WWE NXT has announced the launch of the WWE NXT Speed Championship Tournament set to begin on September 2. This event will determine the next challenger for the Women’s Speed Championship, currently held by Sol Ruca, with the tournament winner facing her on September 27 at WWE NXT No Mercy in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This tournament features competitors from multiple wrestling brands, including NXT, TNA, AAA, and both Raw and SmackDown.
Details of the Tournament and Participants
The tournament will showcase diverse talent from across WWE’s brands and partner promotions, with each participant representing one of these organizations. The format is intended to identify the most deserving contender to challenge Sol Ruca for the Women’s Speed Championship. The announcement marked a significant step in integrating the Speed Championship into the NXT roster moving forward.
Current Status of the Men’s Speed Championship
While the Women’s Speed Championship tournament has been detailed, the status of the Men’s Speed Championship remains less clear. El Grande Americano currently holds the men’s title, although no date was provided for his next defense. This leaves fans anticipating further updates regarding the men’s division of the Speed Championship.
Highlights from WWE NXT Heatwave Show
In the main event of the latest WWE NXT Heatwave, Oba Femi successfully retained his title in a hard-fought contest against Je’Von Evans. During the match, confusion arose when the referee was temporarily knocked out and a springboard cutter from Evans led to a disputed pin. The original referee overturned the decision after observing Femi’s foot was under the rope. Following this, Femi turned the momentum by dodging Evans’ top rope move and slamming him into the announcer’s table. He then returned Evans to the ring to secure the victory.
After the match ended, Ricky Starks appeared and shared a tense stare-down with Oba Femi, setting the stage for future rivalry as the show concluded.
Significance and Upcoming Developments
The WWE NXT Speed Championship Tournament represents a strategic move to elevate the women’s Speed Championship within the NXT brand, broadening competition through multi-brand participation. The resulting matchup at No Mercy is expected to raise the profile of the title and its competitors. Meanwhile, the unresolved status of the men’s Speed Championship defense adds anticipation for future WWE announcements. The ongoing rivalries forged during the Heatwave event, including the confrontation between Oba Femi and Ricky Starks, hint at compelling storylines for coming episodes.
The WWE Speed Championship is coming to NXT 🙌And we will hold a tournament to crown a new No. 1 Contender to face @SolRucaWWE at No Mercy! 👊 pic.twitter.com/Jo5NU33AsW
— WWE (@WWE) August 25, 2025
