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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Rich Jones

WWE 'fine' referee for huge mistake he made at WrestleMania 35

WWE referee Rod Zapata has reportedly been fined by Vince McMahon for his part in a botched ending to the Wrestlemania 35 main event.

The official has come in for plenty of criticism after Ronda Rousey's shoulders did not appear to be on the mat when she was pinned by Becky Lynch at the conclusion of their huge showdown.

Reports have suggested Charlotte Flair was supposed to tap out to new champion Lynch to end the match, rather than Rousey taking the pinfall.

Rousey appeared unhappy in the immediate aftermatch of the match - the first ever women's main event to Wrestlemania.

And it seems McMahon has shared her displeasure, with Fightful reporting he pulled aside Zapata before Monday's WWE Raw and decided to fine him for the main event finish.

Rousey's Wrestlemania 35 main event had a controversial ending (WWE)

WWE Smackdown Live: Five things you missed from post-WrestleMania event  

Despite rumours of another planned outcome, they insist the pinfall was planned and Zapata maintains he was concerned Rousey may have been bamboozled if the match hadn't ended when planned.

She remains a relative novice in wrestling after her high profile transition from UFC, and as a result her matches are closely and carefully mapped out step by step.

It seems McMahon has decided to lay down the law with referees and set a strict example.

He reportedly fined Dan Engler for a minor botched incident in the match between Gable & Roode and Ricochet & Black on Raw.

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