Thea Hale’s unexpected victory of the NXT Women’s North American Championship on December 16, 2025, was never part of the original plan, but she’s grown weary of the backlash over a moment that wasn’t even scripted. After staying silent through the rumors and criticism, Hale recently appeared on Busted Open Radio After Dark to directly confront the negative reactions online regarding her surprising win.
“People have a lot to say about the controversial finish,” Hale explained. “Thea Hale won. I believe many were upset because Thea Hale secured the three count over Boyne.”
She openly acknowledged the critiques from both fans and officials about the flawed finish, emphasizing that she had earned that moment. However, it wasn’t just the criticism from the wrestling community that upset her; the harsh and toxic behavior she encountered on social media was equally troubling.
“I don’t understand why, because I put in a lot of effort. You’ve seen how hard I work, so just let me have this win. Twitter can be really cruel. I’m just a girl, but Twitter is a very toxic place, especially in pro wrestling,” she said.
According to reports by PWInsider and Fightful Select, Hale’s victory stemmed from a miscommunication in the ring with Blake Monroe, who was supposed to retain the title that night. Monroe lost consciousness near the end of the match, but Hale, still a newcomer, quickly went for the pin, unaware Monroe needed time to recover.
Referees trained to treat matches as real didn’t catch the count initially. Monroe attempted to lift his shoulder at the last second, but it was too late. WWE first played Monroe’s theme music but quickly switched it to Hale’s upon realizing the championship had changed hands.
This unexpected shift forced creative teams to scramble and rewrite several storylines, leading to behind-the-scenes confusion. Hale then dropped the title to Izzy Dame at New Year’s Evil in early January, ending her brief championship reign.
Regardless of whether it was luck or destiny, Thea Hale has stood firm in owning the moment and has not backed down from the criticism.
Do you believe Thea Hale truly deserved the title win, despite it being unplanned, or should WWE have fixed the error immediately? Share your opinion below and weigh in on which side you support.
If using the above content, please credit Ringside News.
Fan Take: This unexpected title change highlights how unpredictability can create some of the most memorable moments in WWE, sparking intense debate among fans and insiders alike. For the sport, it’s a reminder that even mistakes can lead to fresh storylines and elevate new talent in unpredictable ways.
