WWE

A referee has caused controversy during a WWE championship match tonight (June 20) on a special edition of NXT.

In the opening match of tonight’s first of two special editions, NXT Gold Rush, the North American Championship was on the line.

Champion Wes Lee defended his NXT North American Championship against Tyler Bate with main roster free agent Mustafa Ali serving as special guest referee.

The match was certainly a tale of an interesting referee as Mustafa Ali proved to be a powerful asset in the match.

With Ali smirking throughout, Booker T described the situation as “a conunudrum,” as no one knew quite which way Mustafa Ali was going throughout the match.

With a little bit of a fast and slow counts on pinfalls, as well as a notably behind count-out (only starting his official count well after the NXT crowd) with both men outside the ring, there seemed to be shenanigans afoot.

After a top rope crash landing for Bate and Lee, instead of counting out Lee, Ali went to the outside with and slapped him around, seemingly in a pep talk manner.

Back in the ring he also attempted to give Bate rousing words although he ended up nearly in the path of Lee who sought to end the match.

Ali’s apparent attempt to motivate Bate actually ended up costing him the match, as the distraction allowed Wes Lee to pick up the win.

Lee was able to hit a Cardiac Kick on Bate and Ali counted the pinfall, for Lee to retain his NXT North American Championship.

After the match Ali celebrated with both Lee and Bate who gave him some sideways glances. What are Mustafa Ali’s true intentions? We’ll have to stay tuned to find out how this story evolves.

Elsewhere set for tonight’s special edition, week one NXT Gold Rush, multiple other big main roster appearances are scheduled.

Before their big NXT Championship match next week on week two of Gold Rush, tonight champ Carmelo Hayes is set to come face to face with Baron Corbin.

And in what is sure to be the night’s main event, Seth Rollins is scheduled to put his WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line against NXT star Bron Breakker.

To keep up with all the latest news from tonight’s edition of NXT and every week, you can click this link. 

What are you doing, @AliWWE? 😅#NXTGoldRush pic.twitter.com/ExdKOAtCLB

— WWE (@WWE) June 21, 2023

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• NXT Gold Rush
• Wes Lee
• mustafa ali
• Tyler Bate
• nxt

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