Botched Title Switch Prompts WWE Backstage Policy Change

There’s been a change to WWE policy after one championship match ended in a botched and unplanned title switch.

Thea Hail was given a shot at the NXT Women’s North American Championship against Blake Monroe on the December 16th edition of NXT. But few expected Hail to win the match, and that includes those booking the show.

During the bout, Thea Hail attempted a pin on Monroe after hitting a springboard senton, and instead of kicking out to lift her shoulder off the mat, Monroe simply lifted her hand. The referee called the action as if it were real, counting the fall and declaring Hail the winner and the new NXT Women’s North American Champion.

Thea Hail gave her reaction to the shock title win, but it seems those backstage in WWE have been forced to take action. It has been reported that the unplanned title change caused creative chaos, with two weeks’ worth of shows being taped to air over the holiday season. And because of all this, the company has shifted policy.

Thea Hail’s Title Win Means Bad News For WWE NXT Stars

Fightful Select has reported that a higher-up in NXT had suggested the situation would cause a major shift in policy. Wrestlers booked for the shows are likely to be required to stay until the end of tapings moving forward, so things can be changed easily in the event of an unplanned event. Pretapes are usually taped on Mondays, and it could be that talent only required for those could be made to stay until the following day’s show is over.

A rematch between Hail and Monroe to likely correct course has been discussed with a possibility of the two stars facing off again as soon as New Year’s Evil, but that has not been confirmed.