Well, they say mistakes happen, and a mistake certainly happened on the December 17 edition of WWE NXT. Thea Hail and Blake Monroe opened up the night in what was to be a “standard” title match. However, things didn’t go quite as planned as Thea Hail won the title on what was a complete botch. Hours later it looks like WWE is running with the “happy accident” and it should make the most of this moment.
What exactly happened? About seven minutes into the match between Thea Hail and Blake Monroe, Hail hit a senton and immediately pounced on the pin. The referee counted the 1-2-3 and there was a pause. Clearly, something was wrong. Monroe’s music initially hit then Hail’s starting playing and she was announced the winner. Hail celebrated while Monroe had a confused look on her face.
Moments later it would be reported by multiple outlets that this was in fact a mistake. Hail was not scripted to win this match. However, Fightful Select reported that Monroe had the air knocked out of her after that senton and didn’t get a chance to recover before Hail went for the pin. Monroe got her arm up, but the referee still counted to three as WWE refs are instructed to count the matches as a shoot. Remember when Kota Ibushi accidentally got himself counted out of a match? Yea, this falls within that type of mistake.
WWE has taken the moment and turned it into a joke of sorts. Hail has been promoted across social media as the champion and Monroe is back online taking shots at the situation. The issue is that this happened right before the Holiday “break” in which creative for the next few weeks has been taped. WWE had to scramble to make adjustments, but this could be one of those moments where the company can make something interesting of this moment.
WWE should take advantage of the moment for both Blake Monroe and Thea Hail
There are times when WWE has struggled creatively. But one thing the company has done well in the past is make a shift when someone gets injured or something goes “wrong.” Think back to when Kevin Owens suddenly found himself to be the WWE Universal Champion after Finn Balor’s shoulder injury as an example. This situation isn’t as drastic, but it is a situation that can lead to some good.
Starting with Blake Monroe, many are calling for WWE to move her to the main roster. She’s already proven that she’s a main event talent, just look back to what she and Toni Storm achieved together in All Elite Wrestling. SmackDown could truly use a performer of Monroe’s ability as the women’s division is falling behind that of WWE Raw. Monroe would easily work as a top heel on that brand and has the potential to be a bigger star in the future.
As for Thea Hail, she’s been an interesting prospect in WWE’s developmental system for years. After three years of being in NXT, perhaps this is the moment that she can take to either sink or swim. She’s shown some growth as a performer, and perhaps this is the proverbial “kick in the pants” that can be the catalyst to her growing further in her craft.
Blake Monroe versus Thea Hail didn’t end the way anyone expected, especially the wrestlers in the match. WWE should take this moment and turn it into a long term outcome that should lead to something meaningful for both performers. Just run with it and call it a happy accident.