The road to Genesis and Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC continues as TNA iMPACT! delivers a loaded episode this Thursday at 8/7c on TNA+ around the world, AXS TV in the US, and Sportsnet 360 in Canada.
The fallout continues from Tuesday night’s unexpected ending to the NXT Women’s North American Championship match, and new details suggest WWE may be preparing to adjust its backstage procedures as a result.
During WWE NXT, Thea Hail shocked viewers by defeating Blake Monroe to capture the Women’s North American Title. While the result appeared to be a major upset on screen, it was not the planned finish. The referee counted the pinfall after Hail hit her backwards drop from the second rope, with Monroe unable to respond in time. The confusion was immediately noticeable, as Monroe’s entrance theme briefly played before being cut off and replaced by Hail’s music once the decision was finalized.
According to Fightful Select, the timing of the mistake couldn’t have been worse. One NXT staffer described it as happening at “the worst possible time,” noting that NXT was in the middle of wrapping up its 2025 television tapings before the roster departed for the Christmas holiday.
The report states that several weeks of future NXT episodes had already been locked in creatively. Once the unplanned title change occurred, there was reportedly a “pretty frantic rush” behind the scenes to rework pre-taped material that had been built around Monroe remaining champion. WWE even briefly listed Monroe as retaining the title on its website before correcting the information.
Previous reports indicated Monroe had the wind knocked out of her during the move, which likely explains why she was unable to kick out before the referee’s count.
Rather than reversing course, WWE chose to lean into the outcome. Hail’s championship win was quickly promoted across NXT’s social media channels, and highlight clips were released almost immediately. The broadcast also included a post-match angle showing a stunned Monroe confronting Hail and Jordynne Grace during Hail’s victory interview.
Notably, that interview segment was not part of the original plan for the episode. Fightful reports it was assembled on short notice and added to the CW Network broadcast once the decision was made to move forward with Hail as champion.
One NXT executive reportedly believes the incident could spark a meaningful change in protocol. Going forward, talent may be required to remain backstage until all TV tapings are fully completed. Currently, NXT pre-tapes are filmed on Mondays, with wrestlers typically expected to stay through the following night’s live television taping — a policy that may now be enforced more strictly in the wake of this situation.
Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT delivered a surprise that few — including those backstage — saw coming. Blake Monroe’s defense of the NXT Women’s North American Championship against Thea Hail ended with Hail scoring an unplanned victory, abruptly changing the title picture.
According to Fightful Select, Monroe was originally slated to retain her championship. Instead, a mistimed finish led to Hail being counted down for the win, prompting what was described as a frantic backstage response. That confusion reportedly explains the noticeable delay before Hail’s entrance music played, as officials worked in real time to adjust to the unexpected outcome.
The ripple effects were immediate. Creative plans for Hail, Monroe, and several other talents had to be reworked, as upcoming storylines were reportedly built around Monroe continuing her reign. With Hail now holding the title, NXT is said to be heading in a completely different direction than what was planned just days ago.
As of now, there’s no indication that anyone has been singled out for blame. Fans, however, have been quick to speculate online, with theories ranging from Monroe missing a kickout, to Hail’s pin being overly complex, to the referee simply following through with the count. The situation has drawn comparisons to an earlier incident this year involving Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax, and Jade Cargill, when a referee stopped a three-count — a decision that sparked widespread backlash at the time.
Monroe’s reign ultimately ends at 52 days, despite expectations that it would continue. For Hail, the moment marks a major milestone, as the former Chase U standout captures her first championship since signing with WWE in 2022. Now aligned with Joe Hendry, Hail’s sudden rise adds an intriguing new wrinkle to the evolving NXT landscape.
WWE NXT live TONIGHT at 8e/7c on the CW Network.
WWE NXT live TONIGHT at 8e/7c on the CW Network.
“The Ruler” has reclaimed his throne. Oba Femi muscled his way back to the top of NXT by defeating Ricky Saints in a physical, momentum-swinging main event.
Saints tried throwing a little swagger at the champion early on, but Femi quickly turned the match into his kind of fight—using raw power to toss the challenger around the ring. Saints refused to stay down, landing a massive Spear and Stunner combo that nearly stole it. Later, Saints connected on back-to-back Tornado DDTs, including a nasty one onto the steel steps that briefly shifted the tide.
But Femi absorbed the punishment and pounced when Saints countered a Roshambo with Fall From Grace. The champion-in-waiting responded with his own pair of Fall From Grace finishers—the second a sit-out version—to secure the three-count and reclaim the NXT Title.
EVOLVE Women’s Champion Kendal Grey shocked the NXT Universe by walking out of Deadline as the 2025 Women’s Iron Survivor.
Grey started the match against Kelani Jordan, scoring the first fall before Jordan immediately tied things up coming out of the penalty box. Jordynne Grace entered third and bulldozed her way into the chaos, but Lola Vice arrived moments later and quickly added her name to the scoreboard with a trademark spinning backfist.
Grey fought her way back into contention with a roll-up on Grace for her second fall. Sol Ruca entered next, only for Jordan to target her already banged-up knee and temporarily take her out. Ruca later returned with a vengeance, dropping consecutive Sol Snatchers for two quick points.
The closing stretch turned into complete madness. Grey hit Shades of Grey on Grace, but Jordan broke it up and snagged a fall of her own. Grace and Vice added points as well, creating a rare five-way tie heading into the final minutes.
Grey ultimately seized the moment, launching off the ropes with a flying Shades of Grey to secure the winning fall and cement herself as the 2025 Women’s Iron Survivor.
AAA’s Mr. Iguana brought his signature personality—and La Yesca—to Deadline, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone NXT North American Champion Ethan Page.
Iguana played possum, danced around Page, and got the San Antonio crowd loudly behind him. But once Page lost patience with the antics, the mood shifted. The champ brutalized Iguana on the outside, drilling him into the steps and mocking La Yesca before spitting on it to the crowd’s disgust.
Iguana attempted a late rally, but Page shut the door with a decisive Twisted Grin, keeping the title firmly around his waist.
Izzi Dame picked up a major win by putting away former NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley—though not without some drama.
Paxley, clearly emotional, seemed ready to reconcile with her former allies, but Dame wanted none of it. Instead, she tossed Paxley into the steel steps and followed up with heavy offense, including a punishing Big Boot while Paxley was tied up in the ropes.
Paxley managed to bait Dame on the outside and hit Cemetery Drive, but Shawn Spears jumped onto the apron and tore apart Paxley’s beloved doll, throwing her off her game. Paxley smacked Spears for the disrespect, but the distraction left her open to another Big Boot and Dame Over, giving Izzi the victory.
The Young OG delivered under pressure, winning the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge and staking his claim as NXT’s next major breakout star.
Evans kicked things off opposite his friend—and current TNA X-Division Champion—Leon Slater, scoring the first fall with a quick roll-up. Myles Borne entered next, followed by Dion Lennox, who capitalized on a counter by Borne to hit a Doomsday Device and get on the board.
Joe Hendry entered last and immediately changed the match’s pace, drilling Borne with a twisting DVD-style slam to tie things up.
The scoreboard shifted wildly from there. Slater picked up a fall thanks to Evans hitting a coast-to-coast on Hendry, while Borne and Lennox continued to trade shots. Hendry and Lennox even brawled inside the penalty box at one point.
In the closing seconds, Borne tried to steal a fall on Evans, but The Young OG reversed into a roll-up, scoring the decisive point just before time expired.
Post-match, newly crowned NXT Champion Oba Femi stepped onto the ramp—only for the lights to go out. When they came back on, Tony D’Angelo was in the ring, blindsiding Evans and sending a message loud and clear.
WWE NXT Deadl1ne – Saturday, December 6 – Tech Port Center in San Antonio, TX
Ricky Saints defends the NXT Championship: Ricky Saints (c) vs. Oba Femi
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Je’Von Evans, Joe Hendry, Myles Borne, Leon Slater, Dion Lennox
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Sol Ruca, Jordynne Grace, Kelani Jordan, Lola Vice, Kendal Grey
Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame
North American Championship: Ethab Page (c) vs. Mr. Iguana
WWE NXT tonight on The CW and Netflix (internationally).
WWE returns tonight at 8/7c on The CW Network with a taped episode of their weekly two-hour NXT television program, a taped “Gold Rush: Week 2” show from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
WWE presents NXT Gold Rush, a two week event from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Title’s from NXT, TNA, AAA and Evolve will be defended.
NXT Gold Rush week 1 live on The CW from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York;
NXT Women’s Championship: Tatum Paxley (c) vs. Jacy Jayne
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Blake Monroe (c) vs. Sol Ruca
AAA Mixed Tag Team Championship: Chelsea Green and Ethan Page (c) vs. Thea Hail and Joe Hendry
NXT Tag Team Championship: DarkState (c) vs. Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans
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