5 Biggest Takeaways from Halloween Havoc
I like to keep things as positive as possible.
I like WWE.
I like AEW.
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NXT 2.0 has officially reached the part of their re-branding where they are a legit WWE product. Last nights Halloween Havoc had all the tools necessary to be deemed a Holiday special that you would typically see on Monday Night Raw. You would think that was a bad thing but with NXT it works largely in part due to the young talent not seeming forced in to the gimmicks and “party” we have come accustomed to seeing during these shows. On top of all the Halloween hijinks, we were also treated to our best in ring product last night as well as most of the matches that we saw delivered to some extent. I would say that we had our best overall episode of NXT since the re-launch and hopefully we are able to see them continue that momentum into the next few weeks.
So with that, let us move on to the 5 biggest takeaways from this week’s show.
#5: Absolute Power
The definition of Imperium is absolute power. Without validation, that power is a pipe dream for the group. Last night, they were able to finally capture the Tag Team titles when they defeated MSK in a Lumber Jack match. The match was exactly the kind of excitement you would expect to see from these two teams. The contrast in styles was a beautiful blend that allowed these two teams to really show out and give us one of those old classic NXT Tag matches we used to get from Takeovers.
With Imperium now holding the Tag Titles and Walter being M.I.A. since losing to Dragunov, I think it might be time for Walter’s return. Imperium winning gold could be the driving force behind Walter coming back and joining NXT so that he can dominate and claim his next prize… the NXT Championship. WWE seems to have a fascination as of late with trio stables holding all the gold, so this would fit right in to that. Expect a Walter return next week as he sets his sights on the NXT Champion, whomever that may be.
#4: Prophecy Fulfilled
As I pointed out with Imperium, this is a trend WWE is in love with right now. It started with Undisputed Era, then The Hurt Business, The Bloodline and now Toxic Attraction. It started with Jacy Jayne and Gigi Dolin when they got another chance at the Tag Team Titles in a triple threat ladder match against Io Shirai & Zoey Stark and Indi Hartwell & Persia Pirotta. In what could be seen as match of the night, this ladder match saw the ladies of NXT showing out and putting their bodies on the line in a very physical match. The highlight of this came when Indi tipped Io off the ladder in the ring and sent Io flipping over that ladder and crashing down head first on to the ladder set up on the outside. The shock of this distracted Indi just enough for Jacy & Gigi to take advantage and get the victory in the end.
With Jayne & Dolin upholding their end of the bargain, it would be Mandy Rose turn to try and fulfill the prophecy as she took on Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Title. It has been clear since day one of her return to NXT that they had big plans for Mandy. They have featured her heavily on the shows, pushed her in the ring and last night rewarded her. Mandy delivered in a big way with her best outing in the ring during this no DQ match up. She showed that she wasn’t willing to back down from a fight, showed a very aggressive side and was able to put on a very good match with Raquel. She would end up getting the victory, even after taking a spear through a table, with the help of the mystery grave digging person we have been seeing vignettes of lately. So now all three members of Toxic Attraction are holding gold, and they looked good with them wrapped around their waist.
#3: Pretty in Pink
The mystery grave digger that attacked Raquel? Dakota Kai. After smacking Raquel with the shovel and costing her the title, she would reveal herself over Gonzalez, donning a very vibrant pink hair color. A lot of people saw it coming but it was still nice to see Dakota come back and insert herself into the fold immediately and it is very clear she has unfinished business with Raquel Gonzalez.
The thought was that she would get called up during the draft due to her dark matches she was having. Losing her 3rd title shot, it appeared as if she had run her course in NXT. With the handling of the women’s division on Raw and Smackdown right now, it looks like she has dodged a bullet for now. She can climb the ranks one more time and take another shot at reaching the top spot in NXT’s women’s division. What better place to start that journey than to take out the top dog of the division.
#2: Thank You for Being a Friend
I talk about Joe Gacy ever week and I’m not even mad about it. His character is clearly the most intriguing and the story between himself and Harland has been intriguing. Not sure exactly how this story would go, it seems as if we now have our answer. During Gacy’s match, Harland made an appearance and grabbed Joe’s opponent by the throat. After talking Harland down, the opponent would find himself back in the ring just in time to get attacked by Gacy and Joe would get the victory. Gacy & Harland would leave together and now we have a very interesting duo.
On one hand, you have a man that preaches about safe spots and his stance on being against violence. Almost in a prophetic way, coming across as a cult leader. Gacy can entertain people on the mic. Harland on the other hand is a mute that looks menacing. Decked out in a Michael Myers jumpsuit, he is the kind of person you don’t want to run into in a dark alley and it is very obvious that he will be the “muscle” that takes out those who oppose Joe Gacy and maybe even purifies their souls. Whether they operate as a tag team or as individuals, this is a story that continues to interest me and I can’t wait to see where they go next and who that target will be.
#1: Breakking News
Bronn Breakker is a star. There are a lot of people who thought he was going to walk into Halloween Havoc and take Goldie away from Ciampa. Breakker has been the most pushed star on the show since 2.0’s debut and has delivered in a very big way every time. This was his first true test. Ciampa, one of NXT’s best of all time, took everything Bronn Breakker had to offer and more. Breakker showed he has the ability to hang with the best and go the distance, giving us a physical and entertaining 20 minute match. Breakker took the ddt on the concrete. He took a Fairytale Ending. Bronn Breakker still kicked out. That was a statement, he will not be a pushover. The two exchanged a friendly handshake after the match and Ciampa was able to escape the show with his beloved Goldie. What is next for Breakker? Expect him to run through more people as he fights back for his chance at redemption. And you better believe that the next time around, Breakker will be ready and he WILL be our next NXT Champion.
Agree? Disagree? Let me hear it. If not, I’ll see you all next week with more NXT Takeaways!
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