The confusing conclusion to last week’s WWE Women’s Championship main event was reportedly the result of a significant timing error. A report from Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp revealed the originally planned finish for the triple threat match, which saw Tiffany Stratton defend her title against Jade Cargill and Nia Jax.
According to the report, the intended sequence involved Stratton breaking up a pinfall attempt by Cargill on Jax. However, a delay in execution forced an audible, leading to Jax kicking out and the awkward on-screen pause that left viewers confused.
Complicating the main event further was a legitimate injury sustained by Jade Cargill. During the match, Cargill suffered a gash on her eyebrow after Nia Jax shoved her into the steel steps. A subsequent report from PWInsider confirmed that the wound required stitches to close.
Despite the chaotic execution and multiple unplanned moments, the match ended with Tiffany Stratton retaining her championship. The show closed with WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer appearing to confront Stratton, building towards their scheduled Champion vs. Champion match at Crown Jewel: Perth on October 11.
The messy execution of the bout drew widespread criticism, with Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer labeling it the “worst WWE match of the year.” On his radio show, Meltzer pointed directly to the botched finish, noting the lack of improvisation from the competitors. “They froze. Nobody improvised. It all fell apart,” he stated, adding that all three wrestlers “underperformed.”