Blake Monroe Was Legitimately Injured in WWE NXT Women’s North American Title Match

There’s more fallout from the chaotic NXT Women’s North American Title match on December 16—and now we’re learning that former champion Blake Monroe was actually injured during the bout.

According to Fightful Select, sources close to Monroe said the star was legitimately hurt during the match and was upset with how the finish played out. The critical moment came when Thea Hail hit a senton that knocked the wind out of Monroe, leaving her unable to kick out as planned. She was injured on the spot but the severity isn’t known.

“A number of sources have claimed that Blake Monroe said she was injured after the spot, and specifically was unhappy about how things unfolded. It was also claimed that people who directly work on Blake Monroe’s creative weren’t happy.

Monroe had told some she was injured on the spot in the first Hail match. We aren’t sure of the severity.”

Advertising

Advertising

The tension didn’t end there. Some within NXT felt that Fernandez dropped the ball by failing to properly check on Monroe before making the count.

“Fightful Select has originally reported that NXT referee Felix Fernandez got praise from those in WWE. However, there were others in NXT who reached out and said that there was heat on Felix for not checking on Blake Monroe while she was hurt,” the report continued.

But not everyone agrees. Key names in WWE—including Shawn Michaels and Matt Bloom—are standing by Fernandez, saying he followed proper protocol by treating the situation “like a shoot” as WWE policy demands.

“Matt Bloom, Shawn Michaels, and other referees were said to have told Fernandez he handled things the right way, and claim that there wasn’t anything he didn’t check on or didn’t listen to.”

Adding to the confusion, WWE production actually played Blake Monroe’s entrance music immediately after the finish, accidentally believing she had retained the title. It was quickly cut and replaced with Hail’s theme once the production team realized the result had changed hands.

Earlier this week, Monroe posted a photo on Twitter showing KT tape wrapped around her ribs, seemingly confirming the injury was real and not just storyline.

Despite the backstage drama and botched conclusion, WWE is pushing forward with the angle. On the December 23 episode of NXT, Thea Hail accepted a rematch challenge—and the two will square off again at NXT New Year’s Evil on January 6.

Do you think the referee did the right thing by counting the fall, or should more have been done to protect Blake Monroe? Share your thoughts below.