Solo Sikoa Shawn Michaels WWE NXT — Image Credit: WWE

Solo Sikoa Relinquishes NXT North American Title, New Champion To Be Crowned At NXT Haloween Havoc

September 20, 2022

The NXT North American Championship has been vacated.

At the end of the September 14 episode of WWE NXT 2.0, Solo Sikoa came to the ring to challenge Carmelo Hayes for the gold. Hayes was scheduled to defend the title against the winner of a fan poll, and when Wes Lee was named the victor, the champion attacked him. Sikoa filled in for him and ultimately won the gold.

The following week, on the September 20 episode, Shawn Michaels told Sikoa that the result of the match could not stand because he was not a qualified competitor He then told the powerhouse to hand over the title. Michaels wished Sikoa well in his move to SmackDown, and the latter gave him the title.

"I'm gonna need you to hand over the North American Championship."@ShawnMichaels didn't want to do it, but it had to be done. #WWENXT @WWESoloSikoa @Carmelo_WWE pic.twitter.com/gcYjAbuHN7

— WWE (@WWE) September 21, 2022

Hayes thanked Michaels, as he seemingly thought that he’d get handed the title back. Michaels noted that Hayes tried to cheat the system, but he’ll have a shot at the gold in six weeks at NXT Halloween Havoc. He announced that Hayes and four other men will qualify for the bout over the next several weeks, and they’ll collide in a Ladder Match.