Trick Williams Wins NXT Championship, Dedicates Emotional Victory to Fighting Family

Trick Williams defeated Ilja Dragunov to become the new NXT Champion in the main event of WWE NXT Spring Breakin' on April 23, 2024. The high-stakes match had a special stipulation - if Williams lost, he would have to leave NXT forever.

Williams entered the match with an 0-3 record against Dragunov, but he was able to overcome the odds and end Dragunov's 204-day reign as champion. The hard-fought battle saw Williams survive multiple signature moves from Dragunov, including two H-Bombs off the top rope. But Williams was able to recover and hit the decisive Trick Shot to secure the pinfall victory and capture the NXT Championship for the first time in his career.

In an emotional post-match interview, Williams dedicated the win to his fighting family, revealing that his mother is currently hospitalized. "This is bigger than me," Williams stated. "I did this for my family, for my mom in the hospital, for everyone who's taught me how to fight. I'm never gonna stop fighting. Believe that."

The victory marks a significant milestone for Williams, who had previously fallen short in NXT title challenges. Shawn Michaels, in a video praising Williams, highlighted his dedication and journey to becoming a WWE Superstar after not making it in football. Michaels emphasized that Williams' success exemplifies the developmental system and training at NXT.

Why this matters: Trick Williams' NXT Championship win signals a new era for the brand and solidifies his place as a rising star in WWE. As a fighting champion with a personal story of perseverance, Williams has the potential to be a compelling figure on NXT and beyond.

After the match, Dragunov showed respect to the new champion, embracing Williams and presenting him with the NXT title. The gesture of sportsmanship came as Dragunov appears to be on his way to the WWE main roster, possibly in the upcoming draft. For Williams, the NXT Championship reign presents new challenges and opportunities. As he stated in his interview, "NXT is in good hands, because I'm a fighting champion. I love to fight, that's all that matters to me."

Key Takeaways

• Trick Williams defeated Ilja Dragunov to become the new NXT Champion.
• Williams overcame a 0-3 record against Dragunov to end his 204-day reign.
• Williams dedicated the win to his fighting family, including his hospitalized mother.
• The victory marks a significant milestone for Williams, who had previously fallen short in NXT title challenges.
• Dragunov showed respect to the new champion, embracing Williams and presenting him with the NXT title.