Details on botched finish leading to a title change (Patreon)

Thea Hail became NXT North American Champion, but was not meant to be.

On the December 16 episode of NXT, Thea Hail pinned Blake Monroe to become the NXT North American Champion. Confusion ensued, as Blake Monroe got a hand but not a shoulder up before the three. There was a heavy delay before Thea Hail's music ended up hitting.

Fightful Select confirmed with NXT sources that this was not intentional, and that Blake Monroe was set to retain her title. There was said to have been a scramble backstage when the botch happened, and immediately following it. We're told that it specifically caused issues because there was creative specifically in place with Thea Hail not being the champion. We're told that was immediately being changed to adjust. This ended up affecting multiple people's creative that was set for the next couple of weeks. We'll work to find out what else has changed.

It was communicated to Fightful Select that there would be steps taken as early as tonight to make those creative adjustments. We weren't told immediately who got the blame for the situation, as most involved were just working to quickly make changes to what needed to be changed.