The heel turn that WWE fans had been waiting for has finally happened. Zaria has finally turned heel on Sol Ruca on the 24th February 2026 episode of NXT after months of build-up. It was executed to perfection and Shawn Michaels was right In waiting to turn Zaria. Not every heel turn needs to happen instantly. This is what both these women needed in NXT and now they will feud against each other till WrestleMania 42 weekend. NXT has rarely seen a heel turn like this in the past year.
Let’s talk about this heel turn and how both women will benefit from it
Zaruca Is Over and It is a good thing
The Heel turn has finally happened that was building for over 6 months. Ever since Zaria and Sol Ruca were paired together the question was when Zaria would turn heel. It was known that this was going to be the eventual outcome but Shawn Michaels did not go the traditional route and did the heel turn right away. He gave these two women a chance to build their relationship and they successfully did that and the fans began to care about them as a duo. They started with having video packages and they tried to match each other. Sol Ruca was able to show her character and she showed that she can cut promos. Zaria was getting familiarised with WWE TV and week by week she was getting more confident. They were winning matches as a tag team and whenever there was any dissension they would talk it out.
However since the last 3 months it was not all smooth sailing for the duo. Sol Ruca was getting title matches but Zaria was inadvertently costing her the matches. In one match, Zaria threw in the towel even when Sol Ruca told her not to. Zaria was in a title match but Sol Ruca couldn’t help her win the title. Sol Ruca was in the Royal Rumble and she was in the Final 3. That must have been the final straw seeing that Zaria did not get the same opportunity. Sol Ruca then got a title shot against Jacy Jayne but before the match could start , Zaria attacked Sol Ruca and she ventured out all her anger and frustration for months at that moment. Zaria turned heel and this was the right time for the heel turn. Zaria has had months to spend in NXT and at the WWE PC and will be able to cut heel promos and get the fans to boo her.
Sol Ruca will finally have a meaningful feud to sink her teeth into. She has all the athletic abilities and the wrestling skills. Her promo work has also been improving but This will be her biggest test to see whether she can make Zaria into a credible heel. Sol Ruca will be a fantastic babyface and the fans love her. It is evident that she will not be in NXT beyond the weekend of WrestleManias 42 because she will be called up and made the biggest star in the women’s division. Zaria will spend a year more in NXT as a heel and will eventually turn babyface when the time is right. These 2 women will get the biggest spotlight and they have the opportunity to have the best feud leading into NXT Stand and Deliver 2026.
