On the latest episode of NXT 2.0, Roderick Strong defeated KUSHIDA to become the new NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
The two have been on a collision course since Strong returned to NXT on June 22nd after a three-month absence and immediately set his sights on the ‘Time-Splitter’. The match was a short affair, and just when it looked like KUSHIDA would get the victory with the Hoverboard Lock, Strong’s compatriots in the Diamond Mine interfered, pulling KUSHIDA from the ring and, while Strong distracted the referee, the group’s newest acquisition, Ivy Nile, laid out the Japanese superstar with a jumping punch. Back in the ring, the ‘Messiah of the Backbreaker’ hit a running knee followed by End of Heartache to capture the gold.
Following the bout, Diamond Mine’s celebration was interrupted by Grayson Waller, who challenged Strong to defend his newly won title on next week’s edition of NXT 2.0. After a brief deliberation, Malcolm Bivens accepted the challenge on behalf of Strong, telling Waller that, “next week, Diamond Mine shows you why we run NXT.”
Having added the Cruiserwight Championship to his collection, Roderick Strong has now held every title in NXT apart from the NXT Championship itself. He has previously held the North American Championship on one ocassion, and the Tag Team Championships twice while a member of Undisputed Era.