by NXT Halloween Havoc took place Tuesday October 26th from the Capitol Wrestling Center. Below is the recap and reaction from Vince McKee.
Io Shirai & Zoey Stark (c) vs. Toxic Attraction vs. Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta – Scareway to Hell match for the Women’s Tag Team titles at NXT Halloween Havoc
Winner – Toxic Attraction become the new champions
Reaction – The WWE put out a statement that they are trying to grow their younger male audiences ages 18-35. This title switch will do it. There is no denying the sex appeal of Toxic Attraction and this will bring eyeballs to the product. Right or wrong, I guess it doesn’t matter. I do hope this starts another single’s run for Io Shirai as she is one of the very best.
Joe Gacy vs. Malik Blade at NXT Halloween Havoc
Winner – Gacy
Reaction – This was nothing more than a match to get Gacy over and continue the cult like gimmick they are using with him. Having a scary monster heel such as Harland with him to control, only builds the character and continue to get the cultlike persona over.
Odyssey Jones vs. Roderick Strong
Winner – Jones
Reaction – Stupid! You should never have a face lose a non-title match when he is the challenger. Factor in that Jones is twice the size of Strong, and it looks even worse.
Raquel Gonzalez (c) vs. Mandy Rose – NXT Women’s Title
Winner – Mandy Rose is the new NXT Womens Champion
Reaction – This was very well done! Rose has grown leaps and bounds over the last several years and deserved this push. It is working, and I think it will continue to work. Again, if they want to push sex appeal in NXT, then Rose if the perfect candidate to lead that charge.
As for Gonzalez, she is so talented and 100% ready for a main roster run. The problem is that they just brought back Dakota Kai to cost her the belt, and one would have to believe a long run between the two is ready to begin once again.
Solo Sikoa debuts
Reaction – The third USO brother has arrived, and he looks legit! Get him a nice 4-6 month stint in NXT and then have him show up at WrestleMania to assist Roman Reigns in his title match.
MSK (c) vs. Imperium – Lumberjack O’Lantern match for the NXT Tag Team Title
Winner – New Tag Champs, The Imperium
Reaction – I don’t know, I mean, I get it, I guess. The Imperium were long overdue to get the titles back, and they certainly have the image to command the fans respect.
MSK will go down as a giant failure after wining the Dusty classic. They never beat the actual champions but rather, won the title vacant and that hurt them the whole time. Also, lack of challengers made their run seem less.
Tomasia Ciampa defends his NXT Title vs Bronn Breaker
Winner – Ciampa retains by pinfall
Reaction – This was great to see as all signs pointed towards a total overhaul with the three prior changes. As NXT continues this new era, they still need to give homage to the past. Breaker is the real deal but did not need the title on him just yet.
The smart move would be to re-kindle the feud between Johnny Gargano and Ciampa one more time. That way you have a proven winner at the top of the card while you continue to build around it.
Nice all the way around
JOE DeLUCA!!!! THE LEGEND!!!!!!!!
North Olmsted has Heart. We will the seniors who are leaving us! Brotherhood in NOHS Football!
I meant to say, we will miss the seniors!