In a stunning upset, Ricky Saints defeated Shawn Spears to win the NXT North American Title on the April 1, 2025, episode of WWE NXT, securing his first WWE title.
In addition to being a major turning point in Saints’ developing WWE career, this victory highlights his quick rise in the NXT ranks.
The Path to Championship Glory
On February 11, 2025, Ricky Saints, who was known as Ricky Starks while he was a member of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), had his highly public debut in NXT. There was a lot of excitement around his entrance, and he soon established himself as one of the NXT roster’s most notable performers.
On February 25, Saints made his ring debut when he defeated Ethan Page and Wes Lee with the help of Je’Von Evans. His next attempts in singles were facilitated by this outstanding start.
Saints’ first NXT singles match was against Ridge Holland on March 18. Saints won a hard-fought victory by demonstrating his tenacity and in-ring skills in the face of a strong opponent. This win solidified his reputation as a rising star and positioned him as a credible contender for championship opportunities.
The Championship Showdown
When Saints challenged Shawn Spears for the NXT North American Championship, the chance to win gold came to pass.
Experienced veteran Spears was known for his sly strategies and was frequently joined by his friends Niko Vance and Brooks Jensen. Saints showed incredible perseverance in the face of Spears’ associates’ interference attempts and numerical disadvantage.
By eliminating Jensen and Vance outside the ring during the match, the Saints eliminated any outside threats. He subsequently secured the pinfall victory over Spears by using his hallmark moves, which included a spear followed by the Roshambo. In addition to earning him the NXT North American Championship, this victory cemented his place in NXT history.
A Record-Breaking Achievement
In addition to the unexpected victory over Spears, the Saints’ championship triumph is noteworthy for how quickly he became the new champion. According to reports, Saints broke previous marks held by other well-known superstars and set a new record for the fastest NXT title win since debuting.
Post-Match Developments
The Saints’ win celebration was short-lived, though, as “All Ego” Ethan Page unexpectedly showed up and used his finishing move, the Twisted Grin, to attack the new champion.
Then, to indicate his intentions and create the conditions for a possible rivalry, Page raised the North American Championship in the air.
Looking Ahead
The victory marks a major turning point in Ricky Saints’ wrestling career as he moves from being a prominent figure in AEW to a champion in WWE’s NXT brand. Both fans and industry insiders have taken notice of and praised his quick ascent and in-ring exploits.
Saints is ready to take on a number of opponents who are keen to win the title as the new NXT North American Champion. Ethan Page’s instant danger indicates that the Saints’ dominance will be put to the test early on, which bodes well for exciting plots and games in the weeks ahead.
As Saints continues to establish himself in WWE NXT and negotiates the difficulties of championship status, fans and commentators will surely be closely following his progress.