Tuesday night was a big night for Thea Hail.
The Chase University member and recent student of Charlie Dempsey and Drew Gulak’s surprisingly emerged victorious in the No. 1 Contender Battle Royal in the main event of this week’s WWE NXT show.
Hail hung on and surprised fans who thought she was eliminated, by resurfacing in the ring and ultimately throwing out Cora Jade and Dana Brooke to earn the next shot at Tiffany Stratton’s WWE NXT Women’s Championship.
After the show, Hail received some kind words from WWE Hall of Fame legend and NXT executive Shawn Michaels.
“The Heartbreak Kid” greeted Hail as she came through the curtain after this week’s NXT on USA show went off the air from the Capitol Wrestling Center inside the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
“Good job,” Michaels told Hail as they embraced for a hug backstage. “Wonderful job. Tremendous.”
Hail also received kind words from her longtime teacher at Chase U., none other than Andre Chase himself.
“Your riding high in April,” he began. “Shot down in May… But I know I’m going to change that tune, When we’re back on top, Back on top in June.”
Chase continued, “Congratulations, Thea Hail!! I always believed.”
Thea Hail also took to Twitter herself to react to the exciting moment in her young WWE NXT career.
“As I said, Mama didn’t raise no b**** and dad didn’t raise no quitter,” Hail wrote. “I WILL BE NXT WOMEN’S CHAMPION.”
as i said mama didn’t raise no b**** and dad didn’t raise no quitter I WILL BE NXT WOMENS CHAMPION https://t.co/gi15o9GBMR
— Thea Hail (@theahail_wwe) June 7, 2023
Congrats @theahail_wwe, you EARNED it! 🙌 @ShawnMichaels #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/ixF8YdULH9
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) June 7, 2023
Your riding high in April
Shot down in May…But I know I’m going to change that tune⁰When we’re back on top⁰Back on top in June
Congratulations @theahail_wwe‼️
I always believed 🙌🏼🙌🏼#ChaseU#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/YIecYnz3rI— Andre Chase (@AndreChaseWWE) June 7, 2023