Sol Ruca vacates NXT Speed title as a new champion tournament begins

Sol Ruca relinquished the WWE Speed Women's Championship on the October 28 episode of NXT after officials said she remains medically unable to compete, setting up a tournament to crown a new champion beginning November 4. The decision came days after Ruca’s tag team partner Zaria defended Ruca’s NXT Women’s North American title at the Halloween Havoc premium live event and lost to Blake Monroe, a result that has added friction to the pair’s storyline.

Backstage on Tuesday, NXT General Manager Ava told Ruca she had spoken with the doctor, who reported that Ruca was making progress but had no clear timeline for a return. Ava offered Ruca the option to have someone defend the Speed title on her behalf while she recovered. Ruca declined and handed the championship back to the promotion, saying she wanted the division to have a fighting champion. Zaria, who had stood beside Ruca during the exchange, appeared upset and walked out of the office after the decision was announced.

Ruca had been sidelined after suffering a leg injury during a SmackDown tag match with Zaria against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss on October 17. Unable to be medically cleared for in-ring action, she was not...