The NXT Championship match could get even bigger!

Bron Breakker is already going to Halloween Havoc, but Joe Gacy wants in! Will NXT Champion, Tommaso Ciampa, be the one to deny that opportunity?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tommaso Ciampa VS Joe Gacy; Ciampa wins and keeps Gacy out of the NXT Championship match.
• Xyon Quinn VS Malik Blade; Quinn wins.
• Ivy Nile w/ Diamond Mine VS Valentina Feroz; Nile wins.
• Ikemen Jiro VS Julius Creed w/ Diamond Mine; Julius wins.
• Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner VS Pete Dunne & Ridge Holland; Kyle & Wagner win.
• Duke Hudson VS Grayson Waller; Hudson wins.
• Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta VS Sarray & Amari Miller; Hartwell & Pirotta win.
• NXT North American Championship: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Santos Escobar; Swerve wins and retains the title.
• NXT North American Championship: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams; Hayes wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

Hit Row walks into the Capital Wrestling Center.

B-Fab asks Top Dolla if he’s heard from Ashante “Thee” Adonis but he has been gone all weekend. But then Legado rolls up and starts stuff with Dolla! Swerve realizes what’s going on and jumps into the fray! Elektra Lopez jumps B-Fab, and this mugging becomes a kidnapping! Escobar tells Swerve, “Good luck tonight, caballero!” The Legado SUV drives off and what was an even match-up is now stacked in Escobar’s favor! Will Escobar’s MO get him the title?

Ladies and gentlemen: Joe Gacy.

“Tommaso Ciampa is the NXT Champion, and with that title comes untold unbalance. And tonight, in this safe space, I will be victorious over that walking example of toxic masculinity and championship privilege.” Gacy represents all of us, all of his snowflakes. And he will bring wonderful transparent inclusivity to the NXT Championship when he inserts himself into Halloween Havoc. “This is for all of you.” Fans are torn seeing that placid smile, but here comes the champ!

Tommaso Ciampa VS Joe Gacy!

If the song is to be believed, no one will survive! Will Gacy no longer be smiling after a run in with the Psycho Killer who is determined to keep “Goldie” at home?

The bell rings and Gacy offers a handshake but fans sing, “Ciampa’s gonna kill~ you!” Ciampa kicks the handshake away, he and Gacy tie up, and Ciampa puts Gacy in a corner. The ref counts, Ciampa lets off and Gacy says it’s all good. But then Ciampa BOOTS and fires off haymakers! Ciampa whips and CLBOBERS Gacy with an elbow! Gacy kicks but Ciampa blocks to spin him. Gacy headlocks, Ciampa powers out but Gacy runs him over! Cover, ONE, but Gacy clamps on with a sleeper. Ciampa fights up as fans duel, and Ciampa pries free to arm-drag Gacy down to a cording hold. Gacy endures, Ciampa grinds the shoulder, and fans continue to rally.

Gacy fights up, Ciampa wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Ciampa keeps on the cording hold but Gacy throws forearms. Ciampa lets go, Gacy whips but Ciampa reverses, only for Gacy to redirect and ROCK Ciampa with a forearm! Scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ciampa gets to a corner, Gacy stomps him down, then lets off as the ref counts. Gacy cools off but he spots that scary looking individual from last week. “Harland” is staring daggers at Gacy but Ciampa puts Gacy in a corner for CHOPS and stomps! The ref counts, Ciampa lets off and fans fire up as he goes side to side, RUNNING KNEE! Ciampa says it’s time to go night night!

Ciampa follows Gacy out of the ring, puts him back in and gets on the apron, but Gacy wants mercy. Gacy bails out as Ciampa gets in, and fans boo as Gacy trips Ciampa up. Ciampa kicks Gacy away but Gacy elbows back. Gacy goes to bump Ciampa off the desk but hesistates. Ciampa doesn’t hesitate and he smacks Gacy off the NXT 2.0 logo! Ciampa puts Gacy in, Gacy rolls to dodge but Ciampa avoids the dropkick to stomp away! Ciampa grabs Gacy’s nose to CLUB it! Ciampa whips, drop toeholds and then pulls hair as fans rally and duel. Ciampa drives elbows into Gacy’s shoulder and head, then clamps on a chinlock.

Gacy fights, fans rally, but Ciampa wrangles him down to STOMP his face! Gacy gets to a corner, Harland is stoic as Ciampa runs in and KNEES Gacy! Ciampa wrenches, whips corner to corner, then runs in but into an elbow! Gacy whips Ciampa into the corner then SPLASHES! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Ciampa bails out but Gacy goes to the apron for an APRON SENTON! Gacy smiles again as NXT goes picture in picture.

Gacy gets back in the ring, drags Ciampa from the ropes and covers, TWO! Ciampa hangs tough but Gacy keeps his cool. Gacy drags Ciampa up to throw haymakers in the corner, Ciampa bails out again but Gacy follows. Ciampa BOOTS back! Gacy ROCKS Ciampa with a forearm! Gacy ROCKS Ciampa again, pushes him into the ring, then covers, TWO! Gacy keeps his cool as he stomps Ciampa to ropes. Ciampa slowly gets up, Gacy puts him in a corner. Gayc throws knees, RAMS his shoulder in, then digs it in! The ref counts but Gacy lets off and Ciampa rolls away. Gacy whips him to ropes, then catches him for a cobra twist!

Ciampa endures and fans rally up. Ciampa fights free and HIP TOSSES Gacy down! Gacy gets up to ELBOW Ciampa back down! Cover, ONE!! Gacy might be growing frustrated as he clamps on a chinlock to grind Ciampa down. Ciampa fights up, Gacy throws him back down! Then runs to drop a senton, only to miss as Ciampa moves! Ciampa gets up, as does Gacy, and Ciampa throws a haymaker! Gacy gives back a forearm, Ciampa haymakers, kicks low then haymakers again. Gacy forearms, Ciampa fires off and whips Gacy out to the apron! Ciampa runs to KNEE Gacy down tot he floor! Then he goes out to RAM Gacy into the Plexiglas!

Fans fire up and NXT returns to single picture as Ciampa claps and pats himself on the back! Ciampa goes after Gacy again, putting him in the ring. Ciampa runs in to corner clothesline! And again! And again! And again! Ciampa keeps going, he dodges Gacy to FLYING LARIAT! Fans are fired up for Daddy Ciampa as he fireman’s carries Gacy, but Gacy slips out to roll! Ciampa rolls through and CHOPS! Gacy fires a forearm, Ciampa gives it back! Ciampa BOOTS, Gacy BOOTS back! Gacy runs, into a KNEE! And then comes back into a boot, but he ROLLING ELBOWS, and GUT RWENCH POEWRBOMBS! High stack, TWO!!

Gacy keeps moving, and goes right to a corner! Gacy is up on the second rope, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Ciampa moves! Ciampa gets Gacy up and underhooks, but Gacy fights to trip, jackknife cover! TWO!! Ciampa gets up into a BOOT! Gacy handsprings but Ciampa basement dropkicks! Double underhooks, FAIRY TALE ENDING!! Cover, Ciampa wins!

Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall

And with that, Halloween Havoc II stays 1v1 between Ciampa and Bron Breakker! But Harland ATTACKS Ciampa at the ramp! Gacy rushes over, Harland grabs him by the face, but Gacy smooths his fingers along Harland’s face. Harland lets Gacy go and takes off, and Gacy goes to check on Ciampa. Ciampa shoves Gacy, thinking Gacy set him up! But just what is going on between Harland and Mr. Safe Space?

Toxic Attraction is here!

Mandy Rose, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne stroll out on stage, then head to the ring. They get mics and Gigi starts by saying, “Last week, Toxic Attraction came out here with one purpose: to put an end to the NXT Women’s Champion, Raquel Gonzalez. But Io Shirai and Zoey Stark wanted to come out here and play hero and ruin all our fun. So we left this ring feeling very unsatisfied.” Jacy tells Shirai & Stark that while they want to lead by example and play by all the rules, Torix Attraction couldn’t care less. “We do what we want, when we want. And what we want are the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships.” Shirai & Stark, your days are numbered, and time is up at Halloween Havoc.

Mandy says Gigi & Jacy won’t be the only successful ones at Halloween Havoc. Because Mandy is challenging Raquel for THE NXT Women’s Championship! “Raquel, you got lucky last week. And your luck is coming to an end.” At Halloween Havoc, Toxic Attraction will make history, mark her words. They will all be wearing gold around their pretty little waists. “Oh and one more thing. Brown, blue, black, green, yellow, purple, it don’t matter what hair color I have. I’m still the baddest bitch in the game.” But will their words fall flat when the champions get in the ring with them?

Someone picks up a shovel.

They menacingly walk through the woods with it. “I will bury the past so I can start again.” Halloween Havoc, something wicked this way comes.

Xyon Quinn VS Malik Blade!

The fighter and a gentleman didn’t really wait for the ladies to leave, but they don’t seem to mind. Will Quinn continue to win and make a strong impression on the entire NXT roster with his growing undefeated streak?

NXT returns and Malik is already in the ring. The bell rings and the two tie up. Malik gets an arm, wrenches to a wristlock, but Xyon breaks free easily with pure strength. Malik and Xyon go again, Malik headlocks but Xyon powers out. Malik gets around and back to the headlock, but Xyon powers out to run him over! Xyon waits on Malik to get up, scoops him and SLAMS him, then looms over him. Fans rally and duel as Xyon pushes Malik to ropes and ROCKS him in the back. Xyon shoves again, Malik elbows back! Xyon DECKS Malik with a haymaker! Xyon RAMS Malik into the corner, RAMS away with his shoulder, then whips corner to corner hard!

Malik writhes, fans fire up and Xyon covers, TWO! Xyon keeps his focus, stalks Malik and wraps on a chinlock. Malik endures as Xyon grinds him down and fans continue to duel. Malik fights up, powers Xyon into a corner, then gets around to waistlock. Xyon bucks the O’Conner but Malik dropkicks then A-LIST LARIATS in the corner! Malik goes up, leaps, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Xyon rushes in but into a roll-up, TWO! Xyon pops Malik up for a SPINEBUSTER! Xyon powers up with the Haka, waits for Malik to stand, FLYING FOREARM SMASH! Cover, Xyon wins!

Winner: Xyon Quinn, by pinfall

That’s Xyon: 4, everyone else: zero! Will this streak continue until Xyon has gold around his own waist?

Backstage interview with Tommaso Ciampa.

Ciampa now only has a 1v1 with Bron Breakker, what are his thoughts? Well he isn’t sure what to make of what happened with Gacy and Harland, but it doesn’t matter. In two weeks, he is dialed in. And what better for his Halloween Havoc debut than defend HIS NXT Championship? This is a big fight, but here come Grizzled Young Veterans. Zack Gibson says mocks the 900 days of “scratching and clawing” to finally get back the title. Honestly, from the bottom of their hearts, they can’t wait to see him lose it to a rookie. Ciampa says from the bottom of his heart- Breakker says the rookie can go right no! Lace ’em up!

Gibson says that is NOT how you talk to veterans. They’re not dressed for a fight, so they’ll leave them to it for now. GYV leaves, Breakker says he’s got Ciampa’s back from now until Halloween Havoc, because Breakker wants to beat Ciampa at his best. Ciampa scowls, will he change Breakker’s choice of words rather forcefully?

Backstage interview with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott.

Ashante is still MIA, and we all saw Legado snatch up Dolla and B-Fab. Swerve wants McKenzie to stop there, he was there. His crew will be alright, they’re soldiers. What they’d want him to do is focus on the mission at hand, and that is Escobar. Speaking of, Escobar’s really trying to bring out the evil spirits. Well guess what? IT WORKED. Escobar doesn’t want to handle Swerve 1v1. Out of every member Hit Row, they left the wrong one standing. Swerve vows to keep this title with him on SmackDown and there ain’t a damn thing Escobar can do to stop him. Will that still be true after Swerve faces a fully intact Legado del Fantasma?

Ivy Nile w/ Diamond Mine VS Valentina Feroz!

The in-ring debut of this young titan has finally arrived! Will she prove to be more ferocious than the Brazilian bird of prey?

NXT returns and Feroz is in the ring. The bell rings, she and Nile circle and Feroz pushes the aggression. Nile shoots in and gets the waistlock, but Feroz switches. Nile switches, Feroz, switches, repeat until Feroz goes for a leg. Nile pries free to waistlock and roll Feroz way. The two reset, Feroz throws Nile down with a judo throw, then shotgun dropkicks! Feroz runs but leaps into Nile’s arms! Nile shifts and pops Feroz up for a stalling suplex! And she kips up, too! Fans fire up seeing agility on top of strength as Nile gets Feroz up and whips her hard into a corner. Nile storms over, drags Feroz by her legs and drops her. Nile then puts Feroz on the bottom buckle to stand on her back!

The ref counts, Nile lets off at 4, then she drags Feroz to center. Feroz kicks with her free leg, gets up and throws body shots, but Nile knees low. Nile scoops and SLAMS Feroz down, then paces around menacingly. Nile gets a leg, rolls through to a fireman’s carry, but Feroz fights it! Feroz tries to get away but Nile just gets her for a torture rack! Nile smirks as she squats and bends Feroz! Diamond Mine loves it as Nile brings her hands together to bend Feroz more! Feroz endures, but she TAPS! Nile wins!

Winner: Ivy Nile, by submission

The titan quite literally crushed it in her debut! Will she only get stronger as she breaks into the NXT Women’s Division?

Bivens gets a mic to say, “My, my, my! That was a message to every single woman here in NXT! And Kushida figured this out a few weeks ago. The pitbull has been unleashed! Ivy Nile has arrived and she didn’t come to play. And you know who else didn’t come to play? The Creed Brothers! Day in and day out, they are in this building, putting in work. And they have proved they are the most dominant tag team in NXT today. And speaking of dominance, allow me to introduce you to YOUR NXT Cruiserweight Champion, Roderiiiiiiick~ STROOONG!” Strong gets the mic to say- Well, he doesn’t get to say much as IKEMEN JIRO makes an entrance!

The Handsome One shows off his #StyleStrong, and he shows that he wants that belt! Diamond Mine backs off and Julius Creed wants to know if this guy is for real. In the Diamond Mine, everything is earned. You ain’t gotta get ready if you stay ready. Julius is always strapped, so what’s Jiro gonna do? JACKET PUNCH!! Jiro bails out before Diamond Mine rushes back in! Will Jiro get to give Julius more of those pocket punches on his way to facing Roddy for the gold?

Ikemen Jiro VS Julius Creed w/ Diamond Mine!

NXT returns and this match is already underway as Jiro hits an EDGE-O-MATIC! Jiro then shows off the jacket before he hits a NECK TWIST on Julius! Julius rolls to the corner, Hachiman coaches him up and Jiro runs in, but into a chop block! Julius gets even as he drags Jiro up to a gut wrench TOSS! Julius drags Jiro back up, RAMS him into a corner, and then pushes him around with pie face palms. Julius scoops Jiro for a POWERSLAM! Julius drags Jiro up again, gut wrench and suplex! Julius stalks Jiro, kicks him around, but Jiro kicks from below! Julius drags Jiro up as fans rally and he gut wrenches again, for another TOSS!

Diamond Mine likes what they see while fans rally for Jiro. Jiro throws body shots and haymakers, but Julius shoots in to get the leg for a lift and SLAM! Then an elbow drop, but it misses as Jiro moves! Jiro fires off forearms, then the JACKET PUNCH! JACKET PUNCH! JACKET PUNCH! DISCUS JACKET PUNCH!! Fans are fired up as Jiro whips but Julius reverses. Jiro hops up the corner to show off the jacket! Then he BOOTS Julius down, turns around, and headstand heel clap FALLING SPLASH! Cover, ONE!! Julius is tough and he bails out but Jiro ASAI MOONSAULTS! Fans fire up with Jiro but Diamond Mine is furious!

Jiro puts Julius in as fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” Jiro fires up, springboards but Julius catches him for a ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! BASEMENT LARIAT!! Cover, Julius wins!

Winner: Julius Creed, by pinfall

Tag teams, singles, Julius continues to win! And then Diamond Mine just mugs Jiro! But here comes KUSHIDA! The Time Splitter is back, he dumps Brutus out, dodges Julius then fires off forearms! He wants to throw a Fast Ball but he can’t hit Ivy. So Diamond Mine regroups and mugs Kushida! END OF HEARTACHE!! Will Diamond Mine crush anyone who dares stand in their way?

Raquel Gonzalez speaks.

“This title means I am queen of the mountain. From the start I said, line them up and I’ll knock them down. I have never ducked nor dodged any challenge. Iconic champions, sworn enemies, an ex-best friend, a future hall of famer. Which brings me to you, Mandy Rose. Making history comes with a price. And at Halloween Havoc, it’s on. But I’m upping the stakes. Let’s see how tough you really are, chiquita. Let’s spin the wheel and make the deal.” Raquel is willing to gamble on her title! Will Mandy be the one to bust when anything could happen at Halloween Havoc II?

NXT presents an all new Lashing Out with Lash Legend.

Lash welcomes us back to it and gets straight to it. Did everyone see the WWE Draft? She sure did! The Raw and SmackDown rosters have gotten so shaken up, they’ll be lucky to make it out alive. Next year, it’ll just be WWE Squid Games. Speaking of the Draft, time to reveal the “Legends of the Week.” It’s Hit~ Row~! Does anyone else walk around singing that? The crowd does, and she loves it, too! That deserves two snaps ‘n’ a clap.

But that also brings her to her next topic: The Lash Out of the Week. Any suggestions? That Tony D’Angelo trying to get in on the show. Lash’s guy told him there was a “scheduling problem” and left him at the door. Lash tells Tony that if he wants to be on the show, “Forget about it!” See y’all next time!

Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner VS Pete Dunne & Ridge Holland!

Like it or not, #KillerKyle only has big bad Von Wagner watching his back. But will Wagner’s inexperience hold Kyle back against the Bruiserweight and Northern Grit? Or is Wagner the wild card that Dunne & Holland can’t anticipate?

NXT returns and Dunne & Holland are already in the ring. The teams sort out and Dunne goes right at Wagner! Wagner gets around to waistlock and SLAM Dunne down, then CLUBS away on him! Dunne goes to ropes for defense and the ref backs Wagner down. Dunne leaps on Wagner to get the arm for a double wristlock! Wagner endures the twist and powers his way to a suplex! Wagner runs to FALLING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO! Wagner drags Dunne but Dunne gets the wrist and fingers! Dunne TWEAKS the arm and Kyle tags in quick. Dunne headlocks Kyle, Kyle powers out and kitchen sink knees him down!

Dunne hurries, tag to Holland! Kyle dodges to fire off kicks and forearms! Kyle goes for a leg, Ridge powers him off and pushes him down to the mat to drop a knee! Ridge then goes for a head ‘n’ arm triangle, but Kyle fights with elbows. Kyle wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle wants to tag but Ridge CLUBS him and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes him away. Ridge CLUBS Kyle towards the corner, tags Dunne, and Dunne hooks up the legs. Dunne pulls on the arms, Kyle endures but Dunne pulls him back. Dunne gives up on the surfboard to STOMP the legs! Dunne then has a standing toehold, tags in Ridge, and Ridge drops a knee on Kyle’s knee.

Ridge drags Kyle up and ROCKS him with a EuroUpper. Kyle throws body shots in return but Ridge DECKS Kyle with a EuroUpper. Cover, TWO! Ridge clamps onto Kyle with a chinbar and armlock. Kyle endures, fights up, but Ridge wrenches and CLOBBERS Kyle! Fans taunt Ridge, “You Don’t Go Here!” in reference to Ridge being drafted by SmackDown, but Dunne tags in. He gets a leg, trips Kyle then hits a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Dunne drops a knee on the knee, then he sucker punches Wagner! The ref keeps Wagner back, Kyle DRAGON SCREWS Dunne! Ridge gets in, but gets a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!

Kyle fires off kicks and knees on Dunne, then sweeps the legs! Fans fire up, Kyle runs corner to corner for a forearm! Wrench and ELBOW BREAKER, but Dunne wrenches to bend the fingers and give the ELBOW BREAKER back! Kyle ROCKS Dunne with a forearm, Dunne returns it, then DOUBLE FOREARMS send both men staggering! Hot tags to Ridge and Wagner! Fans fire up seeing the behemoths stare down, and they start ramming shoulders! Ridge EuroUppers, Wagner forearms, repeat! Wagner kicks, forearms, whips, but Ridge reverses, only for Wagner to RAM him again! Ridge RAMS him, Wagner rebounds to duck and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE!

Wagner BOOTS Dunne down, clotheslines Holland out of the ring, and fans fire up with big bad Von! But Ridge drags him out to fire off more forearms! Ridge whips Wagner, Wagner reverses and he sends Ridge into steel steps! Wagner tells Ridge that’s what he gets as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Ridge has Kyle down with claws in the shoulders. Kyle endures, fans rally up and Kyle fights up, only for Ridge to CLUB him down. Ridge headbutts low, shoves but Kyle gets a GUILLOTINE! Ridge powers up, tags Dunne, and Dunne pries Kyle off Ridge to a double wristlock! Then he feeds Kyle to Ridge’s SPINEBUSTER, and basement dropkicks Kyle in the back! Cover, Wagner breaks it !Ridge gets in, he and Wagner fight, Wagner throws Ridge out! Dunne ENZIGURIS Wagner, Kyle KNEES Dunne down! Kyle crawls to his corner but Wagner isn’t there to tag! Dunne CLOBBERS Kyle, then aims from a corner.

Dunne snarls and STOMPS both hands, then BUZZSAWs, into an ANKLE LOCK! Ridge manages to tag in, and he CLOBBERS Kyle! Ridge rains down forearms, drags Kyle up and throws him out of the ring hard! Ridge goes out, Dunne is there, they both get Kyle up. Ridge scoops, Dunne positions steps, but Wagner runs in to FLYING TACKLE them all down! Fans fire up as Wagner hurries back to his corner. Kyle gets in, hurries over as fans fire up, but Ridge anchors a foot! Ridge drags Kyle back, Kyle still gets the hot tag! Wagner rallies on Ridge, whips him to ropes and KNEES him down! Wager gets Ridge up, OLYMPIC SLAM!!

Dunne gets in but Wagner dodges the enziguri to ROCK him with a forearm! Kyle adds his own then Wagner BOOTS Dunne down! Wagner tells Kyle to go finish Dunne, and #KillerKyle FLYING KNEES Dunne down! Wagner clotheslines Ridge in a corner, reel shim in, but Ridge slips out to scoop! Wagner slips out, kicks low, underhooks, TWISTING BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, Wagner & Kyle win!

Winners: Kyle O’Reilly & Von Wagner, by pinfall

It seems Kyle finally learned to trust Wagner, and they just took the fight to Dunne & Holland! Will these two stick together to take over NXT 2.0?

Chase University holds another lecture.

Andre Chase’s new lesson is ring awareness. Last week, he taught Odyssey Jones all about that when Jones put his foot under the bottom rope. Instead, it should’ve been over the bottom rope, so the ref could see it. Jones lacks the veteran instincts it takes to be successful in NXT. Any questions? Brandon up front says Chase pulled an illegal maneuver and it should’ve been a disqualification. Chase says he is open to discussing this point, “IF I GAVE A F***!” He slaps Brandon’s books off his desk and tells him to get out! Go down the hall to join Steve in the Dumbasses class! Give that kid an FU for him when you get there!

Chase is upset with students thinking for themselves, but will anyone still go to this class if that’s his attitude?

Tony D’Angelo speaks.

“So the streets are talking about my successful debut.” But he has to give props to Malk or whatever his name. But that guy was basically licking Tony’s boots. But now that Tony’s the man in NXT, he goes to check out Lashing Out, only for some mealy mouthed little producer to say there was some kind of “scheduling conflict.” But yeah, forget about it. Tony does things on his own time anyway. That producer, Mark, is a nice guy. But uh, Tony clearly has him in the trunk of an unmarked Mercedes. Will Tony D’Angelo make sure Lash’s people do business with him?

Duke Hudson VS Grayson Waller!

The high stakes poker player takes on the baller Golden Gloves winner. Will Duke be able to take Waller for everything he’s worth? Or will he fall to Waller’s hot hand?

The bell rings, the two circle, and the two tie up. Duke puts Waller in a corner, lets off and Waller dodges the haymaker to show off his footwork. They go again, Waller waistlocks then headlocks but Duke pries at the hold. Duke pulls hair, Waller JABS Duke with a palm strike! Waller dodges Duke then comes back to arm-drag, but Duke blocks with size and strength! Duke whips Waller to a corner, but Waller goes up and over. Waller then goes up again and hits a FLYING arm-drag! Waller has Duke down with a cording hold, but Duke fights up. Waller cranks the hold, Duke clinches to an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!

Duke has Waller in a corner, throws hands then stomps, then an elbow! Fans rally up for Waller as Duke rams his shoulder in again and again. Duke lets off at 4 to then HIP ATTACK! Duke whips corner to corner hard and Waller bounces off buckles. Duke dusts himself off before he wraps on a bearhug. Waller endures the squeeze, fights up to throw elbows, but Duke has another bearhug. Fans taunt Duke as “DOO~KIE! DOO~KIE!” but he ignores that. Waller JAWBREAKERS free, throws hands, then spins Duke to ROCK him with a forearm! Waller BOOTS, Duke puts him on the apron, but Waller shoulders in and HOTSHOTS Duke away! SOMERSAULT STUNNER!

Fans fire up as Waller grabs at Duke. Duke has the skirt, Waller gets the roll up, TWO! Waller goes to ropes but Duke disrupts the springboard! Roll-up, with the tights! Duke wins!!

Winner: Duke Hudson, by pinfall

That was rather underhanded for the poker player, and he gives Waller a poker chip as a parting token. Will Waller have better luck next time? Will Duke be playing for a bigger pot, aka a title, soon enough?

Santos Escobar speaks.

“It’s unfortunate what happened to Hit Row today. And Swerve, it’s a real shame your familia isn’t here and mine is always with me.” But he reassures Swerve that tonight, Legado stays in the locker room so that it’ll be Swerve VS Escobar, mano y mano. Good luck, cowboy! Escobar is laughing now, but will Swerve have the last laugh in the main event?

Dexter Lumis is with Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta backstage.

He’s accompanying them to gorilla, and Indi gives her man a big wet kiss on the cheek as thanks. The music hits, Indi & Persia head out for their tag team debut!

Imperium speaks.

Marcel Barthel says “It’s sad. It’s an absolute embarrassment!” MSK being the team that are the champions, yet also representing everything WRONG with this generation. “But not for long.” Fabian Aichner says “This generation is soft. Everyone is attached to their phones and no one is willing to work hard.” MSK is an embarrassment to this sport! No honor, no pride, no elegance, because they don’t even know what these words mean! But do not worry, Imperium is here to save NXT. Because to them, the mat is sacred. When and where will Aichner & Barthel get their chance to “redeem” the NXT Tag Team Division?

Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta VS Sarray & Amari Miller!

The #Impressive best friends are climbing towards the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships, but they still have to be victorious. Can they outshine the Warrior of the Sun and the Star of St. Louis?

NXT returns and Sarray and Amari are already in the ring. Sarray starts with Persia and the two circle. Things speed up already, Persia catches Sarray but Sarray sunset flips! Persia stays up, drags Sarray up and puts her in the corner to ROCK with a forearm! Tag to Indi, they whip and Persia SPLASHES! Then she feeds Sarray to Indi’s SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, ONE! Sarray gets to a corner, Indi runs in to corner clothesline! Indi headlocks but Sarray denies the bulldog to come back, into a fireman’s carry! Sarray fights out and shoves Indi into a corner fore forearms and kicks! Sarray bumps Indi off buckles and tags in Amari, who fires off forearms and kicks!

Amari mule kicks a leg out, kicks Indi in the arm then SUPERKICKS Indi down! Cover, ONE!! Amari clamps onto Indi’s arm and grinds the shoulder. Indi fights up, Amari hops on as a backpack with a sleeper, but Indi RAMS Amari into buckles! Amari jumps back in, throws crossface forearms, but Indi throws her down! Tag to Persia and she rallies on Amari! Persia scoops and SNAKE EYES Amari, to then BOOT her down! Persia gets Amari up to a fireman’s carry, Indi tags in, but Sarray runs in. Persia BOOTS her down, then gives Amari a SWINGING X-FACTOR! Indi springboards for the PRETTY SAVAGE ELBOW! Cover, Indi & Persia win!

Winners: Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta, by pinfall

An impressive first match for the best friends, but was it enough to earn a tag title opportunity? Persia gets a mic to says, “What a way to start it off, hey? So how about you, me and those NXT Women’s Tag titles?” But speaking of, here come Shirai & Stark! Shirai tells them in Japanese to shut it with this tag title stuff. “I don’t like you. I don’t like you. And-” Stark stops Shirai there, she knows Shirai doesn’t like Stark, either. Well don’t speak for her. Oh so then she does like Stark? No. But here come Toxic Attraction! Jacy wants this to stop. “She likes me, she likes me not. We don’t give a damn about any one of you!” They just want the titles.

And now it turns into a brawl, Toxic Attraction with the champs! Indi and Persia get involved but get beat up, too! Gigi throws Indi out, Shirai gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX Gigi down! Persia hammers away on Stark but Jacy dumps her out! Stark HEEL KICKS Jacy down! The champs are fired up and standing tall, will they take on both teams just to shut them all up?

Grayson Waller walks backstage.

He says he to Cora Jade as she walks by, but then says hey to a lovely lady in blue. Blue’s his favorite color, after all. He’s gonna go shower, how about she goes freshen up and meet him out back. Cameron Grimes slides up and asks how Waller pulled that off. Well it’s as Grimes said, love is in the air. Waller didn’t even try his best, it’s probably just his accent. But he just lost a match. And Grimes is still upset about his loss. It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about likes ‘n’ swipes. Grimes has all the money in the world. If he shaved his chest, his beard, and cleaned up, he’d find a lady.

Well where would he find said lady to begin with? Ever tried dating apps? Check it. Whoa, no way! Will Grimes have the same luck in finding love as he did with investing?

A new fighter is coming to NXT.

“You won’t find my wins and losses in any record books. Those live on the streets. I was left to fight alone when I was 15 years old, and that’s when I became Solo Sikoa, Street Champion of the Island.”

NXT North American Championship: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Santos Escobar!

Santos promised this would finally be a 1v1 match between these two, but can he really be trusted? Or will Swerve see all the tricks in the book coming and throw them in Escobar’s face?

NXT returns and Escobar makes his entrance. Legado accompanies him on stage, but they do seem to keep their promise as they return to the back. But Swerve attacks at the ramp! Swerve RAMS Escobar into steel steps! Swerve glares Escobar right in the face, saying this is for HIS family. They go into the ring, the ref wants Swerve to wait for Escobar to get to his feet. Escobar does, the bell rings, and Escobar bails out to steady himself. But Swerve FLIES! Down goes Escobar with that Fosbury Flop! Swerve drags Escobar up, making him look at the camera before he throws him into the other steel steps! Swerve gets in the ring and lets the ring count climb.

Escobar stands at 7 so Swerve goes out to restart the count. Swerve puts Escobar on the apron, pulls off the protection on the corner crossbar, but Escobar scrambles into the ring. Swerve grins as he stalks Escobar and kicks him around. Swerve whips, tilt-o-whirl scoops and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Swerve smirks as Escobar writhes and fans rally up. Swerve runs to drop a knee! Cover, ONE! Swerve keeps cool, fans rally and duel, and Swerve stalks Escobar again. Swerve drags Escobar up to half nelson but Escobar blocks the lift. Swerve CLUBS and CHOPS Escobar down but Escobar again blocks the lift.

Escobar jumps to arm-drag Swerve away! Swerve bails out, Escobar runs and slides but Swerve goes up onto the apron. Escobar trips Swerve and Swerve lands hard on the apron! Escobar builds speed and keeps going, ARROW FROM HELL!! Direct hit and Swerve goes flying over the announce desk! Escobar is all fired up as NXT goes picture in picture.

Escobar goes around the desk to fetch Swerve. He stands Swerve up just to toss him over the desk back the other way! Then he stands Swerve up to whip him into steel steps! That’s a receipt for earlier! Fans rally and Escobar stalks Swerve back into the ring. Escobar stomps Swerve around, drags him by his legs and ties those up to then punch away at Swerve’s kidneys! Escobar bends Swerve back in this modified Queen Angelito, and then smothers Swerve with a hand over his mouth! Escobar drops Swerve, stomps away on him, then gets both legs for a BOSTON CRAB! Swerve endures as Escobar sits deep on the stretch! Swerve fights to turn over and get the ropebreak!

The ref counts, Escobar lets go and backs off. Swerve scrambles to a corner, Escobar is after him with forearms and body shots, then a CHOP! Escobar turns Swerve around and gets space to RAM him in the back! Escobar brings Swerve around again, NXT returns to single picture as Escobar digs a boot between Swerve’s shoulders as he pulls on the arms. Swerve endures, Escobar whips and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Escobar runs to PENALTY KICK Swerve in the back! Fans are fired up and Escobar fires up as he grabs the arms again. Swerve endures, resists, but Escobar still has him in the motorcycle stretch.

Fans rally and duel, Swerve fights up to his feet, and he uses a leg to pry one arm free. Swerve elbows Escobar but Escobar ROCKS him with a right! Swerve throws a forearm back so Escobar gives another. Swerve CHOPS, Escobar CHOPS! Swerve CHOPS again, Escobar throws forearm after forearm! Escobar runs but Swerve gets around and redirects to LARIAT! Fans fire up as Escobar goes to a corner. Swerve snarls and runs in to back elbow! Then snapmare and Swerve goes up, FALLING UPPERCUT! Escobar staggers up into Swerve’s SOMERSAULT- COMPLETE SHOT from Escobar! Cover, TWO!!

Escobar grows frustrated but he knows it was that close. Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as Escobar gets to a corner. Swerve stands in the other, Escobar runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Escobar hoists Swerve up top, CHOPS him again, and fans declare, “This is Awesome!” Escobar whistles before the SUPER STEINER! Swerve goes flying and Escobar goes back up, for a FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and Escobar can’t believe it! The CWC is thunderous as Escobar runs to basement dropkick Swerve out! Swerve gets to the apron but Escobar brings him to a corner. Escobar drags Swerve up, stands on the very top, but Swerve trips him up!

Escobar is stuck on the top rope, Swerve glares at him and drags him into a fireman’s carry. APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Swerve shoves Escobar back in, goes up a corner, 450 SPLASH onto knees! Escobar covers, TWO!! Swerve narrowly escapes and fans are electric! Escobar is in shock but fans are loving this! But wait, Legado violates their promise and show up ringside! But wait, Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams trip them up! Legado brawls with them but are Melo & Trick honorary Hit Row? Escobar KNEES Swerve, fireman’s carries, but Swerve fights free! Swerve shoves Escobar away and goes to a corner. Escobar runs in but Swerve pops him up onto the CROSSBAR!

Escobar staggers back, Swerve gets the half nelson, J M L DRIVER!! Cover, Swerve wins?!?

Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Incredible! Swerve, who is heading for SmackDown in less than two weeks, is going to take one of NXT’s titles with him!? But what goes around comes around, Escobar got what he deserved! Melo celebrates with Swerve, only to CLOBBER him with a lariat!! And Trick says it’s time! The Breakout Tournament contract is at the ready, and Melo’s going Money in the Bank with it!! He signs on the dotted line, for the NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP!!

NXT North American Championship: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott VS Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams!

The bell rings, Melo SPRINGBOARD SLINGBLADES!! Cover, TWO!?! Swerve survives, even after all he’s been through, and Melo can’t believe it! Trick can’t believe it! No one can believe it! Melo says it ends this time, and he reels Swerve in. Swerve breaks free to DECK Melo with a right! Swerve grits his teeth, gets to a corner, then runs corner to corner, into Melo’s BOOT! Melo sets up from the corner, “Melo Don’t Miss!” FLYING FAMOUSER!! Cover, Melo wins!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)

Well so much for Hit Row bringing the gold to the blue brand! The Breakout Star new how to play the game and got the biggest win in his career! Will there be no stopping Melo now that he has the title around his waist?

My Thoughts:

As exciting as that ending was, NXT sure shoved in a lot in this episode, and not necessarily in a good way. I don’t think Xyon Quinn has had anything other than short matches, and he had another short one here. Ivy Nile having a squash match for her debut is fine, that is just standard formula in WWE anyway. But I felt a bit soured that Julius Creed beat Ikemen Jiro in what ended up a short match since it started during the break. I would’ve rather Jiro found a quick way to win and then that’s reason for Diamond Mine to mug him. Kushida coming out was still a good move, and I’m betting we get Kushida & Jiro VS Creed Brothers, and that could be the Creed Brothers’ first loss.

Duke VS Waller was another short match when it probably could’ve been more, but whatever, apparently it’s more important to use Waller to push Grimes’ search for his Lady Luck. Admittedly, Grimes again being behind the times and not knowing about dating apps was funny. But I just don’t understand anything about this new romcom edict. Do we need this? Johnny and Candice worked because they’re legitimately a great couple, #InDex worked on how it’s so goofy and it turns tropes around on their heads, but they don’t need to be force fed NXT shipping as written by Vince. But hey, if anyone can make it fun for viewers, it’s Grimes.

That promo of the person with the shovel had a voice mod on it, but you could totally tell it was female with an accent. I have a strong feeling this is Dakota Kai making a comeback with a new element to her character, as is the way of NXT 2.0. Toxic Attraction’s promo was generic “We’re Heels!” type stuff, and it comes out of order when we already saw Gigi & Jacy lose to Shirai & Stark. And then, was Sarray really part of the team that jobbed to Indi & Persia? But of course Vince favors hotties with bodies in this. Mandy Rose gets to face Raquel Gonzalez, and surely lose in whatever badass stipulation they’re given, while Toxic Attraction might take the pin in the coming Triple Threat for the Women’s Tag titles. At least, that’s what I hope.

But we still got really good things. Ciampa VS Gacy was a solid match, but of course Ciampa wins. Gacy can’t be in the title match, he’d take the loss in the Triple Threat to keep the other two strong. Plus, he now has this thing with “Harland” Parker Boudreaux, possibly the start of a faction, maybe something to get us to accept Gacy’s gimmick as more than just tone deaf parody. Ciampa and Breakker have good interactions with GYV, and they’re having a tag match next week in what already feels like a really good go-home to Halloween Havoc. Andre Chase honestly does do good as a character, that Chase University segment was funny. But he’s totally losing to Odyssey Jones.

Wagner and Kyle had a really good match with Dunne & Holland, and clearly Wagner’s got the push behind him. I think this was good for a send-off to Holland, he’ll head to SmackDown and start wrecking people on his way to the Intercontinental Championship and Nakamura. Wagner and Kyle could be a team, or they could end up rivals for the North American Championship or something, who knows. Not sure, but I think Tony D’Angelo is ending up in a feud with Lash Legend where she gets a proxy from the men’s division to fight him. It’s something different and I wouldn’t mind seeing how that turns out so Lash isn’t just a talk show host this entire time.

What was really good tonight was the send-off for Hit Row. First, Legado is implicated in Adonis being gone, then they blatantly get rid of B-Fab and Dolla, and then we got a pretty great match of Swerve VS Escobar. It was quite the great twist, actually, for Swerve to retain against Escobar, as he should have given how everything felt in the feud of Hit Row VS Legado, only for Melo to go MITB and cash-in. Honestly, I think that is a great addition to how the Breakout Tournament contract works, and it really gives the episode a hot ending. Melo can now carry on against Legado, Trick being his guy to watch his back, maybe setting something up for Halloween Havoc.

My Score: 8.9/10