A Shocking Shake-Up Before the NXT Homecoming.
Only a few hours prior to the NXT Homecoming special in the house, WWE declared that Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is not medically fit to participate. The announcement was made through social media by NXT General Manager Ava, which meant that the show had to be altered at the last minute.
Previously set to appear on the same side as Rhea Ripley and Stephanie Vaquer in a six-woman tag match, Stratton will be substituted by one of the former NXT women’s champions, Lyra Valkyria.
How the Injury Happened
The defeat comes after a physically challenging week for Stratton. In the last Friday episode of SmackDown, she used her championship to attack Jade Cargill in a violent fight ending in a double count-out after each of the two women crashed through the ringside barricade.
Following the match, Nia Jax struck Stratton with her Annihilator finisher, and her move was unexpected.
Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Radio believes that the injury was most probably a result of a dangerous Moonsault off the ring post when she was wrestling Cargill, where Stratton allegedly hit her in the head with the floor. Alvarez wrote that one of the referees rushed to check on her following the move, and Jax seemed oddly cautious during the post-match segment, indicating that WWE knew in advance that there was a possible problem.
The Impact on ‘NXT Homecoming’
This is quite an unfortunate event since the event is called NXT Homecoming, and it was held within the historic Full Sail University, which was meant to celebrate the reunion of old stars of the black and gold days. The big names that were to feature were Stratton, Ripley, and DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa).
Last week on NXT, Stratton, Ripley, and Vaquer have been in opposition to the heel faction Fatal Influence, which has led to the six-woman tag team match, which is now going to proceed with Valkyria substituting.
Updated ‘NXT Homecoming’ Card
Rhea Ripley, Lyra Valkyria, and Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Jazmyn Nyx.
NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Tyler Breeze.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley.
Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa).
The Grayson Waller Effect featuring Guests: NXT Champion Oba Femi and No. 1 Contender Ricky Saints.
What’s Next for Stratton?
Although the fact that Stratton is absent is a setback to the show of the night, her health and recuperation still come first. WWE has not given information on how bad the injury was or when she is expected to be back.
The followers will be anticipating any updates because Stratton being WWE Women Champion and her position as one of the most rapidly developing stars of the brand are at stake.
