Blake Monroe walked out of NXT Halloween Havoc tonight with the NXT Women’s North American Championship after pinning Zaria in a hard-fought, emotionally charged main-card matchup. The victory comes after a last-minute change to the advertised title match — champion Sol Ruca was medically unable to compete after suffering a legitimate leg/ knee issue on WWE television earlier in the week, and her friend and tag-team partner Zaria was cleared to defend the belt in Ruca’s honor. Monroe seized the opportunity, defeating Zaria cleanly to become the newest holder of the title.
Background and stakes
Sol Ruca had been the recognized NXT Women’s North American Champion heading into Halloween Havoc, but an injury suffered on SmackDown left her unable to compete. NXT management approved Zaria — Ruca’s tag partner and close ally — to defend the championship on Ruca’s behalf, creating an extra layer of storyline tension: would Zaria protect her friend’s reign, or would outside forces and personal history complicate matters? That real-time injury angle added stakes and heat to what otherwise would have been a straight challenger-versus-champion bout.
Match summary — how Monroe won
From the opening bell, Monroe targeted Zaria’s arm and shoulder, methodically working an attack pattern that doubled as both ring-smart strategy and crowd-winning psychology. Zaria fought back with bursts of power offense and near-falls that kept the crowd on edge, and Sol Ruca accompanied her to ringside on crutches and in a brace, lending the contest emotional weight. Monroe shifted momentum late with a decisive sequence — isolating Zaria, applying an arm-bar sequence, and finishing with a decisive pinning combination after a signature flurry — securing the three count and the championship. Postmatch, Monroe celebrated as Ruca and Zaria looked on, setting up immediate questions about whether Ruca will be able to return to reclaim the belt and whether Zaria’s loyalty will remain intact.
Why this matters for Blake Monroe and NXT
For Monroe — the former AEW star who had previously carried the Mariah May persona and held the AEW Women’s World Championship during her run there — this is a blockbuster moment that immediately elevates her NXT position. Winning the Women’s North American title provides Monroe with a built-in program blueprint: defend against the NXT roster’s rising stars, answer the inevitable rematch narrative with Ruca when she’s healthy, and anchor the mid-card with credibility as a multi-promotion veteran. Her arrival and the quick capture of gold underscore NXT’s appetite for high-profile signings and rapid storytelling pivots.
Division implications and possible directions
Monroe’s win reshapes the women’s mid-card landscape. Sol Ruca’s injury creates an automatic long-term angle — Ruca’s pursuit to reclaim the championship upon return — while Zaria’s role tonight (defending in Ruca’s stead) leaves multiple pathways open: a continued tag partnership, a rift if Zaria feels overshadowed, or a sympathetic/fallout arc that could generate heat and create fresh contenders. Meanwhile, established NXT names who have held or chased the North American strap — and a roster full of hungry challengers — mean Monroe will be busy defending the title in meaningful, storyline-driven matchups.
What to watch next
- Sol Ruca’s medical status and timeline: whether Ruca will be cleared soon or be sidelined for an extended period will dictate whether this is a temporary keep or the start of a long championship reign for Monroe.
- Zaria’s character trajectory: will she remain an ally to Ruca, or will the frustration of defending (and losing) breed a heel turn or sympathetic arc?
- Monroe’s first title defenses: expect NXT creative to thrust Monroe into high-profile defenses to solidify the belt’s prestige and to build toward potential cross-brand angles that draw on her AEW pedigree.
Bottom line
Tonight’s NXT Halloween Havoc delivered a clean, consequential title change that blends real life (Ruca’s injury) with classic pro-wrestling storytelling. Blake Monroe’s victory is both a reward for a fast-burn main event push and a narrative seed for what should be a multi-layered few months in NXT’s women’s division — one that will test loyalties, medical comebacks, and Monroe’s ability to carry gold on the silver brand.
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