Imagine tuning into your favorite wrestling show, only to witness a jaw-dropping moment that leaves everyone—fans, wrestlers, and officials alike—completely stunned. That’s exactly what happened during WWE’s NXT broadcast on Netflix, where a shocking mistake led to the wrong wrestler being crowned champion, sending shockwaves through the wrestling world. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: this wasn’t just a minor slip-up—it was a full-blown backstage scramble that left viewers scratching their heads and social media buzzing with controversy.
On Tuesday night, Thea Hail emerged as the new Women’s NXT North American Champion after defeating Blake Monroe in a match that, on the surface, seemed like a straightforward victory. But this is the part most people miss: the ending was anything but planned. Just seven minutes into the bout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Hail executed a reverse splash from the middle rope, landing awkwardly before pinning Monroe. What followed was pure chaos. The referee counted to three, signaling the end of the match, but Monroe’s hand shot up in an apparent attempt to break the pin—a move that seemed to catch everyone off guard. The crowd fell silent, the wrestlers looked confused, and backstage officials were reportedly scrambling to make sense of the mishap.
And this is where it gets controversial: Was this a genuine mistake, or a poorly executed twist? Social media erupted with theories, with some fans claiming it was a botched title change, while others speculated it might have been a deliberate swerve gone wrong. One viewer bluntly stated, ‘Yeah, that was bad,’ while another pointed out the awkward transition in music, suggesting the outcome was never intended. WWE’s official X account celebrated Hail’s win with a triumphant post, but noticeably omitted any footage of the chaotic ending, fueling further speculation.
Behind the scenes, the fallout was immediate. According to a report from Fightful, NXT sources confirmed the title change ‘was not intentional.’ Monroe, who had only become champion in October, was supposed to retain her title, but the botched finish forced a last-minute creative overhaul. ‘There was a scramble backstage when the botch happened,’ the report noted, adding that adjustments were being made on the fly to accommodate Hail’s unexpected victory. This momentary lapse will undoubtedly ripple through NXT storylines, with creative teams working overtime to rewrite narratives.
For 22-year-old Hail, the win marked her first championship in WWE since her in-ring debut in 2021. Despite the controversy, she embraced the moment, posting a celebratory message on social media that quickly went viral. But the question remains: How will WWE address this mishap moving forward? Will they lean into the chaos, or quietly sweep it under the rug? What do you think? Was this a genuine mistake, or a risky creative choice that backfired? Let us know in the comments!
