WWE Superstar Solo Sikoa is the new NXT North American Champion following his victory over Carmelo Hayes on the special first-anniversary edition of NXT 2.0.
It all went down at the WWE Performance Center on Tuesday, September 13. In the main event, recent main-roster debutant and Bloodline member Solo Sikoa brought the NXT North American Championship reign of Carmelo Hayes after connecting with a Superfly Splash for the 1-2-3. Sikoa prevailed despite interference from Hayes' crony Trick Williams, who did all he could to help his buddy out. Trick's tricks weren't enough, Sikoa was too dominant.
Sikoa's appearance in the main event was un-scheduled. Wes Lee won the right to challenge Hayes for the gold in the main event by receiving more fan votes than Von Wagner and Joe Gacy -- but it wasn't Lee's night. He was ambushed by Carmelo and Trick in the locker room and suffered an injury which meant he was unable to compete. Carmelo's chicanery backfired, however, as Sikoa took Lee's place ... and left the Performance Center with the title.
Carmelo's second reign as NXT North American Champion lasted 102 days. He regained the title from Cameron Grimes at In Your House back in June, 63 days after losing it to Grimes in a ladder match at Stand & Deliver. Carmelo's first reign as champ lasted 172 days. He won the title for the first time from Swerve Strickland in October 2021.
The new NXT North American Champion, Solo Sikoa, made his main roster WWE debut at Clash At The Castle in Cardiff, UK on September 3 when he interfered in the main event between his cousin Roman Reigns and the challenger Drew McIntyre, helping Reigns retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the process.
Sikoa made his NXT 2.0 debut in October of last year.
TheSportster Podcast has returned! Check out the latest episodes of the show where Jim Parsons and Norman Quarrinton cover the latest news and events happening in the worlds of WWE, AEW and more!