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WWE's current roster has more championships than ever, which means more often than not there are several championships on the line at each pay-per-view.
WWE's creative team has to ensure there is always enough of a story surrounding these titles to force fans to watch RAW and SmackDown the following week. This can often lead to some confusion.
WWE will sometimes overlook a story or will try to outsmart their fanbase by adding a loophole they didn't know existed. For example, a Hell in a Cell match ending via a referee's stoppage, or the timekeeper being able to overrule the main match referee.
This isn't common in WWE, but over the past few years, there have been several incidents where the WWE Universe has been left confused over the ending of a championship match.
#5. Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens - WWE NXT Championship match - NXT TakeOver: Rival 2015
Kevin Owens made quite the statement when he arrived in NXT in late 2014, attacking his long-time friend Sami Zayn, following his NXT Championship victory at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution.
This later led to Zayn agreeing to put the NXT Championship on the line against Owens at TakeOver: Rival just a few months later, after The Prizefighter continued to attack Zayn regularly on NXT.
It was just the match the WWE Universe was expecting between two men who had stood across the ring against one another many times. In the end, Owens was able to deliver a powerbomb to Zayn five times. The star was unable to recover and the match was stopped by the referee, with the Championship being awarded to Owens.
This was the first time the NXT Championship had changed hands via a referee's stoppage. It was unclear why Owens hadn't just pinned Zayn and won the match cleanly.
A referee's stoppage isn't one of the main reasons why a title can change hands in WWE either, which led to much confusion in the audience at the time. Zayn was later unable to recapture the championship in a rematch that ended in a no-contest. This means both NXT Championship matches between Owens and Zayn have failed to end in a clean victory for either man.
#4. Mickie James vs Asuka - WWE RAW Women's Championship - RAW 2020
Mickie James was handed a shot at RAW Women's Champion Asuka back in September 2020 on an episode of WWE RAW. The former six-time Women's Champion looked like one of the only women who could dethrone The Empress. But the referee seemingly had other ideas.
The ending of the match was a strange one. Asuka locked in the Asuka Lock and, even though James didn't tap, the referee called for the bell.
It was later explained the referee believed James had suffered a legitimate injury when she was actually just selling. Or that he thought she had passed out from the submission.
Mickie James went on to tell TalkSPORT that it was ultimately the WWE official's decision and it was based on the fact, at the time, he believed she was injured. The star went on to reveal it wouldn't have only been the referee's decision, it would have been a call that came from higher up.
#3. Big E vs Apollo Crews - WWE Intercontinental Championship - Fastlane 2021
The most recent match to be added to this list came just over a week ago when Big E defended his Intercontinental Championship against Apollo Crews at WWE Fastlane.
Big E and Apollo Crews were once friends. But after the former NXT star found his Nigerian roots and the self-righteous attitude that came with them, he was pushed into a feud with the former New Day member.
The two men collided at Fastlane with the Intercontinental Championship on the line. It was a solid match before the referee seemingly lost control.
Apollo was able to get Big E's shoulders down for a two-count before a shift in the pin meant Crews' shoulders were down and the WWE official counted a three. Overall, the referee was in the same position and actually made a five-count, but there was no announcement regarding who won the match.
Even the WWE commentary team were confused, but came to the conclusion Big E must have retained since Apollo Crews continued the beatdown following the match. The two men will now face off again at WrestleMania in less than two weeks time.
#2. Triple H vs Dean Ambrose - WWE Championship - Roadblock 2016
Triple H defended the WWE Championship, just weeks after winning the title, against Dean Ambrose at Roadblock back in 2016.
It was the quirky match the WWE Universe expected until it came to the point where Ambrose was able to deliver Dirty Deeds and then pin Triple H. The referee was in the perfect position to make the count but stopped after two when he realized Ambrose's foot was under the bottom rope.
The camera angles later confirmed this wasn't the case. So, either Ambrose forgot to slide his foot under the rope or the referee was on Triple H's payroll.
The match later ended with Triple H picking up the victory after a Pedigree. Many fans believed due to the events at Roadblock, Ambrose may have been handed another shot at the title.
This wasn't the case. Triple H and Ambrose went their separate ways after Roadblock with Triple H taking on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, whilst Ambrose faced off against Brock Lesnar.
#1. Seth Rollins vs The Fiend - Universal Championship - WWE Hell in a Cell 2019
Seth Rollins defended his Universal Championship against The Fiend at WWE Hell in a Cell back in 2019. The Architect was able to walk out of the cell with the Universal Championship despite losing the match to The Fiend.
Hell in a Cell has traditionally been the pay-per-view where feuds come to an end, but this wasn't the case when Rollins took on The Fiend. Instead, it appears their feud was only pushed further forward when their match ended via a referee's stoppage.
This was after Rollins beat down The Fiend with eleven Curb Stomps followed by several attacks with weapons. This led to Rollins then pulling out a sledgehammer. When the official urged him not to use it, but Rollins ignored him, the match was called off.
This is the first time in WWE history a Hell in a Cell match has been ended by an official. Traditionally, the only way to win a Hell in a Cell match is by pinfall or submission.
