Wrestling fans have wanted a mid-card title for the women's division for years. Honestly, it always felt weird that the men had a clear ladder to climb while the women had to jump straight from "rookie" to "challenging for the top prize." That changed in 2024. The NXT Women's North American Championship finally filled that gap. It isn't just another belt; it’s basically the ultimate proving ground for the next generation of superstars before they hit the main roster.
If you’ve been following NXT lately, you know things have been moving fast. Like, really fast. Just a few weeks ago at New Year’s Evil on January 6, 2026, the title changed hands in a way nobody really saw coming. Izzi Dame is your current champion. She stepped up during an open challenge after some serious backstage drama and a brutal assault left the former champ, Thea Hail, vulnerable.
How This All Started
The championship was officially announced by NXT General Manager Ava back on April 6, 2024, during the Stand & Deliver weekend. It was a massive deal because it marked the first time WWE ever created a secondary title specifically for women. No more "just hanging out in the division" waiting for a title shot—now there was something real to fight for every Tuesday night.
To crown the first winner, they didn't just pick someone. They held a "Combine" to find the most athletic women in the locker room. The top 12 went into qualifying matches, and the final six fought it out in a ladder match at Battleground on June 9, 2024. Kelani Jordan made history that night. She climbed the ladder, grabbed the gold, and set the tone for what this title was going to be: high-flying, athletic, and unpredictable.
The Chaos of Late 2025
Let’s talk about what happened with Blake Monroe and Thea Hail, because it was genuinely bizarre. Wrestling usually follows a script, but sometimes reality gets in the way. On the December 16, 2025 episode of NXT, Blake Monroe was defending against Thea Hail. Reports from insiders like Wrestling Observer confirmed that the finish was a total accident. Monroe was supposed to win.
During the pin, Monroe didn't get her shoulder up in time. The ref counted three. Suddenly, the youngest champion in the title's history was crowned by mistake. Thea Hail looked shocked, the production team was scrambling, and the creative plans for the next month had to be rewritten on the fly. It was a "legit unplanned finish" that the fans actually ended up loving because it felt so raw.
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Current Champion: The Rise of Izzi Dame
Coming into 2026, the drama didn't stop. Thea Hail was scheduled for a rematch against Blake Monroe at New Year’s Evil. But Monroe, clearly frustrated by losing her title in a fluke, didn't even let the match start. She jumped Hail during her entrance, used a steel chair, and put her through a barricade.
Ava banned Monroe from the building, but Thea—being the "Chase U" fireball she is—refused to vacate the title. She threw out an open challenge instead. Izzi Dame capitalized on the chaos. Earlier that night, Izzi had actually lost a match to Tatum Paxley, so most people thought she was done for the evening. Instead, she took advantage of a battered Thea Hail and snatched the NXT Women's North American Championship.
Every Champion So Far
It’s a relatively short list, but it’s a powerhouse lineup:
- Kelani Jordan: The inaugural champ. She held it for 140 days and really established the belt as a workhorse title.
- Fallon Henley: Won it at Halloween Havoc 2024 in a Gauntlet match with help from her Fatal Influence teammates.
- Stephanie Vaquer: The "oldest" champion at 31. She actually had to vacate the title in April 2025 because she won the main NXT Women’s Title and couldn't hold both at once.
- Sol Ruca: The GOAT of this title so far. She holds the record for the longest reign at 189 days.
- Blake Monroe: Won it in October 2025 when she beat Zaria (who was subbing for an injured Sol Ruca).
- Thea Hail: The accidental champ with the shortest reign of just 21 days.
- Izzi Dame: The current title holder as of January 2026.
Why This Belt Actually Matters
You've got to look at the talent moving through this division. The NXT Women’s North American Championship serves a very specific purpose in the WWE ecosystem. It’s where wrestlers like Lola Vice, Jaida Parker, and Lash Legend get to show they can carry a storyline without the pressure of being the "face of the brand" just yet.
It also allows for crossover. We've seen women from SmackDown like Michin and talent from TNA like Jordynne Grace involved in the hunt for this gold. It creates a "big fight feel" on Tuesday nights that the developmental brand used to lack in its mid-card.
What to Watch For Next
If you're trying to keep up with the title, here is the current landscape. Lola Vice has already made it clear she wants a shot at Izzi Dame. There's also the lingering issue of Blake Monroe—even though she was "banned," she still feels like the rightful champ in her own head.
Keep an eye on the upcoming Stand & Deliver in April. Historically, this title thrives in multi-woman matches or ladder matches at the big Premium Live Events. Izzi Dame has the backing of her group, "The Culling," but in NXT, nobody stays on top for long.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow the CW Transition: NXT has moved to the CW Network, and title changes are happening more frequently to keep ratings high. Don't skip the weekly shows.
- Watch the "Open Challenge" Trend: Since Thea Hail started the open challenge trend for this belt, expect Izzi Dame to either use it to "duck" opponents or for it to be the way she eventually loses the gold.
- Monitor the Injury Reports: Sol Ruca's reign was cut short by injury, which led to the Blake Monroe era. In a high-risk division, the backup competitors (like Zaria) are often just as important as the champions.