Tag: Thea Hail

Brie Bella Fires Back at Online Trolls as Thea Hail Speaks Out About Toxic Wrestling Fans

Online criticism has always been part of professional wrestling, but several WWE stars are making it clear that the level of hate—particularly aimed at women—has gone too far. Recently, both Brie Bella and NXT standout Thea Hail spoke openly about the harsh treatment they receive on social media and why they’re pushing back.

During a recent episode of the “Nikki & Brie” podcast, Brie Bella didn’t hold back when addressing the constant criticism directed at female wrestlers. According to Brie, she’s only interested in feedback from people who actually understand the business and the challenges women face in it.

Brie explained that she values opinions from people who have experienced the wrestling industry firsthand—especially those who understand what it’s like to work in a male-dominated environment. For critics who have never been in that position, she made it clear their opinions carry little weight.

She also called out the boldness many people show behind a keyboard, joking that social media gives “brave fingers” to people who wouldn’t say those things in person. Brie added that she’s not afraid to clap back at trolls who try to tear her down online, making it clear she’s more than willing to defend herself when needed.

Brie’s comments come shortly after NXT star Thea Hail shared her own emotional message about dealing with negativity from fans.

Taking to social media, the 22-year-old wrestler reminded followers just how young she is and how much she sacrificed to pursue her wrestling dream. Hail revealed that she moved away from home during high school to chase a career in professional wrestling—something many people wouldn’t have been willing to do.

Despite dedicating the last five years of her life to the business, Hail said it’s been difficult to constantly see negative comments about her as a person whenever she checks her social media feeds. She described the experience as exhausting, especially after working so hard to reach major moments in her career.

Hail emphasized that while she loves professional wrestling more than anything, the constant online criticism can be discouraging. She urged fans to remember that the performers they watch every week are still human beings behind the characters.

Before posting harsh comments, she asked people to take a moment and consider how they would feel if those same words were directed at them.

The recent comments from Brie Bella and Thea Hail highlight an ongoing conversation within the wrestling community about fan behavior and the impact of social media. While passionate fan reactions are nothing new in the industry, many performers are hoping for a shift toward more respectful interactions online.

As more wrestlers speak out, the message is becoming clear: support and criticism are both part of fandom—but personal attacks don’t have to be.

Update On Unhappiness Over Thea Hail/Blake Monroe Accident

An unexpected title change on WWE NXT has reportedly led to some backstage frustration, following what many believe was a genuine in-ring mishap rather than a planned creative decision.

On the December 16 episode of NXT, Thea Hail captured the NXT North American Championship for the first time in her career, defeating Blake Monroe. While the moment came across as a big breakout win for Hail on television, multiple reports suggest the finish was not supposed to happen that way.

According to Fightful Select, the original plan called for Monroe to retain her championship. However, during the match, referee Felix Fernandez counted the three-count, officially crowning Hail as the new champion. Those close to the situation claim Monroe may have been injured prior to the pinfall, though the exact severity of the injury has not been confirmed.

The report notes that Monroe herself, along with members of her creative team, were unhappy with how the situation unfolded. Some criticism was directed toward Fernandez for completing the count, but NXT management reportedly sees things differently. Both Shawn Michaels and Matt Bloom are said to have praised the referee for following protocol and calling the match as he saw it, rather than stopping the finish mid-count.

The timing of the accidental title switch reportedly added to the frustration, as WWE had already filmed a significant amount of content ahead of the holiday season. An unplanned championship change can complicate storylines, especially when episodes are taped weeks in advance.

Despite the backstage noise, fans shouldn’t expect Blake Monroe to be kept out of the title picture for long. The former AEW standout has been heavily featured since arriving in WWE earlier this year, and the company appears ready to course-correct quickly. On this past week’s episode of NXT, Monroe confronted Hail and officially secured a rematch.

That rematch is now set for NXT: New Year’s Evil on January 6, 2026, where Hail will put her newly won North American Championship on the line against Monroe. Many expect the situation to be resolved there, potentially with Monroe regaining the title.

New Year’s Evil is shaping up to be a stacked show overall. WWE has also announced a Women’s Championship match featuring Jacy Jayne defending against Kendal Grey, as well as an NXT Championship bout between Oba Femi and Leon Slater.

Whether the accidental title win leads to longer-term plans for Thea Hail or simply serves as a brief detour remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: this unexpected moment has quickly become one of the most talked-about backstage stories in NXT heading into the new year.

Unexpected NXT Title Switch Leads to Major Backstage Adjustments

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.