ORLANDO, FL – Sol Ruca earned a coveted opportunity at the NXT Women’s Championship after a chaotic night of action at the WWE Performance Center on Saturday, February 10th. Ruca and her tag team partner, Zaria, secured the win in a tag team match against Kendal Grey and Wren Sinclair, making Ruca the new number one contender to Jacy Jayne’s title.
The victory, however, was marred by internal tension within ZaRuca, as Zaria expressed frustration with Ruca’s repeated attempts at a title run. Prior to the match, Ruca voiced a desire to recapture the fun dynamic of their partnership, while Zaria questioned why she wasn’t receiving the same opportunities. This discord played out during the match, with Zaria breaking up a pin attempt by Ruca, and ultimately leading to a contentious finish.
The night also saw NXT Champion Joe Hendry successfully defend his title against Evolve Champion Jackson Drake. Hendry addressed the crowd at the start of the show, acknowledging a moment of self-doubt before his ladder match victory, but emphasizing the energy he received from the fans. His celebration was interrupted by The Vanity Project, who mocked Hendry’s accomplishment and initiated a brawl, ultimately overwhelming the champion with a three-on-one attack. The match was made official during the broadcast after Jaida Parker and Blake Monroe went to a no contest.
The match between Parker and Monroe was a physical affair, with Parker dominating early on. The contest ended in a count-out after a series of exchanges that saw both competitors battling outside the ring. Parker continued her assault on Monroe after the bell, even confronting NXT security, kicking guards in the process, as Monroe escaped into the crowd.
In other action, Eli Knight advanced to the finals of the WWE Speed Tournament, defeating Josh Briggs. Knight utilized his speed and agility to overcome Briggs, securing the victory with a moonsault. He will face LeFleur in the tournament final. Following the match, both Knight and LeFleur were attacked by the current WWE Speed Champion, Jasper Troy.
Backstage, Robert Stone found himself navigating a complex web of ambition and chaos. Keanu Carver expressed anger at Drake receiving a title shot before him, prompting Stone to promise more chaos. Lola Vice was also attacked by Kelani Jordan while discussing her upcoming match, and Carver continued his destructive behavior elsewhere in the Performance Center.
The evening concluded with a chaotic tag team match featuring Hank & Tank taking on The Vanity Project. Despite a strong showing, Hank & Tank ultimately fell short as Ricky Smokes secured the pinfall victory for The Vanity Project. The match was further complicated by the interference of OTM and the unexpected arrival of Tony D’Angelo, who attacked both teams.
Sean Legacy issued a challenge to Keanu Carver for a match in two weeks, seeking retribution for previous attacks. The show closed with unresolved tension between Ruca, Zaria, and Jacy Jayne, as well as lingering animosity between various factions within the NXT roster.
