On September 26 at the Kia Center in Orlando, two NXT stars appeared during WWE SmackDown, generating notable backstage tension. The presence of these NXT wrestlers fueled interactions with current WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, highlighting ongoing competition and ambition within the brand.
NXT Wrestlers Challenge WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions
The episode featured NXT Women’s North American Champion and WWE Speed Women’s Champion Sol Ruca along with her tag team partner Zaria. They confronted Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair backstage, demanding a title opportunity for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Zaria’s aggressive demeanor contrasted with Ruca’s more composed approach, while Bliss reminded them they must first earn their chance.
This was not the first occasion Ruca and Zaria appeared on SmackDown. Previously, they were involved in the pre-Evolution episode in July, where Ruca participated in a four-way match leading up to Evolution’s Women’s Tag Team Championship bout.
NXT Stars’ Appearances Align with Main Roster Events in Orlando
With WWE’s main roster shows taking place in Orlando—home to NXT and the WWE Performance Center—cameos from NXT talent during these events are typical. On this night, Je’Von Evans also briefly appeared in response to Sami Zayn’s United States Championship open challenge, while opponent Josh Briggs was visible in the crowd, tying into upcoming NXT programming.
Tomorrow night, NXT headlines the No Mercy premium live event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sol Ruca is set to defend her WWE Speed Women’s Championship against Lainey Reid, continuing her prominence within the NXT brand and forward momentum towards main roster opportunities.
Significance of NXT Integration on SmackDown and Future Prospects
The increased involvement of NXT stars like Ruca and Zaria on WWE SmackDown serves to build bridges between the brands while heightening viewer interest through fresh rivalries. Their confrontations with established champions such as Bliss and Flair underline WWE’s commitment to developing fresh talent and creating compelling storylines.
As NXT continues to hold key events like No Mercy in Florida, followers can expect these stars to gain further exposure and potential elevation onto the main roster. The dynamic interactions witnessed backstage signal ongoing contest for title opportunities and a reshuffling of ranks within the women’s division.
