WWE NXT video highlights: A Very Gargano Christmas

By Joseph Currier
Published: 24 Dec 2020, 06:53

Image: WWE

North American Champion Johnny Gargano’s next challenger was confirmed on last night’s episode of NXT.

While The Way (Gargano, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, and Austin Theory) celebrated Christmas at the Gargano household, it was announced that Leon Ruff will challenge for Gargano’s North American Championship on NXT next Wednesday. Ruff got a surprise win against Timothy Thatcher last night, pinning Thatcher with a cradle as Thatcher was going for a submission.

Gargano will again be trying to break his title defense curse against Ruff. When Gargano tried to break the curse last month, there was a shocking title change when Ruff defeated Gargano after a distraction from Damian Priest. Gargano then regained the North American Championship at TakeOver: WarGames when interference by Theory helped him defeat Ruff and Priest in a triple threat match.

The build to NXT New Year’s Evil also continued last night. Two new matches were announced for the show. Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez will face off in a Last Woman Standing match, while the NXT Fight Pit will return as Tommaso Ciampa takes on Thatcher. NXT Champion Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly also looked back at their TakeOver 31 match ahead of their rematch at New Year’s Evil. New Year’s Evil is taking place on Wednesday, January 6.