SHOCKING Title Change On WWE NXT
Not a single person on this planet could have seen this coming...
Leon Ruff is the new NXT North American Champion, defeating Johnny Gargano on last night's show.
Gargano continued his fondness for wheels by opening the show with an in-ring promo, during which he presented his Wheel of Challengers to the world, spinning it to determine his North American Title opponent. Gargano then rigged it so that it would land on the seemingly overmatched Ruff's name, and out came the former EVOLVE talent for the bout.
Former Champion Damian Priest was a ringside distraction. Having lost the belt to Gargano (via shenanigans) at Halloween Havoc, Priest's presence eventually coaxed Gargano into taking his eye off the ball, allowing Ruff to nail a Crucifix Bomb and take the victory - and the title.
Ruff and Priest celebrated on the champion while Gargano looked shellshocked in the ring. Gargano tried to get hold of Ruff later in the show, only to run into Priest. Their rivalry is seemingly set to continue.
The title win marks something of a breakout year for Ruff, who started appearing for WWE as an enhancement talent at the onset of the global health crisis. His full-time signing was announced alongside Anthony Greene in August.