WWE NXT Halloween Havoc Live Full Show WWE NXT Halloween Havoc Highlights

 

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

Sana Ejaz Khan

Credit: WWE.com

Halloween Havoc is back! WWE NXT presented the October 28 edition of the event with several major title matches as well as memorable first-time bouts between some of the top stars of the black-and-gold brand.

Candice LeRae got another shot at NXT women's champion Io Shirai in a match type determined by Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal. Anything could happen in this physical bout between two of the best female wrestlers in NXT.

Johny gargano followed suit with his wife in a battle for the NXT North American champion Damian Priest. The Rebel Heart was concerned about just what stipulation he would be forced to endure against The Archer of Infamy.

Hoping to finally show who was the most dominant force in the women's division, Rhea Ripley challenged Raquel Gonzalez to a physical war of the tallest women on the brand.

Cameron Grimes backed himself into a corner and faced a challenge he was not prepared for. After ruining Dexter Lumis' title opportunity, The Tortured Artist was forced to face The Technical Savage in a Haunted House of Terror match.

Jake Atlas has been making a name for himself recently, and he finally had a chance to solidify his role in NXT in a non-title battle with the NXT cruiserweight champion Santos Escobar.

It was to be a spooky night but also one with plenty of high points from start to finish.

NXT NA Championship Devil's Playground: Damian Priest (c) vs. Johnny Gargano

1 OF 6

Credit: WWE.com

Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal began with a Devil's Playground match for Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest after Priest got a big live guitar entrance. The two men quickly went for weapons. The Rebel Heart grabbed a kendo stick, and The Archer of Infamy found a nightstick.

The two fought into the backstage area through the frightening stage props. Gargano used everything at his disposal, including a garbage can. The two battled to the stage where the wheel was set up, and someone in a Scream Ghostface mask caught Priest with a steel pipe.

Gargano smashed a tombstone over The Archer of Infamy's head to knock him off the stage. This set up a pinfall victory that made Gargano a two-time NXT North American champion.

          

Result

Gargano def. Priest by pinfall to become the new NXT North American champion.

           

Grade

B+

            

Analysis

This was a ridiculous match built on its stipulation. The two used weapons and battled all around the stage area. It was certainly not the best either man has, but they had already had a good pure wrestling match at NXT TakeOver. This was about having fun.

The finish was surprising. The Archer of Infamy seemed set for a long memorable title reign to test him. Instead, The Rebel Heart is back on top. He got help, much like Candice LeRae has gotten support from Indi Hartwell. It seems like the Garganos are building a stable of helpers to keep them relevant.

Hopefully, it pays off in the end for LeRae as well rather than Gargano continually collecting more gold.

Pat McAfee Introduces the Group That Will Take Over NXT

2 OF 6

Pat McAfee stood with Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch and taunted Undisputed Era. He told the world that he had originally chosen Ridge Holland but took another options after Holland's injury. He knew he had the right guys to take over NXT.

Kyle O'Reilly came out alone followed by Pete Dunne. The Bruiserweight looked ready to help O'Reilly before smashing him in the back with a steel chair. The heels laid out the only member of Undisputed Era left standing.

           

Grade

B

            

Analysis

This was too telegraphed to work as a surprise, but Dunne is the perfect fourth man to contest Undisputed Era. This is clearly a set up for WarGames. That should be a great fight inside the cage that can hopefully fully establish Lorcan and Burch.

McAfee is a good mouthpiece for this group, even if he does not quite fit the bruiser style of the rest of the crew. He can sell himself as a bruiser while selling the rest better than they usually can on the mic.

Santos Escobar vs. Jake Atlas

3 OF 6

Jake Atlas was at a disadvantage from the outset against Legado del Fantasma. Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza got involved to save Santos Escobar at crucial moments that sealed the victory for the NXT cruiserweight champion. The Phantom Driver ended it quickly.

Ember Moon explained in a video package that she remembered the old scared Dakota Kai, and The War Goddess was not afraid of the new Kai.

          

Result

Escobar def. Atlas by pinfall.

           

Grade

D+

            

Analysis

This was a waste of talent. Escobar vs. Atlas is a match-up that could be the centerpiece of the cruiserweight division. However, short contests like this take away from that mystique. Atlas has a gripe against Wilde and Mendoza, but he still could not last four minutes in the ring with Escobar.

Legado del Fantasma needs a real rival. The talent present cannot contest this crew. Escobar is too unstoppable, even though Isaiah "Swerve" Scott has pinned him a few times. That feud has run its course.

Haunted House of Terror: Cameron Grimes vs. Dexter Lumis

4 OF 6

Credit: WWE.com

William Regal found Cameron Grimes and led him to a van backstage where he was greeted by Michael P.S. Hayes.

The Technical Savage tried to be confident as he entered the haunted house, but he quickly found his air of confidence dissipate. He ran every time he saw Dexter Lumis, and he found many other frightening zombies.

He got back to the van only to see The Tortured Artist in the van and began running down the street in terror. He ran all the way back to the NXT arena.

Zombies crawled toward Grimes, who was forced into the ring to face Lumis. A female zombie climbed onto The Tortured Artist and jumped onto The Technical Savage. Lumis planted Grimes with a kata gatame into the Silence for the win(?).

           

Result

Lumis def. Grimes by technical submission.

          

Grade

A-

            

Analysis

This will not be for everyone, but the supposed match was more a tour through a haunted house. It worked perfectly for what it was. The Technical Savage is ridiculously over the top, perfectly suited for this insane short horror show.

Lumis did not have much to do, but he has always been great at terrifying with a cold stoic look. While this feud seemed like a mistake for a straightforward in-ring fight, the tone of this rivalry has been perfect for both men. The two clearly needed zombies in their matches together.

Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Gonzalez

5 OF 6

Raquel Gonzalez asserted her strength advantage early against Rhea Ripley, powerbombing her into the glass panel. She continued to wear down The Nightmare with physical offense. However, Ripley hit her second gear and never looked back.

The Nightmare reversed out of a one-arm powerbomb attempt with a headscissors takedown. A big boot and Riptide followed to seal the big victory.

Drake Maverick was dressed up as Hulk Hogan while Killian Dain was the Shockmaster, and Maverick had to remind how to be a proper Shockmaster. Tommaso Ciampa cut a promo on NXT, saying that everyone was complaining too much on social media and not fighting enough.

          

Result

Ripley def. Gonzalez by pinfall.

           

Grade

B+

            

Analysis

While these two women have so much more in them with time to grow in the ring, this was a fun clash of dominant stars. Gonzalez impressed by keeping up with the more experienced performer. The two never looked out of place together.

This is a match that should happen down the line with no interruptions on a bigger stage. Gonzalez proved she deserved more big-time matches. It made sense for her to lose this time, but next time may be a different story based on where she has progressed to as an in-ring competitor.

NXT Women's Title Tables, Ladders & Scares: Io Shirai (c) vs. Candice LeRae

6 OF 6

After a Poppy performance brought Io Shirai to the ring, Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal decided Candice LeRae would fight Io Shirai in a Tables, Ladders & Scares match. The women went right for the ladders and chairs.

This got brutal as both women were willing to do anything to the other to win. After doing so much damage, the two finally started setting up ladders to retrieve the NXT Women's Championship. The Genius of the Sky missed a moonsault and landed leg-first on a steel chair.

The Poison Pixie took advantage, going after the bad leg of Shirai, until the NXT women's champion planted her spine first on a standing chair. It got worse for both women after LaRae hit a swinging neckbreaker on Shirai through a pair of table.

The figure in the Ghostface mask ran in to help The Poison Pixie, but Shotzi Blackheart stopped the figure in time. LeRae still was at the top of the ladder after the action, but Shirai recovered and knocked her off a ladder through another ladder. The Genius of the Sky pulled down the title to win.

          

Result

Shirai def. LeRae by grabbing the hanging title to retain the NXT Women's Championship.

           

Grade

A

            

Analysis

Shirai and LeRae have fantastic chemistry that comes out in every match. This was still not their best match together, but it had a much different focus to their previous clashes. The weapons were the centerpiece as well as how well both women can sell the damage they inflict on one another.

The contest made clear that both women could win at any time. LeRae was able to constantly dodge the offense of Shirai, letting her smack into steel. She played it smart but crashed and burned at the end.

In the end, Shirai continues a fantastic title reign. She has been incredible every time out with her title defenses. LeRae is among NXT's best and hopefully gets her own time in the sun soon. Johnny Gargano cannot be the only family member winning gold

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AEW Dynamite Full Show 28 Octoer 2020 AEW Dynamite Highlights

 

AEW Dynamite Live 10/28/20

AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights for October 28

Sana Ejaz Khan

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

With just over a week until Full Gear live on pay-per-view, All Elite Wrestling produced an episode of Dynamite headlined by TNT Champion Cody defending his title, the latest in the World Title Eliminator tournament, a hotly anticipated town hall address and the new NWA World Women's Champion in action.

Who built momentum for themselves ahead of the November 7 extravaganza and what, if any, new matches were added to what is sure to be an explosive PPV card?

Find out now with this recap of the October 28 broadcast.

Match Card

1 OF 9

The AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament continues this weekCredit: All Elite Wrestling

Announced for Wednesday's TNT broadcast are:

   

• Jerico and MJF hold a town hall discussion
• Lumberjack Match for the TNT Championship: Cody vs. Orange Cassidy
• World Title Eliminator Match: Penta El Zero M* vs. Kenny Omega
• World Title Eliminator Match: Hangman Page vs. Wardlow
• Matt Sydal vs. Eddie Kingston
• NWA World Women's Championship Match: Serena Deeb vs. Leyla Hirsch

   

Coverage begins at 8:00 PM.

   

*Penta replaces injured brother Rey Fenix

World Title Eliminator Semifinal Match: Hangman Page vs. Wardlow

2 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

After a tense exchange between MJF and Sammy Guevara to start the show, Wardlow looked to make his charge proud as he battled "Hangman" Adam Page in the first semifinal round match of the World Title Eliminator.

Page controlled early and sent Wardlow into the ring post. The big man shook it off, almost feeding off it, and speared Page through the guardrail.

The massive heel overwhelmed Page, working over AEW's resident cowboy until Page fought his way back into the match. Before he could build any momentum of his own, Wardlow rocked him with a clothesline, cutting him off.

Page delivered a moonsault to the floor but even that failed to negate Wardlow's fury as the big man delivered an F-10. Hangman avoided the pin by rolling to the sanctuary of the floor.

The battle headed to the top rope, where Page avoided a chokeslam and delivered a big fallaway slam to the mat below. The Buckshot Lariat followed and the former tag team champion scored the hard-fought victory.

    

Result

Page defeated Wardlow

   

Grade

B

   

Analysis

This was a physical battle between two hard hitters that featured a predictable outcome.

Page continued to build momentum toward the finals of the World Title Eliminator via his win while Wardlow further earned credibility as an in-ring competitor with a strong showing against one of the company's elite.

Page will now battle the winner of Kenny Omega vs. Penta El Zero M. Considering one of those men was not intended to be in this position, and the direction this entire tournament has been headed since its inception, the outcome of that one is hardly in question.

Matt Sydal vs. Eddie Kingston

3 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

After a brief promo from AEW World Champion Jon Moxley ahead of their Full Gear title match, Eddie Kingston made his way to the squared circle for a match with Matt Sydal. The Butcher, The Blade and The Bunny accompanied Kingston for the contest.

The tenacious, pit bull-like Kingston controlled the match early and often as he wore down Sydal in an attempt to send a message to Moxley. He worked over his grounded opponent during the break. 

Sydal fought back after the break, rocking Kingston with a roundhouse kick. Kingston recovered, grounded his opponent and trapped him in the same choke Moxley used against him a month ago for the submission win.

After the match, Kingston forced Sydal to say “I quit” before apologizing to Moxley.

    

Result

Kingston defeated Sydal

    

Grade

C+

    

Analysis

This was essentially an extended squash. Sydal was not once booked to be on the level of Kingston and while yes, there needs to be a pecking order, it felt somewhat off-brand for the celebrated indie star to be so unceremoniously beaten down and submitted when other lesser-known talents have gotten way more offense in elsewhere on the card.

Kingston forcing Sydal to say he quit was a nice touch, and the apology to Moxley was an interesting twist.

The AEW Championship match at Full Gear is going to be a hell of a bit of business, a match as cerebrally structured and executed as it is violent. Hopefully, it lives up to the expectations set by the performers because if it does, it could very well be the quality of match Moxley’s reign deserves.

Excalibur Sits Down with FTR and The Young Bucks

4 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

A pre-taped interview conducted by Excalibur featured The Young Bucks and AEW Tag Team Champions FTR ahead of their Full Gear match.

The Bucks admitted that the trash talk from Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler ignited a fire in them and that the old Bucks are back.

Irritated by the one-sidedness of the promo, FTR left. A sense of desperation setting in, Matt and Nick Jackson revealed that if they do not win at Full Gear, they will never challenge for the AEW Tag Team Championships again.

    

Grade

A

    

Analysis

The Bucks gave us an explanation for their recent actions and raised the stakes for their match at Full Gear. Suddenly, a match with enough anticipation behind it now features much more meaning as a result of the Jacksons vowing never to challenge for the gold if they fail to win it.

The only thing that lessened the impact of that decision ever-so-slightly was the fact that Cody just made the same vow last November at Full Gear, when he challenged Chris Jericho for the AEW Championship.

The Inner Circle Town Hall Meeting

5 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

The Inner Circle and MJF hit the ring for a Town Hall meeting.

Luchasaurus asked the first question of the night, asking MJF what financial benefits there are to MJF joining Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Santana, Ortiz and Jake Hager in the faction. MJF responded, claiming business would be through the roof.

Dr. Britt Baker DMD and Rebel were up next, the latter applauding Jericho’s smile. Baker asked Le Champion how he feels about MJF’s track record of betrayal and friendships. Jericho said he wouldn’t actually let MJF in the Inner Circle and if he turned on them, he would knock MJF’s teeth down his throat.

Peter Avalon joined us next, “shooting his shot” and asking if he could join The Inner Circle, to which he was met with laughter. 

Eric Bischoff made a surprise appearance next and asked MJF what he can do for The Inner Circle. The scarf-wearing loudmouth answered with one word, “friendship.” Bischoff called Jericho as primadonna and after a protest from The Demo God, the former WCW Executive Vice President asked MJF what’s to say he and Jericho will not kill each other.

MJF took exception, erupting out of frustration and asking Jericho what he hasn’t done to prove himself.

“You haven’t beaten me.” Jericho laid down the challenge to MJF for a match at Full Gear. “If you win, I’ll allow you to join The Inner Circle.” 

MJF warned he will do anything to win. Santana cut him off, admitting that Guevara and him do not want MJF in the group. He issued a challenge for next week, him and Guevara vs. MJF and Wardlow. The Inner Circle left, leaving MJF clearly conflicted.

     

Grade

B

   

Analysis

This could have been accomplished just about any other way, without devoting so much time to it. It was unnecessarily long and came back around to one simple question: how do you know he won’t turn on you?

And from there, Jericho issued the challenge we knew was coming and Full Gear got one of the most intriguing matches of the whole show.

It will be interesting to see how the performers execute this heel vs. heel match but if their individual creativity is any indication, it will be something special. Hopefully, it is not as overdone or overly long as this was.

It was, though, cool to see Eric Bischoff. Eazy E is always a great watch, especially in these little pop-up cameos. 

Lumberjack Match for the TNT Championship: Cody vs. Orange Cassidy

6 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

TNT Champion Cody and “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy wasted little time trading holds, counters and reversals in their Lumberjack Match Wednesday night, picking up where they left off in last week’s time limit draw while stars from the AEW roster surrounded the squared circle.

Cody targeted the knee of his opponent and tried for a Figure Four. Cassidy sent him to the floor, where he quickly evaded the grasp of Dark Order and walked right into a big tornado DDT by the challenger. 

Back from the commercial, Cody delivered a superplex from the top rope, onto the mass of humanity that surrounded the squared circle. He followed up with the Cody Cutter back in the ring for a near-fall as Excalibur started to sell the idea of another time limit draw.

Late, John Silver delivered a pump kick before Cody dumped him to the floor. Meanwhile, Arn Anderson delivered a cheap shot and Cody followed with Cross Rhodes for the pinfall victory. 

   

Result

Cody defeated Cassidy

   

Grade

C

    

Analysis

Waiting for that great Cody-Orange Cassidy match? 

Keep waiting.

This was entertaining but flawed. It was disjointed in spots and almost nothing established early on played a part in the outcome. It was a convoluted babyface vs. babyface match that felt more like an excuse to highlight The Dark Order, despite the fact that Cody’s Full Gear title defense is against Darby Allin.

There are too many moving pieces here without any real defined direction, making Cody’s return and everything that followed it unnecessarily messy.

Serena Deeb vs. Leyla Hirsch

7 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Just 24 hours after defeating Thunder Rosa to win the NWA World Women’s Championship, Serena Deeb squared off with “Legit” Leyla Hirsch in singles competition.

While the commentary team put over Hirsch’s amateur wrestling accomplishments, Deeb seized control of the match with a rope-assisted neckbreaker. Hirsch recovered and applied an armbar she focused on the left limb of the champion. 

Hirsch dominated during the break but Deeb recovered and tapped her out with a modified Tequila Sunrise to retain her title.

    

Result

Deeb defeated Hirsch

    

Grade

C

   

Analysis

For the second time, Deeb appeared on Dynamite, only for a large portion of her match to be interrupted by a commercial break.

Sure, the picture-in-picture gimmick allows you to see the whole match but it is yet another instance of the already under-served women’s division falling prey to indifferent booking.

After the match, Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose was made official for Full Gear. Not because they had some hot feud or had spent weeks building to the match, but because the company referenced the same nonsensical rankings it sometimes uses as a crutch to make up for booking complete stories.

And before you rush to the defense of the company, yes, they have established history. Yes, they wrestled against each other at Double or Nothing. No, one match five months ago is not at all acceptable build to a rematch at Full Gear.

It is, again, evidence of the company’s lack of devotion to an actual, logical and prioritized women’s division.

VSK vs. Shawn Spears

8 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Shawn Spears returned to action this week for a match with VSK.

Seconds after the bell rang, Spears delivered the C4 and picked up the uncontested win.

After the match, Spears made his way to the ringside area and pulled a costumed performer into the ring. As Spears ordered Tully Blanchard to give him his black glove, Scorpio Sky removed the bull costume and delivered a TKO that left The Chairman lying.

    

Result

Spears defeated VSK

     

Grade

C

    

Analysis

This was an inoffensive way to keep the Spears-Sky rivalry progressing without hurting anyone else.

Spears could really use some momentum on his side while Sky appears to have lost all of it that was built via his initial success with the company. Hopefully, both will find it in this program.

World Title Eliminator Semifinal Match: Penta El Zero M vs. Kenny Omega

9 OF 9

Credit: All Elite Wrestling

In the main event of the night, a World Title Eliminator Tournament match to determine Hangman Page’s opponent at Full Gear, Penta El Zero M battled Kenny Omega.

After early disrespect from Omega that included taunting Rey Fenix at ringside with the AAA Mega Championship that he won from the Lucha Bro, the match descended into a wild and chaotic brawl during the commercial break. 

Back from the timeout, Penta delivered a double stomp in the corner for a near-fall. Omega recovered and uncorked a series of V-Trigger knee strikes before setting Penta up for a super dragon suplex. Omega set up for a superplex onto the ring steps at ringside but Penta countered with a destroyer onto the entrance ramp.

Back inside, Penta snapped his opponent’s arm. Omega survived the tremendous pain in his shoulder, though, to deliver the One-Winged Angel for the pinfall victory.

    

Result

Omega defeated Penta

    

Grade

A

    

Analysis

Omega’s entrance was more excellent stuff, complete with quotes from several sources including B/R. The Cleaner girls mocking The Lucha Bros was another nice touch, as was his complete and utter disrespect for Fenix by breaking out the Mega Championship. 

The match itself was every bit as excellent as you would expect given the talent involved, and the arm snap out of the One-Winged Angel midwat through was great stuff.

Omega shaking off the pre-match theatrics and having to refocus himself was a nice bit of storytelling and added to the overall quality of the bout.

His match with Page at Full Gear is, arguably, the most eagerly anticipated of that entire card and has the potential to be a legitimate Match of the Year candidate.

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