Another title opportunity went begging for Zaria on night two of NXT Gold Rush, as Fallon Henley prevailed to become the new women’s WWE Speed Champion.
The tournament final was a predictably close encounter. Zaria is arguably one of the best on the black and gold brand who has yet to taste championship gold. But she was pitted against an NXT veteran hungry for her third title in WWE. Henley, a member of the dominant Fatal Influence stable, already counted Tag Team and North American championships among her achievements. And in an even clash, Henley made the numbers game count.
The presence of Henley’s confidantes, Jacy Jayne and Lainey Reid, and the absence of Zaria’s ally, Sol Ruca, proved decisive. The two contenders matched each other’s offense, continuously trading momentum – so much so that a winner couldn’t be found within the five-minute time limit.
Without a definitive victor, NXT GM Ava appeared on stage to announce sudden-death rules. Ava was clearly determined to see a new champion crowned after Ruca’s vacating of the WWE Speed title.
Zaria reacted quickest off the restart, delivering a powerful Spear to Henley. Both stars crashed through the ropes onto the floor, with Reid and Jayne in close proximity. But as Zaria looked to double down with another Spear, Reid intervened, dragging a dazed Henley to safety. Zaria hurtled into the steel steps at full speed, shifting the advantage to Henley.
Henley moved quickly to roll a battered Zaria into the ring. Hitting the familiar Shining Wizard and Famouser combo, Henley got the pin and secured her third unique championship in NXT.
Are Zaria and Sol Ruca Living on Borrowed Time?
It was all smiles for Henley and her Fatal Influence teammates. However, it was another lost chance at redemption for Zaria. This is the second of Sol Ruca’s vacated titles that Zaria has failed to defend in light of her injury absence. Back-to-back title losses at Gold Rush and Halloween Havoc, as well as Zaria’s actions on night one of Gold Rush, will surely add to the strain on their relationship.
As Ruca looked to regain her North American title from Blake Monroe, Zaria threw in the towel to limit the damage to her returning teammate. The tension between the pair will be palpable in the coming weeks. But whether their friendship survives this latest setback is another question.
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