Thea Hale has officially become the new NXT Women’s North American Champion, but the way the title changed hands sparked intense debate about whether the finish went as planned.
Hale claimed the title on Tuesday’s NXT show, but confusion erupted immediately after the pinfall. Cameras captured Hale looking shocked, while Blake Monroe seemed stunned and motionless. Fans also noticed Monroe’s entrance music paused before abruptly stopping, adding to suspicions. The sequence appeared unplanned to many, though some argue that WWE’s production was simply precise and well thought out.
Social media quickly buzzed with theories suggesting the finish might not have been scripted. Some believed the referee made a mistake, while others insisted he followed protocol correctly. WWE chimed in on the controversy by tweeting, “Shocking!!🤯 Thea Hale is the new Women’s North American Champion!!!”
Many fans pointed out Monroe’s apparent failure to kick out as a critical factor. Posts highlighted that NXT referees are instructed to count to three unless a clear kickout is seen, meaning the referee had no choice but to complete the pinfall. Others speculated that Hale’s weight might have pinned Monroe’s arm down, limiting her ability to lift her shoulder quickly enough. Some argued Monroe’s shoulder lift was slow or subtle, but since it happened after the three-count, the pinfall stands according to WWE’s officiating rules.
There was also a controversial theory suggesting Hale “went off-script,” but this met with pushback. WWE’s active promotion of Hale as champion on social media makes it unlikely the title switch was unplanned or reversed. The most plausible scenarios are that WWE was deliberately teasing fans or the referee simply mistimed the kickout, doing his job as instructed.
After the match, Hale appeared unsure how to react, scanning the ring before finally celebrating, which adds to the speculation of an unplanned finish. As of now, WWE isn’t indicating the title change will be undone. Hale is recognized as champion, and whether this was a genuine error, a miscommunication, or just a messy execution, it generated significant buzz — possibly exactly what WWE intended.
Fan Take: This unexpected title change keeps WWE fans on the edge, blending reality with storyline in a way that fuels ongoing engagement. It highlights how unpredictability can be a powerful tool in wrestling, keeping the sport exciting and unpredictable.
