Following a standout showing at Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia, Sol Ruca has captivated WWE audiences with her exceptional athleticism and magnetic presence. However, tension has surfaced within NXT, as the relationship between Ruca and her long-time on-screen partner Zaria appears to be unraveling.
For over a year, Ruca and Zaria formed a strong tag team on the Black and Gold brand, earning fans’ admiration despite falling short in their attempts to capture the tag team titles. Meanwhile, Sol Ruca’s momentum as a singles competitor has surged, creating friction with Zaria, who seems unsettled by Ruca’s rising individual success.
Backstage Fallout After Recent Tag Team Conflict
Last week’s episode saw Sol Ruca pin her opponents and earn the position of number one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship, even though Zaria had been dominant throughout their tag team match against Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair. Later backstage, Zaria confronted Sol Ruca, announcing the end of their partnership due to these developments.
Industry Praise Positions Sol Ruca as WWE’s Next Major Star
Formerly holding the NXT Women’s North American Championship, Sol Ruca’s rapid rise continues unabated. WWE’s confidence in her abilities was demonstrated by her last-three finish in the recent Women’s Royal Rumble, where she remained active for a grueling 50 minutes, earning commendations from colleagues and management alike.
Her upcoming challenge for the NXT Women’s Title against Jacy Jayne is pivotal. Securing the championship would cement her status as NXT’s leading female superstar, while a loss could potentially accelerate her transition to the main roster, a move eagerly anticipated by fans.
"I am DONE with this friendship." 😩
Is this the end of ZaRuca? @ZariaWWE_ | @SolRucaWWE pic.twitter.com/6yB6VmrZlA
— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2026
