WWE crowns a new champion before 2024 ends

Lexis King faced Charlie Dempsey for the NXT Heritage Cup during the latest episode of WWE NXT. This was a rematch from a couple of months ago, where Dempsey had emerged victorious to retain his title.

Before the match, William Regal approached Lexis King backstage. The WWE legend has been a supporter of King in recent months. He offered to be in his corner for the match. However, King politely declined the offer.

The match began with back-and-forth action. Round One was evenly contested between both competitors. However, Dempsey took control in the second round. During the final moments of the three-minute round, Dempsey delivered a Dragon Screw followed by a bridging German Suplex for a near fall. He was close to scoring the first pinfall, but the timer saved King.

In Round Four, King managed to counter Dempsey’s Butterfly Suplex, landing a superkick followed by a knee lift. As both men lay exhausted on the mat, William Regal made his way to ringside. With one minute remaining in the round, Regal handed Lexis King a pair of brass knuckles. However, King refused to use them.

Regal, frustrated by King’s refusal, struck him with a left hook while the referee was distracted. Dempsey picked up the knuckles that was flung into the ring, but as the referee turned around, he saw Dempsey holding the weapon and King laid out in the ring. The referee made the deduction and called for a disqualification.

Under British Rounds Rules, Lexis King was declared the new NXT Heritage Cup Holder in a chaotic and controversial finish.

Check out the finish to the match on WWE NXT below:

It remains to be seen if this outcome was part of William Regal’s plan all along.