This week’s episode of WWE NXT featured a botched finish that caused confusion in the match between Blake Monroe and Thea Hail.
The situation started after Blake Monroe’s open challenge for the NXT Women’s North American Championship last week caused chaos. As a result, Ava booked a title match between Monroe and Thea Hail. However, the match did not go as planned.
At the end of the match, Thea Hail hit a springboard Coffin Drop and went for the pin. The referee counted to three as Monroe lifted her shoulder just after the count finished. The mistake immediately confused everyone involved.
Monroe’s music played first, signaling that she had retained the title. Moments later, Hail’s music hit, and she was announced as the new WWE NXT Women’s North American Champion, making the situation even more unclear.
Thea Hail became the new WWE NXT Women’s North American Champion and showed clear excitement and shock after winning the title. In a backstage interview later that night, Hail said she had always dreamed of becoming a champion.
Jordynne Grace came and congratulated her. They were interrupted by the former champion Blake Monroe claimed she didn’t really lose because she kicked out. Grace then asked Monroe to let Hail enjoy her moment, but Monroe said she wants a rematch.
After the show, both women shared their reactions on X, formerly known as Twitter. Hail posted a photo with the title and wrote, “AND NEW WOMEN’S NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPION,” while Monroe wrote, “Not the first time I’ve been screwed.”
Botched finish led to backstage chaos on WWE NXT
According to Fightful Select, NXT sources confirmed that the title change was not planned. Monroe was originally supposed to retain the championship. The unexpected result caused a “scramble backstage,” as creative plans were suddenly thrown off.
The report also noted that multiple storylines for the next few weeks were affected, since Hail was not meant to win the title at this time. WWE has already begun making creative adjustments, starting as early as the same night, to deal with the fallout.
It was also revealed that no individual has been blamed for the mistake. WWE is focused on fixing the creative direction moving forward after the unplanned title change.
Check out what else happened on WWE NXT here.
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