NXT Minus 6: Halloween Havoc

Bradley Jay uses his 6-point NXT review to discuss one trick, and five treats! See how he enjoyed Halloween Havoc.

6. First, a box of raisins. Damian Priest threw Johnny Gargano through a wall. During a commercial break! You know what’s better than being told someone got thrown through a wall? Actually watching someone get thrown through a wall! Every week, perfectly good matches are dragged down by poorly timed commercial breaks. You’d think that would be an easy fix. I guess not. Now let’s get to the chocolate.

5. Raquel Gonzalez versus Rhea Ripley was one of the best hoss fights all year. I wanted 5 more minutes. Gonzalez should have kicked out of the Riptide. I’m actually glad they weren’t given a wacky wheel stipulation. I’ve always liked Gonzalez, even more so after the makeover. Ripley puts me in a tough spot. End of the year awards are coming up, and she’s not getting Most Improved AND Female Wrestler of the Year. 4.5 stars

4. Unpopular opinion time. Dexter Lumis versus Cameron Grimes in the House of Horrors is my favorite cinematic Match of the Year. I’m not a fan of horror films or cinematic matches, but this was awesome. I loved that they played it straight scary instead of watering it down with cornball humor. Visually it looked terrific. They made good use of the zombies. Watching one crawl up Lumis like a jungle gym was nuts. Great stuff. And mazel tov to Grimes for the “Bar Mitzvah Triangle.” 4.5 stars

3. On a normal night, Raquel Gonzalez’ full length leather coat would take top ring gear honors. Halloween Havoc was not a normal night. Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde look super bad ass in their suits and skeleton face paint. They look so freaking cool that that should be their new gimmick. Los Muertos. Dos Muertos. Muertos Hermanos. Something. Anything. Just let them keep the face paint.  

2. If it means Pete Dunne is back in NXT, then I’m willing to overlook the fact that Pat McAfee got waaaaaaay too much air time. And if it means Pete Dunne is back in NXT, then I’m willing to overlook the fact that it made no sense for him to help Kyle O’Reilly. And if it means we get Pete Dunne versus Kyle O’Reilly, then I can be the bigger person and forgive the entire segment. BTW, Dunne looked more jacked than ever. 

1. It’s hard to overcome the curse of greatness, but Io Shira and Candace Lerae almost did it. Their first encounter at Takeover Toronto is legendary, but this a mighty fine addition to their rivalry. What a car crash. Candace is the Queen of Hardcore (get your mind out of the gutter, pervert). I don’t know any female wrestler who’s taken more huge bumps. This match was a fantastic exclamation point on what is perhaps the best overall NXT special of 2020.