Welcome to WrestlePurists’ Coverage of the October 24th Episode of WWE NXT Halloween Havoc
The show opens with a performance by “New Year’s Day.” Something new to kick off this week’s show.
As advertised, Shotzi and Scarlett are hosting tonight’s festivities. They had some killer costumes. Shotzi as Pinhead from “Hellraiser” was a nice touch.
Devil’s Playground Match: Roxanne Perez Defeats Kiana James
This match featured random weapons following a haunted playground theme placed around the ring. A comically small children’s slide, kiddie pool and a swing set were amongst other hilarious items. Roxanne wins by pinfall.
Following the match, backstage, Carmelo Hayes is asked if he was the one that jumped Trick Williams last week. He absolutely denies being the one that attacked his best friend. The conversation turns to Melo’s match with Ilja Dragunov. He says that his motivation isn’t just the NXT title, but also the title of HIM. He isn’t satisfied without having a title. He wants to leave no doubt about who he is. He says he will have to do what he’s got to do.
Noam Dar, Oro Mensah and Lash Legend are getting a tarot card reading from Scarlett. She tells them that something bad is in their future. Noam calls it hocus pocus but as the group is freaking out, Akira Tozawa sneaks in and steals the NXT Heritage Cup!
Lexis King Defeats Dante Chen
A solid debut for Lexis King. He wins with a modified version of Randy Orton’s middle rope DDT, only he finishes the move with a corkscrew neckbreaker similar to the Cross Rhodes.
Duke Hudson, Andre Chase, Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne are in the locker room talking about tonight’s tag title match with The Family. As they discuss, Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo come into the room and wish them luck.
NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Semi Finals: Kelani Jordan Defeats Arianna Grace
Kelani wins with a springboard moonsault. She moves onto the finals of the tournament.
Von Wagner Rehab Segment
Von asks Stone why he challenged Bron Breakker to a match. He tells him he’s too dangerous. He says he won’t be anywhere near ready to be in his corner next week. Stone says it’s not fair that his friend can barely walk and Bron gets to wrestle. Von asks Stone if he really is a friend and Stone says yes. Stone says he will take care of Bron on his own. An inspired Von Wagner is able to walk a little further today.
After a commercial we return to Shotzi and Scarlett. Diamond Mine interrupts and asks them to spin the wheel for their match next week against Humberto Carrilo and Angel Garza. It will be a Table, Ladders and Stairs match.
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Duke Hudson and Andre Chase Defeat Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo
This was a very good tag team title match. Duke Hudson and Andre Chase are the new NXT tag team champions!
Nathan Frazer Presents Hard Hitting Truths
Nathan begins by burying Dominik Mysterio for his antics. He says the only reason he has the North American Championship is because of Rhea. He talks about he came back from injury even stronger than before. He then challenges Dom to a match for the North American Championship next week at Halloween Havoc Night 2.
McKenzie Mitchell is interviewing Baron Corbin. Baron says he did all the hard work in last week’s match and Carmelo took advantage. McKenzie asks if he was the one that jumped Trick Williams, and he denies the accusation. He said he only cares about the NXT title and that Ilja better be ready if he survives next week.
Lights Out Match: Blair Davenport Defeats Gigi Dolin
These two ladies brought it tonight and really beat the heck out of each other. Blair Davenport wins by pinfall.
We then see interview footage with Ilja Dragunov. Dragunov says that his life was a struggle and that it prepared him for today. He says his son looked at him with pride when he brought home the NXT Championship and it was plenty of motivation. He says Carmelo will break like he did at No Mercy. He says Carmelo will be a desperate man and that he is lacking focus. He says the intangibles will be the deciding factor.
We then see that Carmelo is watching the interview backstage when Shotzi and Scarlett show up dressed like the little girls from The Shining. They tell him the cards told them that he was the one that attacked Trick Williams. He tells them to go bother someone else.
Backstage, Sarah Schreiber interviews Tiffany Stratton. Fallon Henley shows up dressed like Tiffany, making fun of her personality and mannerisms. Stratton pretends to leave only to punch Fallon in the face which leads to the two women brawling in the women’s locker room.
NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament Semi Finals: Lola Vice Defeats Karmen Petrovic
This was a shorter match but still solid work. Lola wins by pinfall so she will face Kelani Jordan in the tournament finals next week.
Backstage we see Chase U celebrating their championship victory when Chelsea Green and Piper Nevin interrupt. Jacy Jayne tells them they don’t even go here and tells them to take a hike. Green says she is going to file a complaint because nobody talks to the WWE Women’s Tag Team champions like that! Jacy then challenges the champs to match for the belts next week.
We come back from commercial to Noam Dar and company freaking out about the missing Heritage Cup. As they argue, Noam receives a text that tells him he needs to come get the cup at a haunted house.
Bron Breakker approaches Carmelo Hayes in the locker room. He tells Melo he made the right move attacking Trick which he continues to deny. Bron tells him to keep that killer instinct and if he does so, that he will get his title back next week. He vows to take out Stone as well so that the two can get back to fighting over the title. Melo is unimpressed.
Jade Cargill arrives to watch tonight’s main event.
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Lyra Valkyria Defeats Becky Lynch
The ladies delivered another very good main event this week. A shocking victory for Lyra Valkyria as she wins after kicking out of the Manhandle Slam. This match absolutely elevated Lyra. Becky gave her everything, and the torch looks to have been passed. Great stuff here. This is what NXT is all about. Getting talent to that next level. Lyra Valkyria is your new NXT Women’s Champion!
Final Thoughts
A fully loaded show that flew by. The wrestling itself wasn’t quite on par with what we have been seeing in NXT lately but it was still an entertaining two hours that kept my attention throughout. I always enjoy Halloween themed pro wrestling events and the visuals tonight were a lot of fun.
