NXT brings Halloween Havoc back from the dead!

Shotzi Blackheart hosts NXT’s first ever Halloween Havoc! Just how scary will it get for Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae in their TakeOver rematches?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal – NXT North American Championship Devil’s Playground Match: Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano; Gargano wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
• Santos Escobar VS Jake Atlas; Escobar wins.
• Haunted House of Terror match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes; To Be Continued…
• Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez; Ripley wins.
• Haunted House of Terror match, Part 2: Lumis wins.
• Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal – NXT Women’s Championship TLS Match: Io Shirai VS Candice LeRae; Shirai wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

An evil has been reawakened.

Haunted houses, scary monsters of the ring, and a game of chance that will determine the fates of both champions and challengers! The scariest night in sports entertainment rises from the grave, and it’s hosted by the wild child herself, Shotzi Blackheart! Or in this case, SHOTZISTEIN! And we start off with some heavy metal as Damian Priest’s theme is performed LIVE! Priest is in the ring, shoots his arrow and bangs his head along! But next is Johnny Gargano, his own theme remixed as he SLASHES THE PUMPKIN BUDDY! Johnny Skellington joins the Archer of Infamy in the ring but Shotzi gets their attention. “It’s time! Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal!” And we land on… DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND! What does that even mean?!

NXT North American Championship Devil’s Playground Match: Damian Priest VS Johnny Gargano!

The bell rings, Gargano turns around and Priest DECKS him! Priest is on Gargano with big haymakers as Vic “Waldo” Joseph explains this is an extra scary FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE match! No disqualifications, no count outs and no limits to what these two can do to each other. Therefore, Priest fires off over and over, ROCKS Gargano with an uppercut then DECKS him again! Priest whips Gargano corner to corner, runs in but Gargano boots back. Gargano leaps up but is thrown aside. Priest bell claps then LIFTING COMPLETE SHOTS! Gargano gets to a corner, Priest runs corner to corner for the LEAPING back elbow! He keeps moving for another! Gargano staggers, Priest runs corner to corner again, for a splash! Then he whips Gargano but Gargano grabs ropes. Gargano elbows back, but runs into a heel kick! Cover, TWO!

Priest keeps close and drags Gargano up to knuckle lock. Priest goes up top and goes Old School, only for Gargano to push him off balance. Priest forearms Gargano back, springboard forearms and sends Gargano out of the ring! Priest pursues, stalks Gargano to the ramp but Gargano gets in the ring. Gargano dropkicks Priest down then slingshots, but Priest gets in. Priest turns around, catches the slingshot spear and flips Gargano over! Gargano slips out, trips Priest up and slams the leg on the apron! Gargano throws forearms through the ropes, gets up to rain down fists, then lets off to bring Priest out. Gargano shoves Priest into steel steps! Fans boo Gargano, and chant, “Johnny Sucks!” as Gargano catches his breath.

Gargano backs off to start using the no disqualification stipulation. He brings out a kendo stick! Gargano wields it with a grin as he stalks Priest, but Priest has HIS BATON! Priest dodges Gargano’s swings as NXT goes picture in picture!

Priest blocks the kendo stick smack, disarms Gargano, but Gargano dodges the baton to fire off clubbing forearms! Priest lifts Gargano to RAM him into the boards! Gargano writhes on the ground, Priest drags him up and RAMS him into more boards! Priest looms over Gargano and stalks him. Gargano goes up and over steps to get away but Priest just goes around. Priest ROCKS Gargano again, then pulls off the top half of steps. Priest aims, runs and RAMS Gargano with the steel! Priest tosses the steps aside to stalk after Gargano again. He brings Gargano up to ROCK him with a right hand! They go up the ramp as Priest keeps punching Gargano. They end up on stage, Priest throws Gargano into the pumpkin balloon! And then stomps away!

Gargano frees himself from the pumpkin but Priest ROUNDHOUSES him back down! Cover on the pumpkin, TWO! Priest drags Gargano up to HEADBUTT! Gargano staggers around the stage, Priest throws fast hands! Priest CLUBS Gargano down, looms over him, but Gargano grabs at the lights. Priest drags Gargano up, scoops him, and brings him to the ramp. Gargano sips out, shoves Priest then KICKS him! Gargano gets up, KICKS Priest again, then digs Priest’s face into steel! There’s no disqualifications so Gargano goes until he’s satisfied. Gargano watches Priest flounder, and he throws forearms into Priest’s back!

NXT returns to single picture as Gargano goes to the stage. Gargano LEAPS and CANNONBALLS Priest down! Fans fire up as Gargano gloats, “I’m the best in the world!” Gargano gets the kendo stick and SMACKS Priest! And again! And again! Priest ends up in his ring, and has his baton again! Gargano shoulders low, but Priest uses the baton to SMACK the enziguri away! Gargano hobbles, Priest brings him in with the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives but Priest grits his teeth. Gargano grabs the baton and brings it with him to the apron. Priest ROCKS Gargano first and the baton goes flying! Priest drags Gargano up on the apron, fireman’s carries, but Gargano slips in. Priest shoves, dodges, but his kick is caught up and Gargano enziguris Priest down!

Gargano DIVES, but into Priest’s hand! Gargano sips out to RAM Priest into boards! And then SLICED BREAD onto the steel steps! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives but Gargano keeps his focus as fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Gargano drags Priest up, brings him over and tornados but no DDT! BROKEN ARROW onto the announce desk! Gargano might be the broken one! Gargano is hurrying away to around the back, but Priest pursues. Priest taunts Gargano, “You feel that pain, Johnny?” Gargano and Priest brawl by the spooky set, Gargano CLUBS Priest’s back! Gargano brings Priest around the way, and he opens a casket. A prop falls out and scares Gargano! So Gargano SUPERKICK the “stupid thing!” Priest is there to kick low and kick more, then ROCK Gargano with that discus forearm!

Priest stalks Gargano further back stage, Gargano feebly throws candy at Priest. But then he uses a FIRE EXTINGUISHER! And he SLAMS Priest against the garage door over and over! Priest flops down, flails, but Gargano gets up. Gargano looks around at what he can use, and chooses a trash can. Gargano dumps the trash on Priest, sticks the can around him and dribbles him against the garage door! Gargano then grabs a cart and wheels it at Priest to RAM him! Fans boo as NXT is again picture in picture! Gargano covers, TWO!

Gargano seethes as he SMACKS Priest with a trash can lid! And then he has another trash can to SMACK Priest with! Priest staggers his way back into the arena and by the spooky set. Gargano grabs a crowbar and CRACKS Priest in the ribs! Then he drags Priest down, FULL METAL GargaNO Escape!! Priest endures the crowbar in his face! And in his MOUTH!! Priest fights up, scoops Gargano, and LAWN DARTS him into the boards!! The fans, in costume, are freaking out behind their masks! Priest clubs Gargano, drags him up and ROCKS him with a forearm! They go to the other side of the set, Gargano tries to use the second casket but Priest stops himself. Priest SMACKS Gargano with the lid! Then BOOTS Gargano through a wall!! The Archer of Infamy is roaring and rolling as NXT goes to break!

NXT returns and Priest throws more hands and ROCKS Gargano onto a haybale! Gargano boots back, gets up onto the upper level, but Priest TOSSES the trash can at Gargano! Gargano ends up by the wheel of (ill) fortune. Priest follows Gargano up there, looms over him, and drags him up. Fans rally for Priest as he drags Gargano up. Priest reels Gargano in, Gargano slips under and SUPERKICKS Priest down! Gargano grabs the trash can, and he SMACKS Priest with it! And again! And again! And again, and again, and again!! The can is dented into a flat shape now! Gargano sits the can up, drags Priest up, and tells the wheel this is its fault! Gargano mocks the Archer of Infamy, and he thrusts, into Priest’s ROUNDHOUSE! Gargano balances with the can, but Priest KICKS it into him!

Priest stands up, fans fire up and Priest roars again! Priest drags Gargano up, dragon sleeper and RECK- NO! Ghost Face attacks Priest from behind with a PIPE! Gargano gets up, drags Priest, and uses the wheel to hit the TORNADO DDT! Ghost Face still looms, but then leaves to fetch Gargano one of those prop tombstones! Gargano uses it to SMASH Priest into the crypt!! Priest has crashed down and fans lose their minds! Gargano hurries down, covers him, and WINS!!

Winner: Johnny Gargano, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)

All Heart, No Soul, and one mysterious friend that was all the difference! Gargano makes history as he becomes the first-ever TWO-TIME North American Champion! But will #TheJohnnyGarganoWay complete its mission with the Poison Pixie taking on the Evil Genius later on tonight?

Cameron Grimes mutters to himself.

William Regal checks on him, and almost scares him out of his hat. Grimes has been meaning to ask Regal a question but Regal says Grimes needs to be ready in the parking lot. There’s a van waiting to take him to the Haunted House. But that’s not where the ring is, the ring is in the arena. Surely that’s where Regal meant for Grimes to have his match with Dexter Lumis tonight, right? No. Come with Regal to the parking lot. No, the parking lot is a scary place! Even scarier than the Bar Mitzvah Triangle (Bermuda?). Regal says, “After you,” and Grimes is very reluctant. Will Grimes survive the night with Lumis inside the Haunted House of Horr- er, Terror?

Pat McAfee, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch are in the ring!

“Well, well, well…” Happy Halloween Havoc, everybody! Everyone’s saying that Halloween Havoc is the second best night the brand has had in the last couple months. The number one? Obviously TakeOver: XXX. That was the night when the entire world agreed that the greatest debut in the history of this business was Pat McAfee’s, bar none! People don’t agree on anything, but even the idiotic Internet Wrestling Community, which includes “these stooges” here at ringside, could agree on that. There are some clowns in the crowd, which is how they are normally anyway.

But after TakeOver: XXX when McAfee put on a show that stole the show his first time in the ring, Adam Cole didn’t come over and say congrats or that he appreciates what McAfee did giving him all he could handle. NO, “that scumbag” flexed on McAfee! McAfee walked out sore, tired, probably could’ve cost a couple more pounds and realized he made some rookie mistakes. But on his private plane headed home to Indianapolis, all McAfee could think about was how big of a BUM Adam Cole is! McAfee couldn’t come here and handle Cole himself. He had a new Sirius XM show debuting, he had a YouTube page hitting a million subscribers, he had College Gameday, and he has the biggest internet show daily! He cannot be down here to handle Adam Cole.

So what did he do? He called a man who is “a more handsome, stronger, younger version of myself” in Ridge Holland. McAfee told Holland that NXT isn’t using him right, and offered him a chance at some money. Holland doesn’t want money, he wants a car. McAfee thought Holland wanted some big car cuz Holland is a big sumbish. Holland wanted a Mercedes, McAfee said okay, and told Holland what he had to do. Holland did it, dumped Cole’s “lifeless, stupid body” over the barriers and left. It was a whodunnit, blah blah blah while Pat “Big Brain” McAfee was sitting at home watching it unfold. Then Wednesday, McAfee saw Holland, the guy he hired to raise hell on the Undisputed Era, FRACTURE HIS LEGS into 700 pieces! An expensive mistake, but McAfee had a deep thought. Is it over? Did Ridge Holland deserve to be put in this position?

McAfee didn’t give up. He reached out to the guy that took out his guy and asked them if he and his guy wanted to be McAfee’s guys. They turned him down at first, because they could not be bought. Respectable, noble. But then Lorcan and Burch lose to the UE, and go back to McAfee to talk about that deal. But McAfee said the timing is right! What did they say? Wait, where are the mics for Lorcan and Burch? The DISRESPECT NXT has shown these two continues to grow! But before Lorcan and Burch can talk, the Undisputed Era is here! Well, just Kyle O’Reilly, actually, as the others are all healing up. But Kyle doesn’t back down. McAfee mockingly asks if Kyle is here to apologize. No, because he has THE BRUISERWEIGHT with him! Pete Dunne brought CHAIRS, too! And one is handed to Kyle!

McAfee, Lorcan and Burch get out before Kyle and Dunne get in! Both sides dare the other to do something, Kyle even throws his chair down so it’ll be fair. But then Dunne CHAIR SHOTS Kyle!! WHAT?! And then a BUZZSAW! McAfee says Kyle is STUPID! Dunne, Lorcan and Burch stomp away on McAfee and McAfee just watches and applauds. Fans boo as Dunne gives Kyle DANIELSON STOMPS! McAfee says Kyle fell for the trap! Dunne wrenches Kyle’s arm, tortures the fingers and puts them on the chair to STOMP!! Oney and Burch drag Kyle up and prop him up, but McAfee has them wait so he can place a chair under the landing zone. LONDON TOWER to the chair!! McAfee says he’s smarter than Kyle and his friends. These four are the new kings of NXT, and that, “Cauliflower Kyle,” is UNDISPUTED. How did McAfee get The Bruiserweight on his side?! What will these four do next?!

Grimes still reluctantly goes with Regal to the parking lot.

Grimes keeps trying to reason with Regal. He can just lose by forfeit and go back to the locker room. No. How about Regal go with him? Grimes would feel much safer! No. Grimes goes outside, thinking Regal is following, but the door shuts behind him! Oh no! Grimes looks and says it can’t be… This piece of junk is the van taking him there? Well he should at least be shotgun then. OH NO who is that? A zombie?! And out of the back, it’s MICHAEL HAYES?! “Thanks for the lift.” Hayes tells Grimes he was born in a place called Party Town, on a road called Bad Street. And it’s called Bad Street because further down the block you went, the badder it got. And he’s from the last house on the block. Hayes walks away and Grimes reluctantly gets in as he complains, “I hate rednecks…” The van takes off into the night, but where will Grimes end up?

Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Jake Atlas!

El Legado del Fantasma won the Six Man Tag match, but the Leader of Leaders took a header thanks to Atlas’ cartwheel DDT! This isn’t for the title, but it could be an appetizer! Will it be trick or treat, victory or defeat when Atlas gets a 1v1 shot at the NXT Cruiserweight Champion?

The bell rings and Escobar ROCKS Atlas with a calf kick! Escobar stomps and kicks Atlas to the corner, Atlas hits back but Escobar stomps Atlas down. Escobar stands Atlas up to CHOP him! Escobar tells Atlas he doesn’t belong, then he whips him corner to corner. Atlas hits hard, then Escobar adds knees! Escobar throws forearms, taunts Atlas more, but Atlas grits his teeth. Escobar brings Atlas out to shove him back, then runs corner to corner for DOUBLE KNEES! Atlas flops down, Escobar drags him up to wrench and kick. Escobar drags Atlas up, SLAPS Atlas, then tells him again, “You don’t belong here! Quit!” Atlas seethes, and he blocks the punch to SLAP Escobar back! Escobar turns into Atlas’ haymakers! Atlas fires off body shots and clubbing forearms!

Atlas whips, Escobar reverses but Atlas dodges to elbow back hard! Atlas whips Escobar corner to corner, then back drops Escobar! Escobar gets up, Atlas scoops and dumps him! Atlas reels Escobar in, Escobar fights back so Atlas throws uppercuts! Atlas SNAP GERMANS! And ROLLING ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Escobar survives but he is in a daze! Atlas is up top, CARTWHEEL DDT!! Cover, but Legado get the ropebreak for Escobar! The ref suspects them, but Atlas FLIES out to take them down! Escobar grabs Atlas but Atlas DECKS him! Atlas has to fight off the others, but Raul Mendoza uses the LOADED MASK HEADBUTT! Mendoza puts Atlas in, Escobar hits the butterfly FACEBUSTER! Cover, Escobar wins!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall

It was definitely the tricks that brought Atlas defeat! Will Atlas have to wait a long time before he gets sweet revenge?

Ember Moon speaks.

“Swimming with the sharks of this division, it motivates that last lift, that last jump, that last push.” She wants confrontation and competition! She wants it ALL! Dakota Kai stepped up, exactly what Ember wanted. When Ember left, Dakota was afraid of her own shadow. Now Dakota’s one of the best. Dakota has a sick kick, but too bad she won’t like the receipt. Ember puts #CobraKai on notice, will there be a response?

Our host has gone from Shotzistein to Shotzipira!

“The scares have just begun! Coming up next is the Haunted House of Terror!” Grimes’ Uber from Hell is almost to its destination, will it be his final destination?

Haunted House of Terror match: Dexter Lumis VS Cameron Grimes!

The van pulls up, Grimes springs out of it in a cold sweat, and tells himself to be ready. “Lumis?! I hope this is the right place, Lumis, because I’m coming for ya!” Wait, what’s that? Oh, just a swing. Lumis will need more than that to s-scare Cameron Grimes! But Grimes warns Lumis now, when he finds Lumis, he’ll get him! Lumis is UP IN THE TREE! Grimes tries to stay brave as he walks inside the house. Is this the right house? Deer head! H-Ha! Almost got him. But Grimes has seen bigger bucks. But then a tricycle goes by all by itself!? Grimes is freaking out. He didn’t know Lumis had kids! Lumis is now in the pantry closet!?

Grimes keeps looking through the house, trying to bolster his own courage. Is Lumis even in here? That referee is doing a Blair Witch! HE HAS WARTS ON HIS FACE! Lumis busts in through a door and two-hand chokes Grimes against the wall! Grimes claws Lumis’ eyes, throws him into a vanity and KICKS him into the mirror! Grimes hurries away, closing the door behind him. Lumis hammers the door but Grimes holds it shut! Lumis kicks the door off the frame! Grimes goes to a bathroom and shuts himself in, but… Is someone in the shower? Oh, hello, miss. Well, Grimes didn’t realize Lumis had a sister. Maybe Grimes will wash up. Make room for- OH NOOO WHAT?! Is that the girl from The Ring!?

Grimes runs away and wants OUT! He can’t find the door he came in through! Lumis grabs him through a window!! Lumis climbs in, rams Grimes into a wall, then carries him. Grimes rakes eyes again then shoulders Lumis away. Grimes runs away but dares Lumis to try something. More people with warts on their faces!! Grimes runs down a hallway and bumps into Lumis! UPPERCUT! Grimes BOOTS and ROUNDHOUSES, and says this is over! Grimes grabs a broom but Lumis has left. Who is this now? Oh it’s Lumis’ Ring Sister!! And there’s TWO OF THEM!? One jumps off the fridge to tackle Grimes! Grimes flails about as she’s on his back! They smash through the screen door into the backyard! Grimes flails and throws the spooky ghoul off! But turns around to see the warty zombies!

Grimes finds his way back to the van and gets in shotgun. LUMIS IS DRIVING! Grimes bails out again and runs off down the street into the night! To be continued…

Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez!

The Nightmare and #RickyDesperado are going to bring the brutality, you can bet on that! But who will establish themselves as THE monstrous alpha female of NXT?

NXT returns as Raquel makes her entrance. The ref has to keep the peace for just long enough, the bell rings and these two tie up and go around! Fans rally, Raquel knees low and hard, then whips Rhea to a corner. Rhea dodges, Raquel rams into buckles and Rhea fires off hands! Rhea throws more haymakers, but Raquel blocks the whip! Raquel whips Rhea to a corner, Rhea goes up but gets caught! Rhea slips out, kicks low and reels Raquel in for a facelock! Raquel thrashes and powers Rhea to a corner! Raquel RAMS in, then lets off to bring Rhea around. Raquel CLUBS Rhea, Rhea throws body shots but Raquel shoves her away. Rhea boots but Raquel blocks so Rhea boots her away. Raquel blocks the punch and that shocks Rhea!

Rhea stomps a foot, HEADBUTTS, but Raquel ducks the roundhouse to CLOBBER Rhea from behind! Rhea gets up but still seems surprised by Raquel’s power. They get forehead to forehead, talking trash about who’s stronger. Raquel shoves, Rhea shoves back, repeat! Raquel SLAPS, Rhea SLAPS, and they both glare before firing off fast and furious! Rhea ducks, throws body shots, ducks again then kicks the leg. Rhea runs but Raquel throws her down! And drops an elbow! And then stomps Rhea down! Raquel drags Rhea up, suplexes but Rhea blocks! Rhea suplexes but Raquel blocks. They keep fighting for control, Raquel gets Rhea up but Rhea slips out to LARIAT! Raquel stays up!! So Rhea LARIATS again, but it’s still not enough!

Raquel blocks the third try, fireman’s carries, but Rhea slips out to fireman’s carry back! Raquel slips out, blocks the kick then throws Rhea to ropes. Raquel follows, Rhea dodges, goes the other way, DROPKICK! Raquel bails out as fans fire up! Rhea runs and wrecks Raquel with a dropkick! Raquel ends up at the desk and Rhea aims from the apron. Rhea CANNONBALLS but is caught?! Raquel brings Rhea up to POWREBOMB into the boards!! Raquel lets Rhea hit the floor as NXT goes picture in picture. Raquel puts Rhea in the ring and covers, TWO!

Raquel seethes, drags Rhea up, and whips her to a corner. Raquel stomps a mudhole into Rhea, digs her foot in, but the ref counts. Raquel lets off to argue with the ref, then drags Rhea up to CLUB her over and over! Raquel drags Rhea up, Rhea hits back, but Raquel shoves and BOOTS Rhea down! Cover, TWO! Raquel stays on Rhea with the grounded double chicken wing! Rhea endures as Raquel RAMS her knee in! And again! Raquel thrashes Rhea around but Rhea refuses to give up! Rhea fights up and out, they start throwing haymakers on the mat! Raquel ROCKS Rhea, CLUBS Rhea, then brings her up to scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Raquel grows frustrated and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns as Raquel tortures Rhea in the Gory Especial Stretch! Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Rhea endures. Raquel pulls back on the arms but Rhea powers up! Rhea pops out to sunset flip, TWO! Rhea ducks a clothesline but not the BLINDSIDE! Cover, TWO! Raquel grows frustrated again as she drags Rhea back up. Raquel whips and corner splashes Rhea, then runs in again. Rhea elbows Raquel back, and then again. Raquel swings but into Raquel’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives and Raquel is losing her cool. Raquel drags Rhea up, reels her in, but Rhea back drops! Rhea and Raquel slowly stand, Rhea CHOPS and CHOPS and then spins Raquel for cravat knee strikes! Rhea runs, gets around Raquel and sweeps the legs! Raquel gets up but Rhea runs to DROPKICK her down! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are thunderous as Rhea and Raquel slowly rise. Rhea has Raquel first for the straddle knockdown! And another! Rhea stomps and stomps and stomps, then gets the legs! PRISM TRAP!! Raquel endures, rolls, but Rhea sits for a cover, ONE! Rhea ends up in the ropes, Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel drags Rhea up, scoops her and swings for another POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives, reminding us why she was an NXT and NXT UK Women’s Champion! Raquel puts Rhea in the corner, throws forearms then hoists her up top. Raquel climbs up to join Rhea, clubs her, then stands her up. Rhea resists, fights back and slips inside to then haymaker and headbutt! Rhea manages a pump handle, but Raquel fights free! Raquel staggers, comes back, throws forearms, but Rhea hits back!

Rhea and Raquel brawl as Raquel climbs. Rhea boots her away, stands up, but Raquel is right back up to SUPER OVERHEAD SUPLEX Rhea!! Rhea is in a daze, Raquel covers, TWO!?!? Raquel is in angry disbelief! Raquel drags Rhea up as fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Raquel fisherman’s and lifts, but Rhea slips around the headscissor Raquel into buckles! Rhea stalks Raquel, ROUNDHOUSES her, then pump handles! RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall

The Mosh Pit Kid is STILL the dominant force of the NXT Women’s Division! Will anyone ever be able to survive her brutality?

Grimes is still running down the street!

But where is he in relation to the Capitol Wrestling Center? Grimes is trying to make the long, long journey, but will he make it before the show is over?

Backstage interview with “Hollywood” Drake Maverick.

What does he and his tag partner, Killian Dain, have planned for tonight? “Well y’know something, Mean Gene,” Dain and Maverick, “with the 2 point 4 inch pythons,” have tag team domination on their minds, brother! Well, this isn’t Mean Gene, this is- Yes you are, Mackenzie! But it is Halloween, so please play along? But then someone is being Andre the Giant! And another is the MUMMY! And Maverick is sandwiched between them! But here comes THE SHOCKMASTER! And he doesn’t trip over himself this time! Mummy and Andre back off, and Maverick wants Dain to take the helmet off. He was supposed to trip. Why? Because the Shockmaster does that. Oh, it was hard to tell when Maverick kept adding “brother” to everything. But no, Dain didn’t want to do that. Why doesn’t he like fun?

First, Dain didn’t like the gear. God no. Second, the logo. Definitely no! Then Dain didn’t like the music! Definitely did. And now he won’t even do Shockmaster right! Do you know how long it took for Maverick to recreate the helmet?! But fine, Maverick will be tiny Shockmaster. He puts the helmet on, and trips. Dain laughs at Maverick falling on his arse.

Grimes returns to the CWC!

Grimes is relieved to be back! He’s running out of gas as he gets back to the door. Is Grimes going to find a safe place to hide from Lumis?

Actually, Grimes ends up by ringside! And on the spooky set. He realizes that, and how there’s a lot more fog. Wait, how did creepy Ring girl get here?! Grimes begs she and her twin not do something to him! They creep and crawl their way to him and Grimes warns them! Grimes gets in the ring, warns them to stay out or he’ll get ’em! But Lumis slides in behind him!! OH NO! Lumis puts Grimes in a corner, DECKS him with uppercuts and ROKCS Him with haymakers! Clothesline and BULLDOG! Grimes flounders, Lumis runs in but Grimes boots him! Grimes runs, into a SPINE BUSTER! Lumis paces around Grimes, watches him writhe in the smoke, and then Grimes sits up. Grimes begs Lumis for mercy, but the zombies are lurking! Grimes freaks out, begs them to stop this, but then he gives one a CAVE-IN!

Lumis just stares as “his sister” crawls up. Lumis lets her climb and crawl all over him, then get up on his shoulders. Grimes begs for mercy and apologizes for everything he’s done. No go as Lumis TOSSES the zombie girl at him! Then URENAGE! Into THE SILENCE!! Grimes flails, fades, and is OUT!! Lumis… wins?

Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission

Well the smoke still fills the ringside, and the zombies creep and crawl in around Lumis. Lumis leaves Grimes for dead as the lights fade out. THE END. Will Lumis make sure things only get scarier for his next victim?

NXT hears from Io Shirai and Candice LeRae before their match.

The Evil Genius says #TheJohnnyGarganoWay won’t be enough to beat her. The Poison Pixie says, “Trick or treat, here’s defeat.” She got rid of the dead weight and is now where she should be: #1 contender. Shirai says biker chain match, she beats Candice. Candice says Cole Miner’s Glove on a Pole, she beats Shirai. Blindfold match? Buried Alive? Casket Match? Boiler Room Brawl? Weapon’s Wild? It doesn’t matter if it’s Shotzi’s Choice! Shirai and Candice are confident in their chances. Candice almost had Shirai at TakeOver. Tonight, she leaves NXT Women’s Champion. Shirai says it doesn’t matter, she beats Candice.

Shotzistein, Shotzipira, now she’s BeelzeShotzi!

Last but not least, Shotzi spins the wheel one last time for the NXT Women’s Championship! We find out what kind of match Shirai and Candice have after the break.

Tommaso Ciampa speaks.

“Week after week, I look around this place, and one thing has become abundantly clear. I don’t recognize NXT anymore.” The letters, the colors, those are the same, and the talent is still among the most talented in the world today. But the attitude and the culture, everyone walking around like they’re owed something, asking for opportunity. “Out with the old, in with the new. It’s my turn.” This isn’t a game, no one takes turns! If you’re hungry, you eat. Ciampa’s hungrier, he eats first. Ciampa says everyone wants to blame someone else for what they don’t have. “Different locations, different voices, same message. Brass ring, glass ceiling, ‘they’re holding down my talent, I’m great!'” Maybe this tweet or this post will get them buzz.

Ciampa’s heard it all before. And he knows this much: Ciampa was never handed anything! He never asked for an opportunity. He was simply undeniable. “The greatest sports entertainer of all time, and for a very, very long time, Tommaso Ciampa was NXT.” Fate took that away from him, but he’s going to take it back. “Velveteen Dream, this all begins with you. A 25-year-old prodigy, oozing It Factor, who can’t seem to get out of his own damn way. How does that old saying go? Hit me with a cast once, shame on you. Hit me with a cast twice, you’re a dead man.” Will the Dream die when #NoOneWillSurvive?

Candice LeRae heads to the ring.

The Poison Pixie is out first, being the Sally to Johnny’s Jack Skellington. But will Shirai make sure she’s in literal stitches after tonight? Speaking of, POPPY is back for a special performance as part of Shirai’s entrance! Poppy’s dressed up, too, cosplaying as Sayaka Igarashi of Kakeguri, it seems. But of course, it’s time to spin the wheel! And we land on… TLS, Tables, Ladders and SCARES, oh my!

NXT Women’s Championship TLS Match: Io Shirai VS Candice LeRae!

The bell rings, Candice swings on Shirai but Shirai ducks to FLAPJACK Candice down! Candice bails out fast, Shirai builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the “graveyard!” Shirai catches her breath and looks under the ring. Just as the ref finally straps the belt to the hook, Shirai brings out a ladder! Candice pushes Shirai into the apron, brings her up and throws her into barriers! Candice goes looking under the ring and brings out a TABLE! But what is that in the pillowcase stuck to it? Candice grabs the back, pours it out, and it’s BODY PARTS?! Oh, prop parts, but still! That scared Candice for a second. Shirai grabs the fake arms and SLAPS Candice with them! And SPANKS her, too! Shirai then runs, but Candice drop toeholds Shirai onto the ladder!

Candice grabs another ladder, brings that out and SLAMS it down on Shirai! Then she stands that ladder up, CLUBS Shirai on the back and follows her around the way. Candice whips, Shirai reverses and POSTS Candice! Shirai makes sure her arms are okay before bringing Candice up. Candice hits back, whips but Shirai sends Candice over the desk! Shirai clears the desk off, stands on top of it, and drags Candice up to join her. Shirai suplexes but Candice fights back! Candice uses a monitor to SMACK Shirai! Shirai tumbles down, Candice brings out another ladder! Candice makes herself a ladder bridge between ring and desk, but Shirai has a chair. Shirai TOSSES it at Candice’s head! Shirai goes under the ladder and stomps Candice. That better not be bad luck.

Shirai runs and METEORAS Candice into the side of the steps! Shirai isn’t done, she goes around and brings out more chairs! Shirai puts the chairs in the ring, Candice crawls up behind her but gets a chair to the ribs! Shirai puts the chair in the ring, then keeps adding more! There are about half a dozen chairs in the ring, then Shirai suplexes Candice to the floor! Fans are thunderous as NXT goes picture in picture.

Shirai just keeps looking under the ring, but there’s nothing left for her on this side. She goes around the way, moves the fake body parts aside and sets up that table from before. Candice crawls up behind her again, and CLUBS Shirai on the back. There’s a chalk outline on the table! Candice RAMS Shirai into steel steps, but Shirai comes back to stomp Candice! And bump her off the steps! Shirai brings out a SECOND TABLE! Candice ROCKS Shirai with a haymaker, then another! Candice clubs Shirai, but Shirai FLAPJACKS Candice off the steps! Shirai throws Candice around, climbs up top, but Candice gets in the ring. Candice staggers up but Shirai missile dropkicks her down! Shirai Alabama lifts Candice for the AIR RAID CRASH!

Shirai goes back out, sets up the other table, and places it side by side with the other. Candice dropkicks Shirai down as NXT returns to single picture! Candice brings Shirai up, Shirai forearms but Candice returns it! They ROCK each other and the two fall over! Shirai crawls away and back to a ladder. Shirai picks it up, puts it in the ring, but Candice puts one in on her own. Shirai stands hers up first, but Candice climbs it! Shirai drags her down, Candice rocks Shirai back. They brawl, Shirai wheelbarrows, but into a FACEBUSTER! Candice stands her own ladder up in a corner. She brings Shirai away from her ladder, climbs it, but Shirai drags Candice back down. Shirai throws a SHOTEI! Candice goes down, Shirai arranges her chairs in a nice pile.

Shirai stomps Candice, drags her up and reels her in, underhooks but Candice resists! Shira still gets her up, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Shirai puts Candice on the chair pile, goes up top, and OVER THE MOONSAULTS onto chairs!! Candice moved and Shirai crashes onto chairs hard! Candice SMACKS Shirai on the back! And again! And again! Shirai flounders and writhes her way under the ladder. Candice stands the chair up, drags Shirai up and asks, “Remember this?! You did this to me!” Shirai does and she blocks the suplex! Shirai hits Candice, Candice waistlocks but Shirai spins around! Shirai suplexes Candice onto the chair!! History repeats itself! Candice is down in a heap and fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!”

Shirai crawls to her ladder, climbs back up, but Candice anchors Shirai’s foot. Shirai kicks but Candice drags her down. Candice SLAPS Shirai, but Shirai just gets mad. Candice is against a ladder, Shirai runs in, the SHINKANSEN crashes into the ladder as Candice moves!! And then Shirai barely guards herself as the ladder falls on her! Candice is on the apron, she shoulders Shirai away. Shirai clutches the leg, Candice shakes out the arm. Candice climbs up a corner, Shirai SHOTEIS again! Shirai shoves her chairs away and brings her ladder around. Shirai sets some ladders up, climbs up to go after Candice, and then brings her up. Candice fights, the two hop down, so Shirai grabs a chair and catches a leg! FULL METAL DRAGON SCREW!!

Candice drops to the apron, her foot having been wrenched in that vice, but Shirai shows no mercy! Shirai runs to Tiger Feint! Candice ducks to SMACK Shirai with the chair! Both women are on the apron, MS. LERAE’S WILD RIDE through both tables!! Now the chalk outlines are for them! Fans are losing their minds as both women are down, “This is Awesome!” But GHOST FACE is back!? They put Candice in and help her to the ladder?! And UP the ladder! Ghost Face is following #TJGW! But SHOTZI gets in to counter this! Shotzi has Ghost Face in an Electric Chair, and DROPS them on the chair pile!! But Candice is still on top of the ladder! Candice rises slowly, but Shirai has her own ladder! Shirai sets up right next to Candice and intercepts her!

Shirai stops Candice from getting the belt, but Candice RAKES eyes! Shirai drops down, Candice reaches, but Shirai SHOVES the ladders over! Candice falls through the ladder bridge!! Even Shirai realizes that was scary! Shirai climbs back up and grabs the belt, Shirai wins!!

Winner: Io Shirai (still NXT Women’s Champion)

The Evil Genius survives  that truly terrifying title match! Shirai sits atop the ladder, will anyone ever dethrone her from the top of the NXT Women’s Division? As for Candice LeRae, is she still in one piece?

My Thoughts:

This was an AWESOME episode! Opening not only with the North American Championship but having the live theme for Priest was great stuff. I was glad we got “Devil’s Playground,” because that name alone was reason to make it the stipulation. Of course it just turns out to be Falls Count Anywhere, but it turned into an awesome Falls Count Anywhere. I will say, I didn’t expect there to be someone to interfere, but I should have. Same goes for the INSANE (and honestly a bit scary) TLC match in the main event. And while it was Ghost Face each time, I bet it was two different people. Given how things have been going for the #TJGW story, Austin Theory had to be the one interfering in the North American Championship match, and then Indi Hartwell puts on her own Ghost Face costume to help Candice. I figured Gargano and Candice would split the results, so it works out that Gargano won his for some fresher match-ups for that title. And seriously, Candice fell through the ladder rather awkwardly so hopefully she’s okay.

For being a host, Shotzi didn’t do as much as I expected, but it seems costume changes take a lot of doing. She still got a great part in helping keep Candice from winning thanks to Ghost Face Indi. I feel like if Candice isn’t getting another shot at the title, she (and Indi) are going to spin off to go after Shotzi. If only Tegan Nox wasn’t actually hurt, she could come back and help Shotzi take on Candice and Indi. But after that awesome 1v1 of Rhea VS Raquel, I bet Rhea teams up with Shotzi again now that she’s gotten past another feud. Shotzi and Rhea are honestly a great combination given they’re both rockers. Escobar VS Atlas was good, but Escobar still needed El Legado to help him win, so that’s a little disappointing. I wonder if NXT is going to keep Escobar as champion long enough for him and Jordan Devlin to face off and crown our Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion.

We got a great little bit from Maverick and Dain with the costume references to the days of WCW, and it feels like Dain is starting to lighten up a little on Maverick. McAfee and his group had a great segment, because he is great on the mic talking trash, and because I did NOT see Dunne being the fourth man. But it makes sense that you get another hard hitter to fit in with Oney and Burch since Holland can’t be because of injury. And it also seems to add to my thinking that WarGames is the end result, since we’re talking 4v4, the Undisputed Era is involved, and Dunne has been a rival of theirs and even entered WarGames last year. That’s going to be a great moment when the UE regroups at 100% health and they get to give that dreaded announcement.

Ciampa issuing a warning to Dream was a great promo, and though it mainly sticks to kayfabe, I couldn’t help but feel that thin layer of meta given the real life issues Dream has been dealing with, and perhaps been creating for himself out of immaturity. But Ciampa VS Dream is going to be a great match. As will Ember VS Dakota, after Ember gave a good promo herself. Lumis VS Grimes was a great match, even with the cinematic portions. Regal was great, seeing Michael Hayes was great, and Grimes was perfect! But naturally, Lumis wins as he is the naturally scary character, and I wonder if Lumis will be the one moving up the ranks towards the NXT Championship. Finn Balor still has to recover, but I’m sure he’ll be fine. Balor VS Lumis will be an interesting route to take, too, as Lumis doesn’t really talk that much, but the match should be a bit more methodical and not so overly strong style like Balor VS O’Reilly ended up being.

My Score: 9.3/10