WWE Speed Women’s Champion Sol Ruca has gotten used to snatching victories over the course of 2025, but her latest title defense presented an unexpected challenge. With late changes and unexpected interventions, the Speed Championship’s first appearance on a WWE PLE was one forged and delivered in chaos. Ruca has known since the previous episode of NXT that she would be defending her Speed title against Lainey Reid at NXT No Mercy. But prior to the match, commentator Vic Joseph revealed that Reid had withdrawn due to not being medically cleared to compete.
However, it didn’t mean that this historic moment for the Speed Championship would be postponed. It instead provided an incredible opportunity for another superstar to step up to the plate and bring Ruca’s lengthy reign to a close.
Rising to the challenge was Jaida Parker, seizing the chance to claim her first title in WWE. The encounter increased to five minutes as it was a championship match, and it was a predictably close encounter. Parker had the advantage going into the match, knowing what dangers Ruca presented. But the defending champion was very much in the dark for the match’s opening minutes, as she looked to adjust to her new opponent tactically.
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The pendulum swung back and forth throughout, but as the match entered the final minute, Parker countered Ruca’s Springboard Moonsault into a Hipnotic. It was the window of opportunity that Parker needed. Zaria, Ruca’s tag team partner, recognized the danger immediately, stepping to Parker at ringside. But Zaria was the least of Parker’s problems.
The crowd erupted as Lash Legend, Parker’s rival, appeared behind her. Parker was between a rock and a hard place, but somehow she managed to dodge Legend’s offensive, who inadvertently ate a Spear from Zaria.
But that would be as good as it got for Parker. The challenger re-entered the ring with less than 20 seconds on the clock, but the ringside melee provided enough time for Ruca to gather herself. The end was inevitable as the seconds slipped away. Positioned near the corner, Parker unwittingly positioned herself for the Sol Snatcher, and the WWE Speed Champion delivered, defending her title and maintaining double champion status.
Parker will rue letting a terrific shot at NXT gold slip away. As for Ruca, she can look forward to a fresh challenge from Lainey Reid when she’s cleared to compete.
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