WWE official Daphanie LaShaunn has publicly addressed the fan backlash surrounding a critical error she made during the pinfall sequence in the main event of the September 26 episode of SmackDown. The incident occurred during a high-stakes triple threat match for the WWE Women’s Title at the Kia Center in Orlando.
The controversial moment happened when Jade Cargill attempted to pin Nia Jax. LaShaunn began the count but stopped before three, despite Jax not having kicked out. The planned spot, a dropkick from champion Tiffany Stratton to break up the pin, was late, leading to an awkward pause that drew boos from the live audience. After a delay, Jax lifted her shoulder and the match continued. WWE later edited the sequence out of the official match replay uploaded to its YouTube channel.
In response to the criticism, LaShaunn took to her Instagram story to issue a statement addressing the mistake.
“I see all the love. I’m just human, but I can promise that I strive to always be better. Which will forever be my goal as long as I’m on this journey. I love this just like y’all. That I can swear to you.”
The referee’s error was not the only controversy to emerge from the tumultuous main event. The contest was also marked by a legitimate injury to Jade Cargill, which sparked a separate wave of intense fan backlash directed at Nia Jax.
During a ringside exchange, Cargill sustained a cut above her eyebrow after an interaction with Jax involving the steel steps. According to a TC WrestleVotes report, the injury was legitimate and forced producer Tyson Kidd to restructure the finish of the match as it was happening.
Following the event, a segment of fans on social media accused Jax of being an unsafe worker, with some alleging the injury was intentional. The incident drew comparisons to a past match involving Kairi Sane and led to calls for Jax’s release from the company, citing a perceived pattern of dangerous in-ring performances. One user on social media wrote, “This b—h is sloppy and unsafe in the ring.”
Despite the disruptions, the match concluded with Tiffany Stratton retaining her WWE Women’s Title by pinning Nia Jax after executing the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. The broadcast ended with a post-match staredown between Stratton and visiting Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer.