Who Is the WWE NXT Champion?

The current WWE NXT Champion is Finn Balor.

Finn Balor

Finn Balor is an Irish professional wrestler who is signed to WWE. He is currently performing on the NXT brand. He is also the current NXT Champion in his first reign. Balor is a former NXT Tag Team Champion with Samoa Joe.

History

Finn Balor is the current NXT Champion in his second reign. He is also a former WWE Universal Champion, making him the first ever WWE Superstar to have held both titles.

Balor was born on July 25, 1981, in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. He began training in professional wrestling at the age of 16 at NWA UK Hammerlock, under the tutelage of Jon Ritchie. Balor made his professional wrestling debut in 2000.

He wrestled for various independent promotions in Ireland and the United Kingdom before joining New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2006. In NJPW, Balor became a one-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Minoru Tanaka and a one-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with Karl Anderson. He also won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament twice, in 2010 and 2013.

In 2014, Balor joined WWE’s developmental territory NXT, where he became NXT Champion in his debut match. After an injury forced him to vacate the title, Balor went on to win it again in 2016. In 2019, he was called up to WWE’s main roster and won the Universal Championship at SummerSlam that same year. However, he was forced to vacate the title due to injury shortly thereafter.

Balor returned to NXT in 2020 and regained the NXT Championship at TakeOver: XXXOVERSEASERSEASERSXXX thereafter

Title Reigns

Finn Balor is a professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is one of the longest reigning NXT Champions in history, having held the title for Finn Balor is a professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He has held the NXT Championship for a record-setting 294 days and is the first ever two-time NXT Champion.

Samoa Joe

On April 1, 2017, Samoa Joe defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to become the new NXT Champion. This made him the first-ever two-time NXT Champion. Samoa Joe’s reign as NXT Champion came to an end on June 8, 2017, when he was defeated by Aleister Black.

History

Samoa Joe was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California, where he was a star amateur wrestler in high school, before attending the University of California, Davis. He then pursued a career in professional wrestling, making his debut in 2000. After competing in several independents promotions, he joined Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) in 2002. UPW ran shows throughout Southern California and served as a developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In October 2003, Joe debuted on WWE’s SmackDown brand as Brandon “The Truth” Richardson. However, WWE released him the following May due to lack of creative direction for his character.

In July 2004, Joe returned to UPW and won that promotion’s Heavyweight Championship that month. He held the title until December when he defeated Scott Lost for the NWA Anarchy Television Championship. In early 2005, NWA Anarchy closed down and Joe transferred its television title to the new NWA Wrestle Birmingham promotion. Soon after winning the title, he was signed by WWE to a developmental contract and was assigned to their Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) territory.

Joe debuted on OVW’s Saturday Night Main Event television program on July 30 as “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe. He quickly established himself as one of OVW’s top heels by attacking various babyfaces such as Paul Birchall (Danny Basham), Mr. black (Scotty 2 Hotty), Rene Dupree, and Tank Toland (Trevor Murdoch). As part of his heelish persona, Joe boasted of being undefeated during his time in OVW and challenged anyone who wanted to try and break that streak

Title Reigns

As of June 2020, Samoa Joe has held the WWE NXT Championship for a total of 205 days, making him the longest-reigning NXT Champion in history. He has also held the title for the second-longest single reign, at 133 days.Joe’s first reign began on April 1, 2015, at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, and ended on August 19, 2015, at Summerslamlive. His second reign began on April 1, 2016, at WrestleMania 32 Axxess and ended on August 21, 2016, at Clash of Champions live.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura is the current WWE NXT Champion. He is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist. Nakamura is the founder and captain of the Bullet Club stable. He is also a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and a one-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion.

History

Shinsuke Nakamura was born on January 24, 1980, in Mineyama, Kumamoto, Japan. He is a Japanese professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist currently signed to WWE. In 2015, Nakamura joined WWE’s developmental NXT brand. In 2016, at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, Nakamura defeated Samoa Joe to become the NXT Champion, a title he would hold for 140 days. In 2017, Nakamura made his main roster debut on SmackDown Live. In 2018, at WrestleMania 34, Nakamura defeated AJ Styles to win the WWE Championship.

Title Reigns

Nakamura is a two-time NXT Champion, having held the title for a record 220 days from April 1, 2016 to December 16, 2016, and again from August 19, 2017 to November 18, 2017. He is also a one-time United States Champion and a one-time Intercontinental Champion. Nakamura is the first ever Japanese-born WWE Champion in history.

In December 2017, at the WWE live event in Tokyo, Nakamura defeated AJ Styles to become the WWE Champion, becoming the first Asian born WWE Champion in history. He then retained his title against Styles in a rematch at the Royal Rumble event in January 2018. Nakamura then went on to successfully defend his title against Styles and Kevin Owens in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 34.

Bobby Roode

Bobby Roode is currently the WWE NXT Champion. He is a former member of the tag team known as Team Canada in TNA. He has also held the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and the TNA World Tag Team Championship.

History

Bobby Roode was born on May 11, 1977, in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He was trained by “Hurricane” John Tenta and made his professional wrestling debut in 1998. Roode competed in various independent promotions in Canada and the Northeastern United States before joining Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2004. He quickly began teaming with James Storm as America’s Most Wanted and the duo became one of the most successful tag teams in TNA history, holding the NWA World Tag Team Championship on three occasions. In 2006, Roode won the singles title, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He also held the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice and the TNA World Tag Team Championship once with Austin Aries. He is a record-tying twelve-time World Champion in professional wrestling overall.

Roode left TNA in 2016 but returned to the company one year later. In January 2018 at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, he defeated Velveteen Dream to become the new NXT Champion and went on to hold the title for 176 days before losing it to Adam Cole at Extreme Rules in 2019.

Title Reigns

Bobby Roode is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs in their developmental territory NXT. Roode is a former two-time NXT Champion, having held the title for a combined 280 days. He is also a former one-time World Heavyweight Champion, while working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

Roode debuted in TNA as part of Team Canada in 2004, and quickly began to make a name for himself as one of the company’s top heels. In 2006, he formed a tag team with James Storm known as Beer Money, Inc., with the team capturing the NWA World Tag Team Championship twice. Roode later formed another successful tag team with Austin Aries known as The Beautiful People, which saw the duo capture the TNA World Tag Team Championship on three occasions. In 2011, Roode caught the attention of WWE officials and was signed to a development deal.

Aleister Black

Aleister Black was born on May 19, 1985, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is of Dutch and German descent. His real name is Tom Budgen. He has a black belt in karate and is also a former professional soccer player. He made his NXT debut in 2016.

History

Aleister Black, real name Tom Budgen, is a Dutch professional wrestler and former kickboxer. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand.

Budgen was born in the Netherlands and began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 2002. He wrestled in various European promotions until 2010, when he signed with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). He was promoted to WWE’s main roster in 2016, but returned to NXT later that year. In 2017, he won the NXT Championship, making him the first Dutch-born champion in WWE history.

Title Reigns

Aleister Black is a Dutch professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is the current NXT Champion in his first reign.

Black was born in Amsterdam and raised in the city’s Zuidoost borough. His mother is Dutch and his father was an American soldier stationed in West Germany. Black was a fan of professional wrestling as a child, particularly The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels. He trained in mixed martial arts and kickboxing before beginning his career in professional wrestling in June 2005. Working in various independent promotions across Europe, Black wrestled for over ten years on the continent before signing with WWE in June 2016.

After a year assigned to WWE’s developmental brand NXT UK, Black made his main roster debut on the SmackDown brand in November 2017. In January 2018, he won the men’s Royal Rumble match and headlined that year’s WrestleMania 34 event, losing to AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. He then moved back to NXT later that year, where he won the NXT Championship from Tommaso Ciampa at TakeOver: Phoenix.

Tommaso Ciampa

As of June 19th, 2019, the WWE NXT Championship is held by Tommaso Ciampa. Ciampa has held the title for a total of 155 days, and is the longest reigning NXT Champion in history.

History

Tommaso Ciampa is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. Ciampa is a former one-time NXT Champion, having held the title for 279 days (the second-longest reign in history), and is also a former one-time NXT Tag Team Champion, with Johnny Gargano (together known as #DIY).

Ciampa was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He played football and wrestled while attending Malden Catholic High School. Ciampa studied at Appalachian State University before transferring to Rhode Island College, where he graduated with a degree in physical education. After college, Ciampa worked as a teacher and a personal trainer before pursuing a career in professional wrestling.

Ciampa made his professional wrestling debut in November 2005. He wrestled on the independent circuit for several years, winning numerous championships. In 2012, Ciampa signed with WWE and was assigned to their developmental territory NXT. In January 2017, at TakeOver: San Antonio, Ciampa and Gargano won the NXT Tag Team Championship. The following year at TakeOver: Chicago II, Gargano defeated Aleister Black to win the NXT Championship, making them the first team to have held both titles simultaneously. After losing the championship back to Black later that year at WarGames in November 2018 due to outside interference from then-NXT North American Champion Ricochet disguised as Black’s wife Candice LeRae (whom Gargano had been feuding with throughout 2018), DIY separated as Ciampa turned heel by attacking Gargano after being named number one contender for the North American Championship (a title which he would win three days later). The following year at TakeOver: New York in April 2019 after winning a Ladder Match against Gargano earlier that night for the vacant NXT Championships belt that had been stripped from then-champion Adam Cole due to injury (making it the first time that Gargano lost an “anything goes” match), thus becoming champion for a second time; however his reign was short-lived as he was forced to vacate the title due to suffering another ACL injury shortly thereafter.

Title Reigns

As of June 18, 2019, Ciampa has held the NXT Championship for a total of 192 days, which is the third-longest reign in history behind Adam Cole (223 days) and Samoa Joe (205 days). Ciampa is also a former NXT Tag Team Champion, having held the titles with Johnny Gargano for a total of 343 days; their second reign is the longest in history.

Johnny Gargano

Johnny Gargano is the current NXT Champion. He is a incredibly popular wrestler and is considered one of the best in the world. He has held the title for a long time and is loved by fans.

History

Johnny Gargano is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand and is the current NXT Champion in his first reign.

Gargano was trained by former professional wrestlers Mike Quackenbush and Louis Rican Gregorious, who also trained Gargano’s wife, Candice LeRae. Gargano made his professional wrestling debut in 2005. He wrestled primarily for independent promotions in the Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania area throughout his career. He soon became one of the top stars of such promotions as Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW), Chikara and Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA). In 2014, Gargano took part in a tournament to crown the first ever WWN Champion, but was defeated in the finals by Timothy Thatcher.

Title Reigns

Johnny Gargano is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is a one-time NXT Champion and a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion (with Tommaso Ciampa). His reign as NXT Champion is the longest in the title’s history at 545 days.

Gargano began his professional wrestling career in 2005. After working for various independent promotions, he signed with WWE in 2015 and was assigned to their developmental brand NXT, debuting later that year. In 2017, Gargano and his tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa joined forces as #DIY (Do It Yourself), an underdog stable that won the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament. The following year, Gargano turned on Ciampa and aligned himself with NXT General Manager William Regal, resulting in a year-long feud between the two that culminated at TakeOver: New Orleans in April 2018, where Gargano defeated Ciampa in an unsanctioned match.

Adam Cole

Adam Cole is an American professional wrestler who is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is the current NXT Champion in his first reign. Cole is also a former two-time NXT North American Champion and a one-time NXT Tag Team Champion.

History

Adam Cole was born on July 5, 1989, in Panama City Beach, Florida. He is a third-generation professional wrestler; his grandfather, Marshall Hayes, and his father, Steve Corino, were both wrestlers. Cole began wrestling at the age of 18. He wrestled for various independent promotions in the Northeastern United States before being signed by WWE in 2009.

Cole made his NXT debut in 2013, and went on to win the NXT Championship three times. In 2019, Cole won the NXT North American Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championship with Bobby Fish. He is currently one of only two wrestlers (the other being Finn Bálor) to have held all three titles simultaneously.

On August 22, 2020, at NXT TakeOver: XXX, Cole defeated Pat McAfee to become the undisputed NXT Champion, making him the first wrestler to hold all four NXt titles simultaneously.

Title Reigns

Adam Cole is a professional wrestler who is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is also a former one-time NXT Champion, making him the first-ever two-time NXT Champion in history.

Cole began his professional wrestling career in 2008, when he was just 18 years old. He competed in various independent promotions throughout the northeastern United States until he was signed by WWE in August of 2017.

Cole made his NXT debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III in August of 2017. At the event, Cole challenged then-NXT Champion Drew McIntyre for the title, but was unsuccessful in winning the championship.

Cole would go on to have several more title matches against McIntyre over the next few months, but was unable to win the title. However, at NXT TakeOver: WarGames in November of 2017, Cole finally defeated McIntyre to become the new NXT Champion.

Cole held the title for over six months before losing it to Tommaso Ciampa at TakeOver: New Orleans in April of 2018. However, Cole would regain the title just one month later at TakeOver: Chicago II, making him the first-ever two-time NXT Champion in history.

Velveteen Dream

The current WWE NXT Champion is Velveteen Dream. He has held the title since August of 2019. Velveteen Dream is one of the most popular superstars in NXT and is considered one of the best in-ring performers in the world.

History

Velveteen Dream (real name Patrick Clark) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand. He is a former NXT Tag Team Champion, as well as the current NXT North American Champion in his second reign.

Clark began his professional wrestling career in 2015, working for various independent promotions in the Maryland area. In 2016, he signed a developmental contract with WWE and was assigned to their NXT brand. He made his televised debut in 2017 and soon began teaming with fellow wrestler Johnny Gargano. The team won the NXT Tag Team Championship in 2018 before disbanding later that year.

As a singles competitor, Clark has held the NXT North American Championship twice and has also won the 2019 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament with partner Pete Dunne. He has been praised for his in-ring ability and charisma, and is considered one of the top wrestlers in NXT today.

Title Reigns

The Velveteen Dream is the current NXT Champion, having won the title from Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. He is a former NXT Tag Team Champion, having won the title with Ricochet as part of The Undisputed Era.

The Velveteen Dream made his debut in NXT in 2017 and quickly made a name for himself with his flamboyant personality and unique style. He has competed in multiple high-profile matches, including a ladder match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans and a steel cage match at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II.

Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle is an American professional wrestler.He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand.He is a former UFC fighter and is the current NXT Champion in his first reign.

History

Riddle made his professional wrestling debut on October 6, 2014 at Chaotic Wrestling’s Cold Fury 14 in a match against diehard Chaotic Wrestling fan Eddie Edwards. The following week, Riddle made his in-ring debut for New England Championship Wrestling (NECW) in a loss to Chris Dickinson. In December 2014, Riddle entered a tournament for the chance to become the first ever NECW Heavyweight Champion, but was defeated in the semifinals by Dickinson. In early 2015, Riddle began appearing for Pro Wrestling Guerilla (PWG).

On January 17, 2015, at PWG’s From Out of Nowhere, Riddle made his PWG debut, defeating B-Boy. Two days later at PWG’s 2015 Battle of Los Angeles – Stage Two, Riddle defeated Drew Galloway and Timothy Thatcher in a three-way match to advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament. On January 31 at Battle of Los Angeles – Stage Three, Riddle defeated Trent? to advance to the semifinals. The following night at Battle of Los Angeles – Final Stage, Riddle was defeated by Zack Sabre Jr. in the semifinals.

On April 10 At PWG’s Head Like a F’n Knife, Riddle defeated Mike Bailey. The following month on May 8 At buXWage: Do You Even Wrestle? 2nd Anniversary Finale Matt Hardy pinned him during a tag team match pitting them and Jeff Hardy against Revolution Pro Wrestling’s British Heavyweight Champion”The Bruiserweight” Pete Dunne and “The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay.. On July 10 At #15: Top Banana!, Riddle unsuccessfully challenged Chris Hero for the PWG World Championship.

On October 9 At Gentlemen’s Club: TV Party Tonight!, Riddle made his debut for Defy Wrestling losing to Marty Scurll during their NEVER Say Die! show..

Title Reigns

Matt Riddle is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Matt Riddle. He is a former UFC Heavyweight fighter and has also competed in Bellator MMA and Pancrase.

Riddle won the NXT Championship at TakeOver: XXX, defeating Keith Lee in a singles match. He became only the second person to have won both the NXT Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championship, after Adam Cole. His first title reign ended at TakeOver: WarGames when he was defeated by Finn Balor.