WWE NXT Championship

Last Modified Oct 9, 2024 12:11 GMT

WWE NXT Championship

The new NXT Championship: photos | WWE
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The NXT Championship can be considered as one of the most important titles in professional wrestling. NXT brand has grown immensely in the past few years with its loyal fan-base and this championship signifies who sits on the top of the mountain of this brand. This championship has also served as an introduction for many upcoming stars who have no made their way to the main roster and are thriving in that environment.

Current WWE NXT Champion

@trickwilliams_wwe on Instagram
@trickwilliams_wwe on Instagram

Trick Williams is the current WWE NXT Champion in his second reign with the title. He defeated Ethan Page on the October 1, 2024, special episode of NXT, which was the show's debut on The CW. WWE Legend CM Punk acted as the special guest referee for the match.

History of the NXT Championship

The NXT Championship, established in 2012, is more than just a title in WWE's developmental brand. It's a proving ground for future stars and a stepping stone to superstardom. In June 2012, NXT transitioned from a competition show to a developmental territory. To mark this shift, NXT Commissioner Dusty Rhodes introduced the NXT Championship. The inaugural champion was crowned through a Gold Rush Tournament featuring both established main roster wrestlers and rising developmental stars. Seth Rollins, a young talent brimming with potential, emerged victorious, defeating Jinder Mahal in the finals.

The NXT Championship quickly became synonymous with in-ring excellence and innovative storytelling. Champions like Big E, Bo Dallas, Adrian Neville, and Sami Zayn won audiences with their athleticism and charisma. These reigns established a tradition of NXT call-ups, where champions would graduate to the main roster of WWE. Stars like Rollins and Neville went on to achieve championship glory on the biggest stage. NXT underwent a significant transformation in 2015. The brand embraced a more mature and gritty presentation, attracting a dedicated fanbase. Champions like Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Finn Balor delivered iconic matches and rivalries. This era also saw the rise of female wrestling in NXT, with the introduction of the NXT Women's Championship in 2013.

A distinct visual style and a focus on in-ring storytelling defined the Black & Gold era of NXT. Champions like Samoa Joe (second reign), Tommaso Ciampa, and Johnny Gargano elevated the NXT Championship with their intense and emotional battles. In 2020, NXT underwent another shift, adopting a brighter and more colorful presentation under the NXT 2.0 banner. Champions like Karrion Kross, Samoa Joe (third reign), Adam Cole, and Tommaso Ciampa (second reign) led the brand during this transition. The title was merged into the WWE NXT UK Championship at Worlds Collide 2022. Since then, it has been won by the likes of Bron Breakker, Carmelo Hayes, Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams.

List of NXT Champions

ChampionDateDays Recog.
Seth RollinsJuly 26, 2012133
Big EDecember 6, 2012153
Bo DallasMay 23, 2013260
NevilleFebruary 27, 2014286
Sami ZaynDecember 11, 201462
Kevin OwensFebruary 11, 2015142
Finn BalorJuly 4, 2015292
Samoa JoeApril 21, 2016121
Shinshuke NakamuraAugust 20, 201691
Samoa JoeNovember 19, 201613
Shinsuke Nakamura December 3, 201656
Robert RoodeJanuary 28, 2017202
Drew McIntyreAugust 19, 201791
AndradeNovember 18, 2017139
Aleister BlackApril 7, 2018108
Tommaso CiampaJuly 18, 2018237
Johnny GarganoApril 5, 201957
Adam ColeJune 1, 2019403
Keith LeeJuly 8, 202044
Karrion KrossAugust 22, 20203
VacatedAugust 26, 2020-
Finn BalorSeptemeber 8, 2020212
Karrion KrossApril 8, 2021136
Samoa JoeAugust 22, 202120
Tommaso CiampaSeptember 14, 2021111
Bron Breakker November 22, 202163
Dolph Ziggler March 8, 202227
Bron Breakker April 4, 2022362
Carmelo HayesApril 1, 2023182
Ilja DragunovSeptember 30, 2023206
Trick WilliamsApril 23, 202474
Ethan PageJuly 7, 202486
Trick WilliamsOctober 8, 2024Current

NXT Championship and WWE's Main Roster

The NXT Championship is undeniably the most prestigious title within NXT, and it holds immense significance in shaping the careers of rising talents. It serves as a springboard for these young stars to reach new heights and achieve remarkable success on WWE's main roster. The history speaks for itself: Drew McIntyre toppling the beast and claiming the coveted WWE Championship, Seth Rollins ascending to the pinnacle by capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and Kevin Owens making a resounding impact by defeating John Cena and clinching the U.S Championship. These triumphs highlight the pivotal role that the NXT Championship plays in the industry. It propels budding talents, hones their skills, and propels them to the forefront of the wrestling world. Its ongoing mission is to continue fostering the growth of exceptional talents, ensuring that WWE possesses a world-class roster capable of captivating audiences worldwide.

NXT Championship FAQs

Seth Rollins is the first-ever NXT Champion. He won the title in 2012 after defeating Jinder Mahal in the tournament fianls.

Trick Williams is the current NXT Champion in his first reign.

Adam Cole held the NXT Championship for 396 days, the most by any superstar in one single reign. Overall, Finn Balor has been the NXT Champion for a combined 503 days.

Gunther has never won the WWE NXT Championship. 

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