Speculation surrounds Thea Hail’s NXT NA Title win, Raquel Rodriguez injury, and Maxxine Dupri
The wrestling world was left in shock as Thea Hail defeated Blake Monroe for the NXT Women’s North American Championship on Tuesday night. However, it has been reported that this outcome was not the original plan. According to sources, Monroe was initially set to retain the title, leading to backstage scrambling and changes in creative planning.
During the match, Hail executed a springboard move off the ropes, landing on Monroe while pinning her in a winning combination. Although it seemed like Monroe tried to get her shoulder up before the count of three, she was unable to do so due to having the wind knocked out of her during the move.
After her victory, Hail celebrated during an interview backstage, where she was congratulated by Jordynne Grace. Monroe then showed up, accusing the referee of cheating her out of the win and demanding a rematch. If Hail’s title win was not part of the original script, WWE might swiftly pivot to a rematch between the two, potentially resulting in Monroe reclaiming the championship shortly.
In another development, Raquel Rodriguez found herself placed in concussion protocol after her Women’s World Championship match against Stephanie Vaquer on Raw. Rodriguez hit her head during a spot where she was shoved into the ring stairs. While she showcased a significant bump on her forehead, it remains unclear whether she actually suffered a concussion. Despite the uncertainty, Rodriguez underwent medical evaluation to rule out any head injuries.
The match between Rodriguez and Vaquer ended in interference from WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, leaving the result inconclusive. With Raquel likely to receive another title shot once cleared to compete, Bella’s involvement could potentially impact the championship scene.
On a positive note, Maxxine Dupri has been earning praise backstage within WWE for her improvement and fresh presentation. Dupri’s evolution was evident during a matchup against Becky Lynch on Raw, where she put on the best performance of her career. Following a surprising victory for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Dupri expressed the need for time off to train before defending her title. The subsequent black and white vignettes showcased Dupri’s rigorous training under Natalya’s guidance, culminating in a successful title defense against Ivy Nile on Raw.
Over the past few months, Dupri has transitioned from a relatively unnoticed figure in the women’s division to a formidable competitor, earning recognition and respect from colleagues within WWE. Her development highlights the potential for rising stars to carve out a place for themselves in the competitive wrestling landscape.