Sol Ruca Grabs Gold, And The Locker Room Is Still Asking What Actually Happened

Alright, fam, listen up! We're already halfway through 2026, and it's time for some mid-year report cards for the WWE's "rising stars." And let me tell you, if you thought things were predictable since Triple H took the reins, you're about to have your mind blown. We've got some serious head-scratchers, some total face-palms, and a few sparks of hope for these newer talents. But the biggest shocker? Our new Women's IC Champion, Sol Ruca, and how she got that belt. Seriously, this one is wild.

The Curious Case of Sol Ruca's Championship Run

You know how we in the Emerald City demand excellence from our athletes? Well, Sol Ruca's journey to gold is a head-scratcher that would make you question any referee's call. Back on April 20th, Sol debuted against Raw Women’s Champion Liv Morgan and took a loss. That became her pattern for the *next few matches*, too! Despite all those Ls, she managed a three-minute DQ victory against Becky Lynch at Saturday Night’s Main Event. But get this: WWE then turned around and rewarded her with a title at Clash in Italy, beating Lynch for the belt! Apparently, backstage officials were actually debating if she should even get the championship, given she hadn't won a single match since her debut. She's defended it against Lyra Valkyria since then, still struggling in matches, but at least her "Sol Snatcher" finisher is looking polished. She's got a lot to learn, and frankly, her presentation screams "good guy," but her promos are saying otherwise. With Becky Lynch out of the picture, her next rivalry is going to be telling.

Booking Blunders and Fumbled Potentials

Then there's the outright frustrating stuff. Blake Monroe, who debuted May 22nd, got an F grade, and you know why? Her big introduction on SmackDown was running into Chelsea Green backstage, saying hello, and then getting completely dismissed. Green just walked away! WWE then went to their next segment like Monroe was an afterthought, but they're *still* telling us she's "Coming Soon." Sound familiar? People are comparing her to Veer Mahaan, who had five months of vignettes before a quick release. Monroe is one month in, so the clock is ticking. And don't even get me started on Royce Keys, formerly Powerhouse Hobbs. Another ex-AEW talent WWE seems to be fumbling, at least for now. He debuted as a surprise in the Royal Rumble this year, lasted ten minutes, and got eliminated. Then it was literally darkness. Keys spent two months working unaired dark matches, waiting for creative direction. Apparently, Triple H's WrestleMania 42 plans were so locked in, there was no spot for him. He

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did win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal the night before 'Mania and had a great match against Gunther, which helped his grade, but he’s been stuck in the "MFT vortex" on SmackDown, taking a loss to Talla Tonga just this past Friday. The guy's got the size, the build, the character, but it's starting to look like his ceiling might not be what we hoped for. C'mon, WWE, give us that Lumen Field energy!

Flashes of Promise and Apathy on the Horizon

Joe Hendry's whole thing is "I believe in Joe Hendry," but does WWE? He answered Randy Orton's open challenge at WrestleMania 41, getting squashed in under five minutes. His late April Raw debut was a concert where he sang "Fire Logan Paul" days after WWE released a bunch of superstars, which is… a choice. He’s known for catchy tunes and concerts, but creatively, he’s been stuck in a feud with the Street Profits and the Vision. He picked up a win in a six-man tag against the Vision, but his first singles match against Austin Theory ended in a DQ. We need more than just catchy songs. Then there's Ricky Saints, who despite improving ring work, still gets "apathy" from the crowd. He lost his first match on May 1st to WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, which shows they see potential. He's actually got a title shot at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia! But where’s the charisma he showed four years ago in AEW, back when he was Ricky Starks, cutting memorable promos with MJF? The writing team needs to rediscover that fire, because right now, the crowd isn't reacting like they should for a championship contender.

All Ego, All In: Ethan Page's Rising Stock

Finally, we hit a positive note with Ethan Page, who's grading out at a B. We might be looking at our next Intercontinental Champion, seriously. Page is deep in the IC title picture, allied with Rusev, and his interview with Michael Cole building up to his IC match against Penta at Saturday Night’s Main Event was money. "All Ego" absolutely nailed it with his attitude and cadence. He lost that match at SNME, but it was arguably the best match of the whole event! Expect him to dethrone Penta and shout it from the rooftops, he's got that undeniable Seattle hustle.

What's Next for the Class of 2026?

So, what's it gonna be for these rising stars in the second half of 2026? Will Blake Monroe ever actually arrive? Can Royce Keys escape the "MFT vortex" and finally fulfill his potential? Will Joe Hendry make us all truly believe, and will Ricky Saints find his "pop" before his title shot? And can Sol Ruca prove she deserves that gold, or will her reign be as baffling as its start? Keep watching, fans, because these early trends are setting the stage for some serious drama.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.