The John Report: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc 2024 Review

This is WWE NXT Halloween Havoc featuring some huge matches including Trick Williams facing Ethan Page in a Devil’s Playground Match.

Halloween Havoc is the sixth WWE NXT PLE of 2024. I watched it on Monday morning because I wasn’t home on Sunday night.

This show was in Hershey, PA. They are running Raw in the same arena on Monday, so that’s why they went with Sunday this show instead of Saturday. It makes sense for WWE logistically. Let’s get to it.

NXT Halloween Havoc
From the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Sunday, October 27, 2024

There were some arrivals shown from earlier in the day.

A video aired featuring NXT’s Gigi Dolin, who looked great. I hope Gigi is back soon. Anyway, the video set us up for the big matches coming up on the show.

There were Halloween items all around the building and by the entrance area.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker T as usual for NXT. Vic was wearing a pumpkin jacket like the Tom Hanks SNL character David Pumpkins.

NXT North American Championship Tables, Ladders & Scares Match: Tony D’Angelo vs. Oba Femi

It is not a ladder match where you have to climb a ladder and pull down the title. Vic said that Tony D wanted this to be determined by pinfall or submission, so it was approved. Tony D won the NXT North American Title from Oba Femi on the NXT episode on November 8th, so here’s the rematch. Ring announcer Mike Rome had a Beetlejuice style outfit. Good look, Mike.

Tony stopped Mike from finishing the introductions. Tony punched Femi and hit a Spear. Tony clotheslined Femi out of the ring. Tony sent Femi into the ring post and Tony hit a Spear that put Femi through the barricade at ringside. That was a fast start to the match. Tony set up a ladder bridge from the apron to the commentary table that was cleared off. Femi got back up and hit Tony in the back with a chair. When Femi was on the apron, Tony threw a chair at his left shoulder. Femi got back into it with a chair shot of his own and Femi gave Tony a Chokeslam onto a chair in the ring for a two count. Femi used a chair to jab into Tony’s ribs a few times. Femi sent Tony hard into the ladder that was against the turnbuckle. Vic mentioned that Femi has won 94.4% of his matches this year and the only person to beat him was Tony D. They left the ring where Femi smashed Tony against the ring apron. Femi set up a ladder against the turnbuckle and Femi gave Tony a body slam onto the ladder. Ouch. That was a loud one. Femi set up a table against the turnbuckle. Tony D punched Femi, he charged, Femi did a leap frog (amazing athleticism for a big guy!) and Femi hit a running uppercut that sent Tony D crashing through the table. Great spot for a two count. The fans chanted “this is awesome” for them.

Femi grabbed a crowbar that was against the ring post. Tony got a chair, so Tony used the chair to block. Femi hit Tony in the back with the crowbar. Femi pulled the crowbar back across Tony’s face. When Tony got back up, Femi hit a clothesline to the back for two. Femi used the crowbar to pull back on Tony’s face again. Femi let go and hit another clothesline to the back. Tony powered out of a Powerbomb attempt and hit a back body drop. Tony hit Femi in the back a few times followed by a belly-to-belly slam onto the chair. Tony hit a spinebuster for two. Tony brought out a table from under the ring, which drew a pop from the crowd. Tony set up the table in the ring. Femi picked up Tony and hit a spinning slam almost like an F5, but not really like that. Tony landed hard on his right knee, so he was grabbing the right knee to sell it. Femi grabbed zip ties from under the ring and tied Tony’s right hand to the bottom rope. The Tony D Family arrived at ringside, but Femi beat up Luca Crusifino and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo. Adrianna Rizzo tried to help break Tony free, but then Femi went into the ring and intimidated her. Tony shouted at Femi not to put his hands on her and said to fight him. Rizzo tried to hit Femi with the crowbar, but Femi got the crowbar from her. Tony D broke free from the turnbuckle and Tony hit a running Spear through the ropes that sent them both crashing through the ladder that was bridged from the apron to the table. That was set up earlier and they used it well. Back in the ring, Tony ran the ropes and Femi hit a clothesline. Femi hit the Fall from Grace popup Powerbomb for one…two…no. Tony kicked out. Femi went for another move, but Rizzo hit him in the back with the crowbar. Luca hit Femi with a chair to the back, then Luca and Stacks hit a Shatter Machine onto a chair. Tony gave Femi a spinebuster through the table and Tony covered Femi for the pinfall win. It went 15:22.

Winner by pinfall: Oba Femi

Analysis: ***3/4 This was a physical match that was very good like their title change match a few weeks ago. I’m not surprised by Tony winning since he just won the title, so this was about giving him another win over Femi to end the rivalry. It was a cheap win for Tony as a babyface because Femi took out the guys in the group, so it was a measure of revenge. That kind of finish also protects Femi because it took four people to beat him. These guys have good chemistry as they have shown in the past, so I wasn’t surprised that they managed to have a good match here. I think for Femi’s future it will be important to book him either as a heel or a face and stop using him as a tweener. Femi as a pure, evil heel would be great even though he can thrive as a face too. Anyway, Tony D is performing at his best during his three years on NXT, so I’m happy for him as well.

A commercial aired for WrestleMania on April 19 & 20, 2025 in Las Vegas. Two-day combo tickets are on sale now.

There was a video about Cody Rhodes while also promoting Crown Jewel this Saturday, November 2nd.

Lexis King was interviewed backstage by Sarah Schreiber. Lexis said he couldn’t find a corner man for his Heritage Cup match on Tuesday’s NXT against Charlie Dempsey. King said he’s not like his father because he is his own man. William Regal walked up to Lexis saying he knew King’s dad (Brian Pillman) very well and Regal will be his corner man. Regal said he appreciated that King was trying to be his own man. King thanked Regal for it. Regal: “Oh, there will be a time to thank him.” They shook hands.

Analysis: That’s an interesting choice for a corner man for King since Regal is Dempsey’s father. That isn’t mentioned on NXT broadcasts, so I can see Regal costing King the match in favor of his son.

A clip aired of Fatal Influence informing NXT Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan that their “spinner’s choice” is a Gauntlet Match. That’s coming later.

Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade vs. Stephanie Vaquer & Giulia

Perez is the NXT Women’s Champion. It was an even first few minutes with neither side getting the advantage. Vaquer put her legs around the neck of Perez and Vaquer rammed her own knees into the mat repeatedly. Vaquer hit a kick by the ropes and Giulia hit a dropkick on Perez. Perez went for a rollup on Giulia, but Guilia got out of it and Giulia applied an STF on Perez while Vaquer also applied the same submission on Jade, so Perez and Vaquer got to the ropes at the same time. Giulia went to the apron where she kicked Perez followed by a top rope missile dropkick by Giulia for a two count. Jade grabbed Giulia’s foot and then Perez nailed Giulia to knock her down, so the heels took over. Perez hit an uppercut on Giulia followed by Jade hitting repeated knees. Perez hit a running dropkick on Giulia while Jade tagged in with a running back elbow against the ropes. Giulia got a rollup for two. Jade was back up with a clothesline. Perez tagged in leading to a spot where she exchanged punches with Giulia and they each knocked eachother down at the same time. Vaquer got the tag with a cross body block on Perez. Vaquer headbutted Jade repeatedly. Vaquer hit a running kick on Perez and Vaquer did running knees on Jade. Vaquer connected with a dragon screw leg whip on Perez for two. All four women were in the ring as Vaquer and Giulia did multiple headbutts. Jade and Perez each superkicked their opponents out of the ring. Perez hit a suicide dive onto the opponents on the floor. Jade hit a diving back splash off the middle turnbuckle onto her opponents on the floor.

Perez was in control of Vaquer with a Crossface, but Vaquer got out of it. Perez hit a top rope hurricanrana on Vaquer. Jade tagged in and hit a Senton Bomb off the top for two. Giulia hit a spinning slam on Perez. Jade hit a gutwrench suplex on Giulia across the ring. Vaquer hit a back body drop on Jade in a spot that looked like they were confused a bit, but they got through it. Giulia was back in with a running knee on Perez for two. Jade hit a running knee to the body of Giulia. Perez tried a double team move after tagging in, but Giulia blocked it and Giulia hit a double underhook suplex on Perez off the top rope. Vaquer got the tag and hit a twisting moonsault off the top for the pinfall win. It went 14:15.

Winners by pinfall: Stephanie Vaquer & Giulia

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a very good match. I expected that result with Vaquer & Giulia getting the win because it makes sense to have them win over Perez, who is the NXT Women’s Champion. Pinning the champion in a tag team match is the right way to finish a match like that because it sets up Vaquer and Giulia for a title shot at Perez down the line. They worked hard and had a solid match here. There were times when the crowd wasn’t into it, but they did pick up by the end of it.

After they showed some replays, the newcomer Zaria was shown in an empty private box seat area. They had a spotlight on her and she just stared ahead while the four women looked up at her.

Analysis: It’s a tease for Zaria to go after the other women in NXT. It’s an exciting time for the NXT women’s division

There were commercials for things like Crown Jewel on Saturday.

A video played with WWE people trying to guess what was hidden under a box. It was the Boogeyman’s head and he had worms in his mouth. It went on for a few minutes.

The team of Je’Von Evans and Cedric Alexander were talking in the locker room. They were bonding about how they get an NXT Tag Team Title match on Tuesday.

Bubba Ray Dudley and Dave LaGreca were shown in the crowd talking about what has happened on the show while talking about what’s to come. Bubba and Dave are two of the hosts of the popular Busted Open Radio show. Dave mentioned Ridge Holland confronted Bubba in the pre-show and Bubba said that the NXT Universe knows what kind of guy Ridge is.

The video package aired for the Ridge Holland-Andre Chase Ambulance Match. Ridge was in Chase U, then he turned on the group, took out all of the guys and now Andre wants revenge.

Ambulance Match: Ridge Holland vs. Andre Chase

This match has no pinfalls, submissions, countouts or disqualifications. The way to win is to force your opponent into the back of the ambulance and close the door. The ambulance was placed by the entrance area. It didn’t look like a traditional ambulance.

Chase was wrestling in a Chase U sweater as usual. Chase kicked Ridge out of the ring and then Chase jumped off the apron onto Ridge on the floor. Ridge got back up, sent Chase over the barricade, but Chase got back up and Chase jumped onto Ridge with punches. They fought in the aisle where Chase chopped Ridge a few times. The fight went over to the ambulance, Ridge fought back and Ridge sent Chase into the side of the ambulance. Ridge pulled stretcher out of the ambulance, then he put Chase into the ambulance and Chase fought back. Chase sprayed Ridge with fire extinguisher spray a few times. Ridge came back with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the ramp Chase used a stretcher to ram it into Chase. When Ridge tried to roll the stretcher again, Chase avoided it and Chase jumped on Ridge. Ridge came back with a slam that sent Chase face first onto the stretcher. They went back into the ring where Ridge hit a clothesline followed by an overhead suplex. Ridge did a corner splash on Chase along with a powerslam. Ridge hit Chase with a kendo stick shot to the body. A chair was put in the ring, so Ridge punched Chase repeatedly while Chase was on the chair. Chase came back with a drop toe hold that sent Ridge into the chair. Chase hit Ridge in the back with a kendo stick and a Russian leg sweep with the stick in his hand. Chase stomped on Ridge repeatedly for the “CHASE U” stomp with the fans chanting along. Chase went up top and hit a cross body block Chase hit Ridge in the back with a chair to knock Ridge out of the hair. The fans were chanting “pumpkins” because they wanted them to be used as weapons. Ridge came back with a body slam on the floor. Ridge pulled a mat off the floor by the ring and Chase came back with a back body drop so Ridge’s back hit the exposed floor. Chase rolled the stretcher into Ridge three times in a row on the floor. Chase cleared off the commentary table. Ridge slammed Chase onto the ring apron. They were on the table where Chase blocked Ridge’s move and Chase gave Ridge a DDT onto the commentary table. The table didn’t break, so the fans chanted “one more time” to try to break the table. Instead, Chase put Ridge on the stretcher and tried to wheel Ridge out to the ambulance, but Ridge got off of it. Ridge slammed Chase hard into the steel steps.

Ridge put Chase on the stretcher at ringside and wheeled Chase to the entrance area part of the arena. Ridge pushed Chase against the ambulance. Ridge beat on Chase with repeated punches. Ridge grabbed a pumpkin and the fans cheered. Chase tossed a board at Ridge. Chase threw the pumpkin at Ridge. Chase was on top of the ambulance and Chase did a somersault onto a standing Ridge, who went down on the floor. Chase sent Ridge into the ambulance. Chase tried to close the door, but Ridge ripped at Chase’s eyes and broke free. Ridge did a catapult that sent Chase throat first into the ambulance door. Ridge hit the Redeemer DDT on the floor. Ridge put Chase into the ambulance and Ridge slammed the door. The referee was right there so Ridge won the match at 14:29.

Winner: Ridge Holland

Analysis: **3/4 It was a decent match, but not at the level of a PLE grudge match. I don’t care for Ambulance Matches that much. There isn’t that much drama in a match like that because you can only do so much to tease closing a door. Ridge getting the win was the obvious result because he’s a singles wrestler who they want to push as a heel while Chase doesn’t get a lot of wins as a singles guy. Ridge winning is what I predicted in the preview because it was the logical conclusion to the rivalry. I don’t know if Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne will go after Ridge again or if the feud is done. I think most likely the feud will be done while I can see Ridge go after the NXT North American Title or NXT Title in the future.

There were more commercials including a plug for NXT in Philadelphia on Wednesday, November 6th.

The NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom were shown training at the WWE Performance Center. Axiom talked about how Frazer is a hothead like Randy Orton said. Frazer didn’t really like it and they argued a bit.

Ava the NXT GM was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber. They just talked about matches on Tuesday’s show. Ava said that at the NXT episode in Philadelphia on November 6th, Lola Vice will face Jaida Parker in a Hardcore Match with special guest referee, former ECW/WWE superstar Dawn Marie.

NXT Women’s North American Championship Gauntlet Match: Kelani Jordan vs. Fatal Influence – Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx

The Gauntlet Match rules mean that Jordan has to win all three matches to retain her NXT Women’s North American Title.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jazmyn Nyx

Jordan was in control with an armdrag followed by a dropkick that sent Nyx out of the ring. Jordan hit a springboard moonsault onto a standing Nyx on the floor. Back in the ring, Jordan hit a cross body block. Nyx did a sweep kick to take down Jordan followed by a bulldog and a running kick. Nyx hit a fisherman’s suplex for a two count. Vic made a Perfectplex reference. Good job by him. Jordan avoided a kick and got a rollup for two. Jordan slipped out of a move by Nyx leading to an Angle Slam-style move. Jordan went up top and hit a 450 Splash off the top to pin Nyx. That went about four minutes.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne hit a running hurricanrana. Jordan sent a charging Jayne out of the ring and Jayne hit a twisting splash over the top onto Jayne on the floor. Back in the ring, Jordan hit a cross body block off the top on Jayne for two. Jayne hit a kick to the ribs, but Jordan hit a jumping side kick. Jordan went for the moonsault off the top and Jayne was there to block it. Jayne hit a cannonball splash against the turnbuckle followed by Jayne hitting a senton splash. Jayne superkicked Jordan. Jayne blocked a move by the ropes and Jayne hit a running knee for two. Jayne did some gloating, so Jordan started a comeback with strikes. Jayne rolled through for a two count. Jayne hit a neckbreaker. The crowd wasn’t into this much. Jordan rolled through using her legs to cover and Jordan bridged back for a pinfall to beat Jayne.

Kelani Jordan vs. Fallon Henley

After the win by Jordan, Jayne did a cheap shot elbow.

Fallon Henley ran out to the ring and pinned Jordan for a two count. Henley did her suplex move off the turnbuckle for a two count. Henley nailed Jordan with a forearm along with a chop. Henly hit a running forearm on a seated Jordan for two. Henley went for a suplex out of the corner again, but Jordan got out of it and Jordan hit a leg drop across the upper body for a two count. Jordan lifted up Henley, who raked the eyes and Jordan sold an eye injury a bit. Jordan and Henley did a double clothesline to knock both women down. Jordan punched Henley repeatedly followed by a cartwheel into a back elbow. Jordan stomped on Henley’s upper body, but then Henley hit a neckbreaker. Henley jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a blockbuster for two. Henley hit Jordan with a back elbow along with a sitout facebuster. Jordan went up top and hit her One of a Kind split legged moonsault on Henley, but Jazmyn Nyx was on the apron, so Jordan knocked Nyx down. Jordan did a cover for a two count because Henley had time to recover. Jordan went up top, Jayne was on the apron, so Jordan kicked her down. Jordan jumped off with a 450 Splash off the top, but Jordan got her knees up. Henley hit a running kick to the head for the pinfall win. It went 14;.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion: Fallon Henley

Analysis: **3/4 It was okay, but I don’t think it ever reached that level where I would call it an exciting match at all. The fans were dead quiet for a lot of it because, in terms of story, it wasn’t that strong going into the match. I expected a title change just because Fatal Influence got to pick the match and I’m not surprised that Jayne & Nyx helped Henley win. Jordan did fine as a champion, but it felt like the right time for a title change.

After the match, Fallon Henley did a promo saying “statement made” and then the lights went out again. The Zaria video aired. Zaria was standing in the ring behind Fatal Influence. Zaria headbutted Jayne (I don’t think she touched her), Zaria knocked Nyx down and Zaria hit a Spear on Henley. Zaria hit a spinning F5-like slam on Henley. Zaria posed in the ring.

Analysis: That likely means that Zaria will be a babyface on the NXT brand since she targeted the heel group.

This Monday on Raw will have Dominik Mysterio face a former World Champion. Also, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. The New Day vs. War Raiders.

A commercial aired for WWE Crown Jewel taking place this Saturday, November 1st.

Tony D’Angelo, the NXT North American Champion, was backstage with The Family. Tony D thanked Big Riz referring to Adrianna Rizzo for her help. Rizzo said she knows who attacked her and she’s coming after this Tuesday on NXT.

Here’s what is advertised for NXT on Tuesday

* NXT Tag Team Championships: Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. Cedric Alexander & Je’Von Evans

* NXT Heritage Cup: Charlie Dempsey (w/No Quarter Catch Crew) vs. Lexis King (w/William Regal)

* Zaria’s in-ring debut.

The duo of Dave LaGreca and Bubba Ray Dudley were shown talking about the show again. Ridge Holland yelled at Bubba Ray Dudley. Ridge had a microphone in his hands, but he didn’t use it as he yelled at Bubba. When Ridge stopped, Bubba said that’s twice with Ridge getting in his face. Bubba warned Ridge not to let it happen again. Ridge backed away without saying anything.

Analysis: It looks like an angle with Bubba Ray Dudley and Ridge Holland. Since NXT is in Philadelphia on November 6th it could lead to a match on that episode because it’s ECW Country and we know Bubba is an ECW legend. It makes sense.

The announcers Vic Joseph and Booker T were by the entrance area telling us that this upcoming match could end anywhere. Tatum Paxley emerged from a crate that she was put in last Tuesday. Tatum wanted a match, so NXT GM Ava showed up to say she could have the match on NXT this Tuesday. Ava spun the wheel that was there and it landed on a Casket Match. Ava said okay and confirmed it would be a Casket Match. The fans cheered.

There was a video package about the Trick Williams-Ethan Page rivalry for the NXT Title over the last four months.

Ethan Page was up first for the main event as the former NXT Champion. Ethan is from Hamilton, Ontario, which is about one hour away from me, so he’s the closest WWE star to being a hometown guy to me. I like him a lot as a performer and his theme song is among my favorites as well. Anyway, the fans booed Page on his way to the ring.

Trick Williams made his entrance as the NXT Champion while Booker T did the adlibs during the song. Trick had on a Willy Wonka style outfit so it was “Trick Willy Wonka” for this show. The crowd popped for Trick as usual with “Whoop That Trick” chants.

NXT Championship Devil’s Playground Match: Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page

A Devil’s Playground Match means falls count anywhere and anything goes. Trick Williams won the NXT Title from Ethan Page on October 1st so this is the rematch.

Page attacked Trick from behind after the introductions. Page hit a running knee attack. Page brought a steel chair into the ring, so Trick also brought a chair into the ring. Trick hit the chair out of Page’s hands and Trick hit Page in the back with the steel chair three times, so Page left the ring. Trick went after Page on the floor, which led to Page shoving Trick into the ring apron. Page told Vic Joseph he looked like a dumbass. Trick grabbed a pumpkin, but when he went into the ring, Trick put the pumpkin on Page’s head. Trick kicked Page in the head to break the pumpkin and Trick covered for a two count. Trick put a broken ladder on the apron and sent Page face first into the ladder. Trick sent Page over the barricade and they went fighting into the crowd. Trick sent Page into a garbage can. Page punched Trick in the ribs and Page hit Trick with a trash can. Trick came back with a back body drop on the trash can for two. Trick clotheslined Page back into the ringside area. Trick went for a chair shot, Page avoided it and Page delivered a kick. Page put a chair on Trick’s neck and sent Trick into the ring post. Page delivered a DDT on the chair for a two count on the floor. Page hit Trick in the back with a chair again. Page used a ladder to hit Trick in the ribs. Back in the ring, Page hit a chair to the back for two. Page gave Trick a sidewalk slam through the steel chair that was opened up in the ring. Page slammed trick off the turnbuckle onto a chair and that got a two count. Trick came back with a kick to the gut followed by a DDT.

Trick was in control with a punch combo along with two jumping side kicks and a flatliner. Trick charged, but Page moved, so Trick hit the turnbuckle and Page kicked Trick. There was a Trick Shot knee from Trick for two because Page’s leg was on the bottom rope, so the referee stopped momentarily and then was about to count, but Page got out of there. They left the ring with Page using a black bag to hit Trick with it. Page sent Trick into the ring and Page dumped the bag out. It was a bag full of nuts and bolts. Trick blocked a slam into the nuts and bolts so Trick hit a jumping neckbreaker that sent Page onto the nuts and bolts. Page left the ring, Trick followed him out there and Page sent Trick into the ring post. Page grabbed the top half of the steel steps, but Trick was there to knock him down. Trick cleared off the hood of the commentary table. Page sent Trick ribs-first into the edge od the steel steps. Trick was bleeding from the mouth so there was probably some capsule used for that. Page hi Ego’s Edge from the steep steps and through the commentary table. Page covered Trick for the two count on the broken table. The official called for WWE’s medical team to check on Trick and it looks like Trick spit something out of his mouth while he was getting checked. Trick got back up, crawled into the ring and Page gave Trick a body slam into the bottom half of the steel steps. Page picked up the steel steps and tried to smash them, but Trick avoided them. Trick gave Page a Rock Bottom (or Book End) on the steel steps. Trick picked up the steps, but Page was there for a low blow kick to the groin. Page told Trick he should have ended this and slapped Trick in the face. Trick got revenge with a low blow uppercut of his own. Great facial expression by Page. Trick hit Page with the steel steps. Trick followed up with the Trick Shot knee to the head for the pinfall win at 16:02.

Winner by pinfall: Trick Williams

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a pretty good fight with a lot of weapons used. There were some slow spots early in the match, but I really liked the last few minutes with the table bump and the stair usage that followed. I don’t love the Trick Shot knee as a finishing move, but it’s fine because he can do it on anybody at any time. This is another title match on the show, like the Tony D-Femi match, where it was obvious that the champion was going to retain since the title change happened less than a month ago. That made it a little less dramatic when Page was going for nearfalls because I think we all knew Trick was going to win.

After some replays, Trick was celebrating with the NXT Title when Ridge Holland showed up and attacked Trick from behind. Ridge punched Trick a few times. Page argued with Ridge a bit and then told Ridge to show him. Ridge hit a Redeemer DDT on Trick. Page tried for the Ego’s Edge, but Bubba Ray Dudley went into the ring. Bubba decked both heels with punches and the heels bumped well for them. Bubba threw Ridge out of the ring and Bubba threw Page out of the ring. Trick and Bubba stood tall in the ring together looking at their rivals out on the floor. That was the end of the show.

Analysis: They set up the Bubba Ray Dudley angle with Ridge Holland earlier in the show, so it set up that finishing spot with Bubba making the save for Trick. It will probably lead to Trick & Bubba against Page & Holland at the Philly NXT episode on November 6th. They could do Bubba against Ridge in singles and have Bubba put him over too. Bubba has wrestled in the last few years for TNA and other places so even though he’s in his early 50s, he’s still a strong promo guy that can work in the ring.

This event had a runtime of 2:28:13 on WWE Network and Peacock.

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Five Stars of the Show

1. Tony D’Angelo and Oba Femi
2. Trick Williams
3. Giulia & Stephanie Vaquer
4. Cora Jade & Roxanne Perez
5. Ethan Page

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Final Thoughts

I’m going with a 7 out of 10.

I thought it was the weakest WWE NXT PLE of the year. It doesn’t mean it was a bad show since I’m still going 7 out of 10 for it. It lacked great matches and memorable moments like some of their other shows.

The best match in my opinion was the Tony D-Oba Femi battle that started the show. They busted their asses and put on an entertaining match. Tony won thanks to some help so that does taint the finish a bit, but it also protects Oba as a badass who is tough to beat. That Ambulance Match with Ridge beating Chase was fine. It just didn’t feel like a big match.

That women’s tag with Giulia & Vaquer beating Perez & Jade was clearly the better of the two women’s matches. I’m not surprised by the result of Perez getting pinned, so it should lead to Vaquer or Giulia getting a NXT Women’s Title match soon. The other match with Fatal Influence’s Fallon Henley taking the NXT Women’s North American Title from Kelani Jordan was just average. The fans weren’t into it very much. The title change was fine. I liked how Zaria was presented as a threat to Fatal Influence as well and I’m eager to see how Zaria is used in the future.

The main event with Trick and Page was fine too. I think it took a bit to get going, but they had a strong final five minutes in that match. As I noted in my comments about the match, it’s obviously going to lead to something with Bubba Ray Deadly involved on the NXT show in Philly on November 6th. They’re going to use Bubba to try to elevate Ridge Holland, who is probably going after the NXT Title held by Trick.

Here are my NXT PLE rankings for 2024.

Heatwave (June 7) – 8.5

Stand & Deliver (April 6) – 7.75

No Mercy (September 1) – 7.5

Vengeance Day (February 4) – 7.5

Battleground (June 7) – 7.5

Halloween Havoc (October 27) – 7

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John Canton

Email mrjohncanton@gmail.com

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