A planned title retention reportedly turned into an unexpected championship change on WWE NXT following a botched finish during the opening match of the show.
Last night’s episode of WWE NXT opened with Blake Monroe defending the NXT Women’s North American Championship against Thea Hail. Monroe was scheduled to retain the title, but the closing moments of the bout did not unfold as intended.
Late in the match, Hail connected with a springboard senton splash and went for the pin. Monroe failed to kick out in time, prompting the referee to complete the three-count. With the pinfall counted as legitimate, the match ended abruptly before the champion could recover.
There was visible confusion in the immediate aftermath, both in the ring and in production. Monroe’s entrance music initially played before being cut off and replaced by Hail’s theme, with Hail then officially announced as the new NXT Women’s North American Champion.
According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, the finish was not planned and was confirmed to be a botch. The unexpected outcome reportedly led to a scramble backstage, with creative plans for the remainder of the show requiring quick adjustments.
Hail had not been scheduled to win the championship, and the sudden title change is said to have forced changes to multiple ongoing storylines within the NXT roster. As of the latest update, no individual has been singled out internally for the mistake, with the immediate focus being on adapting the show’s creative direction rather than assigning blame.
Is This Thea Hail’s First Title Win In WWE NXT?
Yes, last night’s botched finish in the Women’s North American Title match is Thea Hail’s first title win in WWE NXT. Hail signed with WWE in 2022 as a recruit in the Performance Center and was quickly moved to the NXT brand, and joined the Chase U faction.
Hail remained with Chase U until the faction was disbanded on the November 19, 2024, episode of NXT when Ridge Holland defeated Andre Chase in a match that had the future of the stable on the line. Hail has since competed as a singles star, but did compete alongside Joe Hendry to challenge for Chelsea Green and Ethan Page‘s AAA World Mixed Tag Team Title at NXT Gold Rush on November 18.
