During a recent SmackDown event, Tiffany Stratton defended her WWE Women’s Championship against competitors Nia Jax and Jade Cargill, in a high-stakes match that captured audience attention. The moment became controversial due to a significant error involving the referee, Daphanie LaShaunn, which affected the flow and outcome of the title defense.
Details of the Match and Referee Error
The intense contest saw Tiffany Stratton isolate Nia Jax before pinning her. However, the referee halted the count prematurely after two, prompting Nia to kick out and continuing the match unexpectedly. This referee mishap was highly visible to viewers and detracted from the match’s intended drama. Reacting quickly, WWE creative adapted by concluding the match with Stratton performing her signature move, the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, for a decisive victory over Nia.
Vince Russo’s Commentary on the Incident
Former WWE head writer Vince Russo discussed the botch on the podcast Brodown, hosted by Mac Davis. According to Russo, while the error looked poor on television, he did not place responsibility solely on the referee. Instead, he expressed curiosity about the referee’s presence in upcoming shows, suggesting that further appearances could clarify who was truly at fault.
“Here’s the interesting thing, guys. Let’s see if that referee is back on SmackDown next week. The reason why I’m telling you guys this is this – if she’s not on next week’s show, then she F-ed up and the talent buried her. If she is on next week’s show, then it defintely was on the talent,” Russo said.
Aftermath and Future Implications for Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton’s win secured her a spot at the upcoming Crown Jewel event in Perth, Australia, where she is set to face La Primera in a champion versus champion match for the Crown Jewel title. Despite the match complication, Stratton’s momentum remains strong as she prepares for this high-profile showdown. Shortly after the win, she was confronted by the current Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer, setting the stage for future rivalries and storylines.
Significance of the Incident for WWE and Its Performers
The botch during Tiffany Stratton’s title defense highlights the unpredictable nature of live wrestling and the challenges faced by referees and performers alike. Vince Russo’s remarks emphasize the complexity of assigning blame in such situations, where both officiating and in-ring performance intertwine. How WWE addresses this will likely affect referee assignments and performer responsibilities moving forward, impacting the quality of future televised matches.
