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.