UPDATE: Triple H said on his Facebook Live post-show that McIntyre “may have torn his bicep”. The former champ is scheduled for a MRI tomorrow and possible surgery next week. Here is a WWE.com video of Triple H talking about it briefly.
ORIGINAL: Andrade “Cien” Almas’ NXT championship win in Houston tonight (Nov. 18) was quite a shock to just about everyone. There’s some unconfirmed talk going around that could explain why Drew McIntyre’s loss came out of nowhere.
To be clear, the talk of an injury to McIntyre is speculation combined with a PWInsider report that he was checked on and helped to the back by trainers after losing to Almas, “nursing his left arm/shoulder”. It’s definitely not confirmed that the injury led to an audible on the finish.
The spot getting most of the attention is the finish, where it seems Drew may have held onto the rope a bit too long during the last DDT from Cien:
SUPER DDT!!!!! @AndradeCienWWE IS THE NEW NXT CHAMPION!!!!!! #NXTChampionship #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/stmRSXIRR5
— Italo Santana (@BulletClubItal) November 19, 2017
And here’s what folks with ring experience are saying:
I dont normally do this on here but i just watch the #NXTTakeOver Championship match, looked to me like @DMcIntyreWWE might've torn his bicep on the finish as he held the rope. Could separation in base of his Bicep. Been there, it sucks for Drew. head up brother.
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) November 19, 2017
I’m pretty sure Drew just tore his bicep
— Vinnie Massaro (@snoringelbow) November 19, 2017
Very last move. The ddt. He hanged on to the rope too long and pulled it too hard https://t.co/XyC3ANnI1D
— Vinnie Massaro (@snoringelbow) November 19, 2017
A biceps tear would be a devastating injury, and if it did lead a new champ being booked on the fly, it could have long-lasting effects on McIntyre and NXT.
For now, we’re sending best wishes to Drew, and awaiting some official word from WWE.