Wrestling observer Dave Meltzer has labeled the chaotic WWE Women’s Championship main event from the September 26 episode of SmackDown as the “worst WWE match of the year.” The triple threat contest, which took place at the Kia Center in Orlando, saw champion Tiffany Stratton defend her title against Nia Jax and Jade Cargill in a match marred by several significant errors in execution.
The most glaring issue occurred during the match’s conclusion. According to Meltzer, the sequence where referee Daphanie LaShaunn stopped her pin count was a practiced spot used at previous house shows. The planned moment involved Stratton breaking up a pin attempt by Cargill on Jax, but a late dropkick from the champion led to an awkward pause. LaShaunn stopped the count before three, despite Jax not kicking out, leading to confusion.
Meltzer elaborated on the breakdown, noting the lack of improvisation after the botched spot. “They froze. Nobody improvised. It all fell apart. Tiffany just stood there like a deer in the headlights. She had no idea what to do. The ref had to go over and tell her to go up and do the moonsault.” In response to public criticism over the error, LaShaunn later issued a statement on her Instagram story. “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.”
The overall quality of the match drew a harsh assessment from Meltzer, who felt all three competitors underperformed. “There were so many botches—stuff that nobody else in the company usually botches,” he said on Wrestling Observer Radio. “It wasn’t just Jade. Nia didn’t look good. Tiffany looked really green… With Jade, it feels like she’s out there trying to memorize the match. She just moves to the next thing she remembers.”
Complicating matters further was a legitimate injury sustained by Jade Cargill. During a ringside exchange involving the steel steps, Cargill suffered a cut above her eyebrow after an interaction with Nia Jax. The injury, which drew intense fan backlash online directed at Jax over safety concerns, reportedly forced producer Tyson Kidd to restructure the finish of the match as it was happening.
Despite the multiple disruptions, the match concluded with Tiffany Stratton retaining the WWE Women’s Title after pinning Nia Jax with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. The broadcast ended with Stratton in a post-match staredown with visiting Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer.