Liv Morgan Protection In WWE Title Loss Against Stephanie Vaquer

WWE Protecting Liv Morgan During Title Loss Against Stephanie Vaquer

WWE delivered one of the most 🥀 unexpected moments of the year over the weekend, pulling off a rare untelevised title change in Santiago, Chile. Stephanie Vaquer dethroned Liv Morgan to capture the WWE Women’s World Championship in front of her home country crowd, but the circumstances surrounding the finish have sparked significant discussion throughout the industry.

While the immediate reaction in Santiago was overwhelmingly positive for the native star, Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio pointed out that WWE went out of its way to ensure Morgan did not look weak in defeat.

Meltzer Questions Heavy Protection For Defeated Champion

Speaking on the broadcast, Meltzer acknowledged that putting the title on Vaquer in Chile was the correct booking call due to the massive live pop, but he took issue with how heavily protected Morgan was in losing the gold.

With special guest referee Becky Lynch controlling the officiating, Morgan executed her signature Oblivion finisher and had Vaquer pinned. However, Lynch intentionally stopped her count at two and refused to deliver the three-count, giving Morgan a visual pinfall victory before Vaquer ultimately recovered to win.

Meltzer expressed his skepticism over the execution of the finish:

“Yeah, yeah, well that I, I didn’t like the way they did the finish because it was. What happened was Liv hit the oblivion and Becky goes one, two, like that, you know, I mean so it’s, it’s essentially they didn’t need especially since was in her hometown. I mean of course the crowd’s going to pop no matter what but I thought they went way out of their way to protect Liv because essentially, you know, Liv beat her but Becky wouldn’t count to three.”

Personal Payback Drives The Three-Way Championship Narrative

The refusal by Lynch to complete the pinfall was not arbitrary. Earlier in the match, a frustrated Morgan shoved Lynch, prompting the guest referee to seek immediate retaliation. Following the stopped count, Lynch gave Morgan the middle finger, allowing Vaquer the opening needed to capitalize and secure the victory.

Meltzer noted that the dynamic serves to advance the personal rivalry between Lynch and Morgan rather than establishing Vaquer as an undisputed top champion:

“So it sets up Liv and, and Becky obviously down the line which we all knew they were going to anyway but so that was what they, you know, they did a deal where Liv pushed Becky. So that’s why Becky wouldn’t count the three. You know, when Liv hit the oblivion and then Stephanie came back to win.”

The groundwork for the conflict was established leading into the live event. Vaquer had previously turned down an offer from Lynch to assist her in dealing with Morgan, insisting on doing things independently. Furthermore, Morgan had successfully defended her title against Vaquer on the September 7 edition of RAW, giving the champion leverage before stepping onto Chilean soil.

Following the match, Lynch openly bragged on social media about costing Morgan the title, ensuring the friction remains at the forefront of the red brand.

Questions Surrounding Long-Term Title Reign

While Vaquer enjoyed a massive celebration in Santiago, Meltzer raised questions regarding whether this second reign will be a long-term run or simply a transition point while Morgan and Lynch resolve their personal feud:

“But yeah, you know, I mean, it was, you know, big, big, big, big crowd pop. I don’t think anyone really expected it, even though they put—I think they put on last though, in the main event spot. But I mean, it was a good thing to do. It’s a women’s championship. There’s no reason not. There’s no reason not to do it. So I don’t know if it’ll be a long reign. I mean, they’re gonna—obviously they’re doing a three way program with the three of them.”

By executing the title change in Chile, WWE delivered a historic moment for the local market while leaving Morgan with a legitimate grievance, locking all three women into an intertwined championship picture.

For ongoing coverage, match results, and fallout from the title change, stay tuned to WrestlingAttitude.com.