Will Carmelo Hayes miss The Way?

Halloween Havoc 2 brought a lot of change to the NXT landscape, but there are some leftovers! Will Melo & Trick get even with Gargano & Lumis for the haunted open house?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Dakota Kai VS Cora Jade; Kai wins.
• Robert Stone VS Xyon Quinn; Quinn wins.
• Von Wagner & Kyle O’Reilly VS Legado del Fantasma; Legado wins.
• Andre Chase VS Bron Breakker; Breakker wins.
• Solo Sikoa VS Jeet Rama; Sikoa wins.
• Boa VS Grayson Waller; Boa wins.
• Duke’s Poker Room: Duke Hudson VS Cameron Grimes; Grimes wins.
• Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Johnny Gargano & Dexter Lumis; Hayes & Williams win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Mandy Rose heads to the ring!

The NEW NXT Women’s Champion has even more swagger in her step as she struts her way out. She holds the belt high and has plenty of fans cheering her on. Mandy gets a mic as she shoulders the belt, and she says, “Damn it feels good! I told you all that I was on a whole ‘nother level.” Fans duel, “You Deserve It!” “No You Don’t!” Mandy knows she deserves it, she doesn’t need anyone’s approval. She told us week after week after week that she’d become champion. And because she’s a woman of her word, she did. She defeated the unbeatable, the unstoppable Raquel Gonzalez to become the NEW NXT Women’s Champion. Most importantly, she’s still the baddest bitch in the whole gaddamn company!

But she has got to say, this title looks so good on her! Better than anyone who has ever worn it before! And you all know it! With this title around her waist, “you guys are following every move I make, and that goes for all of Toxic Attraction, because we had a hell of a Halloween Havoc!” And she knows everyone is watching and having two thoughts. One: Damn Mandy is hot. And two: Where are her friends? Where are they? Video kicks in of Gigi and Jacy beating up Zoey Stark! They went right after her already beat up leg! Referees rush in and get Toxic Attraction to back off and Mandy pretends to be upset.

But Toxic Attraction runs NXT! There ain’t a woman, team or faction that can stop them! But if anyone thinks different- Io Shirai interrupts! “I saw what your girls did! I don’t like Zoey, but I like you even less. So, I want the leader of Toxic Attraction!” Shirai wants Mandy right here, right now! Mandy says to hold on now. Shirai is forgetting that everyone used to be scared of her, but this is Mandy’s world now! If Shirai wants to go, then okay! SUCKER PUNCH! Mandy fires off and CLUBS Shirai down, then throws her out of the ring! Mandy goes out to bump Shirai off the announce desk! “I ain’t scared of you, Io!” Mandy then POSTS Shirai!

Mandy RAMS Shirai into the apron, and then puts her in the ring. Mandy gets in, picks up the mic again and says, “Aw, Io, honey. This ain’t the old NXT, honey. This is NXT 2.0, and you will never look like me!” Shirai trips Mandy up and fires off hands! Fans are fired up but Mandy shoves Shirai away. Shirai comes back, waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mandy ends up in a corner, in comes SHINKANSEN! Mandy is in the drop zone, Shirai steps on her and goes up, but Toxic Attraction get in! They throw Shirai down and mug her like they did Zoey Stark! Shirai fights them off, throwing Gig out and then getting around to drag Jacy down with a sleeper!

Mandy saves Jacy, Gigi returns and they stomp away! But here comes Kayden Cater! FLYING CLOTHESLINE for Gigi! Kacy Catanzaro gets in to brawl with Jacy! Shirai SHOTGUNS Jacy out, Kacy DECKS Mandy! KC Squared stands with the Evil Genius, will Toxic Attraction find they don’t scare anyone?

Toxic Attraction regroups backstage.

But they run across Dakota Kai. Dakota tells Mandy she didn’t do it to help Mandy. She did it to end Raquel. The twisted Cobra Kai goes to the ring now, she’s back in action!

Duke’s Poker Room is stacked tonight.

That smug smirk is Duke’s poker face, and one player folds before storming off. Easy money. But here comes Cameron Grimes! He takes a seat and is excited to be here. Speaking of easy money. The buy in is $500. No problem for the Cash Money Caveman. Well Grimes might as well save us time and give Duke all his money now. That’ll save Grimes the embarrassment, and save everyone else the embarrassment of watching him strike out with the ladies. Oooh~! Grimes laughs that off and admits he gets flustered when ladies are around. But he isn’t here for love, he’s here to gamble! What’s the game? 21? Grimes has 22, hit ‘im!

No, Grimes, this is Texas Hold ‘Em. Grimes insists, hit him. Deal it! Alright. Duke deals the cards, Grimes laughs it up, and we’ll see how this goes a little later.

Dakota Kai VS Cora Jade!

Halloween Havoc saw Dakota Kai make sure Raquel Gonzalez was no longer NXT Women’s Champion. But if Dakota’s buried her past, does that mean she’s finally moving on? Or will #GenerationJade keep her winning streak going to 3-0?

The bell rings and Kai CLOBBERS Jade right away! Kai rains down hands, puts Jade in a corner but Jade hits back. Kai shoves Jade out of the ring, Jade gets back in but into a BOOT! Kai throws hands, snapmares Jade and wraps on a chinlock to then make it a half straitjacket! Jade endures, fans rally, and Jade fights up. Jade powers out and rallies with clotheslines! Jade ducks and dodges to RANA Kai to ropes! Kai flounders up but into a SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Jade Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Jade keeps on Kai with a facelock then underhooks, but Kai drops to Alabama lift and NORTHERN LIGHTS!

Both women stir as fans rally up. Kai drags Jade up and glares as she fireman’s carries. GO TO- SUNSET FLIP! ONE, Jade hurries but Kai SCORPION KICKS! Jade staggers to a corner, Kai goes Around the World and BOOTS her down! Cover, Kai wins!

Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall

But Kai ain’t done with Jade! She drags her right out of the ring and throws her down! Jade flounders, Kai drags her by her hair! Kai gets Jade to the ramp and dribbles her off the floor! Fans boo but Kai brings out a TABLE! Kai puts the table on Jade, goes to the apron, but then thinks better of it. Kai looks at Jade trapped underneath, and gets Jade’s skateboard. Kai puts the board on Jade and leaves. Will Jade count herself fortunate to be spared Dakota’s darkness?

Robert Stone calls out Xyon Quinn.

He didn’t appreciate the choke slam through the table at the Halloween party and is challenging Quinn 1v1, mano a mano, and wants to see if Quinn has the guts to face Suit Man Stone. Will this go as poorly as Stone’s Elvis costume?

MSK are bummed out.

Nash Carter can’t believe they lost the NXT Tag Team Championships after 202 days. Now he feels like he’s lacking down low. Wes Lee knows what he means. But maybe they need to feel the lowest of the lows to get to the highest of the highs. But is this going to work out? They’re paying a lot for just advice. Well Carter heard this guy helped millions and millions, and is the one who came up with the legend of MSK. Wait, the man behind the curtain? Tell Lee the story! Okay okay! So it all started when they were just little kids. And a bus gets in the way. After it passes, the story is over. Lee loves this guy even more! He deserves all the money! Oh shoot, that was their bus…

Well, maybe they can just walk there. They’ve got the supplies. Carter gives Lee a piggyback ride, but will we learn who this guru of MSK is?

Xyon Quinn goes to the ring!

The gentleman fighter has a nice suit himself, but Stone has the music cut. He called Quinn out for embarrassing him last week. But Stone gets it. Quinn is jealous! Everybody’s jealous of Robert Stone and his purple romp-him! It’s because Stone can do anything. First, he’ll out sing Quinn, then he’ll stomp him, while he’s in the rompa, and then pin Quinn one, two, three! “Franky, this one is for you! Hit the music.” Stone sings along with Franky’s theme song, Bougie Bad, and it is very bad. Stone feels he did awesome but the fans say, “You Suck! You Suck!” But Stone is delusional and thinks the fans love him.

He isn’t sure what’s so funny. Does Quinn think he can do a better job? Quinn snatches the mic, and he’ll be honest, that was… interesting. But Quinn is only here to kick Stone’s ass. Fans chant for Quinn to “Kick his ass!” Stone says Quinn is a chicken, but Quinn figures what the hell. Put something on. It’s HBK’s theme song! Stone tries to make it a fight but Quinn makes it a dance! Stone SLAPS Quinn and now the fun is over. Ring the bell!

Robert Stone VS Xyon Quinn!

The bell rings, Quinn drags Stone back into the ring and gives him a HUGE back suplex! It was almost a toss out of the ring! Quinn takes off his suit to TOSS Stone again, and then uppercut him hard in the corner! Fans are fired up as Quinn fireman’s carries for a SWINGING SLAM! And then, suplex to a JACKHAMMER! Cover, Quinn wins!

Winner: Xyon Quinn, by pinfall

Just as the song says, Quinn ain’t no boy toy, he’s a manly badass! Will Quinn continue to win?

Joe Gacy speaks.

“The world should be a happy place. But in reality, it’s nothing but a cesspool filled with closed minded individuals. We’re in a world where the goal is to drag people down and hope they fail. Take social media. Designed for people to share ideas, and now it’s full of nothing but negative energy. People make instant judgment based on appearance. That is not inclusion. I hear they call a man a monster. Why? Because he’s tall? Because he has tattoos? Because he has a shaved head? You alienate the man without giving him a chance. Well, that stops now.” Gacy promises Harland that they will change the world together.

Legado Del Fantasma come across Xyon Quinn.

Elektra Lopez didn’t know he had that side to him. He has many sides. Well that is something she could work with. Quinn moves on, and Legado heads to the ring. Will Legado take care of business before getting to pleasure?

Von Wagner & Kyle O’Reilly VS Legado del Fantasma!

NXT returns as both teams are already in the ring. Joaquin Wilde starts with Kyle and they tie right up. They go around, Wilde waistlocks then wrings Kyle out. Kyle bridges but Wilde headlocks. Kyle makes it a cover, ONE! Fans rally and duel as Kyle headscissors. Wilde kips free but Kyle trips him up and floats around to get a headlock. Wilde fights up but Kyle grinds the headlock. Tag to Raul Mendoza but Kyle headlocks him. Mendoza powers out, Kyle runs him over and things keep moving. Mendoza hurdles, sunset flips but Kyle stays up to get the ARMBAR! Mendoza clasps hands, scrambles around and gets the ropebreak!

Kyle lets Mendoza go to kick him around. Tag to Wagner and he waistlocks to SLAM Mendoza. Wagner h0lds on, SLAMS Mendoza again, but Mendoza elbows out and CHOPS! Wagner reverses the whip but Menozda slips out to elbow and springboard. Wagner gets under, scoops for a BACKBREAKER then a FALL AWAY SLAM! Tag to Kyle, he hangs Mendoza out and Wagner LEAP FROGS! Kyle hammerlocks and drags Mendoza down to knee the arm and elbow the ribs! Kyle floats around to do the same to the other. Kyle runs to knee Mendoza low, then he clamps on a chinlock. Mendoza endures, even as Kyle traps an arm.

Kyle wrenches, hammerlocks, and knees Mendoza to the corner. Tag to Wagner, he and Kyle mug Mendoza with KICKS and HEADBUTTS! Wagner drags Mendoza up, scoops, Mendoza slips out to dropkick! Wagner bumps into Kyle. Mendoza CLUBS Wagner and tags Wilde. Legado double whip but Wagner DOUBLE SHOULDERS! Wagner throws haymakers and elbows but Wilde kicks low. He and Mendoza regroup but Wagner DOUBLE SUPLEXES Legado! Fans fire up as NXT goes picture in picture.

Wagner stalks Wilde, drags him up and CLUBS him down. Wagner drags Wilde over, tags in Kyle, and they mug Wilde. Kyle headbutts Wilde down, drags him up and KICKS him off his feet! Kyle ties up the legs, and puts Wilde in a grounded cobra twist! Wilde endures, fans rally and duel, Kyle makes it a cradle! TWO, but Kyle CLUBS Wilde to the ropes. Tag to Wagner and they double whip Wilde to double elbow him down! Wagner drags Wilde up and gut wrench suplexes! Wilde flounders to the apron, Wagner storms over but Wilde HOTSHOTS him away! Wilde gets up and dumps Wagner out! Wilde then bumps him off the apron before putting Wagner back in.

Wilde tags Mendoza, and Mendoza throws forearms. Snapmare and basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Mendoza rains down forearms, tag to Wilde, and they double whip to a DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER, and then the split the wishbone! DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Wilde is frustrated but he wraps on a chinlock. Wagner endures, fights but Wilde throws him down to stomp him! Wilde wraps the chinlock back on and squeezes tight. Wagner endures, even as Wilde thrashes him. Wagner fights up, throws elbows but Wilde wrangles him back down. Wilde leans on the hold but Wagner still endures as NXT returns to single picture.

Wagner fights up, fans rally and duel, and Wilde becomes a backpack! Wagner throws Wilde off, but Wilde gets a foot! Wagner kicks at Wilde, gets free, hot tags to Mendoza and Kyle! Kyle dodges Mendoza to BOOT Wilde, then kitchen sink knees Mendoza! Kyle clinches and fires off knees, KICKS and haymakers! Chest kick and leg sweep! Mendoza gets to ropes, Kyle KICKS the legs out! Mendoza clutches his leg, the ref checks and Kyle runs, but Elektra is in his way! Kyle tells her to get down but she just smirks. Mendoza KNEES Kyle down from behind! Mendoza pumps up and runs in, clothesline and tag! Wilde rolls, runs and clotheslines to tag!

Mendoza clotheslines and tags! Wilde clotheslines and tags! The cycle continues until Mendoza GAMANGIRIS! Tag to Wilde, snap suplex for Kyle and then Mendoza dropkicks Wagner! Kyle gets up but Wilde SWANTONS him down! Cover, TWO!! Tag back to Mendoza, Legado has Kyle in a corner and double whips. Wilde runs in but into a BOOT! Mendoza runs in but is dumped out! Wilde gets Kyle’s foot but Kyle kicks him away! Hot tag to Wagner! Wagner rallies on Legado! He whips Wilde to KNEE him down! Then BIG Complete Shot! Cover, TWO! Wilde survives and Elektra looks worried. Wagner waits for Wilde to get up, Olympic- No, arm-drag from Wilde!

Wilde runs, Wagner pops him up to uppercut, then OLYMPIC SLAM! Tag to Kyle, PENALTY KICK! Cover, Mendoza breaks it! Mendoza whips but Kyle throws Mendoza out! Tag back to Wagner, he and Kyle coordinate, but Mendoza BOOTS Kyle! Wilde rolls Wagner up with tights! Legado wins!

Winners: Legado Del Fantasma, by pinfall

Wagner and Kyle were just getting going and Legado snuffs the fire out quick! Will Legado gets back towards the tag titles with this? Can Kyle and Wagner keep it together and try again?

Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams.

McKenzie is corrected, Melo is the A Champion of NXT, and Melo says tonight’s back to business. No playing around, Melo & Trick are back in their court. They don’t miss. No more Scooby-Doo ghost chase! Andre Chase walks in and says Melo IS the A Champion. Whoa, he’s still alive? Chase wishes them luck, not that they need it. But since they had his back at the haunted house, he’ll have their back in tonight’s main event. Whoa, this is crazy! Melo & Trick head out, but McKenzie asks Chase his thoughts on the social media chatter. Chase looked like a coward- What?! Someone’s getting a Andre Chase University sized ass-kicking for that one!

NXT checks back in with Duke’s Poker Room.

Not even Duke can figure out how Grimes is still in the game. He’s got the biggest beginner’s luck ever! This is Duke’s poker room, and Grimes isn’t even paying attention. Grimes, c’mon! Yeah, he hears ya. Then let’s play. Alright, alright. Grimes calls. Pair o’ Jacks from the gentleman on Duke’s right. Triple sevens for the man on Duke’s left. “Man, fellas, I think y’all might got me beat. I just got diamonds.” Grimes has a Flush!? Whoa, a flush? That’s good? The other two guys leave and Hudson criticizes the one guy for going all in on just Jacks. Ain’t no jacks beat Grimes> Alright, enough beginner’s luck. Let’s play.

Another hand for just Duke and Grimes, one of the ladies loses it all and Duke wishes her luck next time. Grimes comes away with more and more, but then his lady friend loses to Duke’s Royal Flush. Duke says it’ll be alright, Grimes will join her soon enough. Grimes won’t let Duke talk to her like that. She did great. This is Duke’s Poker Room, and Duke will talk to people however he likes. And Grimes has no shot with her, anyway. Same as he has no shot at beating Duke. We’ll see about that. NXT will come back later to see how this all unfolds.

Andre Chase goes to the ring!

And he actually has a student section cheering him on! Chase gets a mic to say… Well, it doesn’t turn on, so he throws it at the ring crew. He gets a mic that does work, and he says he isn’t usually the kind to respond to baseless rumors. But he just got told that after last week in Lumis’ haunted house, people online are calling him a coward?! A coward?! A coward. Normally, he would be furious with anyone who called him that, but then he understands that what we have right now is a TEACHABLE MOMENT! Tonight, you’ll learn that Chase fears NOTHING. As his student sessions will attest, the only thing to fear around here is Andre Chase!

So if there’s anyone in the back that wants a PhD in getting their asses kicked, come on to the ring and get your degree! But the lights start to dim, and here comes BRON BREAKKER! Will Bron school Chase here in a minute?

Andre Chase VS Bron Breakker!

The bell rings, Chase tags a swing but Bron blocks it easily! Bron keeps the arm caught, reels Chase in and hits an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Then Bron clotheslines Chase up and out of the ring! Chase scrambles as Bron goes chasing him down! Chase swings again, misses and Bron CLOBBERS Chase in return! Fans fire up, Bron brings Chase up and into the ring. Chase wants a timeout or at least some mercy, but then he suckers Bron into elbows and CHOPS! Chase throws hands, kicks, and CLUBS Bron to a corner. Chase cravats, neck wrenches, throws short shoulders and knees, then whips. Bron reverses and runs to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE!

Bron clotheslines and Belly2Belly suplexes again! Fans fire up and bark as the straps come down. Bron grabs Chase and trophy lifts him for the POWERSLAM! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall

Chase just learned that not all men are created equal, and that he didn’t have a 50-50 chance o’ winnin’ here! Bron gets a mic to say, “Last week at Halloween Havoc, I had the biggest match of my life, and I failed. Tommaso Ciampa set trap after trap, and I fell for each and every one of them.” Ciampa took advantage of Bron’s inexperience, so it is only fair that Bron says Ciampa is the man in NXT. BUT! There’s nothing that pisses Bron off more than losing. So Ciampa, if you think this is done, you’re wrong! Bron will get another shot and he will win, or die trying! Will the teachable moment here be that Bron never gives up?

Backstage interview with Imperium.

McKenzie congratulates Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner on their win last week, and they have attracted media attention all over Europe. It’s been over a year, how does it feel to hold gold again? Barthel responds in German saying, “You’re welcome, NXT Universe. After our outstanding performance over many years and nothing but pathetic performances of MSK, we are two-time NXT Tag Team Champions.” Aichner adds in Italian, “No one can keep up with us. We are built different and we don’t compromise with American ideals.” Speaking of new tag team champions, Gigi & Jacy walk in to congratulate Imperium. They definitely look the part.

And so do they! They found out they have a Six Woman Tag next week. Maybe Imperium should watch them? Yes, they definitely will. Barthel mutters to Aichner, “The mat is sacred, but America has its benefits.” Aichner nods as they watch Toxic Attraction leave. Will both new tag team champions reign parallel to each other as NXT 2.0 continues on?

Lash Legend hypes up tonight’s Lashing Out.

Tonight’s guest is Tony D’Angelo! Don’t move a muscle, because that’s up next, after the break.

NXT presents a new Lashing Out.

Lash welcomes us back, and says November is here. But let’s put things in reverse to talk about how legendary Halloween Havoc was. That means getting into the costumes! Von Wagner as Brad Pitt? Really? But for every Wagner, there is an Ikemen Jiro, he is our hero~! Then don’t even get her started on Grayson Waller. There’s only one host in NXT, and we know who that is: this girl~! But this week, there’s a very special guest. Please welcome… Tony D’Angelo. The audience boos as Tony walks in but he doesn’t mind. He asks, “How you doin’?” Uh, no. He approached her producer, Mark, about being on the show and Mark tells him no. Then Mark disappears!

What, is Tony a magician? Mark was busy telling Tony why he couldn’t be on the show. Well Tony’s in for a surprise, because Mark is back in studio! Oh~! Give a big round of applause for Mark! Mark has his arm in a sling as he takes a seat. Tony says Mark is so cute being nervous on TV. Maybe Mark should say hi to his lovely wife, Laurie. Go ahead, Mark, say hi. Hi… Mark’s got it made! Big beautiful house with the tire swing in the front. His sons, Georgie and Baker, must be so proud! Say hi to your kids, Mark! Say. Hi. H-Hi, boys… See? Now tell Lash everything’s alright. It’s fine, nothing happened. Good. Now take a walk. Mark leaves and Tony says he loves that guy.

But Tony’s goals from the beginning are still the same. One: make as much money as he possibly can, and that’s in the process. Sometimes he feels like smacking guys around, like that shmuck Lumis, or that fugazzi, Gargano. Don’t even get Tony started on “the baddest man in NXT,” Pete Dunne. Or one better, the champion, Ciampa. Tony’s cousin, Adriana, is tougher than him. Oooh, shade! Tony wants to wrap this up, he’s gotta go call Vito. Oh no, you don’t tell Lash how to run her show. Honey, get yourself something nice, okay? Tony slips her a pretty good amount of money then heads out. Lash lets it slide, she’s gotta get her lashes done. See you next time!

Medical update on Zoey Stark.

She has been taken to the hospital for a full check-up on that leg, and there will be updates on WWE’s official social media outlets.

Solo Sikoa VS Jeet Rama!

Solo is the Street Champion of the Island, but this is his first match here on NXT. Will Solo still be champion of the streets when he walks down #JeetStreet?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Solo knees low, throws more knees then big forearms and even headbutts! Solo boots Jeet to a corner then UPPERCUTS him down! Solo drags Jeet up, fans rally and duel and Jeet throws hands in return! Jeet whips, Solo reverses and runs in to back elbow! Jeet sits down, Solo runs corner to corner to HIP ATTACK! Fans fire up with Solo, and he BUZZSAWS Jeet down! Jeet is dazed, Solo goes to the corner. Solo climbs up, and FLYING SPLASHES! Cover, Solo wins!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

Solo doesn’t even care to have his hand raised, he knows what he just did. Will Solo soon make himself a champion in NXT?

Boa talks with Mei Ying.

“It’s time!” Boa heads out, Mei Ying stays on her throne. Will Boa defend the honor of Tian Sha on his own?

LA Knight joins commentary!

The Million Dollar Megastar says Boa’s taking on the “waste of space” Grayson Waller up next, yeah!

Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen are out grilling.

Briggs takes a swig o’ beer, then says, “Look, lot of people are asking me about my story.” Brooks says, “So here it is.” Brooks grew up in Alabama, loves sports, and Briggs says sports were his outlet. Wasn’t always the best, but he was always the meanest. Brooks says the same, cuz that’s how his dad taught him. His dad taught him how to cook a steak, took. He leaves the steak on the grill so long, Briggs says it comes out medium rare. The only way a man should eat steak. Speaking of, the day Briggs became a man, he got in a fight with a guy during a game, and he took his helmet off to beat that other guy down with it. He put that guy in the hospital.

Brooks says sometimes he beats ’em down so bad, he drove them to the hospital himself. He showed them what a real man looks like. Brooks is playing cornhole while Briggs is playing horseshoes. Dad didn’t care he got kicked off the team, just didn’t want him tarnishing the family name. That’s the only thing that brings Brooks happiness. That and kicking the sh*t out of somebody. So whether it’s at the county fair, on the football field or in the ring, they may not always win, but you will second guess getting in the ring with them.

Boa VS Grayson Waller!

NXT returns to the ring and Boa makes his entrance. Then baller Waller makes his entrance and Knight talks himself up on commentary. The bell rings and Boa rushes in! Waller dodges the boot, throws some testing jabs but Boa gives back some kicks. Boa KICKS a leg out, Waller ducks the buzzsaw and rolls Boa up, TWO! Boa rushes in but Waller backslides, TWO! They stand up, Waller snapmares and ghost pins, TWO! Waller shows off doing knee steps, then bobs ‘n’ weaves to hit back! Waller shimmies and shakes, whips but Boa reverses. Boa runs in but Waller elbows him away! Waller kicks, Boa blocks and powers Waller back!

Boa puts Waller in the ropes, KICKS him then STOMPS him down! Boa drags Waller up, snapmares and KICKS him, then brings him up. Waller throws hands, Boa throws body shots. Boa drags Waller down and gets a half straitjacket, then the full straitjacket! Waller endures as Boa jams his knee into his back. Waller fights up, arm-drags out and avoids the ax kick! Waller elbows Boa, but Boa clinches again. Waller breaks free to ROCK Boa with a right, then clothesline and LEG LARIAT! Cravat and some knees, then Waller gets around to spin and DECK Boa! Fans rally up, Knight says he’s gonna take a walk. Waller’s on the ropes but Knight distracts him!

Boa trips Waller off the ropes! ROUNDHOUSE!! Cover, Boa wins!

Winner: Boa, by pinfall

Knight shrugs and says, “Shucks,” to mock Waller. Will Knight continue to ruin the good times for Waller?

NXT goes back to Duke’s Poker Room.

Duke says he has Grimes right where he wants him. Grimes should just save himself the humiliation and fold. Grimes calls, and it’s all clubs with a 2, 4 and King. Grimes checks, Duke is pretty sure Grimes missed. $500. Oh, Duke’s looking to win big. Call. Uh oh, a 10 of Hearts. Check. $1000. Oh… Man! What’re we here to do? Gamble! So call! Let’s see it! Another King! Check… Duke says Grimes missed everything. Typical Grimes. Coming up short in life, love and in the ring. And now, on the felt. ALL IN. Grimes grins and calls. The biggest pot in Duke’s Poker Room yet! Grimes reveals he has a FULL HOUSE! Did Grimes just win? YEP!

What? Duke had Aces and Grimes called on two more twos?! Two the moon~! HAHA! Drinks on Grimes! Duke is pissed that he just got played! Will he try to get the upper hand back, in the ring?

Kay Lee Ray speaks.

“The landscape of NXT is always changing. New superstars, new alliances, new champions. But what about Kay Lee Ray? I didn’t come here just to make up the numbers. I’ve already told you that everybody is going to pay. And next week, I start to rage!” Will the Scary Queen of Scots finally make her mark on NXT in the Fall?

Boa returns to Mei Ying.

But she’s gone?! He kneels by the chair, and now HE is the Dragon Emperor! What does this mean for Tian Sha in NXT?

Tommaso Ciampa heads to the ring!

The Psycho Killer is STILL NXT Champion, and still clutching Goldie close to his black heart. Ciampa gets the mic to say, “Halloween Havoc was a changing of the guard here in NXT.” He loves the fans, but there was a shift in NXT. Imperium are the new NXT Tag Team Champions, Mandy Rose is the new NXT Women’s Champion and Toxic Attraction are the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Bron Breakker was supposed to be new NXT Campion, but only problem is, nobody told Ciampa! Now while Bron earned respect last week, there was one thing for sure: “Tommaso Ciampa is the GOD of NXT!”

And with the title comes great responsibility, and a target on Ciampa’s back. “Hell, with that said, this is usually the time…” And out comes Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams! Trick wants Ciampa to calm down, and Melo tells Ciampa, “I really hate to be that guy, but let’s keep it real, I am that guy.” Talk that talk! Melo feels like he’s the one that needs to come out here and put Ciampa in check. Ciampa, if you look around, it isn’t about you anymore. There’s a new school on the rise, and Melo is the leader of it. So Melo will tell Tommaso something, and take this with the most disrespect: As long as Melo is here with this title, Ciampa takes a backseat to him.

Because he IS the A Champion of NXT, and that’s all it is, and that’s all it’s gonna be. Trick backs Melo up but Ciampa has the fans singing, “Ciampa’s gonna kill~ you~!” Hard to hear Melo over all that. And Ciampa will say this: Melo almost had him, but then he took the glasses off and Ciampa looked into his eyes and thought, “Damn. He don’t believe a word he’s saying, does he?” But if Melo wants to prove himself, if he’s feeling froggy, then jump. Trick says Ciampa’s tripping. Last time they checked, Melo & Trick are the main event! The people are here to see them! But then Ciampa DECKS Trick! Melo isn’t sure what to do but Ciampa says HIS title is the one that matters!

Fans are fired up as the two top champions in NXT stare down, but Melo and Trick stay back. Ciampa heads out, but Gargano makes his way in. Ciampa and Gargano meet again after a long, long time, and the tension is palpable. Will Melo and Trick be able to refocus on Johnny Wrestling and his sinister son in law?

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Johnny Gargano & Dexter Lumis!

NXT returns and Lumis makes his entrance now. He and Gargano high-five on the ramp, and then the teams sort out. Gargano wants Lumis to rock-paper-scissors with him, but Lumis just gives a thumbs up. Lumis starts with Trick and the fans chant, “Whoop That Trick!” Trick fires himself up but Lumis isn’t even fazed by the posturing and puffing up of his chest. Tag to Melo, Melo does a rope-a-dope, but then he backs off to tag Trick. But Lumis slithers up to him and scares Melo to an open corner! Trick gets in to fire off hands and whip Lumis to ropes. Lumis reverses, Trick ducks and dodges, only for Lumis to THESZ PRESS for fast hands!

Lumis lets off to drag Trick up and wrench. Tag to Gargano, he hops up and drops ax handles on the arm. Gargano wrenches, tags Lumis, and Lumis goes up to drop, and then uppercut Trick! Lumis drags Trick up, wrenches and wristlocks but Trick throws body shots! Tag to Melo, he says he’s got this, but then Lumis blocks the boot! Lumis brings Melo over just like that and tags in Gargano. Melo gets free but Gargano dares him to bring it. Melo shoves, Gargano shoves back. Melo headlocks but Gargano rolls him away to sweep the legs. Melo avoids the cover, Oklahoma Roll but Gargano rolls through to schoolboy. Melo dodges the kick, goes Eddy Gordo but Gargano blocks.

Melo is in a corner, he puts Gargano outside but Gargano slingshot SPEARS Melo down! Fans fire up for Johnny Wrestling and he brings Melo up to CHOP him against the ropes! Gargano tags Lumis, they double whip and double hip toss to TOSS Melo. Trick is there to help Melo, but they run into DOUBL EHIP TOSSES! And double dropkicks! Gargano slithers around with Lumis while Melo wants a breather. Melo and Trick regroup but get spooked by the double slithering! Gargano and Lumis give thumbs up as NXT goes picture in picture.

Lumis goes out and stalks Melo and Trick as they go around the way. Gargnao kicks Trick, Lumis CLUBS Melo and puts him in the ring. Lumis CLUBS Melo again, then brings him around to scoop and SLAM! Then he drops running ax handles! Cover, TWO! Lumis brings Melo up, tags Gargano, and he feeds Melo to Gargano’s boots. Gargano stalks Melo now, brings him up, and whips Melo to ropes. Melo reverss, RTrick gets a cheap shot in! Gargano swipes at Trick, Meloa springboard LARIATS Gargano down! Tag to Trick and he gets to stomp Gargano while talking some smack. Trick gets Gargano up, tags Melo, and they mug Gargano.

Melo throws hands, tags Trick back in, they mug Gargano more, but Gargano kicks back from below. Trick stomps, Gargano kicks, repeat. Trick brings Gargano up and CLUBS him back down. Trick talks trash to the Gargano fans and CLUBS Gargano again. Trick brings Gargano up, tags Melo back in, and they mug Gargano more. Melo throws forearms, tags Trick back in, and NXT returns to single picture as they double whip Gargano to the open corner. Melo runs in but is put out! Trick runs in but misses the splash! Trick staggers, hurries after Gargano and gets a foot! Gargano hops up to ENZIGURI! But Melo trips Lumis!

Fans boo but Trick throws a body shot then an uppercut on Gargano, then hits a LEAPING LARIAT! Tag to Melo, he and Trick double shoulder tackle Gargano down! Trick gives Melo a boost for the springboard leg drop! Cover, TWO! Melo drags Gargano up to throw forearms, then he gives a thumbs down to Lumis. Melo KICKS Gargano to the corner, tags in Trick, and Trick throws hands and RAMS his shoulder into Gargano. Trick taunts Lumis but Gargano BOOTS him! Gargano elbows Melo, runs but Trick catches him! Gargano sunset flips, ONE, Trick gets legs but Gargano rolls through! Hot tags to Melo and Lumis!

Lumis rallies on Melo with big hands! The uppercut sends Melo to a corner, Lumis clotheslines and BULLDOGS! Trick runs in but is sent right back out! Lumis stalks Melo to back suplex! And kip up to drop the leg! Fans fire up for Lumis and “NXT! NXT!” Lumis gets Melo up to suplex and rebound suplex off the ropes! Cover, TWO! Fans argue, “That was Three! That was Three!” Lumis drags Melo around, back suplex but Melo lands on his feet and falls back to tag Trick! Trick BOOTS Lumis but Gargano tags in. Gargano runs into Trick’s forearms! Gargano ducks the kicks to SUPERKICK! Melo boots but Gargano blocks and sends it into Trick!

Tag to Lumis, and Gargano puts on a glove! Stereo UPPERCUTS! And SUPERKICKS! Trick and Melo are down, Lumis goes up to MACHO ELBOW on Trick! Cover, Melo breaks it! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while Gargano is surprised! Melo gets to the corner, tags in, but so does Gargano. Melo and Gargano stare down and “This is Awesome!” Melo and Gargano step to each other and Melo throws the first forearm! Gargano gives it back! Melo CHOPS, Gargano CHOPS back! Melo wavers, Gargano eggs him on, so Melo THROAT CHOPS! But Gargano come back with furious forearms! Melo rebounds and rolls of Gargano’s back!

Melo blocks the superkick, Gargano blocks the knee, but Melo mule kicks and front kicks to BOOT! Gargano rebounds to DISCUS LARIAT! Fans are thunderous again, tag to Lumis! Lumis reels Melo in, SIDE EFFECT! Trick distracts the ref as Lumis puts on THE SILENCE! Gargano DECKS Trick but that distracts the ref! Trick takes off his shoe to SMACK Lumis with it!! But Gargano DIVES to take Trick down! Melo goes up for the FLYING FAMOUSER!! Cover, Melo & Trick win!!

Winners: Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams, by pinfall

Trick proves he can be tricky, and he helps Melo snatch victory from the jaws of defeat! Will the leader of the new school make sure Johnny Wrestling doesn’t get back to the A Title of NXT?

My Thoughts:

A really good NXT but also really stuffed full again. There was a lot to that opening segment for the NXT Women’s Division and all the titles. First, I’m pretty sure Gigi & Jacy mugging Zoey Stark is to cover for a legit injury that she’s letting heal up. That one landing she took last week was definitely rough so it’s clever to use story to give her time off. Kacy & Kayden getting to move up to go for the tag titles is great, but I feel like Shirai getting a shot at the singles title could be a way to establish Mandy’s reign while being Shirai’s last shot before perhaps moving her to RawDown. At this point, she might end up teaming with Asuka to repeat the momentary success of Kabuki Warriors and give some strength to the RawDown Women’s Tag Division.

Dakota Kai gets an easy win over Cora Jade, but Jade still needs some work. There were some really awkward sells, this is definitely the developmental part of NXT coming back under 2.0 Era. Dakota spares Jade, pushing a bit of moral conflict within her. Kay Lee Ray has another decent promo video, but I really hoped this was the week she’d show up and just go after someone. Hopefully she does that next week. MSK going on a journey to find the man behind their name is interesting, I wonder who they’re getting for that role. Imperium had a good promo in combination with Toxic Attraction, and I’ll admit, funny stuff having even super serious Imperium taking a liking to Toxic Attraction. I bet Walter shows up to keep these guys focused on the mat.

Stone and Quinn had a hilarious segment. I do like Quinn shows his dimension, having both his serious side and his fun loving side. His interaction with Legado Del Fantasma is intriguing. Speaking of Legado, they had a great match with Wagner & Kyle, but of course Legado wins. Kyle and Wagner have a story of trying to make it work as two guys only now even spending time together. Solo Sikoa gets a quick win for his first match, and I almost thought he was just teasing a splash to shout out the Usos and then he wins with a submission or strike attack. Much like Bron, there’s a lot they can do to tease his connection to his family and yet never namedrop them so it’s just a nice little inside joke kinda thing.

Speaking of Bron, I like that they blended his post-Havoc story with Andre Chase’s. I feel like Bron could’ve brought up his family roots here but he chose to just stick to his own character’s determination. We got a decent Lashing Out, and Tony intimidating Mark the entire time was great stuff. The vignette for Briggs & Brooks was great, but really tricky to do in this kind of written form. Briggs & Brooks drawing parallels between themselves does a bit better for their team story than the origins of “We got in a bar fight and now we’re buds.” Give it time, maybe these two can actually be a top team.

Another good blending of stories, with Knight screwing Waller over and Boa getting that win. I’m just a little disappointed that they seem to be phasing Tian Sha out. They had a chance to make that a strong faction, but they waited a little too long, Xia Li got hurt and then got the nod for going to SmackDown. Boa seems to be taking over, maybe he recruits new members, maybe it ends here and Boa is just Tian Sha in all aspects and Karen Q returns as herself. The Duke’s Poker Room thread throughout the night was good, and of course Grimes wins. This definitely will spur on a match in the ring, and who knows how that goes, but we could get a good feud out of this.

Ciampa had a pretty good promo segment with Melo and Trick, and it could turn into a Champion VS Champion feud at some point. I really loved that Ciampa and Gargano encountered each other on the entryway. Great continuity for us fans still watching after the transition, could even be a hook to make newer fans want to go back and watch the 1.0 days on like Peacock or something. The tag main event was great stuff, and I should’ve figured the Heels would win through some sneaky tactics. Gargano can still get his title match with Melo since Lumis took the loss, and I feel like Gargano loses to help bolster Melo’s reign.

My Score: 8.8/10