On this week’s edition of NXT, Johnny Gargano defended the North American Championship against Bronson Reed. The “Colossal” Australia-born WWE Superstar has been at odds with The Way for several months. This feud would lead to Reed challenging Gargano for the title at NXT TakeOver: Stand and Deliver last month. Despite a dominant effort from the challenger, the champion was able to maintain his hold on the title. Nonetheless, Reed remained persistent, aiming to dethrone “Johnny Wrestling” and pry the North American Title from his grasp. Tonight, within the confines of a steel cage, Bronson Reed did exactly that.
Despite his loss tonight, Johnny Gargano remains a history-making NXT North American Champion. As a three-time titleholder, he is the first, and so far only, WWE Superstar to have held the championship on multiple occasions. Across his three title reigns, he’s been champion for 180 days. Furthermore, Gargano is the first NXT Triple Crown Champion, having won not only the North American Championship but the NXT Tag Team Championship and NXT Championship as well.
Will it be @JohnnyGargano or @bronsonreedwwe that exits the #SteelCage with the #NATitle? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/g5wffFFr12
— WWE (@WWE) May 19, 2021
This NXT North American Championship victory marks the first WWE title Bronson Reed has won. He signed with WWE back in 2019 following an extensive career as an independent wrestler. His work wasn’t limited to his home country of Australia, either. Reed would continue to establish his name for such organizations as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Now that the “Colossal” Reed is in possession of the North American Title, what challenges await him? There’s no doubt that Gargano and The Way will be in his immediate sights.
It’s also worth noting that Isaiah “Swerve” Scott threw his name into the proverbial ring. Following Hit Row‘s tag team victory on tonight’s show, Scott proclaimed that no matter who won the Steel Cage Match, he would be gunning for the title. Scott has fallen to Reed in singles competition multiple times, though with Hit Row by his side, “Swerve” may have the edge. This isn’t even including the vast array of hungry, competitive NXT talent. Suffice to say, Reed will have no shortage of contenders awaiting him.
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