Story byIzzi Dame smiles as she speaks on the microphone. - WWEAngeline PhuWed, January 7, 2026 at 2:34 AM UTC·2 min readThea Hail might have been banged up from Tuesday's opening shenanigans, but her planned "NXT" Women's North American Championship defense was about more than the title. In an effort to cement herself as a legitimate champion, Hail reinstated former champion Blake Monroe's open challenge, only to end the night looking up at the lights after being pounced on and dethroned by an opportunistic Izzi Dame. As Hail announced her open challenge, several Superstars walked out to look for a title shot, but Tatum Paxley, fresh off of her match with Dame, warded them off with a chainsaw and a smile.
