Reviews

The John Report: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc 2025 Review

By John Canton • Published Oct 25, 2025 18:47 EDT
WWE NXT Halloween Havoc 2025 Review

This is WWE NXT Halloween Havoc, featuring title defenses from Ricky Saints, Jacy Jayne, Ethan Page, The Hardy Boyz, and more.

NXT Halloween Havoc is the seventh NXT PLE of the year. They have six matches scheduled for the show, which is similar to No Mercy last month. NXT PLE’s air on Peacock in the US and Netflix internationally, including for me in Canada. Let’s get to it.

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc
From Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona
Saturday, October 25, 2025

There was some pre-show walking shown of Trick Williams, Ricky Saints, Zaria sitting with Sol Ruca, Blake Monroe, Jacy Jayne with Fatal Influence, and Tatum Paxley with The Culling.

A video package aired to set up the show. There were comments from the wrestlers competing on the show.

It looked like a pretty good crowd (Wrestletix reports about 2700 people in attendance) with the Halloween theme, including pumpkins, skeletons, graves, and other items at the entrance.

The commentary team was Vic Joseph and Booker. Mike Rome was the ring announcer.

Leon Slater & Je’Von Evans vs. Mr. Iguana & La Parka

Evans and Slater, the X-Division Champion in TNA, are just 21 years old. Iguana and La Parka are from AAA.

It’s a match between four babyfaces. This is a newer version of La Parka rocking the skeleton-style outfit. Evans hit an arm drag and Parka landed on his feet. Parka kicked Evans in the head. Evans came back with a springboard hurricanrana, then Evans landed on his feet after a move and both guys popped back up. There were NXT chants. Slater tagged in against Iguana with a spin kick. Iguana hit a hurricanrana and they exchanged pin attempts. Iguana went for a cross body block, Slater caught him and hit a back elbow. Evans tagged in with a kick. Iguana broke free to bring in Parka, who clotheslined Slater out of the ring and tossed Evans out of the ring. Iguana tossed La Yesca out of the ring and Iguana hit a somersault dive over the top onto both opponents. Parka walked the top rope and hit a moonsault onto his opponents on the floor. Back in the ring, Parka hit a double boot attack to the jaw of Evans. Iguana was back in, he brought in Parka and Parka hit a springboard dropkick on Evans for two. Evans bounced off the ropes and hit a German Suplex on Parka. Parka stopped Evans from making a tag and hit Evans with a German Suplex. Slater got the hot tag with a running dropkick on Iguana. Slater hit a DDT on Iguana, followed by a suplex into a neckbreaker for two. There were “TNA” chants for Slater. Evans was back in with a forearm. Evans hit a spinning kick to the head for a two count. Evans suplexed Iguana, but Iguana came back with an armbar. Evans powered up Iguana and sent him into the turnbuckle.

Parka got the tag and hit a flatliner on Evans. Parka did some dance moves followed by a spinning sidewalk slam for a two count. Slater hit some chops. Parka took his right glove off and connected with some chops on Slater. Evans tagged in and was met by a chop. Evans superkicked Parka out of the ring. Evans chopped Iguana, who bumped to the mat. Slater was back in, and Iguana hit both opponents with his La Yesca hand puppet. Iguana did a hurricanrana to Evans and Slater kicked Iguana. Parka was back in and Slater hit a jumping side kick for two. Iguana hit a hurricanrana on Evans Slater did a scissors kick to Iguana’s back. Slater sent Parka out of the ring. Slater hit a somersault dive over the turnbuckle onto both opponents on the floor. The fans chanted, “Holy S**t” for that. Slater hit a cross body block off the top on Parka. Evans tagged in and hit a Frog Splash nearly all the way across the ring. The fans chanted, “This is awesome” for them. Iguana had La Yesca, so he hit Evans in the face. Slater brought Iguana into the ring and Evans hit a Cutter. Slater hit a spinning slam on Parka. Iguana kicked Evans in the arm. Iguana tossed Yesca to Slater and then hit Slater with Yesca. Parka hit a spinning sitout suplex for two on Slater, but Evans broke up the pin. Parka hit a delayed vertical suplex on Evans, who was legal. Slater punched Parka off the turnbuckle. Iguana did a springboard shoulder tackle on Slater. Iguana and Evans went for springboard moves, but neither man hit their moves. Parka jumped off the top with something and Slater hit a Cutter. Evans dove over the top onto Parka. Slater went up top and hit a Swanton 450 splash on Parka for the pinfall win after 18 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Leon Slater & Je’Von Evans

Analysis: ***1/2 There wasn’t a story going into the match, but they were given a lot of time and had a lot of fun. The stuff with La Yesca is ridiculous and I’m sure some fans hate it. I don’t mind it because it gets a big reaction. They had a lot of cool spots throughout the match, along with plenty of nearfalls for both teams. I think Evans and Iguana had a bit of a mistake on that springboard Cutter spot that they were trying to do, but they were able to continue the match from there. I figured Slater and Evans would win here, so the result wasn’t a surprise to me.

There was a commercial for SmackDown on October 31 and Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1st with both shows in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The NXT North American Champion, Ethan Page, was interviewed by Blake Howard. Page said that he is the greatest North American Champion of all time and the greatest champion in WWE currently, since he defends the title the most often. Page spoke about his issues with Dr. Wagner costing him a title in AAA and then they’ve had issues ever since then. Page said his reign will continue and Wagner will join the list of wrestlers who have fallen to Page as the North American Champion.

Zaria spoke to NXT Women’s North American Champion and Women’s Speed Champion Sol Ruca. Zaria assured her she would still be the champion. Izzi Dame walked up with Tatum Paxley, and Dame bragged about how Paxley will be a champion. Zaria said Dame won’t be a champion, but Dame said that if Paxley wins, then The Culling wins, so that’s what matters.

NXT North American Championship Day of the Dead Match: Ethan Page vs. Hijo Del Dr. Wagner Jr.

Anything goes in this match. The decision must take place in the ring. Wagner is the AAA Latin American Champion, but that title is not on the line.

The lights were dimmed since it’s a Day of the Dead Match. Page had some white/red face paint on the left side of his face. It may be tough on the wrestlers since it’s darker around the ring. Wagner sent Page out of the ring and hit a hurricanrana on the floor. Wagner hit Page with a chair on the back. Wagner put Page on the commentary table, but Page went back into the ring. Wagner saw that, so he hit a missile dropkick for two. Wagner hit a running knee while Page was against the turnbuckle. Wagner tied up Page’s arms and hit a dropkick into a chair against Page’s butt. Why couldn’t the person with their hands tied just let go of the hands? Because it’s pro wrestling. It’s silly. Wagner hit Page with a trash can to the back. Page kicked Wagner and slammed him onto a trash can. Page hit a knee smash with a trash can lid for two. Page smashed Wagner with the trash can lid in the back multiple times. Page sent Wagner to the apron and rammed Wagner’s head into a chair. They left the ring, so Wagner sent Page into the barricade. Page used some skeleton decorations to choke Wagner and sent him into the steel steps. Wagner went for a table under the ring, but Page sent Wagner into the table legs. Wagner was selling it like he was hit on the throat. Page sent Wagner in the steel steps. Page hit Wagner with a chair to the back. Page was bleeding from the forehead. I don’t know what cut him open or when, but he was bleeding a lot.

Page hit Wagner in the back with a chair. Page sent Wagner into the turnbuckle two times, along with a sidewalk slam onto a chair for two. Page gouged at Wagner’s eyes and ripped off the top of Wagner’s mask. Wagner was furious about it. Wagner was fired up with a headbutt, a clothesline and a jumping clothesline. Wagner elbowed Page and Wagner hit a double knee attack for two. Wagner hit a jumping kick to the side of Page’s head. Wagner set up a trash can against Page’s head and Wagner hit a coast-to-coast dropkick into the trash can into Page’s head for a two count. Good nearfall. Wagner tried a lift, Page pulled on the mask again, Wagner saved his mask and Page sent Wagner into a chair against the turnbuckle. Page hit Ego’s Edge onto a trash can for a two count. A chair was set up in the ring, and Wagner countered Page with a hurricanrana onto the chair that was open in the ring. Wagner went up top and hit a moonsault for a two count. Wagner set up the Slim Jim table by the turnbuckle. They battled by the turnbuckle where the table was. Page blocked a move and tripped up Wagner on the turnbuckle. Page turned the mask around on Wagner’s face. Page threw some dreaded powder in Wagner’s face. Page hit a Twisted Grin (Cutter) through the table and Page covered Wagner for the pinfall win. It went about 18 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Ethan Page

Analysis: ***3/4 I enjoyed the match a lot. It’s the second match in a row where it went longer than I expected. It’s not a complaint, believe me. I’m just saying I didn’t think this would get nearly 20 minutes, yet they were given plenty of time and it ended up being a very entertaining match. Wagner impressed me here. It was probably the best match I’ve seen him in, although I admit I haven’t seen him that many times. Page is one of the best wrestlers in the world, so I enjoy watching him do his thing. In a gimmick match like this, Page can show off even more of his skills. I expected Page to retain here, so I’m glad he did.

Kelani Jordan was in the locker room with the TNA Knockouts Title. Jordynne Grace walked in and those were some really big glasses that she had. They bickered just like they did on NXT TV. Jordan said she will talk to Santino about her next challenger. Grace said that she goes way back with Santino. Grace suggested that Santino would want to see her put Jordan in her place. Jordan said that now that she is holding the title, it holds way more weight than Grace. Grace slapped Jordan and Jordan left.

Analysis: That’s going to lead to a Jordan-Grace match, which I don’t mind at all.

A commercial aired for NXT Gold Rush, promoting November 18th and November 25th from Madison Square Garden theater. There will be titles defended by wrestlers in NXT, TNA, AAA, and Evolve. That’s cool.

The Women’s North American Championship match is coming up.

Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame were interviewed by Kelly Kincaid. Paxley spoke about how she feels like Halloween Havoc is her time. Dame said that The Culling is stronger than ever, yet people seem to think Paxley made the wrong choice. Dame said that Lyra Valkyria will leave Paxley again, like she has done before. Dame said that she and The Culling will be there for Paxley again. Dame said she’ll make sure that Paxley isn’t left behind again. Paxley spoke about how she was familiar with Fatal Influence, and her best friend Dame will hold her hand in the air while Paxley has the NXT Women’s Championship in her hands. Kelly wished Dame good luck, and Dame said she didn’t need it.

NXT Women’s North American Championship: Zaria (w/Sol Ruca) vs. Blake Monroe

Sol Ruca is the NXT Women’s North American Champion, but she has a left knee injury, so Zaria is defending the title for her. Ruca’s left knee was in a big brace and she had a crutch on her right side. Sol is also the Women’s Speed Champion. Sol handed Zaria and nodded at her to defend it.

Blake attacked with punches, but Zaria came back with a shoulder tackle. Zaria hit a pump kick for two. Zaria sent Blake face first into the top turnbuckle and then a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Blake wrenched on Zaria’s left arm against the ropes. Blake hit a double knee attack on Zaria’s left arm. Blake attacked the left shoulder by sending it into the turnbuckle. Blake pulled on the left arm across the top rope. Blake jumped off the middle turnbuckle with a dropkick for two. Blake went for an armbar on the left arm. Zaria blocked a DDT attempt and hit a back body drop. Zaria hit a clothesline, back elbow, clothesline and a pump kick. Zaria hit a belly-to-back suplex. Zaria hit a back body drop suplex. Blake kicked Zaria in the left arm. Zaria came back by putting Blake on her shoulders, but Blake countered it with an armbar on the left arm. Zaria hit a sitout slam to block the armbar attempt. Blake hit a Slingblade, Zaria hit a pump kick and they did a double headbutt spot where both women bumped to the floor. Blake sent Zaria left shoulder-first into the steel steps. The referee checked on Zaria, who was selling it like she was in a lot of pain. Sol shoved Zaria into the ring post and Zaria acted like it popped her shoulder back in place. It as an assist from Sol.

Zaria went back into the ring with two German Suplexes. Zaria hit a Spear. Zaria went for a slam off the shoulders, but Blake applied an armbar on the left arm again. Zaria rolled over for a two count. Blake hit a knee smash for two. Blake had a hair pick in her hands, so she charged, but Zaria hit a Spear for a two count. Blake left the ring, so she kicked the crutch of Sol, so Zaria was freaked out and clotheslined Blake. Zaria left the ring and picked up Sol at ringside. Blake punched Zaria in the back and hit a Glamour Shot DDT on the floor. Back in the ring, Blake hit a Glamour Shot DDT on Zaria for the pinfall win after 11 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion: Blake Monroe

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good match for the time given, with the crafty Blake Monroe using some clever heel tactics to get the win. This time, Blake hit Ruca’s crutch and that caused Zaria to overreact to it, so that led to Blake hitting a DDT on the floor and in the ring to get the win. It puts Blake over as a smart heel who will do anything to win. Zaria hit a lot of power moves, but wasn’t able to hit her finisher. I picked a title change because I thought one of the title matches should have a title change, and this one made the most sense.

Blake Monroe celebrated with the NXT Women’s North American Championship. It is Blake’s first title win in WWE. Sol Ruca and Zaria were sad on the floor.

Analysis: I’m happy for Blake Monroe. She’s an awesome performer with a bright future.

A commercial aired for Survivor Series on November 29. They should start building for that show soon.

There was a clip from “yesterday” at the WWE Performance Centre. Wren Sinclair was explaining to Karmen Petrovic about Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey arguing with Lash Legend. Wren was talking to Charlie Dempsey on the phone about it. Wren was so proud of Grey standing up to Lash Legend. That led to Lash challenging Grey to a match on NXT. Grey said she’d put the title on the line. Legend said she’s going to snatch the title.

Tatum Paxley and The Culling was shown walking backstage. Jacy Jayne, the NXT Women’s Champion, and Fatal Influence were also shown walking backstage. That title match is next.

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I’m going to hit pause on my review there. See the explanation below. It’s about 8:30 p.m. ET as I pause it. There are three matches left. I’ll post the results of the three matches below, and then I will review them later in the night.

* NXT Women’s Championship – Tatum Paxley defeated Jacy Jayne by pinfall to win the championship.

* NXT Tag Team Championships – Darkstate (Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin) defeated The Hardy Boyz (Matt & Jeff Hardy) to win the titles in a Broken Rules Match.

* NXT Championship – Ricky Saints defeated Trick Williams to retain his title.

The show has ended.

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I am not going to be doing a full review live. My favorite baseball team is the Toronto Blue Jays, and they are in the MLB World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2, which is on at the same time as Halloween Havoc. It’s the first time the Jays are in the World Series in 32 years, so I’m excited. I’m going to review Halloween Havoc’s first hour because it’s before the start of the game, then hit pause and come back later to finish the review. The game will end around 11 p.m. ET, so I will come back later in the night to finish the review. That means you can come back later tonight (or in the morning) to read my thoughts on the show. Once the playoffs are done in a week, there shouldn’t be any issues, and I’ll try to do Raw, Smackdown & PLE reviews live. Thanks for understanding.