Tiffany Stratton successfully defended her WWE Women’s Championship in a highly anticipated match on SmackDown, but the victory was overshadowed by an unexpected error during the finish. The event took place shortly before Stratton‘s upcoming appearance at Crown Jewel 2025 in Perth, where she is set to face Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer in a Champion vs. Champion showdown.
Details of the SmackDown Main Event and the Unusual Finish
The main event featured Tiffany Stratton defending her title against two formidable challengers, Nia Jax and Jade Cargill. Coming into the match, many speculated that Stratton’s nearly ten-month reign might come to an end. However, after a dramatic sequence, Stratton retained her championship by successfully executing her signature move, the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, on 41-year-old Nia Jax.
What drew significant attention was the unusual moment leading up to the finish. Nia Jax failed to perform a kick-out at the usual two-and-a-half count during the pinfall, causing referee Daphnie LeShaunn to halt the count abruptly, creating confusion among fans and commentators alike. It was unclear whether this stoppage resulted from miscommunication or a genuine slip-up, as referees are typically instructed to complete a three-count even if a competitor forgets to kick out.
The situation became more perplexing due to the ambiguity around Jax’s shoulder position during the count; in some shots, her shoulders appeared lifted, which normally would prevent a three-count altogether. This inconsistency made the stoppage feel out of place and detracted from an otherwise competitive bout.
Impact of the Botched Call and What Lies Ahead for Stratton
Despite the confusion, Tiffany Stratton quickly capitalized by landing her finishing moonsault, effectively ending her rivalry with Nia Jax and possibly Jade Cargill for the time being. The show concluded with a face-off between Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer, building anticipation for their upcoming clash at Crown Jewel 2025.
The outcome leaves Stratton with a challenging path forward as she prepares to defend her title in Perth against Vaquer. The match is expected to be a significant event in the WWE calendar, given the unresolved tensions and the scrutiny following the recent controversial finish.
lol WTF was that, referee messed up so bad! Gotta be one of the worst botches of all time!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EZIzidCVcF
— Tony The Wrestling Nerd (@WrestlingNerd00) September 27, 2025
