Blake Monroe wins NXT Women's North American Championship

Blake Monroe captured the NXT Women’s North American Championship at Halloween Havoc over the weekend, defeating Zaria in a match that featured ringside drama and an injured champion’s presence. The victory marks Monroe’s first WWE title and sets up her first defense at NXT’s upcoming Gold Rush specials in New York City.

Zaria had been defending the title on behalf of Sol Ruca, who remains sidelined with an injury and watched from ringside. The match included a sequence in which Zaria appeared to sustain a shoulder injury after hitting the steel steps, prompting Ruca to intervene at ringside. Monroe then created a moment of confusion involving Ruca that allowed her to regain control and secure the pinfall. Monroe celebrated with the championship after the bell, while Zaria and Ruca were left at the ring apron consoling one another.

After the match Monroe posted on social media a photograph of herself with the belt and wrote, you never forget your first WWE, underscoring the significance of the win for her career. In a vignette aired on NXT following Halloween Havoc, Monroe warned the locker room that she would defend the title on a big stage, saying she intended to take what...