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NXT Championship
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| NXT Championship | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The current NXT Championship belt with default side plates (2024–present) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Details | |||||||||||||||||||
| Promotion | WWE | ||||||||||||||||||
| Brand | NXT | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date established | July 1, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Current champion | Ricky Saints | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date won | September 27, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
The NXT Championship is a men's professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American promotion WWE, defended as the top men's championship of NXT, the promotion's developmental brand. It is one of two top men's titles on WWE's developmental system, along with the WWE Evolve Championship on the Evolve brand. The current champion is Ricky Saints, who is in his first reign. He won the title by defeating Oba Femi at No Mercy on September 27, 2025.
Introduced on July 1, 2012, it was the first championship established for NXT, and the inaugural champion was Seth Rollins. In September 2019, WWE began promoting NXT as its "third brand" when the NXT television program was moved to the USA Network. The NXT Championship was referred to as a world championship during this time; however, this recognition was dropped when NXT reverted to its original function as WWE's developmental brand in September 2021. In September 2022, the NXT United Kingdom Championship was unified into the NXT Championship.
History
[edit].jpg)
From 2010 to 2012, the American professional wrestling promotion WWE hosted a competition reality television series called NXT. In June 2012, WWE restructured the show and established the NXT brand as their developmental territory, replacing Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). On August 1, the brand's first championship, the NXT Championship, was introduced as the top men's championship. NXT Commissioner Dusty Rhodes announced an eight-man single-elimination tournament, dubbed the "Gold Rush" tournament, involving four wrestlers from NXT and four wrestlers from WWE's main roster competing to be crowned the first NXT Champion. On the July 26 tapings of NXT (aired August 29), Seth Rollins defeated Jinder Mahal in the tournament final to become the inaugural champion.[1][2] On November 19, 2016, at TakeOver: Toronto, Samoa Joe became the first performer to hold the championship on more than one occasion.[3] The title was defended for the first time on the main roster on the June 4, 2015, episode of SmackDown, where Kevin Owens retained the title against Zack Ryder.[4]
In September 2019, the NXT brand became WWE's third major brand when the NXT program was moved to the USA Network.[5][6] After Drew McIntyre won the NXT Championship in 2017, the match description for his win in the official title history referred to it as a world championship.[7] In 2021, it was revealed that the NXT Championship was an option for the men's Royal Rumble match winner to challenge for at WrestleMania 37, along with the WWE Championship and WWE Universal Championship.[8][9][10][11][12] However, WWE revamped NXT in September 2021 and returned the brand to its original function as a developmental territory, with it no longer referred to as a world championship and no longer an option for Royal Rumble match winners.[13]
In August 2022, WWE announced that the NXT UK brand would go on hiatus and would relaunch as NXT Europe at a later time.[14] As such, NXT UK's championship's were unified into their respective NXT championship counterparts. On September 4, 2022, at Worlds Collide, reigning NXT Champion Bron Breakker defeated NXT United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate to unify the NXT United Kingdom Championship into the NXT Championship. Bate was recognized as the final NXT UK Champion, while Breakker went forward as the unified NXT Champion.[15]
Inaugural tournament
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||
| Richie Steamboat | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Leo Kruger | ||||||||||||||
| Richie Steamboat | ||||||||||||||
| Jinder Mahal | Sub | |||||||||||||
| Bo Dallas | ||||||||||||||
| Jinder Mahal | Sub | |||||||||||||
| Jinder Mahal | ||||||||||||||
| Seth Rollins | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Seth Rollins | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Drew McIntyre | ||||||||||||||
| Seth Rollins | Pin | |||||||||||||
| Michael McGillicutty | ||||||||||||||
| Justin Gabriel | ||||||||||||||
| Michael McGillicutty | Pin | |||||||||||||
Belt designs
[edit]
The original NXT Championship belt's design was simple: a large gold center plate shaped as the letter "X", with smaller letters "N" and "T" to the left and right of the center. The belt contained six total side plates on a large black strap, three sitting on either side of the center plate; each side plate only featured the WWE logo. When first introduced, the side plates had the WWE scratch logo but in August 2014, all of WWE's pre-existing championships at the time received a minor update, changing the scratch logo to WWE's current logo that was originally used for the WWE Network that launched earlier that year in February.[16]
During WrestleMania Weekend 2017, all existing NXT title belts at the time were redesigned. The new title belts were unveiled at TakeOver: Orlando that same night and given to the winners of their respective matches. Like the previous design, the plates were gold and on a black leather strap. The letter "X" again dominated the center plate with smaller letters "N" and "T" sitting on the left and right sides, respectively. On this new design, however, the letters were on an octagonal shaped plate. Above the "X" was the WWE logo, while below the "X" was a banner that read "Champion". Simple ornamentation with some silver filled in the rest of the plate. Coming in line with WWE's other championships, the new design included side plates with a removable center section that could be customized with the champion's logo; the default plates featured the WWE logo.[17]
On the April 5, 2022, episode of NXT, reigning champion Bron Breakker debuted a new belt design; it was largely similar to the previous version (2017–2022), but the silver behind the logo was replaced by multi-colored paint (matching the NXT 2.0 colorscheme) and the letters "N" and "T" on the center plate were updated to the font style of the NXT 2.0 logo. The default side plates were also updated, replacing the WWE logo with the NXT 2.0 logo. The new title retained the black leather strap.[18] When "NXT 2.0" went back to being called "NXT" in September, the default side plates were updated with the new NXT logo.
With NXT's move to The CW on October 1, 2024, the show got a new logo. As a result, both the men's and women's NXT championship belts received an update that same episode. They mostly have the same design as their respective previous version, but with The CW era NXT logo on the center plate and side plates, with more of a globe visible behind the logo on the center plate. The multi-colored paint from the NXT 2.0 version (2022–2024) was also removed, and the plates are now primarily silver with gold accents.[19]
Reigns
[edit]_(cropped).jpg)
As of October 25, 2025, there have been 34 reigns among 26 different champions and three vacancies. The inaugural champion was Seth Rollins. Samoa Joe has the most reigns at three. Adam Cole's reign is the longest singular reign at 396 days (recognized as 403 days by WWE due to tape delay), while Karrion Kross' first reign is the shortest at 4 days (recognized as 3 days by WWE) as he had to relinquish the title due to a legitimate injury he suffered in winning it. Finn Bálor has the longest combined reign at 504 days. Bo Dallas holds the record as the youngest champion, winning the title two days before his 23rd birthday (although WWE recognizes it was 18 days after his 23rd birthday due to tape delay), while Samoa Joe is the oldest champion, winning the title at 42.
Ricky Saints is the current champion in his first reign. He defeated Oba Femi at No Mercy on September 27, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[20]
Notes
[edit]- ^ 403 days as recognized by WWE due to the episode airing on tape delay.
- ^ 3 days as recognized by WWE.
- ^ WWE recognizes that Dallas won the title when he was 23 years, 18 days old due to the date of his championship win airing on tape delay.
References
[edit]- ^ Parry, Josh (July 26, 2012). "NXT spoiler – first champion crowned". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved July 26, 2012.
- ^ James, Justin (September 5, 2012). "JAMES'S WWE NXT REPORT 8/29 – Week 11: First NXT champion crowned in big-match setting". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ James, Justin (November 19, 2016). "JAMES' NXT TAKEOVER: TORONTO REVIEW 11/19: Nakamura vs. Joe, Asuka vs. James, #DIY vs. The Revival, and more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ Holland, Dustin (June 5, 2015). "WWE Smackdown Results - 6/4/15 (Reigns vs. Sheamus)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
- ^ Csonka, Larry (May 10, 2016). "Triple H Discusses NXT as a Third Brand, Putting Talent in a Position to Succeed, More". 411Mania.
- ^ Rollins, Khadrice (August 19, 2019). "NXT moving to cable TV on Sept. 18". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
- ^ "NXT Championship". WWE.
Fulfilling a prophecy first laid out by WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon years earlier, Drew McIntyre captured a world championship in a WWE ring when he defeated Bobby Roode to claim the NXT Title at TakeOver: Brooklyn III.
- ^ Burdick, Michael (February 5, 2021). "SmackDown results, Feb. 5, 2021: Owens attacks Reigns as Edge's WrestleMania opponent remains a mystery". WWE. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
In the wake of his Herculean effort, The Rated-R Superstar traveled first to Raw to inform WWE Champion Drew McIntyre that whomever he decided to face, he would be walking out of The Show of Shows with the World Title. He then ventured to NXT and put both NXT Champion Finn Bálor and Pete Dunne on notice as well.
- ^ Thomas, Jeremy (February 3, 2021). "NXT Title Match Set For NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day, Edge Hints at Possibly Challenging Winner". 411Mania. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
Edge noted he will be watching the Takeover [NXT Championship] match and may challenge the winner of that match if he hasn't decided who he will challenge by then.
- ^ Stewart, Rob. "Stew's Thoughts on NXT Takeover: Vengeance Day". 411Mania. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
...if Karrion Kross hadn't gotten injured, we wouldn't have Finn Bálor and his Opponent Of The Month actively trying to bludgeon each other in a ring for a world title.
- ^ Matthews, Graham (February 12, 2021). "Finn Balor Shoots on NXT, Bullet Club, Potential WWE WrestleMania 37 Match, More". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
For the first time ever, the NXT Championship is officially among the top titles the men's Royal Rumble winner can choose to contend for at WrestleMania.
- ^ Burdick, Michael (February 21, 2021). "Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Edge". WWE. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
In the wake of his Herculean effort, The Rated-R Superstar [Edge] traveled to Raw, NXT and SmackDown to scope out the World Champions before declaring that he would not announce which World Champion he would challenge until after WWE Elimination Chamber [2021].
- ^ Currier, Joseph (December 3, 2021). "Preview and Predictions for 'NXT WarGames'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
- ^ Defelice, Robert (August 18, 2022). "WWE Announces The Impending Launch Of 'NXT Europe' Final NXT UK Event To Be 'Worlds Collide' On 9/4". Fightful. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
- ^ Moore, John (September 4, 2022). "NXT Worlds Collide results: Moore's live review of NXT Champion Bron Breakker vs. NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate in a unification match, NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose vs. NXT UK Women's Champion Meiko Satomura vs. Blair Davenport in a unification match, Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricochet for the NXT North American Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
- ^ Graser, Marc (August 15, 2014). "WWE Rebrands With New Logo Tied to Digital Network". Variety. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ WWE (April 1, 2017). "Exclusive: WWE NXT General William Regal arrives at WrestleMania Axxess with a HUGE announcement regarding NXT TakeOver: Orlando!". Facebook. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
- ^ WWE [@WWENXT] (April 12, 2022). "It's all in the details. #WWENXT" (Tweet). Retrieved April 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Russell, Skylar (October 1, 2024). "Shawn Michaels Debuts New NXT Championship And NXT Women's Championship Belts On Tuesday's WWE NXT". Fightful. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
- ^ Moore, John (September 27, 2025). "NXT No Mercy results: Moore's live review of Oba Femi vs. Ricky Saints for the NXT Championship, Jacy Jayne vs. Lola Vice for the NXT Women's Championship". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official NXT Championship Title History
Media related to Wrestlers as the NXT champion at Wikimedia Commons
NXT Championship
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
History
Creation and Inaugural Tournament
The NXT Championship was established as the premier title for WWE's NXT brand, a developmental territory focused on nurturing emerging professional wrestlers. On the July 1, 2012, episode of NXT, General Manager Dusty Rhodes announced the creation of the championship and introduced an eight-man single-elimination tournament known as the "Gold Rush" to determine its inaugural holder.[5] The tournament featured a mix of established NXT roster members and talents from WWE's Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) developmental system, emphasizing the brand's role in talent development.[6] The "Gold Rush" tournament unfolded over several televised episodes of NXT in August 2012, with matches taped in late June and July at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. In the quarterfinals, Richie Steamboat defeated Leo Kruger, Seth Rollins overcame Drew McIntyre, Michael McGillicutty bested Justin Gabriel, and Jinder Mahal submitted Bo Dallas. The semifinals saw Jinder Mahal eliminate Richie Steamboat while Seth Rollins advanced by pinning Michael McGillicutty.[6] The final took place on the August 29, 2012, episode, where Seth Rollins defeated Jinder Mahal via pinfall after 15 minutes and 21 seconds to become the first NXT Champion.[7] As the cornerstone of NXT's in-ring competition, the NXT Championship initially served to showcase and elevate up-and-coming performers within WWE's developmental ecosystem, providing a platform for wrestlers to gain experience and visibility before potential promotion to the main roster. Rollins' victory marked the beginning of the title's legacy in building stars from the ground up.Brand Evolution and Status Changes
The NXT Championship, established in 2012 as the centerpiece of WWE's developmental brand NXT, experienced notable shifts in prestige and recognition as the NXT brand evolved from a training ground to a more prominent entity within WWE.[1] In September 2019, NXT was elevated to WWE's third global brand alongside Raw and SmackDown, marked by its expansion to a live two-hour weekly program on the USA Network starting September 18. This transition positioned the NXT Championship as a world-level title, enabling defenses against competitors from the main roster brands and enhancing its overall stature within WWE's ecosystem.[8] The brand's new status facilitated greater integration with WWE's flagship events, including Survivor Series, where the NXT Championship was defended in marquee matches against main roster talent, further boosting its prestige and establishing it as a viable pathway for wrestlers to gain recognition across WWE divisions.[9] By September 2021, however, NXT underwent a rebrand to NXT 2.0, reinstating its core role as a developmental brand with an emphasis on introducing and cultivating emerging talent through a refreshed visual identity and programming focus. This reversion curtailed cross-brand defenses and main roster call-ups, returning the championship to a more insular developmental context and reducing its prior equivalence to main roster world titles.[10]Key Milestones and Unifications
A significant vacancy took place on September 12, 2021, when Samoa Joe relinquished the NXT Championship due to an injury, ending his third reign after 21 days and necessitating interim leadership in NXT's competitive landscape. This injury-related deactivation highlighted the physical toll of the title's defenses, especially amid NXT's transition to a more developmental-focused era following its 2021 rebranding to NXT 2.0.[11] Another notable vacancy occurred on March 13, 2019, when Tommaso Ciampa was forced to vacate the NXT Championship due to a neck injury sustained at NXT TakeOver: Phoenix, ending his first reign after 123 days. This event, the first major injury-related forfeiture during NXT's elevated status, led to a fatal 4-way match on the March 27 episode to crown a new champion, underscoring the title's exposure to unforeseen health risks.[12] A pivotal milestone arrived on September 4, 2022, at NXT Worlds Collide, where NXT Champion Bron Breakker defeated NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate in a title-for-title unification match, absorbing the NXT United Kingdom Championship into the primary NXT title and decommissioning the UK version to streamline WWE's developmental brands.[13] This unification, attended by over 10,000 fans at the WWE Performance Center, symbolized the merger of NXT's American and UK rosters, enhancing the championship's global prestige as NXT evolved toward main roster integration.[14] In a more recent highlight, the NXT Championship saw a dramatic title change at NXT No Mercy on September 27, 2025, when Ricky Saints dethroned Oba Femi in the main event, ending Femi's imposing 263-day reign and marking Saints' first championship victory in a match praised for its intensity and athletic display.[15] This event reinforced the title's role in elevating emerging talents, building on NXT's post-2022 unification momentum to solidify its status as a cornerstone of WWE's future stars.[16] Subsequently, on December 6, 2025, at NXT Deadline, Oba Femi defeated Ricky Saints to win the NXT Championship for a second time, reclaiming the title in a highly anticipated rematch.[17] Femi then defended the championship successfully against Leon Slater at New Year's Evil on January 6, 2026. However, on January 7, 2026, Femi vacated the title by leaving it in the ring following his victory, with WWE officially confirming the vacancy.[3][18] Following this, on January 10, 2026, NXT General Manager Ava announced that she will address the future of the vacant NXT Championship on the January 13, 2026 episode of WWE NXT airing on The CW.[19][20] On the January 13, 2026 episode, Ava announced a six-man ladder match to determine the new NXT Champion, scheduled for February 3, 2026, with qualifying matches set to begin the following week.[4]Belt Designs
2012–2017 Design
The original NXT Championship belt, introduced in 2012, featured a prominent gold center plate dominated by a large stylized "X" emblem, symbolizing the brand's identity, with smaller "N" and "T" letters positioned on the left and right sides of the "X" respectively.[21] This design was unveiled alongside the inaugural champion, Seth Rollins, who won the title in the Gold Rush tournament finale on August 29, 2012, after defeating Jinder Mahal in the finals.[1] It marked the belt's debut as the top prize in WWE's developmental NXT brand.[21] The belt's construction included a black leather strap for a sleek, professional appearance, complemented by six side plates—three on each side of the center plate—each bearing the iconic WWE scratch logo as the sole design element, emphasizing simplicity and brand affiliation during NXT's early years.[21] This understated yet bold aesthetic reflected the developmental territory's focus on emerging talent, and it remained in use through notable reigns, such as Big E Langston's dominant 154-day title hold from January 9 to June 12, 2013, where the belt underscored his powerhouse style, and Adrian Neville's high-flying championship run starting in 2014, which highlighted the title's prestige in marquee matches.[1][21] In 2017, the design was updated to a more intricate version with an octagonal center plate, transitioning the belt to align with NXT's evolving status as a major WWE brand.[22]2017–2022 Design
The 2017–2022 iteration of the NXT Championship belt introduced a more refined aesthetic to elevate the title's prestige within WWE's developmental brand. The centerpiece was an octagonal gold plate featuring a prominent "X" symbol at its core, flanked by a banner reading "WWE NXT Champion" and intricate detailing that incorporated the WWE logo above the X. This design departed from the prior version's oversized, singular X-shaped plate, adopting a structure more akin to WWE's main roster world titles while retaining NXT's distinctive branding. The gold plating provided a luxurious finish, underscoring the championship's status as the pinnacle of NXT competition.[22] A key innovation was the inclusion of removable and customizable side plates, which allowed reigning champions to engrave or modify them to reflect personal achievements or motifs. For instance, Johnny Gargano personalized his side plates during his 2021 reign to highlight his journey in NXT. These plates were typically symmetrical gold-accented panels that could be swapped out, adding a layer of individuality not present in earlier designs. The belt's black leather strap was adjustable and featured subtle engravings along its length, enhancing its professional appearance and durability for in-ring use.[23] The redesign debuted on April 1, 2017, at NXT TakeOver: Orlando, where Bobby Roode successfully defended the title against Shinsuke Nakamura with the new version. Although the event also marked updates to other NXT belts amid Asuka's prominent role in the women's division, the NXT Championship's iteration quickly became synonymous with stars like Tommaso Ciampa, who held it multiple times during this period. This evolution symbolized NXT's maturation as a brand, bridging its developmental roots with main roster aspirations through enhanced visual symbolism and customization options.[24][22]2022–2024 Design
Following the rebranding of NXT to its 2.0 iteration in 2021, which emphasized a return to developmental roots with a vibrant, youthful aesthetic, the NXT Championship belt underwent modifications in April 2022 to align with this refreshed identity.[25] The design succeeded the more subdued 2017–2022 version by introducing multi-colored paint accents on the plates, featuring a rainbow-hued background behind the central "X" logo to evoke energy and diversity.[26] These vibrant hues extended to the side plates, which incorporated smaller NXT 2.0 logos in silver, maintaining the overall structure while enhancing visual appeal for the brand's new era.[25] The black strap was retained from the prior design, providing continuity amid the colorful updates, and the belt was first showcased on television during WrestleMania weekend in 2022.[25] This version was introduced shortly after the unification of the NXT UK Championship into the primary NXT title in 2021, solidifying its status as the brand's flagship men's championship.[27] Bron Breakker became the first champion to carry the updated belt after winning the title on April 5, 2022, followed by Ilja Dragunov later that year, both utilizing the design during their reigns to symbolize NXT's evolving presentation.[26]2024–Present Design
The 2024 redesign of the NXT Championship belt was introduced to align with NXT's transition to The CW network, featuring a modern aesthetic that emphasizes silver plating with gold accents for a sleek, premium appearance. The central plate showcases the CW-era NXT logo positioned horizontally, set against a globe motif that evokes global reach and ambition. Surrounding the center are 12 small round rings at the corners, with the top plate displaying a gold WWE logo and the bottom plate inscribed with "Champion" in gold lettering. The black leather strap includes a bordered design for added elegance, while the side plates incorporate silver borders with customizable NXT engravings framed in gold, allowing personalization for individual champions.[28][29] This iteration debuted on October 1, 2024, during the first episode of NXT on The CW, where it was presented by NXT executives Shawn Michaels and Triple H in the ring. The belt succeeded the more colorful 2022–2024 design, shifting toward a monochromatic silver-and-black palette to match the updated brand identity. Trick Williams became the first champion to officially hold the new title, winning it from Ethan Page later that night.[30][28] As of November 2025, the design remains in use, held by Ricky Saints.[1] The design incorporates material enhancements, such as thicker metal plates on the official version for improved durability during high-impact use, while maintaining the customizable side plates tradition seen in prior belts. These updates reflect WWE's emphasis on longevity and adaptability in NXT's evolving presentation.[31]Reigns
List of Champions
The NXT Championship was first awarded on August 29, 2012, and as of January 14, 2026, it has seen 35 reigns shared among 26 unique champions, with the title currently vacant.[1] The reigns have taken place across various NXT television episodes and premium live events, such as NXT TakeOver series and No Mercy.[12] The following table details all reigns chronologically, including the date the title was won, the event, the length of the reign, and notes on unique stipulations or circumstances where applicable. Days held are calculated based on official WWE recognition, accounting for tape delay where relevant.[1][32]| No. | Champion | Reign | Date Won | Event | Date Lost | Days Held | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seth Rollins | 1 | August 29, 2012 | NXT (taped episode) | January 9, 2013 | 133 | Inaugural champion; won tournament final vs. Jinder Mahal in a singles match. |
| 2 | Big E Langston | 1 | January 9, 2013 | NXT | June 12, 2013 | 153 | |
| 3 | Bo Dallas | 1 | June 12, 2013 | NXT | February 27, 2014 | 260 | |
| 4 | Adrian Neville | 1 | February 27, 2014 | NXT TakeOver: Arrival | December 11, 2014 | 286 | |
| 5 | Sami Zayn | 1 | December 11, 2014 | NXT TakeOver: R Evolution | February 11, 2015 | 62 | |
| 6 | Kevin Owens | 1 | February 11, 2015 | NXT TakeOver: Rival | July 4, 2015 | 142 | |
| 7 | Finn Bálor | 1 | July 4, 2015 | NXT TakeOver: Beast in the East | April 21, 2016 | 292 | |
| 8 | Samoa Joe | 1 | April 21, 2016 | NXT Live Event (Lowell, MA) | August 20, 2016 | 121 | |
| 9 | Shinsuke Nakamura | 1 | August 20, 2016 | NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II | November 19, 2016 | 91 | |
| 10 | Samoa Joe | 2 | November 19, 2016 | NXT | December 3, 2016 | 13 | |
| 11 | Shinsuke Nakamura | 2 | December 3, 2016 | NXT (taped) | January 28, 2017 | 56 | |
| 12 | Bobby Roode | 1 | January 28, 2017 | NXT TakeOver: San Antonio | August 19, 2017 | 203 | |
| 13 | Drew McIntyre | 1 | August 19, 2017 | NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III | November 18, 2017 | 91 | |
| 14 | Andrade "Cien" Almas | 1 | November 18, 2017 | NXT | April 7, 2018 | 139 | |
| 15 | Aleister Black | 1 | April 7, 2018 | NXT TakeOver: New Orleans | July 25, 2018 | 109 | Ladder match. |
| 16 | Tommaso Ciampa | 1 | July 25, 2018 | NXT | March 13, 2019 (vacated) | 231 | Vacated due to injury. |
| — | Vacancy | — | March 13, 2019 | NXT TV | April 5, 2019 | 23 | Caused by Tommaso Ciampa's injury. |
| 17 | Johnny Gargano | 1 | April 5, 2019 | NXT TakeOver: New York | June 1, 2019 | 57 | Won in a two-out-of-three falls match. |
| 18 | Adam Cole | 1 | June 1, 2019 | NXT TakeOver: XXV | July 8, 2020 | 403 | |
| 19 | Keith Lee | 1 | July 8, 2020 | NXT The Great American Bash Night 2 | August 22, 2020 | 45 | |
| 20 | Karrion Kross | 1 | August 22, 2020 | NXT TakeOver XXX | August 26, 2020 (vacated) | 3 | Vacated due to injury. |
| — | Vacancy | — | August 26, 2020 | NXT | September 8, 2020 | 13 | Caused by Karrion Kross' injury. |
| 21 | Finn Bálor | 2 | September 8, 2020 | NXT (taped) | April 8, 2021 | 212 | |
| 22 | Karrion Kross | 2 | April 8, 2021 | NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver | August 22, 2021 | 136 | |
| 23 | Samoa Joe | 3 | August 22, 2021 | NXT | September 12, 2021 (vacated) | 21 | Vacated due to injury. |
| — | Vacancy | — | September 12, 2021 | NXT | September 14, 2021 | 2 | Caused by Samoa Joe's injury. |
| 24 | Tommaso Ciampa | 2 | September 14, 2021 | NXT | January 4, 2022 | 112 | |
| 25 | Bron Breakker | 1 | January 4, 2022 | NXT New Year's Evil | March 8, 2022 | 63 | |
| 26 | Dolph Ziggler | 1 | March 8, 2022 | NXT Roadblock | April 2, 2022 | 25 | |
| 27 | Bron Breakker | 2 | April 2, 2022 | NXT Stand & Deliver | April 1, 2023 | 364 | Unified with NXT UK Championship on September 4, 2022, at NXT Worlds Collide by defeating Tyler Bate. |
| 28 | Carmelo Hayes | 1 | April 1, 2023 | NXT Stand & Deliver | September 30, 2023 | 182 | |
| 29 | Ilja Dragunov | 1 | September 30, 2023 | NXT No Mercy | April 23, 2024 | 206 | |
| 30 | Trick Williams | 1 | April 23, 2024 | NXT Spring Breakin' Week 2 | July 7, 2024 | 75 | |
| 31 | Ethan Page | 1 | July 7, 2024 | NXT (Money in the Bank fallout) | October 1, 2024 | 86 | |
| 32 | Trick Williams | 2 | October 1, 2024 | NXT | January 7, 2025 | 98 | |
| 33 | Oba Femi | 1 | January 7, 2025 | NXT New Year's Evil | September 27, 2025 | 263 | |
| 34 | Ricky Saints | 1 | September 27, 2025 | NXT No Mercy | December 6, 2025 | 70 | |
| 35 | Oba Femi | 2 | December 6, 2025 | NXT Deadline | January 7, 2026 (vacated) | 32 | Vacated by leaving the belt in the ring after New Year's Evil. |
| — | Vacancy | — | January 7, 2026 | NXT | Incumbent | 7+ | Caused by Oba Femi vacating the title; on the January 13, 2026 episode of WWE NXT on The CW, NXT General Manager Ava announced a six-man ladder match to crown a new champion on February 3, 2026, with qualifying matches beginning the following week.[33][19][4][34] |
Records and Statistics
The NXT Championship has seen a variety of notable records since its inception in 2012, highlighting the endurance, frequency, and demographic diversity of its holders, with 35 reigns and four vacancies. These statistics underscore the title's role as a cornerstone of WWE's developmental brand, with reigns ranging from marathons that defined eras to brief tenures that marked transitional periods.[32] Adam Cole holds the record for the longest single reign at 403 days (WWE official recognition, accounting for tape delay), from June 1, 2019, to July 8, 2020, during which he elevated the championship through high-profile feuds and defenses.[32][37] In contrast, Karrion Kross's first reign stands as the shortest at 3 days, from August 22 to August 26, 2020, ending abruptly after a controversial match.[38] Samoa Joe achieved the most reigns with three, winning the title on April 21, 2016, November 19, 2016, and August 22, 2021, making him a dominant figure in the championship's history.[39] Finn Bálor leads in combined reign length at 504 days across two reigns (292 days in 2015–2016 and 212 days in 2020–2021), reflecting his impact as both an inaugural star and a returning veteran.[40] Demographically, Bo Dallas became the youngest champion at 22 years, 5 months, and 18 days old upon winning the title on June 12, 2013.[41] Samoa Joe also holds the distinction of being the oldest champion, capturing the title for the third time at 43 years and 36 days on August 22, 2021.[42] Regarding defenses, Adam Cole's 2019–2020 reign featured the most successful title defenses at 13, showcasing his resilience against challengers like Johnny Gargano and Finn Bálor.[43]| Record | Champion | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Longest Single Reign | Adam Cole | 403 days (WWE official), 2019–2020[32][37] |
| Shortest Reign | Karrion Kross | 3 days, 2020[38] |
| Most Reigns | Samoa Joe | 3 reigns, 2016–2021[39] |
| Longest Combined Reigns | Finn Bálor | 504 days, two reigns[40] |
| Youngest Champion | Bo Dallas | 22 years, 5 months, 18 days, 2013[41] |
| Oldest Champion | Samoa Joe | 43 years, 36 days, 2021[42] |
| Most Defenses in a Reign | Adam Cole | 13 defenses, 2019–2020[43] |