Who Will Unify the NXT Women’s North American and WWE Women’s Speed Championship at Heatwave 2026?
On the July 28th episode of NXT, both the NXT Women’s North American Champion Zaria and the WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair approached general manager Robert Stone to see who would be the next challenger for their titles. Sinclair stated that Zaria could enter a Speed Tournament to become the top contender to the Women’s Speed Championship, but Zaria declined the offer. The Women’s Speed Championship then asked if she could get a match for the Women’s North American Championship, but Stone made the match for the Women’s Speed Championship, and if Sinclair won, she would get to challenge for Zaria’s title. Both superstars did not score a pinfall or a submission before time expired, which meant Sinclair retained, giving her the Women’s North American Championship opportunity she wanted.
The following week, with the North American Championship on the line, the WWE Women’s Speed Champion would lose after being distracted by a brawling Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars. Sinclair then proposed a title unification match, which the NXT general manager scheduled the match for Heatwave. However, on the August 25th edition of NXT, Kali Armstrong was added to the match at Heatwave after defeating Zaria, overcoming their altercation from a week ago. Now, the question becomes who will unify the two titles this Sunday, August 30th?
Sinclair has held the WWE Women’s Speed Championship for over 160 days. After being promoted on X as a weekly event, both Speed Championships were moved to NXT. Since arriving on Tuesday nights, both titles haven’t sparked the interest WWE thought they could. Unifying the two titles and potentially winning the Women’s North American Championship would only add her to the prestigious list of talented superstars who’ve held the title before her. Ever since Charlie Dempsey, Myles Borne, and Tavion Heights all went their separate ways with Sinclair, she’s revamped the NQCC into the WrenQCC. Now, with her best friend NXT Women’s Champion Kendal Gray, the two besties could be holding all the gold in NXT after Heatwave. That’s if Gray outlasts Kelani Jordan, and the WWE Women’s Speed Champion unifies the titles over a monstrous Zaria and a determined Armstrong.
The WWE Universe is seemingly and slowly letting the Sol Ruca and Zaria relationship fade to memory as NXT is pushing the Women’s North American Champion as the monster everyone knew she was capable of being since she debuted. Since defeating Tatum Paxley on the June 28th episode of NXT, Zaria has retained her championship against the likes of Sinclair, Lizzie Rain, Izzi Dame, and Nikkita Lyons. Her 78-day reign has left trails of devastation with her dominating F5 and Spear combination. Yet, monstrous figures don’t always have to take the fall in this type of match. With it being a Triple-Threat Match, WWE can easily avoid Zaria taking the pin if she does lose the title. However, where would that leave the current Women’s North American Champion? Will she chase Gray and her championship?
Armstrong has wanted the opportunity to showcase herself in the ring and on the mic to the WWE Universe since debuting on NXT. While the former Evolve Women’s Champion would probably prefer to face another former Evolve Women’s Champion in Gray at Heatwave, I’m sure she’s delighted to be challenging for a championship at her first NXT premium live event either way. Armstrong is capable of leaving both her Heatwave competitors shocked and winning the Women’s North American Championship. However, she needs to prove it to herself and the WWE Universe.
With it being a Triple Threat Match, anything could go. Zaria and Armstrong are the two powerhouses of the match, while Sinclair will have to rely on her speed to outmaneuver these two monstrous superstars. The best bet is for the WWE Women’s Speed Champion to team up with another superstar to take the opponent out. Taking one of those powerhouses out of the match would help Sinclair significantly.
It could be very likely that Sinclair unifies both the WWE Women’s Speed Champion and the NXT Women’s North American Championship. She has been poised for a big year, and that point was proven when she became Speed Champion. As Sinclair revamped the former NQCC and built a budding friendship with Gray, the two of them have overcome a ton. If it’s not Sinclair winning, it could be Zaria retaining. I don’t see the determined Armstrong coming up with gold as of yet. However, Sinclair should be the favorite to win the match.
