We are changing how we do our feedback/reaction piece. Rather than give a thumbs up or thumbs down, we're going to grade the show A through F.
Today, we have Paul Fontaine, myself, and Scott Young and Keila Cash from The WRAP.
Paul Fontaine
Grade: C
The show was okay, bordering on good. On the rankings of WWE Premium Live Events this year, it’s pretty far down the list. The best match was the women’s tag. The worst was the gauntlet for the women’s North American title. Nothing at all on the show was even close to bad but it felt more like a themed TV show than a PLE. And the angle with Bully Ray was good business. They set it up earlier in the show in two segments where Ridge Holland disrespected him. Bully then saved Trick Williams after the match once Holland joined in on the attack. Presumably, this sets up something in Philadelphia in two Wednesdays where Ridge will put Bully through a table and it could lead to Ridge challenging Trick for the title.
Scott Young
Grade: C-
This show gets a C- and not for the talent or effort, but for the booking. With some backwards booking and too many of the same match types, this felt like a Tuesday night special instead of a NXT Premium Live Event.
Keila Cash
Grade: B-
NXT's Halloween Havoc was a mostly okay show that dragged in parts with a so-so crowd not reacting to much outside of pumpkins getting smashed along with hardcore spots in featured gimmick matches.
As always, the Women's Division shined as Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia vs. Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade had the best pure wrestling match on the card. Vaquer was especially impressive as her silky smooth offense and immediate chemistry with Perez stood out as she's possibly next in line for an NXT Women's Title shot after pinning the champ clean.
Zaria also made her presence known by wiping out Fatal Influence after Fallon Henley defeated Kelani Jordan to become the new Women's North American Championship. After a transitional period, NXT has leveled up their Women's Division in recent months as the men try to play catch up heading into 2025 with Trick Williams and Tony D'Angelo holding court as North American and NXT Champion respectively.
GG
Grade: C-
We are at a time in the pro wrestling eco-system where with two biggest American companies are putting on a big show just about every month. And other companies like TNA or international companies like New Japan are also putting on shows that are widely available to watch. In order for NXT shows to be more than just a date on the calendar, they have to be special. Fans are habitually watching more wrestling than ever these days, but the way to stand out seems to be harder than ever. There is so much product out there and much of it is worth of watching.
Sunday's NXT Halloween Havoc missed the mark. From the uninspiring card on paper to the constant gimmick matches which made gimmick matches not special, it was doomed from the start. And the action on the show, and twists and turns (Bully Ray?) didn't suffice to be worth the two hours and 20 minutes of show.
WWE and NXT trying to make Ridge Holland work feels forceful. If they gave as much opportunity to other wrestlers as they did to Ridge, we'd have more wrestlers over who didn't look like Ridge or Karrion Kross.
All that being said, Stephanie Vaquer is absolutely a star and she shone brightly.
