On the September 26th episode of WWE SmackDown, a Women’s Championship match featuring Tiffany Stratton against challengers Nia Jax and Jade Cargill ended in a surprising botch that disrupted the closing moments. The bout, intended as a thrilling contest, was overshadowed when Nia Jax failed to kick out of a straightforward pinfall attempt, forcing referee Daphanie LaShaunn to halt a mid-count and improvise during the finish.
Throughout the final exchanges, Jade Cargill attempted a pin on Jax, which was broken up by Jax herself, but moments later, Stratton moved in for a pin attempt. Here the sequence faltered, as Jax did not perform the expected kick out, prompting LaShaunn to stop the referee count abruptly. The confusion deepened when Jax then kicked out only after the count was already halted, pulling down the overall impact of the match’s climax.
Despite the misstep, Stratton executed her signature move “Prettiest Moonsault Ever” to claim the victory and retain her title. The broadcast closed with a tense staredown between Stratton and her upcoming Crown Jewel opponent, Stephanie Vaquer, highlighting the ongoing competitive storyline.
Nia Jax Previously Linked to Viral WWE Moment With Rhea Ripley
Before WrestleMania 40, Nia Jax was involved in another memorable WWE incident that gained viral attention during her rivalry with Rhea Ripley. Their match at Elimination Chamber: Australia in March 2024 featured a humorous yet unconventional spot where Ripley applied a stinkface move on Jax, which quickly spread across social media.
During an interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Ripley explained that the moment was actually conceived by Jax. Ripley recounted how Jax suggested the stunt and how she initially planned to add a dance reminiscent of Rikishi, but ultimately improvised her own version, making the spot uniquely hers.
“I knew it was gonna be big, but that sh** exploded. It wasn’t even my idea. It was Nia’s idea. She’s like, ‘Yeah. And then you stink face me.’ I’m like, ‘Ok, if you want.’ But then, before all of that, I was like, ‘I think I should do like the Rikishi pull them up, just do the little dance beforehand.’ I was like, ‘I’m not gonna get it spot on, so I’m just gonna do my own thing.’ But I’ll do the whole gimmick, and yeah, it still pops up on my Twitter, it’s wild. I got so much publicity off that, but I also got so much like, negativity. I was like, ‘Guys, you need to calm down.’” – Rhea Ripley, WWE Superstar
Recent SmackDown Developments Cast a Shadow on the Event
The botched finish involving Nia Jax on SmackDown adds to a growing list of in-ring moments that have sparked frustration among fans and commentators alike. The unexpected error disrupted what was otherwise an intense and competitive title match and has raised questions about match awareness and execution during live broadcasts.
Furthermore, the focus now shifts toward Stratton’s upcoming challenge against Stephanie Vaquer at Crown Jewel, where fans will closely watch to see if such issues reoccur or if the contestants can deliver a flawless contest. The SmackDown event also included notable moments from Drew McIntyre, who remained silent but present throughout the show, adding to the evening’s tense atmosphere.
The implications of the Nia Jax WWE botch are significant, as it highlights the pressures on performers and referees to maintain clarity and precision during high-stakes matches. With the WWE spotlight intensifying ahead of major pay-per-view events, performers and officials will likely be scrutinized to ensure smoother sequences and more polished finishes in future broadcasts.
Enormous botch from #SmackDown. I’m not placing blame on anyone in particular, but this was awful. Ref stops counting at 2, Nia starts arguing with her and ends up kicking out at like a 5 count. Everyone is completely lost on how to proceed, and they scramble to come up with a… pic.twitter.com/yrWkS7eba8
— Grant, of r/REALSquaredCircle (@Graannt) September 27, 2025
