Leon Ruff is your new NXT North American Champion.
Tonight’s NXT episode on the USA Network opened up with Johnny Gargano spinning his custom “Wheel of Challengers” to determine his mystery opponent, in an attempt to break his championship curse. Ruff ended up winning the match after former champion Damien Priest watched from ringside and briefly distracted Gargano for the huge upset.
This is Ruff’s first title win since signing with WWE back in late July. The former EVOLVE star has mostly worked enhancement talent spots for WWE this year. Gargano won the title from Priest back at the NXT Halloween Havoc special on October 28.
It’s interesting to note that Gargano’s “Wheel of Challengers” had Priest, Roderick Strong, Pete Dunne, Dexter Lumis, Bronson Reed, Cameron Grimes, Tommaso Ciampa, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Santos Escobar, Adam Cole, The Velveteen Dream, Kyle O’Reilly, Kushida, Austin Theory, and Timothy Thatcher earlier in the day. Theory’s name was missing when Gargano came to the ring for the opener, and Ruff’s name was written over it.
Below are several shots from tonight’s opener at the Capitol Wrestling Center in Orlando, including the post-match celebration with Priest:
#RespectTheWheel #WheelsLoveJohnny #JohnnyLovesWheel
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 12, 2020
Let us introduce to you, "@JohnnyGargano's Wheel of Challengers!" Isn't it beautiful? ?? #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/9Al6y5djOb
.@LEONRUFF_, come on down! You've been selected as the WINNER of @JohnnyGargano's Wheel of Challengers!!!! #WWENXT #NXTNATitle pic.twitter.com/HKXrtunkGa
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 12, 2020
HOME RUN! ? #WWENXT #NXTNATitle @JohnnyGargano @LEONRUFF_ pic.twitter.com/xWYCQBeyp2
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) November 12, 2020
With @ArcherOfInfamy looking on, @JohnnyGargano is looking to make short work of @LEONRUFF_ on #WWENXT.#NXTNATitle pic.twitter.com/LRMHnUkb1u
— WWE (@WWE) November 12, 2020
???? #WWENXT #NXTNATitle @JohnnyGargano @ArcherOfInfamy pic.twitter.com/ORl7d4zl5m
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 12, 2020
WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS? ??????@LEONRUFF_ has PINNED @JohnnyGargano to become the NEW #NXTNATitle Champion! #AndNew #NWWENXT pic.twitter.com/lofECgc4Fy
— WWE (@WWE) November 12, 2020
.@JohnnyGargano's #NXTNATitle curse is real. #AndNew #WWENXT @LEONRUFF_ pic.twitter.com/tuBhuitRvZ
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 12, 2020
Happens to the best of us… ?? #WWENXT #NXTNATitle @LEONRUFF_ @ArcherOfInfamy pic.twitter.com/tzGDmQ65Du
— WWE (@WWE) November 12, 2020
Johnny loves wheels, but wheels may not love Johnny. ?? #WWENXT #NXTNATitle @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/GDes7MYBTg
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 12, 2020
We'll be honest. We didn't make a win graphic for @LEONRUFF_
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) November 12, 2020
AND NEWWWWW #WWENXT North American Champion! pic.twitter.com/vXFnmRaUH6
"Everybody knows… @JohnnyGargano HATES wheels."
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 12, 2020
"Go watch @WheelofFortune!" – @ArcherOfInfamy
Yeah, Johnny is not taken his #NXTNATitle loss well. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/9xocqyDkDa
