NXT Halloween Havoc 2024 - Best and Worst - 2 WWE legends return; huge title change is immediately ruined
After weeks of build-up, NXT Halloween Havoc delivered a mixed bag of matches and results. Trick Williams and Ethan Page continued their seemingly never-ending feud. It seems the feud will keep going after the post-match antics at the show.
Tony D'Angelo defended not only the North American Championship but also the honor of his family. Kelani Jordan wrestled a gauntlet match against a heel trio while Ridge Holland put a nail in the coffin of Chase University.
Since the NXT Women's Title wasn't on the line, the tag team match had to deliver. It did and then some. Here's the best and worst of NXT Halloween Havoc.
#2. Best - William Regal returns to NXT relevance
In one of the better cool-down segments/interviews between matches at Halloween Havoc, Sarah Schreiber interviewed Lexis King. He will challenge Charlie Dempsey for the Heritage Cup on Tuesday.
He reiterated that he was trying to be better than he was before but still couldn't find a corner person for the match.
Former NXT GM William Regal then entered the conversation. He brought up how he knew King's father and that he knew the type of man he was. The gesture screams of Regal immediately turning on King due to his heel nature.
Seeing Regal on the other side of the ring from his real-life son will be another cool moment in the annals of NXT history. Regal was just as important to NXT as some of its stars, so it was nice to bring him back in a meaningful way.
#2. Best/Worst - Bubba Ray Dudley saves Trick after an overused trope
Having WWE legend Bubba Ray Dudley save Trick Williams after the main event was a nice moment. It will likely lead to a tag team match in Philadelphia on November 6 between Williams/Dudley and Ethan Page/Ridge Holland.
Dudley is a legend who can still go in the ring and also add to feuds with his promos. The problem was that Page made a big deal about Trick not tasting his own blood during his short journey as a professional wrestler.
He barely did so during the match after his face hit the steel steps. Bookers went to the overused trope of medical officials checking on a star only for that star to shrug them off.
The odds of Trick losing at Halloween Havoc were low and he wasn't bleeding profusely. Those factors didn't make the moment come off as intended, especially since it's something that's already done too much for top faces.
#1. Worst - Random recap segments don't add to the broadcast
While Bubba Ray and Ridge Holland had two encounters during the Halloween Havoc main show, the recap segments themselves weren't needed.
Dave LaGreca and Dudley simply rehashed the action that fans just witnessed firsthand. Recap segments are only necessary if something isn't aired or if it happened further back during a broadcast.
Telling the fans what they saw 10 minutes following the match doesn't add to the show, especially since another contest could have been added to the Halloween Havoc card.
#1. Best - Halloween Havoc hosts the best WWE women's tag team match of the year
The Halloween Havoc match between Cora Jade and Roxanne Perez and the duo of Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia stole the show. It wasn't a surprise due to each star's talent, but when four women of that caliber oppose each other, it sets a high standard.
Cora Jade could have been called the weak link since it was her first match back since January. However, she didn't look rusty at all as she hit all of her major spots and helped the match flow smoothly.
Vaquer in particular looked like a star, especially with the Corkscrew Moonsault she hit to pick up the pinfall over Perez. Perez was one of the best workers in WWE before this showdown but added to her resume again with this bout. Main-roster bookers should take notice of how to book a good women's tag team match.
Most of this year's main-roster title contests have been marred with outside interference, random title switches, or squash efforts. Everyone shined in this match and it didn't need the usual "hero in peril" spot that always leads to a hot tag.
#1. Best/Worst - Fallon Henley wins a title but Fatal Influence loses anyway
By spinning the Halloween Havoc wheel, Fatal Influence picked a gauntlet match for the group's North American Title match with champion Kelani Jordan. Vic Joseph made it seem like Jordan wrestled three grueling, 20-minute matches on the night, but it was actually about 11 minutes against three foes.
After easily dispatching Jazmyn Nyx, and later Jacy Jayne, Jordan ultimately fell to Fallon Henley. The heels used heel tactics to win. Jordan is a great talent and was a decent champion but her run lacked something. It was nice to see Henley get a singles title after her hard work and a few years of strange booking.
The problem was Zaria destroyed Fatal Influence immediately after they got their title and moment. Her presence also opens up another problem if she, Giulia, and Vaquer are all faces.
Heels will have trouble stacking up against them, especially if they didn't come from the independent wrestling scene. Had Zaria glared at the group, it would have at least given Henley some spotlight. Instead, the trio got destroyed after another big match.