WWE Speed Titles Move to NXT: Sol Ruca to Defend at No Mercy

During a backstage segment, NXT General Manager Ava Raine announced that the titles were moving to NXT and revealed that Sol Ruca, who currently holds the WWE Women’s Speed Championship, will be defending her title at one of the next NXT PLEs – No Mercy. Before that, a tournament will be held to reveal her challenger, and challengers will come from not only WWE but also TNA and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. She said:

“I have a pretty big announcement: I’m officially bringing Men’s and Women’s Speed Titles to NXT. But Sol (Ruca), you will be defending your Women’s Speed title at No Mercy. Starting on September 2, there is going to be a tournament, one superstar from RAW or SmackDown, one superstar from NXT, one wrestler from TNA, and one wrestler from AAA. Whoever wins that is your opponent.”

Ruca has been the WWE Speed Women’s Champion since defeating its first champion, Candice LeRae, this past April. The last Speed match was on July 9, where Ruca successfully retained her title over Alba Fyre. The Men’s Champion is El Grande Americano, who has held the title since May. It has yet to be announced when the title will be defended.

What Was WWE Speed?

Speed has found a new home in the form of NXT, but what was it all about beforehand? The web series made its debut on X on April 3, 2024, where former WWE Superstar Ricochet defeated Dragon Lee. The current AEW star was actually the first Men’s Speed Champion. The premise of the series is as follows: the matches have a three-minute time limit.

Before Raine’s announcement, it was unclear where Speed was headed. Even its current Women’s Champion was confused about the situation. In an interview with Ten Count Media last week, Ruca said she didn’t have an answer, but still sees herself as a double champion. She said:

“Definitely still a double champion. I am the (WWE) Speed Champion and the North American champion. I know there’s a little confusion about what’s going on. I honestly don’t really have an answer either. But until they tell me I’m no longer a double champion, I am still a double champion.” (h/t: Fightful)

Ruca's a double champion because she also holds the WWE Women’s NXT North American Championship. Ruca has held the title since April at Stand & Deliver, when she defeated Izzi Dame, Kelani Jordan, Lola Vice, Thea Hail, and Zaria in a six-woman ladder match for the then-vacant championship. So anyway, now fans have their answer about what happened to Speed. The No Mercy PLE is set for Saturday, September 27, 2025.