Three weeks after Thea Hale unexpectedly defeated Blake Monroe (formerly known as AEW’s Mariah May) to win the NXT Women’s North American Championship, the two were set for a rematch on WWE NXT’s New Year’s Evil special. However, the match was cut short before it even began.
As Hale entered the area on Tuesday night, Monroe pushed her down the steel steps leading to the ring. She then grabbed a chair from beneath the ring, striking Hale in the midsection and back. Despite the referee’s pleas to stop the attack, Monroe continued by slamming Hale into a barricade. The situation escalated until additional NXT referees intervened to separate them.
Following the incident, Monroe suggested that NXT General Manager Eva should be fined and that the championship belt be returned to her. Eva dismissed this idea, canceling the rematch and banning Monroe from the building for the rest of the night.
Backstage, Eva confirmed she would not schedule another title fight between Monroe and Hale at this time. However, Hale was allowed to issue an open challenge for the NXT Women’s North American Championship, giving another wrestler in the locker room a chance to compete for the title later that evening. The identity of this challenger remains unknown.
Fan Take: This development shakes up the NXT Women’s Division, adding unpredictable drama that keeps fans hooked. It also sets the stage for fresh rivalries and potential new stars, which is vital for WWE’s ongoing growth and storyline excitement.
