NXT: Leon Ruff wins NXT North American championship
Three titles were on the line on NXT this week and one surprise victor in Leon Ruff walked out with the NXT North American title
NXT viewers were in for a big night as three titles were on the line on Wednesday. Pat McAfee’s stable caused havoc last week and this week they continued to keep that momentum while antagonizing the Undisputed Era. That and other storylines were the focal point for another edition of the Yellow and Black brand.
Johnny Gargano started the night offering a title shot to a random opponent. That opponent ended up being Leon Ruff. Ruff had some moments early where he used his quickness to bounce around the ring, but he did not have much over Gargano. Damian Priest showed up at ringside and antagonize Gargano, which paid off in the end. Gargano was caught paying attention to Priest and was rolled up into a crucifix for Ruff to get the victory and win the NXT North American title.
Immediately out next was Santos Escobar as he defended the title against Jake Atlas. Atlas tried to get the pace going early, but Escobar slowed things down, keeping Atlas on the mat. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde attempted to get involved, but they took a steel pipe to the ribs for their troubles. Atlas was not able to capitalize on that moment, as Santos kicked out of the pin fall.
Escobar leaned on the rest of his stable one too many times as they were kicked out of the area. Escobar kept the momentum in his favor, even without his teammates in the area. Atlas continued to get near falls but was unable to get the belt around his waist. Escobar blocked the Cartwheel DDT and drove Atlas into his knee, chin first. With that he pinned Atlas to retain the title.
Xia Li continued to look for a win after weeks of losses. Raquel Gonzalez was her expected opponent on Wednesday. Boa came out to tell Gonzalez that Li was not at the CWC and ended up taking a beatdown instead.
A big women’s match was up next between Toni Storm and Candice LeRae. Storm kept LeRae down early using submission, grappling to slow down the faster wrestler. As the stronger wrestler, Storm was able to bully LeRae early until she was baited into running into the steel steps when LeRae ducked out of the way. Storm wound a way back to her feet, landing a German Suplex and a Headbutt to take over. LeRae snuck out with a victory when she forced Storm into the turnbuckle then pinned her with her feet on the ropes.
Dexter Lumis and Timothy Thatcher ended up in a match after Thatcher’s backstage brawl caused damage to Lumis’s arm. Thatcher’s grappling style was put on display when he tried to find a way to get Lumis to submit. Thatcher was focusing on Lumis’s right arm which limited all his offense. Thatcher kept the offense going throughout much of this match, dissecting Lumis with hold after hold. Cameron Grimes came out to interfere in the match and it led to Thatcher rolling Lumis up for the pinfall win.
The NXT tag team titles were up next, as Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch defended against former champions: Breezango. The match started out with a brawl as soon as the bell sounded. Both Tyler Breeze and Fandango took out a lot of frustration on the new champions, beating them up both inside and outside of the ring. The champions did not remain defensive for the entire match, gaining control thanks to a momentary step in by Pete Dunne.
That moment would be repaid when Drake Maverick came down the ring to help the challengers. He was nearly successful, but ended up taking a nasty shot from Dunne. That distraction allowed for Burch and Lorcan to hit a double team on Fandango. Then, Burch pinned him to retain the titles.
November 11 NXT results
- Leon Ruff defeated Johnny Gargano via pinfall
- Santos Escobar defeated Jake Atlas via pinfall
- Candice LeRae defeated Toni Storm via pinfall
- Timothy Thatcher defeated Dexter Lumis via pinfall
- Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan defeated Breezango via pinfall