame drops like a stone, and Vice covers her.

Match results: Lola Vice defeated Izzi Dame via pinfall.

In a post-match angle, Kelani Jordan runs in and ambushes Vice. Jordan pummels Vice and stands over her with a scowl.

— NXT Women’s North American Champion Thea Hail talks with Jordynne Grace in a locker room skit. They are watching Hail’s title win from last week. Hail then leaves, as she heads to the ring for a monologue.

— NXT Men’s North American Champion Ethan Page cuts a cocky promo on Myles Borne in another backstage skit. Page talks down to Borne. Page also says people think the main roster is the shark tank, but Page insists that NXT is the shark tank. Sharks from all over the ocean come here. Page says live up to the task or move on. Page also tells Borne he can watch Page take care of TNA’s best talent next week in a match.

Blake Monroe confronts Thea Hail

—

Thea Hail enters the ring with her newly won Women’s North American title belt. Hail acknowledges last week was controversial, and though she cannot believe she won, Hails still won the title! This has been the greatest week of her life.

Hail gets emotional as the studio audience chants she deserved it. Hail emotions Andre Chase teachings, along with lessons from her friendships have all lead to her becoming the youngest Women’s North American Champion in history.

Blake Monroe interrupts the monologue, and Monroe still looks panicked after last week. Monroe also appears disheveled. Monroe rants about Hail’s title win being a fluke and a mistake. Monroe wants her title back, but Hail says no. Hail insists that Monroe lost clean. Monroe buries the referee from the match.

Hail eventually says she will grant Monroe a rematch next week for the title. Monroe then hits Hail with a cheap shot, and they brawl around the ring until officials separate them.

— Sarah Schreiber interviews Sol Ruca and Zaria. “You can’t control the wave, but you learn how to ride them,” Ruca says. Sage advice from Sol Ruca. She won a match on Saturday Nights Main Event. Thus, Ruca earns a title shot against Chelsea Green. Zaria says Sol deserves her title back, and Zaria will be in her corner to help.

Eli Knight vs. Tavion Heights in a Speed tournament match

—

Of course, the match was quick with a three-minute time limit, but it was pretty dang good while it lasted. Heights won with a belly-to-belly suplex. Knight got a fly, and he shined during the match. He and Heights shook hands and embraced in a show of good sportsmanship.

With the win, Heighs advanced from the first round of the number one contender’s tournament for a shot at the WWE Speed Championship.

Match result: Tavion Heights defeated Eli Knight via pinfall to advance in the WWE Speed Championship number one contender’s tournament.

— TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater and NXT Champion Oba Femi are sitting down for a face-to-face interview alongside Kelly Kincaid.

TNA X-Division Champ Leon Slater face-to-face with NXT Champ Oba Femi

—

The successful year of Femi is discussed first, with them pointing out many of Femi’s highlights like his run as champion of NXT and wrestling Cody Rhodes. Femi has proven himself as “The Ruler” in NXT. When he recently returned, Femi looks to prove he is the ruler of not just NXT — but WWE itself.

Slater talks about being turned on to wrestling via video games, DVDs, and action figures. He started training at nine years old. It is not so crazy when you have his passion for it. Slater makes moment, and me will make another moment next week at New Year’s Evil when he defeats Femi for the NXT title.

Femi responds by warning Slater’s story will not have a happy ending. Slater insists they will see who speaks louder in their title match. Femi smirks as he agrees, and they shake hands.

Je’Von Evans and Ricky Saints face-to-face

— NXT General Manager Ava is in the ring to host the face-to-face meeting of Saints and Evans. Ava is flanked by security as Saints and Evan enter separately.

Evans wonders why they are talking and not throwing hands. Saints remarks that Evans is so impulsive while speculating he lacks emotional intelligence. Saints takes a dig at Evans over him being too young to rent a car, let alone be the face of the NXT brand.

They banter back-and-forth. Evans accuses Saints of being jealous, so that is why Saints attacks Evans during his match with Oba Femi. Saints scoffs as he rants about how he could be on Good Morning America. Saints further insults Saints about the way he talks.

Evans says that may be true, but Evans points out he was on Raw and Smackdown. Saints was not there. Nor was he on the card for John Cena’s last match like Evans. They banter some more before Ava cuts them off and says they will settle this feud next week in a match. Security keeps them apart. And scene.

— In a backstage skit, Fatal Influence confronts Wren Sinclair and Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne challenges Sinclair to a “warm-up match” next week on NXT. Sinclair accepts the challenge.

Shiloh Hill & Skylar Raye vs. Arianna Grace & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo in a mixed “Christmas Chaos” match

—

This was a hardcore match with a Christmas theme, and it was pretty decent in spite of the cheesy holiday gimmick. They took some crazy bumps in the name of comedy. Cliches are king, with holiday-themed weapons like a kendo stick wrapped as a candy cane. Ornaments, presents, wreaths and some yuletide are all used as props.

Hill & Raye jump the heels before the bell, and the brawl is under way. Gimmicks come into play earlier and often, as they brawl through a commercial break. They play on the bowling ball spot from ECW decades ago, except this time it is slapstick comedy. With Hill tied in the corner by a strand of Christmas lights, Grace presents Stacks the gift of a bowling ball. Except she inadvertently gives Stacks a low blow and drops the ball on his foot. Comedy ensues.

On the floor, Grace takes a bump on a Christmas tree in another comedy spot. Hill puts a wreath around Stacks before delivering a guillotine legdrop. Hill & Raye then toss sugar cookies into the crowd, until they are cut off. Moments later, Hill takes Santa’s sack and dumps pines cones on a table. Hill then powerbombs Stacks through the table. Raye then leaps off the top rope with a frog splash on Grace, and Raye covers her for a three count.

Match result: Shiloh Hill & Skylar Raye defeated Arianna Grace & Stacks in a Christmas Chaos match when Raye pinned Grace.

— Joe Hendry appears in a skit where Darkstate are in Ava’s office. Dion Lennox and Darkstate offer warnings to Hendry. After Darkstate leaves, Hendry pitches to Ava a live concert for next week.

— OTM and Swipe Right are on a collision course after another backstage skit. Kelly Kincaid is interviewing OTM when the Vanity Project trio roll up to give Kincaid gifts they originally got for Blake Monroe. OTM take exception to the interruption of their interview, and they issue a warning to Swipe Right.

Andre Chase vs. Lexis King in a WWE Speed tournament match

—

They both had inset promos like this was an old episode of Superstars of Wrestling from back in the day. Much like matches on that show, this bout was short. That was more because it was a Speed match, instead of a squash. Chase got to shine, but King wins after executing The Coronation.

King advances to the final round of the tournament, where he faces Tavion Heights for a shot at WWE Speed Champion Jasper Troy.

Match result: Lexis King defeated Andre Chase via pinfall to advance in the WWE Speed Championship number one contender’s tournament.

— Hank & Tank gives Tavion Heights a pep talk in a backstage skit that also involved Myles Borne.

Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre & Ethan Page) vs. Sol Ruca (with Zaria) for the WWE Women’s United States Championship

—

On commentary, Booker T is able to reference Killer Tim Brooks. That popped me at least. Booker was unhinged at times, and it was hilarious. Meanwhile, a title bout ensues that goes through a commercial break. Green takes a bump outside the ring, which sets up Ruca doing a back flip off the top into a moonsault on the floor. Green and the Secret Hervice are the target.

Ruca gets to shine, and they go on to trade near falls. They also took some big bumps. After Ruca does her signature cartwheel into a DDT, she hooks a leg on Green. Ethan Page interferes by putting Green’s leg on the rope, thus breaking up the pin attempt. Zaria confronts Page at ringside, and she yells at him. Suddenly, Moose runs down to attack Page. They brawl their way off stage.

For the finish itself, Ruca goes for her finisher. However, Alba Fyre interferes by grabbing Ruca’s foot. That allows Green to counter Ruca, and Green drops her with an Unprettier. Green then covers Ruca for a three count. And still…

Match result: WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green defeated Sol Ruca via pinfall to retain her title with the help of outside interference.

In a post-match attack, Zaria spears Green and Fyre. Ruca then executes a double Sol Snatcher on Green and Fyre. Happy ending of sorts as they send viewers into the holidays. But first, a hard sell for next Tuesday night on NXT.

WWE ‘very impressed’ with NXT talent featured at Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE was said to be “very impressed” with the NXT talent featured at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez addressed the company’s reaction to the performances by Oba Femi, Sol Ruca, Leon Slater, Je’Von Evans, and Joe Hendry on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer said:

“I know that people there were very impressed with the four that wrestled. Joe Hendry, everyone knows. He’s a guy that’s going to go out there and get a great crowd reaction and that’s a big part of their business. But they see Oba Femi as a superstar, they see Sol Ruca as a superstar, and they see Evans and Leon Slater as superstars.”

“They may botch it, something may happen, but it’s not like they aren’t seeing it.”

“It was right in front of them, plus they got over with the crowd in D.C., which is a big thing.”

The full episode of Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is available for subscribers here.

Hendry and Slater will be in the four-way match on NXT tonight to determine the next challenger for Femi’s NXT Championship. Evans has a match scheduled for next week’s Raw against Rayo Americano and will also be at AAA Guerra de Titanes where he is scheduled to challenge for the AAA Cruiserweight championship in a three-way match against Jack Cartwheel and champion Laredo Kid.