{"id":142786,"date":"2025-09-27T07:16:34","date_gmt":"2025-09-27T11:16:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=142786"},"modified":"2025-09-27T10:06:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-27T14:06:26","slug":"triple-h-faces-wwe-referee-problem-after-smackdowns-botched-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/09\/27\/triple-h-faces-wwe-referee-problem-after-smackdowns-botched-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"Triple H Faces WWE Referee Problem After SmackDown\u2019s Botched Finish"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The WWE Women\u2019s Championship main event of the September 26 SmackDown may have caused a headache for WWE COO Triple H, as a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/09\/26\/major-miscue-taints-title-match-on-wwe-smackdown-crown-jewel-match-set\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">referee botch occurred<\/a>. A failed 3-count was committed by referee Daphanie LaShaunn, which ruined the immersion of the triple threat match.<\/p>\n<p>Tiffany Stratton <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/09\/26\/wwe-smackdown-results-9-26-25-live-updates\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">successfully retained her WWE Women\u2019s Championship<\/a> against Jade Cargill and Nia Jax, although she would have won it earlier had the mistake not occurred. The error was so bad that WWE has edited it out on their YouTube channel.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax: SmackDown, Sept. 26, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vsgkmNnO3WE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>What Happened?<\/h2>\n<p>Referee Daphanie LaShaunn failed to count to three during the WWE Women\u2019s Championship triple threat match between Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Nia Jax, despite Jax not kicking out. Stratton, Jax, and LaShaunn made mistakes in quick succession that led to the botch.<\/p>\n<p>Stratton was late to make the save after Cargill hit Jax with the \u201cEye of the Storm\u201d, thus prompting Jax to kick out. Stratton then went for the pin immediately on Jax, despite her just kicking out seconds prior, instead of hitting the PME. Jax didn\u2019t kick out of Stratton\u2019s pin, and LaShaunn wrongly counted two.<\/p>\n<p>The botch initially confused the Orlando crowd, before a chorus of boos filled the Kia Center. Stratton would then hit the PME on Jax to retain her Championship. The win sets up an encounter with Women\u2019s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer at Crown Jewel.<\/p>\n<p>The failed count is confusing, as it was inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. Had LaShaunn counted to three, Stratton would have still retained her championship. The botch would have made more sense had Cargill or Jax mistakenly won the belt, as the Crown Jewel match would have been affected.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142771\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142771\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-142771 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/09\/11-52.jpg\" alt=\"A graphic for the WWE SmackDown main event between WWE Women's Champion, Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax, and Jade Cargill, which was tainted in controversy.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/09\/11-52.jpg 800w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/09\/11-52-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/09\/11-52-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142771\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Referees Under Triple H<\/h2>\n<p>Paul \u201cTriple H\u201d Levesque runs both the creative process and talent at WWE. Whilst the general mood within the company is happier than the previous regime, as reported by many talents, Levesque\u2019s leniency has caused frequent refereeing errors. Although unconfirmed, it seems as if referees are told not to count to three until they are supposed to.<\/p>\n<p>This is not the first time that a referee has done a two-count despite a wrestler failing to kick out. At Money in the Bank 2024, Damian Priest was unable to kick out of the Falcon Arrow from Seth Rollins. Referee Rod Zapata only counted to two, saving Priest from losing his World Heavyweight Championship. The moment can be found at the 17:55 mark of the match.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Damian Priest vs. Seth Rollins | World Heavyweight Title Match: Money in the Bank 2024\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/e4j-vl-are8?start=1&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In fairness to both Priest and Zapata, Drew McIntyre\u2019s music was supposed to interrupt the pinfall. However, a failed pin count ruins the immersion for the fans who are already suspending their disbelief.<\/p>\n<p>This same situation occurred on the June 10 episode of NXT between Oba Femi and Jasper Troy. The NXT Championship was at stake, and Oba Femi looked set to retain after executing a \u201cFall from Grace.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Referee Adrian Butler had other ideas as he counted to two even though Troy\u2019s shoulders were planted to the mat. Instead, the same spot repeated seconds later, and the successful pin occurred. The match between Femi and Troy was hard-hitting and showcased the upstart&#8217;s talents. However, the botched referee count affected the way this match is remembered.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"FULL MATCH: Oba Femi vs. Jasper Troy | NXT Title Match: NXT, June 10, 2025\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/57tPqCjRku8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>The Old Regime Would&#8217;ve Never Allowed It<\/h2>\n<p>Whilst today\u2019s referees are allowed to make mistakes even though it affects the fan experience, referees under former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon were fined.<\/p>\n<p>R-Truth spoke to Chris Van Vliet about his controversial United States Championship win against Shinsuke Nakamura in 2019. Truth was scheduled to win, but the match ended abruptly as Nakamura failed to kick out in time.<\/p>\n<p>Truth said, \u201cThere\u2019s a strict rule. If you don\u2019t kick out at three, referees are gonna get fined if you don\u2019t kick out. He (Mike Chioda) did not want that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Truth added, \u201cDon\u2019t hold your hand, you better slap that MF\u2019er\u2026So Chioda just did his job.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"R-Truth Accidentally Won The US Title\" width=\"540\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zqKUUdvJUt0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The first-ever female WrestleMania main event was no exception to McMahon&#8217;s rule. During the triple threat match between Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, and Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 35, Lynch would win both the Raw and SmackDown Women\u2019s Championships with a controversial pin attempt.<\/p>\n<p>Whilst it did seem that Rousey\u2019s right shoulder was up, Rod Zapata failed to see it and counted to three. Whilst it was accidental, fans in attendance would have been happy to see Becky 2 Belts close out the five-and-a-half-hour show.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ronda Rousey Explains The Botched Finish Of WrestleMania 35\" width=\"540\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yxmnH3T6hZA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>There are many positives under the Triple H regime; however, a huge negative is the leeway he gives referees. It is a wrestler\u2019s job to kick out on time, and it is a referee\u2019s job to count a pin correctly. Failure to do so ruins the experience for both fans in the arena and those watching at home.<\/p>\n<p>Even though referee botches can happen, they occur frequently under Levesque\u2019s stewardship. Perhaps the reintroduction of fines could prevent main event matches from being tarnished in the future.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><i>Header photo \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Paul_Michael_Levesque_in_2017#\/media\/File:Web_Summit_2017_-_Centre_Stage_Day_1_SM1_4292_(26464204789).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WikiMedia Creative Commons<\/a> \u2013 Stay tuned to the <\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_self\"><em><u><i>Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i> for more on WWE SmackDown, Triple H, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><i>You can check out WWE programming on\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/81788927\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Netflix<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(Raw),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usanetwork.com\/wwe-friday-night-smackdown\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>USA Network<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(SmackDown),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cwtv.com\/shows\/wwe-nxt\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>The CW<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(NXT),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/tubitv.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Tubi<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Evolve),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aetv.com\/wwe\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>A&amp;E<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Superstar Sunday \u2013 Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments), and\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peacocktv.com\/watch\/home\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Peacock<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Main Event, as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/wwe\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>YouTube<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>, and catch fast-paced action on X (<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/i\/events\/1773457579022155776?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>WWE Speed<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>).<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The WWE Women\u2019s Championship main event of the September 26 SmackDown may have caused a headache for WWE COO Triple H, as a referee botch occurred. A failed 3-count was committed by referee Daphanie LaShaunn, which ruined the immersion of the triple threat match. Tiffany Stratton successfully retained her WWE Women\u2019s Championship against Jade Cargill [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5523,"featured_media":142797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2192,26,4,3],"tags":[7442,602,8618,75],"class_list":["post-142786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wrestling","category-smackdown","category-wwe","category-wwe-universe","tag-jade-cargill","tag-nia-jax","tag-tiffany-stratton","tag-triple-h"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5523"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142786"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":142810,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142786\/revisions\/142810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}