Tag: Halloween Havoc Results

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc live results: Ricky Saints vs. Trick Williams

Posted on by Jeff Moss

The NXT Championship is on the line as part of tonight’s WWE NXT Halloween Havoc from the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Ricky Saints will put the title on the line against former champion Trick Williams in Saints’ first defense since defeating Oba Femi at September’s No Mercy.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne will defend against Tatum Paxley in search of her fifth title defense. Paxley is looking for her first NXT title reign.

NXT Tag Team Champions Matt & Jeff Hardy will defend against DarkState in a Broken Rules match.

NXT North American Champion Ethan Page will defend against AAA star El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. in a Day of the Dead match while Zaria defends the NXT Women’s North American Championship for partner Sol Ruca against Blake Monroe.

A tag team match featuring TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater & Je’Von Evans against Mr. Iguana & La Parka rounds out the card.

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It’s the event that brought you such classics as Van Hammer vs Doug Sommers (1991) and Hollywood Hogan vs Warrior (1998). From the makers of NXT, it’s Halloween Havoc!

The legally mandated footage of wrestlers arriving to work was shown (and not very spookily, I might add), this time updated with Blake Monroe getting her makeup put on! Seriously though, the set looked very cool and it was fun to see all the costumes in the crowd, including Vic Joseph’s sweet Riddler outfit.

Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater vs. Mr. Iguana & La Parka

Evans and TNA X-Division Champion Slater became allies during the NXT/TNA Showdown. The duo was then challenged by Mr. Iguana and La Parka. Because what’s Halloween without a dancing skeleton? Truly though, with La Parka and Mr Iguana on the same team and Evans and Slater bouncing around, I don’t even care why this match is happening, I’m just stoked it is.

Evans and La Parka started things off, trading wristlocks while the crowd traded chants. La Parka startled Evans with a punch in the face followed by some dancing and a spinning heel kick. Evans used the top rope to land a hurricanrana and the two collided in the center of the ring.

Iguana tagged in and so did Slater, but Slater didn’t really know what to do with the half-man-half-lizard. Slater caught him with a bak kick, but Iguana hit a headscissor and the two wrestled a fast chain of holds. Iguana offered up a Code of Honor for some reason and Slater threw him into the corner.

Iguana went up top, but Slater caught him for a slam. Evans tagged in and the two double teamed Iguana before mocking La Parka’s dancing. La Parka tagged in and hit a back breaker on Evans before sending them both out of the ring. Iguana tossed his, well, iguana at them and then dove through the ropes to take out both men.

La Parka then hit a moonsault from the top of the ringpost to take all three to the ground. He threw Evans back into the ring and went for a pin, but only a two count. La Parka hoisted Evans up for a gut buster, but again just a two count. Iguana tagged in and wrapped Evans in a grapevine. La Parka tagged in and hit a dropkick to Evan’s, according to Vic Joseph, “rump.”

Evans used the ropes, bouncing off of them to land a snap suplex on La Parka. La Parka cut off a tag attempt with as suplex of his own. Iguana and Slater tagged in and Slater hit a really high dropkick, a spinning DDT and then a spinning cutter, but Iguana kicked out at two.

Slater tagged in Evans and they took turns splashing Iguana in the corner. Evans stayed legal and suplexed Iguana. He went to work the leg, but Iguana threw him off and pulled him down into an armbar. Evans shifted and picked him up into a bucklebomb.

Iguana scurried to tag in La Parka who cleaned house, delivering a flapjack to Evans and dancing side slam to Slater. Slater popped up and threw some chops, with La Parka responding in kind. Evans tagged himself in and delivered a superkick, sending La Parka back into Iguana.

That counted as a tag and Evans started throwing chops at him. Slater tagged in and Iguana demanded to face both at the same time, using his iguana as a weapon. Iguana walked the ropes and hit a headscissor on Evans, which brought in La Parka to take out Slater.

Evans hoisted Iguana on his shoulders, but Iguana reversed it. Slater tagged in and La Parka charged, but Slater sent him to the outside and then flipped over the ropes onto both La Parka and Iguana. La Parka got back in the ring and Slater hit a crossbody from the top turnbuckle, followed by a frog splash from Evans. La Parka kicked out at two though.

Evans and Slater got ready to take out La Parka, but Iguana rose from the ropes an eye-poked Evans with his Iguana. That left him open for Slater who knocked him back and then dragged in La Parka. Slater Picked up the iguana, but that left him open for La Parka to deliver a slam for another two count.

Slater bailed to the outside and La Parka hoisted Evans for a staaaaaaalling suplex. La Parka then went up top and Iguana followed, but Evans popped up throwing hands. They shoved him off the turnbuckle and Slater arrived to punch Iguana. Iguana ducked and he took out La Parka.

Evans and Iguana went for springboard cutters at the same time and missed each other. La Parka got caught by a cutter and sent to the outside. In the RIng, Slater hit a splash on Iguana and got the pin for the victory.

Match Result: Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater defeated Mr. Iguana & La Parka

That, my friends, was a hell of an opener. The crowd was hot for the whole thing and there was no indication who might win at any point. Really cool stuff, Evans and Slater were made to tag with each other. Five Mike Awesome vs Vampiro (2000) matches out of five.

-Backstage Ethan Page was interviewed. He said that it wasn’t personal with Dr. Wagner, he was just trying to keep the train rolling and Wagner cost him a chance to become a double champion. He called Wagner a “Dangerous intruder” in NXT and promised to defend it against him. He then ate a bunch of buttertarts and drank some maple syrup (not really but you could tell he was thinking about it).

-Zaria and Sol Ruca were shown in the back, with Zaria mentioning that Ruca would be allowed to be at ringside for the Womens North American title coming up. Izzi Dame and Tatum Paxley interrupted them to say that Paxley will win her match tonight and Zaria won’t. So there.

Day of the Dead Match: NXT North American Champion Ethan Page vs AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

It’s a battle of geographical champions as Ethan Page, the NXT North American Champion defends his title against the AAA Latin American Champion, Dr. Wagner Jr. in a Day of the Dead Match. Apparently that means anything goes (but the decision must take place inside the ring). Personally, I hope that means the winner gets to ressurect one person from the land of the dead, but that’s probably unlikely. Page’s mouth got him into trouble when he ran down AAA, summoning the Dr. to challenge him to this match.

The match began and they turned on blacklights for some reason, making the match look like a college dorm. Page and Wagner threw stiff strikes, selling that they do not like each other. The fight moved to the outside and Wagner hit a big hurricanrana on Page in from onf the announce table.

Wagner went under the ring and grabbed a chair, smacking Page in the back with it. Wagner put Page up on the announce table and climbed the top turnbuckle. Page scurried back into the ring, but Wagner turned and hit a missile dropkick.

WAgner called for a piledriver, but Page flipped it and sent Wagner to the corner. Wagner flipped that and wrapped up Page in a package and then set up the chair against his rump (which was quickly becoming the word of the night) for a missile dropkick.

Wagner went back under the ring and came up with a garbage can and lid. He hit Page with the can and lifted him for a powerbomb, but Page used the ropes to kick it off. Wagner hit him with the trash can again and then climbed up top. Page hit him with the lid of the can and then threw him onto the can proper.

Page hulked up and mercilessly beat Wagner with the trash can lid. Wagner started throwing jabs and Page started throwing chairs into his midsection before smashing his head on the ringpost. They moved outside and Page hit Wagner’s head off the steps until Wagner reversed it and went under the ring for a table.

Wagner lost focus and Page tripped him into the upturned table leg. Wagner hit his throat and Page pulled the table up into the ring. Page sent Wagner into the steps and delivered a chair shot. He threw Wagner back into the ring and set up a chair between the ropes, legs out. He did the same in the opposite corner and then smacked him in the back with a third chair.

Wagner wailed in pain as Page sent him into the chairs, ending with a sidewalk slam on a set up chair. Somehow, Wagner kicked out at two.

Page started messing with Wagner’s mask, ripping it in half, exposing the upper part of Wagner’s head. That powered Wagner up and he shot Page a look that was so full of rage, Page was taken fully aback.

Wagner went to town on Page, landing chops and lariats. He stunned him with an elbow and a foot to the chin. He hit a facebreaker, but Page barely kicked out at two. Page slumped against the ropes and Wagner dragged him by the hair to the corner. He started throwing kicks and punches to Page before grabbing a second garbage can (why do they store those there?).

Wagner went up top and went coast to coast, driving the can into Page’s face. Inexplicably, Page kicked out at two.

Wagner got Page up on his shoulders and Page started messing with the mask again. Wagner got distracted and that allowed Page to hit the Ego’s Edge onto the trash can. Wagner somehow kicked out at two.

Page set up a chair and put a dazed Wagner up on the turnbuckle. He set up to throw him onto the chair, but Wagner reversed it and superana’d Page, who’s head hit the chair on the way down. Wagner hit a moonsault to put Page away, but he kicked out at two.

Wagner grabbed the Official Slim Jim table and set it up to knock Page’s head against it. He put Page on the top turnbuckle, but Page fought him off. Wagner came back, but Page slipped through is legs and climbed back up to turn Wagner’s mask so he couldn’t see.

While he was fixing it, Page threw powder in his face. He grabbed Wagner and hit a cutter from the top rope through the Official Slim Jim Table. Page made the pin and got the win to retain the North American Title.

Match Result: Ethan Page defeated El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

Man, I love luchadores! That was an awesome match that had me very worried when they turned on the blacklight. It was brutal and told a great story. Seven Rick Rude vs Masahiro Chono (1992) matches out of six.

-Backstage Kelani Jordan, TNA Knockouts Champion and Jordynne Grace, in a Velma costume, discussed Jordan’s bad attitude. Grace told her that she’s got a great idea for Jordan’s next challenger: Her. Grace slapped Jordan and she stormed out of her own locker room.

NXT Women’s North American Championship match: Zaria vs Blake Monroe

So, the NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca suffered a leg injury on Smackdown, when ZaRuca challenged Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. For reasons only wrestling understands, her partner and best friend Zaria will step up here to defend the title against a very mean Blake Monroe. I asked my boss if I hurt my leg, could I make Mark in the mail room do my job for me and he looked at me blankly then walked away. So it goes.

Zaria had an awesome La Parka costume on and Ruca handed her the belt as they made their way to the ring. Monroe was also there dressed as an “Ex-wife.” Get it?

Before the bell could even ring, Monroe jumped Zaria. Zaria quickly recovered and started laying shots into Monroe. After a pump kick, she tried to end it early with a pin, but Monroe kicked out. Zaria lifted Monroe and dropped her face-first onto the turnbuckle.

They battled near the ropes and Monroe grabbed Zaria’s arm and pulled it through. She then hit an armbreaker and started slamming Zaria’s limb against the mad. Monroe then sent her shoulder first into the corner. Monroe twisted Zaria’s arm behind her back and started punching. She then used the ropes to hyper extend Zaria’s arm over the top.

Monroe hit a dropkick and went for a pin, but Zaria kicked out. Monroe put on a bridge armbar, bending Zaria’s arm back over her body. The ref broke it up and Monroe went for a DDT, but Zaria backdropped her and threw a clothesline.

Zaria hit a pump kick and belly-to-back suplexed Monroe. She hoisted Monroe onto her shoulders, but Monroe squirmed out of it and crawled to the corner. Zaria grabbed her form the corner and torture racked her. Monroe countered it into an arm bar and Zaria screamed in pain.

Zaria rolled it and picked up Monroe for a sit out powerbomb. The two got to their feet and started throwing shots at each other. Monroe ducked a larait and threw a slingblade. Both went for a clothesline and knocked each other out of the ring.

Zaria, clutching her arm, charged Monroe who moved, sending Zaria into the steps, shoulder first. Ruca then shoved Zaria into the ring, which apparently popped her shoulder back in. She leapt into the ring and threw multiple suplexes and a spear at Monroe.

Zaria went for an F5, but Monroe countered on the way down into another armbar. She worked it almost all the way back, but Zaria rolled it over into a pin. Monroe leapt to her feet and hit a running knee, but Zaria kicked out at two.

Monroe coyly pulled a hair pick from her gear, but got caught with a spear when she approached Zaria to use it. Monroe rolled out of the ring and Zaria followed. Monroe kicked the crutch out from underneath Ruca and Zaria slammed her about it.

Zaria went to make sure Ruca was ok, but Monroe caught her from behind and hit a Glamour Shot on the outside. Rolling Zaria back into the ring, she hit a second Glamour Shot and got the pin 1,2,3 to become the new NXT Women’s North American Champion.

Match Result: Blake Monroe defeated Zaria

That was decent. Monroe looked good, but Zaria looked better. She really brought the power. There were some shaky acting moments from Zaria and Ruca, but that’s a pretty minor beef. Four-point-five Lex Luger vs Meng (1995) matches out of five.

-Backstage, Lash Legend bullied the Evolve Women’s Champion, Kendal Grey. So, they made a match for next Tuesday. It’ll be on NXT, it’s not like in a park or something.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne vs Tatum Paxley

The entire Culling accompanied Paxley to the ring for this title bout. Paxley won a 20-Woman Battle Royal to become the No. 1 Contender to Jayne’s NXT Women’s title. Jayne has run the division since beating Stephanie Vaquer for the title and she will summon all the strength and swagger of a 1996 Shawn Micheals to keep it.

Jayne began her fifth title defence with some schmutz on her face, but she didn’t let that stop her from tossing Paxley around the ring. Jayne swept the leg and twisted Paxley’s arm, throwing her back to the mat every time she popped up.

Jayne hit a senton and piefaced Paxley, calling her a loser. She tried a second one, but Paxley moved. When Paxley went to bounce off the ropes, Jayne grabbed her ankle. Jayne went for a crucific, but Paxley avoided it. Paxley hit a standing splash for a two count.

Paxley put Jayne up for a back slide, putting pressure on her head and neck. Jayne kicked her in the face about it and Paxley responded with a dropkick. Paxley hit a step up insiguri and Jayne left the ring. Paxley went for a baseball slide, but Jayne pulled the ring apron and she slipped underneath. When Jayne went to look for her, she was gone.

Paxley approached from the rear, taking out Fallon Henley, but Jayne caught her and slingshotted her face into the exposed steel of the underside of the ring. Jayne threw her back into the ring, but could only get a two count.

Jayne began pummelling Paxley in the corner, stomping her face and neck, Lainey Reid choked Paxley behind the ref’s back, but Jayne could only get a two. Jayne wrapped Paxley’s neck with her legs and twisted, trying to get her to pass out.

Paxley rolled out of the hold and started throwing wild chops. Jayne put a stop to it with a hammer of a clothesline. She drove elbows into Paxley’s traps then set in a headlock, twisting Paxley so she couldn’t breathe.

Jayne threw Paxley into the corner and charged, but Paxley dodged it and tried for a sleeper. Jayne got out of it but Paxley hit a belly-to-back suplex followed by some lariats and a step-up kick. Paxley landed a fisherwoman’s suplex and climbed the turnbuckles.

Jayne leapt up and knocked the ropes, causing Paxley to fall. Jayne climbed up with her and hit a super neckbreaker from the top turnbuckle. She was about to get the three count, when Shawn Spears put Paxley’s foot on the ropes.

Fatal Influence and The Culling started fighting on the outside, distracting the ref who ejected both factions from ringside. Jayne looked concerned to be left alone as Paxley rolled her up for a two count. Jayne hit a pump kick, but Paxley also kicked out at two.

Jayne looked to put Paxley away with some stiff shots, but Paxley turned it around for a near fall. Jayne rolled her into another near fall. Paxley escaped to the corner and Jayne went for a cannonball, but Paxley moved and hit a Rolling Encore. She scampered to the top rope for a 450 splash but Jayne kicked out at two.

Paxley tried for Cemetary Drive, but Jayne hit her with her knee and then hit a cutter through the ropes. Paxley lured Jayne out of the ring and flapjacked her on the ring apron (the most Halloweeny part of the ring!).

Back in the ring, the exchanged forearms and punches until they both tried a double dropkick and knocked each other down. At this point, the Culling came back and Dame grabbed the title belt. She went to hit what seemed like Paxley, but Jayne caught Dame first. Paxley used that to hit Cemetary Drive and pin Jayne to become the new NXT Women’s Champion!

Match Result: Tatum Paxley defeated Jacy Jayne

That was a surprise! I could have done without all the interference on the outside, but that the took the belt off of Jayne is genuinely shocking. Really hard hitting match too. 92 Buff Bagwell vs David Flair (2000) matches out of 100.

-Backstage, a devilish GM Ava talked to Miles Borne about his beef with Josh Briggs. Tavion Heights showed up with his own Briggs issues. Ava suggested that Borne and Heights fight each other next week. So no one gets what they want. Except Josh Briggs maybe. Perfect management from Ava.

Broken Rules Match: NXT Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz vs DarkState

The Hardys are the current NXT and TNA Tag Title holders and DarkState is… creepy? Angry? Weird? I can honestly never get a read on those guys. Anyway, after retiring the Dudley Boys, The Hardys were challenged to this Showdown rematch against DarkState. However, DarkState’s weirdness has the Hardys saying “hold my beer” and unleashing their Broken alter egos. Brother Nero and Broken Matt made this a Broken Rules match, which I can only pray to the Wrestling Gods will take place on the Hardy Compound.

(sigh) It did not.

Apparently, “Broken Rules” just meant that everyone was legal and “anything goes,” but the decision must take place in the ring. So kinda like a Day of the Dead match, I guess?

Anyway, it was great to see the Hardy’s emerge from the Lake of Reincarnation, even if the match didn’t take place there.

To start the match, Dion Lennox and Osiris Griffin jumped the Hardys. The Broken Brothers fought back though, hitting their greatest hits early. Matt hit a side effect on Lennox and Nero followed with a splash. The other two members of DarkState, Cutler James and Saquon Sugars jumped in and the Hardys fell victim to the damned numbers game.

Sugars tossed in a couple of chairs, but the Hardy’s intercepted them and started swinging. They ran off Sugars and James and beat on Griffin and Lennox. Jeff aka Brother Nero, sent Griffin to the outside while Matt wrapped Lennox in a chair and hit a Twist of Fate.

James pulled Matt out of the ring and he and Sugars kept him busy until Nero came at them with a chair. Matt grabbed a ladder and took out Sugars and James with it. Matt hung them up on the barricade and Nero leapt off the stairs with a double clothesline.

Things were so chaotic, I didn’t even see Nero suplex Griffin through an Official Slim Jim Table until it was replayed!

Nero set up a second Official Slim Jim Table while Matt tossed Sugars into the barricades. Nero grabbed a second Official Slim Jim Table and set it up at a 45 degree angle from the first. Matt put James on the first Official Slim Jim Table and Nero put Sugars on the second.

Matt climbed a ladder and Nero climbed the ring post. Nero hit a swanton and Matt hit a legdrop, putting Sugars and James through both Official Slim Jim Tables!

Lennox and Griffin came back to life and tossed the Hardy’s back into the ring. Lenos threw a trash can lid and a couple of kendo sticks into the ring while Griffin brought the can and chairs. Lennox hit both Hardys with a kendo stick while Griffin set up a chair in the corner.

Griffin scoop slammed Nero on the can and shoved him out of the ring. Lennox brought in a ladder and threw Matt onto it in the corner with a powerslam. Griffin and Lennox then hit a 3D on Matt, but Matt kicked out at two. Nero leapt back into the ring double fisting kendo sticks and chased Lennox and Griffin off.

Lennox landed a clothesline on Matt on the outside and tossed him into the crowd. He grabbed Nero and bounced his head off the ring apron (the Hardy-est part of the ring!). He then dropkicked Matt through the barricade. Nero staggered to his feet just in time to be speared by Griffin through the adjoining barricade.

Everyone staggered back to the ring and Griffin started a beatdown on Matt. Nero made the save with a cutter and Matt hit a Twist of Fate. Nero went up top and landed a swanton, but Lennox broke up the pin. The Hardy’s hit a Plot Twist, but Lennox was able to kick out at two.

Nero rolled out of the ring and cleared the pieces of the Official Slim Jim Tables out of the way at ringside. He Set up a 20ft ladder while Matt brought over another two Official Slim Jim Tables. They set them up at the base of the un-sponsored ladder and laid out Griffin. Nero climbed the ladder and hit a swanton from the top, but Griffin moved, sending Nero himself through the Official Slim Jim Tables!

Matt got together with Lennox in the ring, but Lennox hit a spinebuster and set up an Official Slim Jim Table in the middle of the ring. He laid out Matt and climbed the turnbuckle. Matt popped up though and grabbed him, trying to hit a superplex. Griffin broke it up at the last minute and he and Matt traded punches.

Nero crawled back into the ring as Matt sent Lennox outside onto the Official Slim Jim Table Debris. Griffin grabbed Matt and hung him up in a tree of woe while Lennox grabbed Nero and made him watch. Lennox scaled the 20ft ladder and Griffing got Nero up onto his shoulders. They executed a Super Doomsday Device through the Official Slim Jim Table and Lennox pinned Nero to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions!

Match Result: DarkState defeated The Broken Hardys

Jeff Hardy. If you’re reading this, please stop doing these things to yourself. As a person of similar age, I’m genuinely concerned for your well being. Aside from that though, that was one of the most hardcore hardcore-style matches I’ve seen in a long time. 27 Chamber of Horrors (1991) matches out of 10.

-Backstage, Je’von Evans and Leon Slater decided they should take a run at the NXT Tag Team Titles.

NXT Champion Ricky Saints vs Trick Williams

Williams is a two-time NXT Champion and one-time TNA World Champion, who could make history by becoming the second person ever to win the NXT Title three times (Samoa Joe was the other one, who vacated the title in 2021 just before the “NXT 2.0” era). Saints however beat the monsterous Oba Femi to gain the NXT championship and if he can beat that behemoth of a man, then he can probably beat anyone.

After the introductions (and a quick check of the World Series score) Williams went right for Saints, jumping him and throwing him to the outside. Saints scrambed back in the ring and Williams shouted that he’ll be going through the announce table soon.

Williams hit a dropkick and tried to get Saints to the outside again, but Saints scrambled back into the ring. Williams followed and scoop slammed him. Williams threw him outside again and bashed Saints’ head against the announce table. He then removed all the monitors and such, but couldn’t find Saints when he went to fulfill the prophecy.

Saints appeared in the ring and Williams charged, but Saints was waiting this time and laid him out in the corner. He followed him around the ring with chops then landed an armdrag. Williams fought back, sending Saints into the ropes, but took too long mugging for the crowd and Saints grabbed him and sent him to the outside.

When Saints went to get him, Williams landed a massive lariat and tried to put him through the table. Saints fought him off, but Williams poked the eye and threw him into the barricade. Williams bounced Saints off the announce table and threw him back into the ring for a side kick, busting Saints open.

Saints staggered to the corner and Williams delivered a flapjack for a two count. The ref checked on Saints, but Williams wasn’t waiting. He grabbed a front facelock and Saints pushed him into the corner. Saints set Williams up on the to turnbuckle and the two threw hands. Saints dropped back, and Williams hit a blockbuster from the top rope.

Williams went back to the face lock, trying to get Saints to pass out. He suplexed him once, twice, but on thrice, Saints reversed it into a suplex of his own. Williams hit a neckbreaker for a cover, but Saints kicked out.

Williams continued with the facelocks, but Saints fought out and hit a side slam on a surprised Williams. Saints threw some elbows in the corner then went Undertaker Old School and hit a Russian Leg Sweep. Williams came back up and Saints threw lariats and neckbreakers, but only getting a two count.

Saints took a moment to compose himself, but it gave Williams a chance to get him into a Boston Crab. Saints willed himself to the ropes, but Williams pulled him back to the center of the ring. Williams hit a Rock Bottom and then a Book End but only got a two count.

Saints tried to steal one with an inside cradle, but Williams turned it into a powerslam. Williams started paintbrushing Saints, but Saints went for a crucific into a crossface. Williams managed to make it to the ropes to break the hold.

Williams rolled out of the ring and grabbed the NXT Title belt. Saints hit him with a baseball slide, but WIlliams got a big boot and grabbed Saints for a Book End through the announce table. He quickly got Saints back into the ring and hit a Trick Shot, but somehow, Saints kicked out at two.

Saints got to his feet and started stomping Williams, throwing forearms and elbows. Williams got to his feet and hit a pump kick. He hoisted Saints onto his shoulders, but Saints got out of it and hit a spear off the ropes followed but a top rope tornado DDT and quickly got the 1-2-3 to retain the NXT Championship.

Match Result: Ricky Saints defeated Trick Williams

I have to say, Williams manhandled Saints in that match. Saints is a great scrappy underdog, but Williams beat him pillar to post. I’m going to have to give this one 36 Alex Wright vs Steve McMichael (1997) matches out of 40.

Overall though, a really good night of wrestling. Lots of different styles of matches, exciting finishes and surprising title changes. Everything one could want from a Havoc filled Halloween. 10 out of 10 Bill Kazmaier Vs Oz (1991) matches!

WWE NXT live results: Halloween Havoc night two

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Halloween Havoc 2023 concludes with an NXT Championship match taking place tonight.

On Halloween night, Ilja Dragunov puts his NXT Championship on the line against Carmelo Hayes. This is the third match in Dragunov and Hayes’ trilogy. They have a 1-1 record against each other entering tonight.

Hayes earned this title shot by defeating Baron Corbin and Dijak in a triple threat match. Trick Williams was supposed to be included in that match, but he got taken out in a backstage attack. Hayes has denied that he was responsible for the attack on his friend.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Nathan Frazer for the NXT North American title and Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles are also set.

The winner of the Women’s Breakout Tournament will be crowned as Kelani Jordan and Lola Vice clash in the finals.

Bron Breakker vs. Mr. Stone and Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley are part of tonight’s card as well. Plus, a Tables, Ladders & Scares match between The Creed Brothers and Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo opens the show.

Arriving to the building is the Ectomobile with sirens blaring and the Halloween Havoc logo plastered on the side. Out steps Shotzi and Scarlett dressed as Ghostbusters.

Opening the show is rock band New Years Day with a live performance of “Hurts Like Hell” mixed with a montage, which recapped night one of the Havoc special from last week.

The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed) vs. Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo in a tables, ladders and chairs match

Brutus pinned Humberto after a wild spot fest fitting of the TLC moniker.

Did not take long for the tables, ladders and chairs to come into play. Juilus took a super press slam on a ladder bridge in a double team by the rudos. Garza & Humberto then did an avalanche Gory Bomb/cutter combo, and they put Brutus through tables set up at ringside just before the show cuts to its first commercial break.

When the show returns from the break, Julius Creed and Garza duel with chairs. Van Daminators galore for a moment. In another spoof from ECW, Brutus Creed did the Terry Funk ladder spot. Moments later, Brutus was being double-teamed on the floor when Julius came to his brother’s rescue with a flip dive over the ropes.

The Creeds go on to set up two tables side-by-side in the ring, and Humberto takes a version of the Doomsday Device where a Brutus Bomb puts Humberto through the tables. Garza also took a Nestea Plunge through a table at ringside. Brutus would pin Humberto for the pinfall, and the Creeds are victorious. Ivy Nile gets into the ring to celebrate with the Creeds. 

Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn take over a Ouija board. 

Joe Gacy is getting a reboot of his character. He is still brooding, but he apparently no longer runs a cult. He also has a nose ring.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley never starts

Stratton ambushed Henley during Henley’s entrance. Stratton rammed Henley’s knee into the ring post, and Stratton applied a Bret Hart ring post figure-four. This all happened before the bell ever started. Referees pour out to break up the bedlam. Henley sold big, and the match is no in question

Meta-Four are dressed like the characters from Scooby-Doo as they go through a haunted house looking for Noam Dar’s Heritage Cup trophy. They try to no-sell it, but they are frightened. This skit is to be continued later in the show.

NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio (with WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley) defeated Nathan Frazier to retain the title

Mysterio pinned Frazier, but it was a rough night for Mysterio. Dom took some nasty bumps at times in this match. Wes Lee runs in after the match for a post-match beatdown on Dom.

Dirty Dom came dressed as a prisoner for Halloween, while Mami was dressed as a cop. Cute couples costumes. Dom was also wearing Perro Aguayo boots.

Frazier works circles around Dom at the outset, causing Dom to panic and powder. During a split-screen break, Dom is also turn the tide. Dom goes into a Three Amigo routine, and he pauses to taunt and showboat. That cost him, as Dom is then dropped on his head. In another awkward bump, Dom takes a botched slop drop after Frazier does a springboard. Dom takes an ugly bump.

Ripley interfered when she pushed Dom out of harm’s way as Frazier went for a tope. Frazier and Ripley face off, which distracts Frazier momentarily. Frazier turns around to eat a superkick. Frazier quickly comes back to connect on a tope. Frazier goes for a Phoenix Splash, but no water in the pool. Moments later, Frazier sets up a superplex, and he follows up with a twisting neckbreaker for a near fall. 

Ripley tries to slide Dom a title belt to use as a weapon, but Dom misses it. The belt slides out of the ring, and Dom takes a two count on a schoolboy. Dom goes for a 619, but Frazier counters to land a superkick. 

Double down and Frazier gets to his feet. He climbs the turnbuckles, but he is shoved off by Ripley. Dom capitalizes with a frog splash, and Dom covers Frazier for a pinfall. 

Wes Lee runs in after the match, and Lee attacks Dom. Lee pummels Dom, and Dom flees the ring.

The Scooby-Doo skit continues with Meta-Four. Jakara Jackson faints. Oro Mensah is kidnapped after being jumped by Akira Tozawa. Lash Legend is also kidnapped by zombies. To be continued…

Bron Breakker defeated Mr. Stone

Breakker toys with Stone like a cat playing with a mouse. Stone gets pummeled and suplexed by Breakker, and Breakker spears Stone. Breakker covers Stone for an easy three count.

The match was over, but Breakker was not done. In a call back to the angle where Breakker injured Von Wagner, Breakker teasing doing the same to Stone. Breakker raises a section of the metal ring steps over his head, ready to smash Stone’s head. 

Cue Wagner’s music, and out he comes with a Spirit of ’76 comeback. Wagner even had his head bandaged, but it looked more like a white bandanna on his head. 

Wagner is a house of fire, and he plants Breakker on the ring steps. They tease Wagner smashing the steps on Breakker, much like Breakker did to Wagner previously. Breakker rolls away at the last moment, and security runs down to break up the melee. They hold Wagner back as Breakker leaves. 

New NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria is the focus of a video package recapping her win over Becky Lynch. Great hype video that made Valkyria look like a superstar. She returns to NXT next week to address the audience. 

Scrypts cuts a promo on behalf of OTM. They have a program with Ridge Holland and Butch. 

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven vs. Jacy Jayne & Thea Hail (with NXT Tag Team Champions Andre Chase & Duke Hudson) to retain the titles

Green pinned Jayne, and the champs retain their titles. The bout starts with a brawl before the bell. Hail & Jayne clean house before the show cuts to a commercial break. The heel champions have turned the tide during the break, and Hail is getting worked over as the show returns from the break.

Hot tag and Jayne runs wild. Jayne gets a few near falls. Parade of high spots in the closing minutes. Double down after Jayne and Green hit each other with high kicks. 

Jayne wanted to use a tag title belt as a weapon, but Chase takes the belt away from Jayne. Chase is telling Jayne she does not need to use the belt. Jayne is distracted, making her easy prey for an Unprettier from Green. Jayne is then pinned by Green, and the champs retain.

McKenzie Mitchell interviews Lexis King, as King sets on a throne. King’s character is cocky and wants to make a name for himself. This interview did him no favors. 

Lola Vice (with Elektra Lopez) defeated Kelani Jordan to win the NXT Women’s Breakout tournament

Vice pinned Jordan in the tournament final.

They must have practiced a lot, and it showed. Not too bad for what is essentially a developmental tournament. The story of the match heading into the finish is Jordan injured her knee. 

To set up the finish, Jordan goes for a split-legged moonsault. Elektra Lopez causes a distraction at ringside, allowing Vice time to move out of the way on the moonsault. Jordan sells her injured knee, and Jordan then eats a roundhouse kick. Vice covers Jordan for a three count, and Vice wins the tournament. 

The Meta-Four Scooby-Doo skit continues with Noam Dar dressed as Scoopy. He finds his stolen trophy, but Dar is surrounded by dark creatures of the night. Tozawa blackmails Dar into giving him a Heritage Cup match next week. Tozawa then lets the zombies have their way with Dar. What a wacky skit.

Von Wagner demands Mr. Stone get him booked in a match next week against Bron Breakker. The match is later made official for next week.

NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain the title 

Dragunov pinned Hayes in a hard-hitting match. This was proof that wrestling might be a work, but it is not fake. These two beat the crap out of each other in this return bout. An appearance by Trick Williams distracts Hayes at the finish. 

Back-and-forth at the start, leading to a double down before a commercial break. The war wages when the show returns.

Dragunov takes a DDT on the apron, and he takes a wild bump. Hayes looks to capitalize with a frog splash, but Dragunov kicks out. Good near fall, as it played off the finish of another title belt earlier on.

They would go on to trade near falls, as well as trading strikes and high impact moves. Hayes goes for another DDT on the apron, but Dragunov counters the second time around. Dragunov then gives Hayes a Death Valley Driver on the apron. 

Dragunov laid Hayes on the announce desk, and Dragunov jumps off the barricade. Dragunov puts Hayes through the desk with a H-bomb flying forearm smash. 

Hayes fights back in the closing moments. Hayes executes a codebreaker, but Dragunov bounces off a rope and falls into another H-bomb smash. Hayes still manages to kick out. Dragunov climbs the turnbuckles, looking to deliver a flying H-bomb. Hayes again counters with a codebreaker. Hayes then climbs the ropes, when he is interrupted and distracted by the theme music of Trick Williams. 

Williams glares at Hayes, and Hayes is in shock. Dragunov gives Hayes a superplex, and Dragunov delivers Torpedo Maskau. Dragunov would then covers Hayes for the deciding pinfall. 

Williams gets into the ring and lifts Hayes off the mat by an arm. Williams has a mean look on his face as he stares a hole through Hayes. They are face-to-face when the show cuts to the backstage area. Baron Corbin has ambushed and laid out Dragunov. Corbin is holding the title belt and yelling at Dragunov as the show goes off the air.

WWE NXT live results: Halloween Havoc week one

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Halloween Havoc 2023 kicks off on NXT tonight.

For the first time ever, Halloween Havoc is a two-week special. Night one will see Becky Lynch defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Lyra Valkyria. Lynch is coming off a title defense against Indi Hartwell on Raw. Lynch has successfully retained the title four times since becoming champion.

The NXT Tag Team titles will also be on the line in a match between Tony D’Angelo & Stacks and Chase U’s Andre Chase & Duke Hudson. Chase U earned the title shot by winning a Bada Bing Bada Boom battle royal last week.

Two Halloween-themed stipulation matches are set for tonight. Gigi Dolin and Blair Davenport will settle their rivalry in a Lights Out match. Roxanne Perez and Kiana James are facing off in a Devil’s Playground match.

We’ll get our first look at Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr.) in a WWE ring. He’s making his NXT in-ring debut on the episode.

Tonight’s show airs live on USA Network starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

The band New Years Day kicked off the show with their song ‘Vampyre.’

Scarlett & Shotzi welcomed us to the Halloween Havoc. Shotzi was dressed as Pinhead from Hellraiser. Scarlett was dressed as Marie Antoinette, I think.

Vic Joseph & Booker T* previewed the card before throwing it to the ring for the first match.

*One of the all-time terrible commentary teams 

Devil’s Playground match: Roxanne Perez defeated Kiana James

Roxanne got some shine early with a variety of pinning combinations including a sunset flip off the steps onto the floor for a near fall. Kiana cut Roxanne off with a laptop shot and took control heading into a picture-in-picture commercial break.

A variety of weapons were used including a chain, a garbage can, a swing set, a sliding board, a see-saw, a picket fence.

Roxanne missed a side Russian leg sweep off the barricade. Kiana missed a moonsault off the barricade. Roxanne hit Kiana with Kiana’s loaded purse and followed up with Pop Rocks onto the loaded purse for the pin.

Roxanne is indeed a prodigy, and Kiana has nights where she looks like a good wrestler and nights where she looks lost. This was overly choreographed, but a fine opener where they spent almost the entirety of the bout on the floor.

**********

Carmelo Hayes interview

Vic Joseph held a sit-down interview with Carmelo backstage. He asked if Carmelo attacked Trick Williams. Carmelo asked if this was an interrogation.

Carmelo said if he would have had to go through Trick to win that four-way last week for a title shot, he would have. He said his motivation is not just the NXT title, but the title of “Him,” and how can he be “Him” without the NXT title.

Carmelo said “Justice for Trick” and walked off the set while Vic tried to ask more questions and was ignored.

Much more of a heelish edge to Carmelo here than anytime recently, obviously. This was not a good promo.

**********

Meta-Four were backstage with Shotzi & Scarlett. Akira Tozawa stole the Heritage Cup while Meta-Four argued with one another about a ouija board.

**********

Lexis King’s in-ring debut: Lexis King defeated Dante Chen

King entered on a throne. He said “Brian Pillman is dead, long live Lexis King.”

They had a simple and short match that King won with a draping, spinning neckbreaker after a superkick.

“My way, my life,” King said after the match.

Lexis King sounds like the name of a credit bureau. Nothing about this did King any favors.

**********

Chase U backstage segment

Chase U were backstage preparing for their Tag Team title match. Thea Hail promised not to throw in the towel. The Family came in to wish Andre Chase & Duke Hudson luck.

NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament semifinals: Kelani Jordan defeated Arianna Grace

Jordan won after an impressive legdrop and a split-legged moonsault.

As with all the matches in this Breakout Tournament so far, they kept it simple and did well.

**********

Mr. Stone & Von Wagner segment

Mr. Stone & Von Wagner had a heart-to-heart at the physical therapy facility. Stone said he’s going to avenge his friend next week as he tries to land one punch or one slap against Bron Breakker. Wagner said “we’re friends?” Stone said “yes, we’re friends.”

Wagner said he’s still not feeling up to cornering Stone next week.

**********

Shotzi & Scarlett welcomed us back from commercial in new costumes. They plugged their YouTube show.

The Creeds & Ivy Nile interrupted and wanted a match against Angel & Humberto. Shotzi said they should spin the wheel to decide what kind of match they should have.

Next week The Creeds will face Angel & Humberto in a Tables, Ladders & Scares match.

Shotzi was Edward Scissorhands, Scarlett was apparently a vampire, but just looked like a lingerie model to me.

**********

NXT Tag Team Championship match: Chase U’s Andre Chase & Duke Hudson (w/Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne) defeated Tony D’Angelo & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo to win the titles

Stacks hit an impressive dive onto Chase & Hudson as they went to a commercial break early in the bout.

Back from break, Stacks missed an elbow drop to allow Chase to tag Hudson and switch the momentum. Hudson hit a boss man slam for a near fall.

Stacks escaped a Fratliner and managed a tag to Tony D. Stacks & Tony D reestablished the advantage as they cut Chase off in their half of the ring. Stacks & Tony D did their version of the Power & Glory superplex spot for a near fall with Hudson breaking up the pinfall attempt on Chase.

Stacks & Hudson fought to the floor. Jayne tried to pass a foreign object to Chase, but he refused to use it. Chase sent Tony D into the ropes and bumped Jayne off the apron, then caught Tony D in a pinning combination to win the titles.

Jayne & Hail celebrated with Hudson & Chase in the ring as the Chase U student section went crazy.

Stacks & Tony D are good & Chase U is a fun act, God bless everyone involved.

Nathan Frazer’s Hard Hitting Home Truths

Frazer said he was going to beat Dominik Mysterio for the North American title next week if Mami let Dom take his balls out of her purse. Frazer said last year’s Halloween Havoc was a bad night for him but he’s back stronger and faster than ever. 

**********

A video package aired with Irish fans weighing in on social media regarding the all-Irish main event on tonight’s show.

**********

Baron Corbin promo

McKenzie Mitchell interviewed Baron backstage. She asked if he attacked Trick Williams last week, which Corbin denied. Corbin said he came this close to earning a shot at the NXT Championship last week.

A good promo.

Lights Out match: Blair Davenport defeated Gigi Dolin

The crowd chanted for tables. Davenport teased setting one up, but then denied the fans.

The big spot of the match was Davenport hitting a falcon arrow off the announce desk through another table to set up the pinfall victory.

They had a decent weapons brawl with straps, chairs, tables, etc.

Ilja Dragunov sit-down interview

Vic interviewed Ilja backstage. He said Carmelo is a desperate man and not focused enough to regain his title next week. Ilja said the intangibles will be the difference in their match.

Carmelo was shown watching the interview on a monitor. Scarlett & Shotzi approached dressed as the twins from The Shining & said that all signs point to him being Trick’s attacker last week. Carmelo said they should go bother somebody else.

**********

Tiffany Stratton & Fallon Henley promo

Sarah Schreiber interviewed Tiffany. Tiffany said said she likes Sarah better than McKenzie already. Fallon Henley interrupted dressed as Tiffany for Halloween and did a pitch-perfect Tiffany impression. The two brawled, likely setting up a match for next week.

NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament semifinals: Lola Vice defeated Karmen Petrovic

They exchanged the advantage with a series of kicks early. They did a lengthy sequence of irish whip reversal spots that led to Vice being sent to the floor. Petrovic hit a nice dive to the floor.

Immediately off the dive, they got back in the ring and Vice hit a high kick for the pin.

The finish came out of nowhere. Both competitors have good strikes. Booker T said that Lola is spicy and you want to put that spice on everything.

Chase U celebration

Andre, Duke, Thea, and Jacy were celebrating their victory backstage when Chelsea Green & Piper Niven interrupted in costume. Thea & Jacy said they were going to ask Shawn Michaels for a Tag Team title shot against Chelsea & Piper.

**********

Lyra & Becky were shown backstage as they prepared for the main event, which is next.

**********

Meta-Four segment

Meta-Four were complaining to a security guard that they didn’t have video surveillance to determine who stole the Heritage Cup. Lash Legend showed Noam Dar a photo of Tozawa with the Heritage Cup and Dar freaked out.

Carmelo Hayes & Bron Breakker backstage

Bron said he and Melo would be fighting for the top spot in the industry for decades. Bron said that whether or not Carmelo attacked Trick, he did what he had to do. He said that once he puts away Mr. Stone & Carmelo beats Ilja next week, they can get back to their rivalry.

Jade Cargill arrives

Cargill made a grand entrance to watch the main event from a platform in the arena.

NXT Women’s Champonship: Lyra Valkyria defeated Becky Lynch to win the title

There were loud dueling chants.

They went 50/50 to establish Valkyria as a credible challenger. Becky used her matrix escape from a pinfall attempt, then Lyra did the same. They hit simultaneous crossbodies into a double down.

Becky blocked one northern lights suplex attempt, but Lyra continued to fight for it and finally hit one. Becky countered with a Bexploder. Becky teased a leg slice off the ropes, but Lyra escaped. Lyra avoided a baseball slide and hit a dropkick through the ropes to the apron with Lynch on the floor.

Lyra hit the leg slice that Becky teased earlier for a two count. Lyra avoided the Manhandle Slam and hit a missile dropkick for another near fall. Lyra avoided a Disarm Her. Becky used sliced bread out of the corner for a near fall of her own.

Lyra again avoided the Manhandle and they traded cradles. Becky got an armbar applied, but Lyra escaped and stacked Becky up for two.

Lyra hit a fisherman’s suplex for two. Lyra went to the top rope and missed a splash. Becky got the Disarm Her, but Lyra reached the ropes to force a break.

Lyra hit a sit-out powerbomb out of the corner for two, then went back to the top rope. Becky cut her off and hit a superplex into a DDT for another two count.

Lyra fought out of a powerbomb attempt out of the corner and hit a spinning high kick for a near fall.
Becky blocked a kick and turned it into a Manhandle Slam, but Lyra kicked out at two.

Lyra escaped another Manhandle Slam and trapped Becky’s shoulders for the pin and the upset victory.

The two hugged and Becky raised Lyra’s arm, then left the ring to Lyra to celebrate her title win.

**********

I’m going to miss Becky having great title matches on the show every other week if this is the end of her NXT run, but this was another in a series of classics that she put on as NXT Women’s Champion.

**********

Next week —

  • NXT Championship: Ilja Dragunov defends against Carmelo Hayes
  • NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio defends against Nathan Frazer
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven defend against Thea Hail & Jacy Jayne
  • Tables, ladders & scares match: Creed Brothers vs. Angel Garza & Humberto Carillo
  • Women’s Breakout Tournament finals: Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice
  • Bron Breakker vs. Mr. Stone
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Fallon Henley

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc live results: Breakker vs. Dragunov vs. McDonagh

Posted on by Parker Klyn

NXT’s third annual Halloween Havoc event takes place tonight, streaming live on Peacock/WWE Network starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

The show will be headlined by Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Dragunov vs. JD McDonagh for the NXT Championship. But it could be Austin Theory who walks out of Halloween Havoc with the NXT title. Theory appeared on NXT earlier this week and teased cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase.

Two other title bouts are also set for tonight. Mandy Rose is set to put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Alba Fyre, while the vacant NXT North American Championship will be up for grabs in a ladder match. Carmelo Hayes, Oro Mensah, Wes Lee, Von Wagner, and Nathan Frazer are the ladder match participants.

Grudge matches round out the remainder of the Halloween Havoc card. Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade will meet in a Weapons Wild match, Julius Creed takes on Damon Kemp in an ambulance match, and Apollo Crews faces off with Grayson Waller (stipulation to be determined).

Tonight’s pre-show begins at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and features McKenzie Mitchell, Sam Roberts, and an appearance by Busted Open Radio’s Dave LaGreca.

**********

Kickoff Show —

The kickoff show panel was McKenzie Mitchell, Sam Roberts, and Dave LaGreca.

The main hosts of Halloween Havoc were Shotzi and Quincy Elliott. They spun the wheel, and it was determined that Apollo Crews vs. Grayson Waller would be contested in a Casket Match. Apollo was thrilled by the news, but Waller was concerned.

In an online exclusive promo, Alba Fyre was confident in facing Mandy Rose. Back live, Rose wasn’t worried about the match, but the rest of Toxic Attraction tried to get her to take Alba seriously. (The movie character “Chucky” was seated behind them.)

NXT Halloween Havoc report —

Shotzi and Quincy Elliott introduced the show.

Wes Lee defeated Carmelo Hayes (w/ Trick Williams), Nathan Frazer, Von Wagner, & Oro Mensah in a Ladder Match to win the vacant NXT North American Championship [19:55]

This was an awesome five-way ladder match with tons of cool, innovative spots and fast-paced action. I think Lee winning is an absolutely inspired choice as I feared they’d go with the safe choice in Melo, who is ready to move on from this title picture.

After everyone jockeyed for position at the start, it was Frazer and Mensah left in the ring. Frazer took out Mensah and climbed the ropes before re-directing to dive onto Wagner. He worked together with Mensah to take out their opponents with a ladder, then when Mensah got taken out, he drove Melo into the ladder. Mensah stopped Frazer’s climb, then Lee stopped Mensah from doing the same.

Mensah backdropped Melo onto a ladder but ran into a dropkick from Lee. Wagner re-entered the fray and took out Lee with a boot. Frazer tried to take a ladder from Wagner but was powerbombed into it for his trouble. Melo dispatched Wagner and climbed a ladder. In a great spot, Frazer sent Melo crashing from the ladder with a dropkick before running right into a ladder-assisted senton from Lee. 

Melo recovered, but Frazer countered a springboard into an inverted Spanish Fly onto a ladder. There was a parade of big moves, including Melo clotheslining Lee and himself to the floor. Mensah was left in the ring, so he set up a ladder and climbed. Trick Williams met him on the other side and dumped Mensah onto the other four men. Mensah took a nasty landing.

Robert Stone ran out and climbed. He and Trick were at the top of the ladder; Stone hit Trick with a shoe, but Trick overturned the ladder, sending Stone crashing to the floor. Back in the ring, Wagner continued to use the ladder as a weapon. Out on the outside, Wagner pulled a bigger ladder out from under the ring and inadvertently ended up striking or nearly striking a woman in the front row; luckily everyone seemed to be okay. He set up the ladder as a bridge between the apron and the barricade.

Lee got involved and Wagner ended up prone on the ladder, so Frazer sent him through it with a frog splash. There was another parade of big moves, with Melo springboarding off the barricade and Lee hitting a cannonball splash off the steel steps. Lee produced another giant ladder, which Wagner set up. Wagner press slammed Lee from the ring onto the announce table, which didn’t break. So nasty.

Wagner climbed, but Frazer met him at the top and stomped him down. Wagner got Frazer in powerbomb position, leading to Frazer pulling Wagner out of the ring on a headscissor takeover. Mensah took Wagner out with a wild tackle, then he and Frazer repeatedly struck Wagner with a smaller ladder to permanently eliminate Wagner from contention.

Back in the ring, Frazer and Mensah climbed to the the top and fought each other to reach the ladder. Mensah eventually pushed Frazer down, but Melo showed up and pulled Mensah down. Melo climbed to the top, but Lee climbed a giant ladder and sprung up to send Melo to the mat. They both fought while standing on a ladder bridge in the ring; Lee finally took out Melo with a meteora onto the bridge. That bought Lee enough time to climb the ladder and win the championship.

– After the match, Lee broke down in tears and was showered with “You deserve it!” chants. 

**********

JD McDonagh was shown meditating backstage.

**********

NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose (c) (w/ Toxic Attraction) vs. Alba Fyre PRE-MATCH SEGMENT

This was indescribably stupid and a complete waste of time.

It was a cinematic match. Rose, Dolin, and Jayne drove up to Alba’s location. Rose played the straight woman as Dolin was excited and Jayne was terrified. Zombiez tried to scare them, but Rose no-sold it. 

They entered the building with flashlights and continued to bicker. Rose decided it would be a good plan to split up, which Jayne didn’t like. The camera followed Jayne, who was taken out by Alba. Dolin, meanwhile, met Chucky and some monsters at a table. Alba surprised her as well, but Dolin put up more of a fight than Jayne. Eventually, however, Alba shut Dolin in a freezer.

Finally, we caught up with Rose, who encountered Alba after being startled by an organ. Alba attacked her with a baseball bat, and her monstrous associates prevented Rose from gaining the upper hand. Outside, Alba shut Rose in her car and whacked Toxic Attraction with the bat. She drove off, and then we came back to the arena, where the announcers were stunned.

**********

Apollo Crews defeated Grayson Waller in a Casket Match [11:06]

Two straight incredibly bad segments that made no sense. I guess there was some passable action at the end? That’s it.

They had a rapid back-and-forth exchange at the start, with Apollo getting the upper hand on an Asai moonsault. As Apollo beat Waller down on the announce table, Waller grabbed a pen and stabbed at Apollo’s face, allowing him to gain control of the match. He kept up his attack on Apollo on the floor.

The two jockeyed for position on the top rope, with Waller pushing Apollo into the casket. For some reason, the match wasn’t over. Then the lights went out. When they came back on, eerie music played and druids brought out another casket. Apollo had recovered, and he attacked Waller with the steel steps. (I have literally no idea what happened there or what it was supposed to be.)

There was a new casket set up on the side of the ring. Waller eventually got Apollo fully in the casket, but Apollo fought back when Waller tried to shut the door. They both escaped the area. Apollo landed a diving crossbody on Waller out on the floor. Apollo nearly had Waller in the casket, but Waller hit a rolling cutter to buy himself a breather.

Apollo recovered to hit a double-knee facebuster and nearly shut Waller in the casket. He was eventually able to chokeslam Waller into the casket for the win.

**********

A Chase U segment played, where Andre Chase was frustrated with some of his students’ performance on a “history of Halloween” assignment. He revealed that Duke Hudson is a new transfer student. Duke answered an extra credit question correctly, which angered Bodhi Hayward.

**********

Pretty Deadly were backstage. They’re not worried about defending against Malik Blade and Edris Enofe this week. Kayden Carter and Katana Chance walked up and said they were the best tag champions on the brand.

**********

Roxanne Perez defeated Cora Jade in a Weapons Wild match [13:23]

Yet another bad hardcore match on this show. This was pretty comparable to Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey at Extreme Rules — lots of plodding, slow, boring brawling. The major high spot came across so contrived, and the fans were more behind Cora, the heel, than they were behind Roxanne.

Roxanne attacked right away with a skateboard. She dominated early on and set up a table as Cora crawled under the ring. When Roxanne pulled Cora out from under the ring, Cora sprayed her with cold spray and swung her into the barricade. Back in the ring, Cora attacked with a chair and a trashcan. 

On the outside, Cora choked Roxanne with a rope. She produced a chain, but Roxanne avoided the shot and came back with the rope. Back inside, Roxanne hit a kendo stick-assisted Russian legsweep for two. Roxanne maintained control until Cora gained some space and ran into the stands. 

They eventually met each other on a high platform of some sort. Cora slammed Roxanne on the hard surface and pulled away the barrier. Roxanne fought back and had a chance to send Cora crashing down, but they weirdly re-adjusted and both fell down through ladders. (I think it was supposed to look like Cora pulling Roxanne down, but it just looked like they both jumped off together.)

Eventually, they made their way to the ring, where a pile of chairs was set up. Roxanne backdropped Cora onto it and hit the Pop Rocks through the chairs for the win.

**********

There was a segment with show hosts Shotzi and Quincy Elliott coming out to the ring. They started to do some schtick, but then Lash Legend interrupted. She has a problem with someone from Smackdown hosting the show, when Lash feels she’d do it better. Shotzi got in her face and hit her with a DDT.

**********

There was a Schism video promo. They have a new member who will “remove his mask.” 

**********

Julius Creed defeated Damon Kemp in an Ambulance match [14:52]

Finally, more good stuff beyond just the opener! This was way more intense than most safety-proofed WWE hardcore matches with some wild bumps and weapon shots. Both of these guys have a ton of potential.

If Julius loses, his brother Brutus will be forced to leave NXT. Julius exploded right out of the gate, disarming Kemp’s chair and hitting a head-and-arm suplex out on the floor. They moved to a backstage area where an ambulance was set up. Julius nearly shut Kemp into it, but Kemp blocked the door from shutting with a crutch and used it to attack Julius. 

Back towards the ring, Julius recovered by spraying Kemp with a fire extinguisher. Kemp fired back with a back suplex on the floor and tossed Julius into the steel steps. They moved back in the direction of the ambulance, where Kemp sent Julius into the vehicle and nearly got it closed.

Julius fired up and drove Kemp into the ring post, but back inside the ring, Kemp planted Julius on the steel steps with a spinebuster. On the outside, Julius fought back and trapped Kemp in a wheelchair with a crutch before sending him into the steps again. 

They fought for control of a stretcher, leading to Kemp sending Julius into the post once again. They started chucking things at each other, including the ring bell. Kemp dropped Julius in a laundry cart and repeatedly pushed it into the ambulance. He threw Julius back into the ambulance, but Julius would not let Kemp shut the door, putting his fingers in the way.

Julius exploded out of the ambulance and slammed Kemp through a table. He repeatedly whacked Kemp with chair shots and dropped him on a stretcher before clotheslining him through a chair. Julius carried Kemp to the ambulance and slammed it shut to win the match.

**********

As the ambulance from the previous match drove away, we saw Mandy Rose’s Range Rover pull up with Alba Fyre driving it. Rose tried to escape into the building and then the ring, and when they both entered, the match was under way with a referee and everything. No Toxic Attraction.

NXT Women’s Championship: Mandy Rose (c) defeated Alba Fyre [6:24]

I didn’t understand this at all. Rose’s reign has been the exact same for literally a full year, with constant distraction and interference finishes interspersed with bad, boring wrestling. They finally do something different — still really bad, but different — and then they end up doing the same distraction ref bump finish as always! What is the point?! Remember when this belt was a highlight of NXT TakeOver while being held by people like Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Asuka, Shayna Baszler, Ember Moon, Kairi Sane, Rhea Ripley, Io Shirai…?

Alba dominated at the start until Rose got an opening by pushing Alba off the top rope to the floor. Rose was in control for a long time considering she had been kidnapped/incapacitated/scared out of her mind by Alba for the previous 90 minutes. Simultaneous clotheslines led to a double down. 

Rose hit a spinebuster for two. Alba came back with a powerbomb for two of her own. She climbed the ropes and hit a swanton bomb, but both of Toxic Attraction pulled the official out of the ring. Alba superkicked Jayne into the official and Dolin and hit a Gory Bomb, but there was no official to count. 

Jayne and Dolin took out Alba, and Rose hit Kiss The Rose for the win.

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NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 contenders Zoey Stark and Nikkita Lyons were backstage. Stark talked about her journey, and Lyons said she’d do it for her. Malik Blade and Edris Enofe appeared, and the two teams hyped each other up ahead of their title matches on Tuesday.

NXT lineup (10/25) —

  • Kayden Carter & Katana Chance (c) vs. Zoey Stark & Nikkita Lyons
  • Pretty Deadly (c) vs. Malik Blade & Edris Enofe
  • Shotzi vs. Lash Legend

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NXT Championship: Bron Breakker (c) defeated Ilja Dragunov & JD McDonagh [23:34]

Awesome main event and probably the best Bron match yet. Dragunov and McDonagh are still incredible in-ring talents. After a somewhat slow start, this turned into a crazy hard-hitting affair with a real big-fight feel, and the dynamic of the two powerhouses vs. the despicable weasel was a ton of fun.

Dragunov went right at McDonagh, then Bron did the same, as they essentially ended up fighting for the privilege of beating up on McDonagh. The Irishman took advantage of their infighting and targeted Bron. There was a lot of two-in, one-out fighting as one man would cut off another as they had control on the third. Bron and Dragunov had a long exchange as McDonagh would try to sneak out a win with a quick roll-up.

At one point, when McDonagh tried to get involved, Dragonov cut him off and laid in hammer-and-anvil elbows for the near-stoppage. He then hit a running Death Valley bomb on McDonagh onto Bron in the corner before landing a coast-to-coast dropkick on both.

Bron and Dragunov laid into each other with a slugfest in the center of the ring. McDonagh was proud of himself for being the last one standing, but Dragunov popped up and pursued him out of the ring, chasing him into a backdrop from Bron. Both Bron and Dragunov traded punches and chops on McDonagh before tossing him out of the ring.

Dragunov turned his attention to Bron, who fired up with a hard clothesline. He pressed Dragunov up but was cut off by a headbutt from McDonagh. They were all down until Breakker and McDonagh made their way to the top turnbuckle. Bron landed a Frankensteiner, sending McDonagh into Dragunov.

The three all traded strikes. Dragunov crushed McDonagh with a senton before Bron sent him to the outside with a spear. McDonagh then hit an Asai moonsault on both opponents. Back in the ring, Dragunov powerbombed Bron for a near fall, crushed him with a forearm for another near fall, and then McDonagh hit a 450 splash on Dragunov for yet another near fall.

McDonagh hit Bron with a sheer drop brainbruster for another near fall. Dragunov countered the Devil Inside into repeated German suplexes. Bron then popped up and hit both opponents with a double German. He landed the diving bulldog on Dragunov, followed it up with the military press powerslam, but McDonagh pulled him off and covered Dragunov for a great near fall. 

Bron dispatched McDonagh and set up for a Spear, but Dragunov countered it into a rising knee. Dragunov landed a diving senton and landed Torpedo Moscow. He covered and had it won, but McDonagh stopped the official from counting “three.” Dragunov and McDonagh traded strikes until they both left the ring, where McDonagh countered a running clothesline into a Spanish Fly on the floor.

McDonagh produced a chair and swung it at Dragunov’s foot, but Dragunov avoided landed and hit a step-up diving headbutt. Back in the ring, it was Bron and Dragunov. Dragunov laid in strikes, but Bron wouldn’t go down until Dragunov hit a German and an overhand lariat. He called for Torpedo Moscow but was cut off by a Bron Spear for the win.

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Final Thoughts —

This show was practically the definition of “hit-and-miss.” The hits (the opener, the main event, Julius vs. Kemp) all had a super tight layout and exciting, hard-hitting wrestling. The misses (Rose vs. Alba, Apollo vs. Waller, Roxanne vs. Cora) all featured genuinely awful moments and some baffling booking. Still, the show’s high marks proved that NXT continues to have a decently bright future after the failed 2.0 experiment.