November 3, 2025 Observer Newsletter: WWE SNME preview, El Hijo del Santo announces retirement tour, NXT Halloween Havoc review

Image: WWE

Dave Meltzer returns with the new Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

He looks ahead at this weekend’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, the first Peacock exclusive edition, that will see a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion crowned.

Mexican legend El Hijo del Santo announced his retirement tour which Dave breaks down, in addition to a review of last weekend’s NXT Halloween Havoc.

Dave also looks at the key candidates for the Japan & Mexico wings of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, the news from all over the wrestling week, and more.

Click here to read as reading is your friend.

WOL: NXT Halloween Havoc & AEW Collision recaps

With a busy weekend of wrestling in the rearview, Andrew Zarian breaks everything down on Wrestling Observer Live.

That includes WWE NXT Halloween Havoc which featured an unexpected win in the women’s division, a very good Lucha-style match with Ethan Page, and the return of the Hardys to NXT in a match that didn’t live up to the expectations they led you to believe.

He also breaks down AEW Collision as a continuation of the story between Hangman Page and Samoa Joe, leading up to Full Gear. Additionally, he discusses the development of the women’s division as they get ready to crown their inaugural AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions.

AAA Heroes Inmortales took place Saturday featuring Dominik Mysterio retaining the AAA Mega Championship. Andrew talks about how he is positioned to be one of the biggest stars in WWE for years to come.

Plus, a preview of AEW Fright Night Dynamite & Saturday Night Main Event, and IYO SKY returning to Japan.

Click here to listen or watch below on YouTube

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

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.

**********

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!

Fight Game: A look back at the first-ever WCW Halloween Havoc

Paul Fontaine is back as my guest host on the Halloween-themed edition of The Fight Game Podcast. We went live on the F4W YouTube channel and you can watch the video version below.

We kicked off with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going through our Top Five topics which included:

  • Our report card grades for NXT Halloween Havoc
  • Predictions for who wins next week’s AEW Dynamite and NXT head-to-head battle
  • Bobby Lashley’s AEW debut
  • WWE Crown Jewel preview
  • A mini-version of Observe This! with a look back on the very first ever Halloween Havoc

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Wrestling Observer Radio: Tons of medical updates, RAW, NXT PLE

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including medical updates on Phantasmo, Chris Bey, Vikingo, Maria and Steve Austin, ratings, the RAW report, NXT Halloween Havoc, upcoming lineups and more. A packed show, so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Health updates on Chris Bey, El Hijo del Vikingo, El Phantasmo, Maria Kanellis, Steve Austin
8:51: Wendy Barlow’s son/Ric Flair’s stepson Sebastian Kidder passes away
10:45: Big Boom AJ vs. QT Marshall set for AEW Full Gear
13:32: Mick Foley on CNN, Hulk Hogan and Dana White at Donald Trump Madison Square Garden rally
16:28: WWE MSG house show set for December 26
18:30: Ratings
25:31: Lineups for the week
29:56: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc thoughts
41:58: WWE Raw report, new Crown Jewel match

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Wrestling Observer Live: Chris Bey, Vikingo, weekend TV and news

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including updates on Chris Bey and Vikingo, all of the great wrestling over the weekend, the less great wrestling at Halloween Havoc, news on AEW trademarks and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Fight Game: Can Kyle Fletcher be a bigger star than Will Ospreay in AEW?

John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.

We kicked off with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going through our Top Five topics which included:

  • Kyle Fletcher’s star rising
  • The BCC vs. the AEW B Team
  • Jey Uso losing his WWE Intercontinental title to Bron Breakker and what it means for the Bloodline story
  • Kamille vs. Queen Aminata
  • MJF and Adam Cole at it again
  • NXT Halloween Havoc preview

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New matches announced for WWE NXT Halloween Havoc

Two new matches are set for Sunday’s WWE NXT Halloween Havoc PLE.

Added to the lineup, NXT Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan will defend her title against a member of Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx) in a spinner’s choice match as the shenanigans surrounding the Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal matches at Halloween Havoc continue.

Jordan is the only wrestler to hold the Women’s North American title since its inception earlier this year.

In a grudge match also newly added to Sunday’s event, Chase U’s Andre Chase will battle Ridge Holland in an ambulance match. Holland turned against Chase and put him out of action at the No Mercy PLE last month.

The five-match lineup for the Sunday, October 27 WWE NXT Halloween Havoc event:

  • NXT Champion Trick Williams defends against Ethan Page in a Devil’s Playground match
  • NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo defends against Oba Femi in a Tables, Ladders & Scares match
  • Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade vs. Giulia & Stephanie Vaquer
  • Andre Chase vs. Ridge Holland in an ambulance match
  • NXT Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan defends against a member of Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx) in a spinner’s choice match

Vignette for Australian wrestler Delta airs on WWE NXT

A new star is heading to NXT.

Before the main event of Tuesday’s show, a vignette aired featuring a red-headed woman walking down a crossroads on a deserted highway. Signs seen during the vignette showed the numbers 10 and 27. NXT’s next premium live event will be Halloween Havoc, which takes place on October 27 in Pennsylvania.

The vignettes may relate to Delta, a wrestler from Australia. A Fightful report from July indicated that she participated in a tryout during WWE’s time in Australia in February for the Elimination Chamber premium live event. She was offered a WWE contract but was allowed to finish the remaining date. The report also said she was slated to move to the United States in July.

Delta is best known for her appearances in Melbourne City Wrestling and Riot City Wrestling. She is a former MCW Women’s Champion and has held both the RCW Championship and the RCW Women’s title.

The opening match of Tuesday’s NXT saw Roxanne Perez retain the NXT Women’s Championship by defeating Giulia thanks to a returning Cora Jade, who laid Giulia out at ringside. Jade’s attack helped Perez pin Giulia to retain the title.

WWE announces details for NXT No Mercy, Halloween Havoc PLEs

The dates and locations have been set for WWE NXT’s next two PLEs.

WWE announced the details for the events today with No Mercy set to take place on Sunday, September 1 and Halloween Havoc being held on Sunday, October 27. Both shows will stream live on Peacock/WWE Network.

Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado is the venue for No Mercy. Halloween Havoc will take place from the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Those arenas will also host WWE Raw the night after their respective NXT events.

NXT/Raw combo tickets are going on sale on Friday, July 26 at 10 a.m. local time.

“We look forward to returning NXT to the road and delivering an unforgettable night of action to the amazing fan bases of Denver and Hershey, and for those watching at home,” Shawn Michaels said in a press release.

NXT Champion Ethan Page, NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez, NXT North American Champion Oba Femi, NXT Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan, Trick Williams, and Sol Ruca are among the talent advertised for the NXT events.

This is the second straight year that No Mercy has been an NXT PLE. It was previously used as a WWE pay-per-view name and was the name of WWE’s critically acclaimed video game for Nintendo 64 that was released in 2000.

Halloween Havoc was one of WCW’s most iconic PPVs before being brought back as an annual NXT event in 2020. It’s been a television special every year except for being a PLE in 2022 and 2024.

Fight Game: WWE Crown Jewel preview

John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.

To kick off this week’s top five, we looked at some of the issues we’ve had with AEW television of late.

Topics include:

  • Too much comedy that doesn’t hit in AEW
  • An excellent MJF vs. Kenny Omega match on AEW Collision which didn’t mean much after
  • Trying to find the logic of The Young Bucks being upset
  • Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes III from this past Tuesday’s NXT Halloween Havoc
  • Lola Vice’s fire
  • A match-by-match preview for WWE Crown Jewel

Also, I will be live after WWE Crown Jewel on YouTube for those interested.

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Bryan & Vinny Show: AEW Dynamite and Halloween Havoc ’23 Night 2

The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about in our review of AEW and NXT this week! We aren’t officially bringing back the vote, but Bryan and Vinny did consider and disagree on which was the better show this week. WHY? Find out! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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WWE NXT live results: Halloween Havoc night two

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.

Tables, Ladders & Scares match to kick off WWE NXT Halloween Havoc night two

A stipulation match is set to kick off night two of WWE NXT Halloween Havoc.

The two-week Halloween Havoc special concludes on USA Network this Tuesday night. WWE announced today that a Tables, Ladders & Scares match with The Creed Brothers facing Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo will open the episode.

Last week, the Tables, Ladders & Scares stipulation was chosen via Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal.

Garza & Carrillo are looking to honor their ancestors and bring glory to their family by defeating The Creed Brothers.

Both teams were part of a number one contender’s battle royal on the October 17 episode of NXT. The Creed Brothers eliminated Garza & Carrillo, but the referees didn’t see it. With their elimination going unnoticed, Garza & Carrillo returned and eliminated Julius & Brutus Creed. The Creed Brothers then got their revenge by costing Garza & Carrillo the match as well.

It appears that the Creed Brothers are being called up to the WWE main roster. They’re facing Chad Gable & Otis on Raw tonight.

Tuesday’s NXT is taking place on Halloween night. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the episode:

NXT Halloween Havoc night two (Tuesday, October 31) —

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