WWE NXT Management Put "In A Panic" Following Shotzi's Injury

WWE NXT management found themselves suddenly panicking following Shotzi's freak injury during Tuesday night's taping of the February 20 episode of NXT.

Shotzi challenged Lyra Valkyria for the NXT Women's Championship in the main event of the taping but the match had to be stopped after only a few minutes after Shotzi suffered a serious injury when her knee collided with the side of the ring when falling to the outside in a "freak accident."

The match was quickly waved off and Shotzi had to be helped to the back by WWE's medical team. She later left the WWE Performance Center on crutches, according to Dave Meltzer. 

The injury ultimately left the taping with an unsatisfying main event and Meltzer further reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that NXT management were "in a panic" immediately after the incident. The company eventually booked an open challenge against Lyra Valkyria that led to Lash Legend challenging for the NXT Women's Title in a four-minute match. 

"They were in a panic. They were stalling to try to figure out what to do. And maybe nobody else was ready. And she [Lash Legend] had just wrestled. Maybe she was in her gear. Maybe nobody else was in their gear," Meltzer said. 

Shotzi has since been pulled from the women's Elimination Chamber qualifying match on SmackDown. Alba Fyre was announced as her replacement. 

How long Shotzi will be out of action is unknown at press time. 

H/T SE Scoops