March 15’s broadcast of NXT 2.0 saw the premiere of former NXT UK roster member A-Kid. Real name Carlos Ruiz, A-Kid initially signed to World Wrestling Entertainment’s NXT UK brand in 2019. A-Kid is the inaugural NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion, winning the accolade in November 2020.
A-Kid Makes Impact on NXT 2.0
Background
Before WWE, A-Kid cut his teeth on Madrid, Spain’s then-burgeoning independent pro wrestling scene, fighting under the banner of Whitewolf Wrestling. He had a notable bout against Ricochet in 2017. In 2018, A-Kid’s match against Zack Sabre Jr. earned him the distinction of being the first Spanish pro wrestler to be dubbed with a five-star match rating by Dave Meltzer. The momentum of increased appearances on the U.K. wrestling scene led to A-Kid’s eventual path to NXT U.K.
.@KUSHIDA_0904 is looking to spoil @AKidWrestler's #WWENXT 2.0 debut. Who will come out on top? pic.twitter.com/1Haw8ipdTu
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2022
NXT 2.0 Debut
As A-Kid graced the Capitol Wrestling Center for the first time, announced Wade Barrett touted the NXT UK alum but conceded that he could rightfully be considered a relative unknown in the U.S. A-Kid’s first NXT opponent was Kushida, in a qualifying match to move on to face Grayson Waller for a spot in the North American Championship ladder match.
In Kushida, A-Kid found an opponent who has left few stones unturned in the world of professional wrestling. A six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, two-time Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and two-time winner of the Best of the Super Juniors in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Kushida also retired from mixed marital arts with an undefeated record. He is a former NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
A-Kid and Kushida began the encounter matching their mutually considerable skill in grappling. Both put playful flourishes on their floor grappling efforts but were quick to turn the tables on each other as both sought a victory by submission. The day went to A-Kid, after hitting a DDT and scoring a cover on Kushida. The debuting Spanish star from the U.K. earned a shot at Grayson Waller. He positioned himself one step closer to Carmelo Hayes’s North American Championship, following his victory over Kushida, with his NXT debut.
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