At NXT Deadline, Roxanne Perez emerged victorious as the first person in history to win an Iron Survivor Challenge Match. Despite her two stints in the penalty box during the bout, she managed to score two pinfalls, earning herself a chance to face Mandy Rose for the NXT Women’s Championship.
Facing Rose would be a tall task, but not an unfamiliar one. The two women last went head to head in singles competition on the July 12th episode of WWE NXT. On that occasion, it looked as though the young upstart may have a chance at victory, but her hopes were dashed when her then-best friend Cora Jade turned on her, costing her the match and ensuring that Mandy Rose’s reign would continue.
Now, on the December 13th episode of WWE NXT, Roxanne found herself across the ring from Mandy Rose once more, this time with Mandy’s reign having lasted well over a year. The main event bout had the crowd on edge, eager to see whether change would finally be coming to WWE‘s developmental brand in the form of a new champion.
Near the end of the match, it seemed that Mandy Rose would once again defeat Roxanne Perez as the challenger favored her weakened shoulder. However, not only was Perez able to counter Rose’s attempt at a submission, but she also kicked out of Kiss From a Rose, the devastating knee the champion has used to retain her title on numerous occasions.
The crowd reached a fever pitch when Roxanne hit Pop Rocks on the champion and pinned her to the mat, ending Rose’s astronomical 413 day reign. Rose was only days away from eclipsing Shayna Baszler’s 416 day reign to become the second-longest reigning champion. Asuka holds the record for the longest reign with the title at 522 days.
NEW CHAMP! NEW CHAMP!!!@roxanne_wwe dethrones @WWE_MandyRose on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/fifLXxD8Qr
— WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2022
At the commentary desk, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T was overcome with emotion as he helped train the young star at his Reality of Wrestling school in Texas.
Roxanne Perez’s First Title Run In WWE NXT Was Short-Lived
While Roxanne Perez’s NXT Women’s Championship win is certainly monumental, it is not the first time she’s held gold in the promotion. Back in July, she and former friend Cora Jade were able to defeat Toxic Attraction for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles, becoming the youngest team in history to hold the prestigious prize.
However, when Perez announced that she would be cashing in her singles title opportunity against Mandy Rose after winning the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament, Cora Jade was incensed, leading to her decision to turn on her tag team partner during the NXT Women’s Championship bout on July 12th.
When she explained her actions the next week, Cora Jade also made the shocking decision to throw her NXT Women’s Championship belt in the trash. The titles were vacated, and shortly thereafter, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance were crowned the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions after winning a fatal four way tag team match.