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It's the final episode of NXT before Halloween Havoc. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae have been haunted by the dreaded wheel ever since it was revealed last week that they'd be spinning it to determine the stipulations for their respective title matches next week.
Tonight, the NXT Tag Team Championships would be on the line as Breezango defended against multi-time champions The Undisputed Era. Last week, they stated that the Undisputed Prophecy was returning, and it would start tonight.
All that and more. We kicked off the night with a hellacious Triple Threat between three of NXT's top talents.
Kushida vs Velveteen Dream vs Tommaso Ciampa on NXT
Tommaso Ciampa attacked Velveteen Dream before he could get to the ring, leading to Ciampa and Kushida taking turns hurting the Vainglorious One. However, when the opportunity arose, Ciampa never hesitated to throw a few shots in Kushida's way.
When they made their way to the floor, Ciampa laid out both men with running knees. NXT's Psycho Killer managed to keep both men at bay for quite some time before Kushida took over, targeting Ciampa's arm. Ciampa caught Kushida for the Willow's Bell and managed to drop Dream as well, who had been holding onto Kushida's waist.
As Kushida recovered in the corner, Ciampa tried to snap the wrist of the former NXT North American Champion. Kushida, again, tried to catch the former NXT Champion off-guard with a standing armbar, but Ciampa's thumb to the eyes broke the hold. Ciampa dropped Dream with a suplex before giving Kushida some of his own medicine.
Ciampa took out Dream with a deadly clothesline before setting up both of his opponents in the same corner, landing a series of chops on them both. Kushida fought out of the corner and hit Ciampa with his vintage right hand. As Dream set up for the Dream Valley Driver on Kushida, a knee from the former NXT Champion sent him to the floor.
Back from the break, Kushida had Dream in a cross armbreaker on the floor, but the submission didn't count as it wasn't in the ring. Ciampa stomped both men out, but Kushida, again, focused on that arm. Several arm breakers, a kick to the elbow, and a hip toss into a cross armbreaker nearly saw Ciampa tap.
Velveteen Dream broke it up with the Purple Rainmaker on Kushida. Ciampa broke the pin up. Dream avoided the Fairy Tail Ending and rocked Ciampa with a superkick. The Dream Valley Driver connected, and again, Dream's pinfall was broken up by the third man.
Ciampa, Kushida, and Dream traded blows, leading to Kushida getting the best of both men. A pair of dives took out Dream and Ciampa, as NXT's Time Splitter continued to build momentum. Of course, Ciampa halted the train with Willow's Bell. The Fairy Tail Ending was stopped again with a superkick by Dream.
Kushida shoved Ciampa into Dream on the apron, and Ciampa wound up getting knocked out by Dream's cast. Kushida dropped Ciampa with a deadlift German suplex for the big win.
Results: Kushida defeated Tommaso Ciampa via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: A
Backstage, Adam Cole was seen on a tablet, while the rest of the Undisputed Era were at the CWC. Tonight, the prophecy begins to be fulfilled for the second time.
The Undisputed Era said that Breezango were an incredible team, but they weren't Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong. Tonight, we'll have new NXT Tag Team Champions.
At NXT Halloween Havoc, Cameron Grimes will be trapped with Dexter Lumis in a Haunted House of Terrors Match.
We got a preview of the epic clash between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Gonzalez on NXT Halloween Havoc next week. Ripley said that Gonzalez may be bigger, but the first woman to ever hold both the NXT and NXT UK Women's Titles is not afraid of a fight.
Jessi Kamea vs Ember Moon on NXT
Ember Moon got rocked with a low European uppercut by Jessi Kamea, who took exception to Ember's attitude. Ember responded with a striking combination leading to a standing moonsault.
Kamea kicked out but was immediately trapped in a crossface. Kamea escaped but suffered more punishment with a series of kicks from the former NXT Women's Champion. Moon held up Kamea's leg for a standing single leg Boston Crab. As Kamea crawled away, she sent Moon into the turnbuckle face first.
A running spinning help kick laid out Moon, and Kamea nearly got a shocking upset on NXT with a springboard elbow drop. Moon caught Kamea with a Bret's Rope Codebreaker before locking in a nasty version of the STF for the win.
Results: Ember Moon defeated Jessi Kamea via submission on NXT.
Grade: B-
After the match, Ember Moon was laid out by Dakota Kai.
Backstage, Roddy Strong and Kyle O'Reilly, along with NXT officials assisted Bobby Fish to the doctor. Fish's leg was injured, and their NXT Tag Team Title match was up in the air.
Austin Theory vs Bronson Reed on NXT
Bronson Reed launched Austin Theory across the ring with a big shoulder tackle, following up with a corner splash. The AusZilla of NXT dominated Theory early.
During the match, it was revealed that Kyle O'Reilly would replace Bobby Fish in tonight's NXT Tag Team Title Match.
Austin Theory avoided a slam and took down Reed with a chop block to the back of the leg. However, it didn't keep him down for long. A powerbomb and a senton crushed Theory.
As Reed moved up, the self-proclaimed Future Face of NXT chased him to the top rope. Reed blocked a superplex, sending Theory off the corner twice. The Tsunami connected, and Reed absolutely squashed Theory in more ways than one.
Results: Bronson Reed defeated Austin Theory via pinfall on NXT.
After the match, Austin Theory crawled to the floor and grabbed a mic. He called himself, not just the future of NXT, but the future of WWE as well. The 23-year-old called out Reed for fifteen years with no accomplishments.
Theory refused to leave the ring, saying he wasn't leaving the ring until he beat Reed.
Bronson Reed vs Austin Theory on NXT (Part II)
Bronson Reed popped up Austin Theory for a big Samoan Drop, flattening him on the mat for a quick win.
Results: Bronson Reed defeated Austin Theory via pinfall on NXT.
Overall Grade: B
Xia Li is set to face Kacy Catanzaro tonight. Li said that this was the most important match in her career, and she had to win.
During the commercial, Austin Theory quit NXT. Theory has been on quite the losing streak since returning to NXT.
Is that the end of Austin Theory's time in NXT?
Legado del Fantasma vs Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, Ashante "Thee" Adonis, and Jake Atlas on NXT
Isaiah "Swerve" Scott brawled with Santos Escobar on the floor as Ashante "Thee" Adonis and Jake Atlas took on Legado Del Fantasma in the ring. The NXT Cruiserweight Champion was launched into the steps as Swerve fired up.
Inside the ring, Jake Atlas tore apart Joaquin Wilde. Ashante tagged in, planting Wilde with a big flapjack facebuster. Wilde couldn't escape his opponents' corner, with all three men tagging in and out to take shots at him.
Prior to the break, Swerve caught all three members of LDF with a big dive, giving Ashante a chance to pin Wilde. Raul Mendoza distracted him, allowing Wilde to take advantage with a knee to the back of the head.
During the break, Legado Del Fantasma took over, laying out Jake Atlas and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott no the floor. Ashante "Thee" Adonis was left in no man's land, as the trio took turns beating down the young cruiserweight.
Back from commercial, Adonis was stunned with a spinning back elbow by Wilde. The NXT Cruiserweight Champion entered the matchup, rocking Adonis with a double knee strike to the jaw. Finally, Adonis and Swerve tag in, taking back over.
Escobar ran from Swerve, tagging out to Mendoza. He couldn't escape the apron pump kick, however. Swerve then fought with Mendoza on the apron, where he was dropped face-first on the side of the ring.
As Wilde attempted to dive onto Swerve, Atlas caught him in mid-air for an incredible Spanish Fly. Back in the ring, Mendoza escaped the JML... once. The second attempt hit. Wilde broke up the pin and was sent to the floor for his trouble.
Adonis tagged in, and they set up for a tag team maneuver, but Mendoza sent Adonis into Swerve. Escobar followed up with the Arrow from the Depths of Hell but as he stood up, the Rainbow DDT from Atlas spiked the NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
Back inside, Legado Del Fantasma took out Adonis with their leg sweep/roundhouse combination.
Results: Legado Del Fantasma defeated Ashante "Thee" Adonis, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, and Jake Atlas via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: B
Candice LeRae had brought a training wheel to the Gargano home for them to practice on for NXT Halloween Havoc. Johnny Gargano spun it, landing on the Buried Alive match. Candice got the Trick or Treat Street Fight, which she was happy about as she's undefeated in street fights in NXT.
Gargano spun again and got the Casket Match, realizing that the training wheel wanted him dead.
Ever-Rise vs Killian Dain and Drake Maverick on NXT
Drake Maverick started things off with Chase Parker in this NXT tag team bout. Ever-Rise quickly took over with Matt Martel tagging in, as they rocked him with a backbreaker/running knee combination. As they battered the former 205 Live GM in their corner, Killian Dain watched, getting angrier as time went on.
The drop toe hold-step up elbow drop combo from Ever-Rise got them another two-count. As Parker lifted Maverick up for a backdrop, Dain tagged in, bulldozing Parker and Martel. A pair of chop blocks from Martel saved Parker, allowing him to lock in a single leg Boston Crab.
Martel forced Maverick to watch, calling them both losers. Maverick got angry, grabbing a chair and bashing both members of Ever-Rise.
Results: Ever-Rise defeated Killian Dain and Drake Maverick via DQ on NXT.
Grade: C
Drake Maverick realized what he did, and expected to get hit. Unexpectedly, Dain was excited about what he'd seen from Drake.
He was proud of what he'd seen, and wanted to see that version of Maverick from here on out. How can you not love this team?
Backstage, Roderick Strong was found in a door way completely unconscious.
It looked like Kyle O'Reilly would have to face Breezango on his own.
Kyle O'Reilly was asked about what he was going to do, and he decided to give the Undisputed Era's NXT Tag Title opportunity to One-Two, who were both ready to fill in for O'Reilly's team members tonight.
You have to feel for O'Reilly. Who is attacking the UE members? With Ridge Holland injured, it could be anyone.
Xia Li vs Kacy Catanzaro w/Kayden Carter on NXT
Xia Li dropped Kacy Catanzaro with a shoulder block before rolling her up for a two-count. A dropkick and standing spiral press earned Catanzaro her own near fall. Li responded with a hip toss and a series of strikes, leaving Catanzaro in a heap on the mat.
Catanzaro kicked out and avoided a slam, pelting Li with big rights and lefts. A corner clothesline set up for the front rolling heel kick. Li was rolled up with a victory roll for the win.
Results: Kacy Catanzaro defeated Xia Li via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: C
Xia Li attacked Kacy Catanzaro and Kayden Carter after the match. Raquel Gonzalez took the opportunity to make a statement, attacking all three women. Carter was bounced with the pumphandle powerbomb.
Gonzalez grabbed a mic, and said that this was what awaited Rhea Ripley at NXT Halloween Havoc. Next week, she'll be the Devil to Ripley's Nightmare.
Cameron Grimes was interviewed about his match against Dexter Lumis. Grimes knew that they were facing one another, but didn't know it was a Haunted House of Terrors Match.
Dexter Lumis could be seen through a glass door staring at Grimes as he realized what he was in for, but he never noticed Lumis.
Thatch-as-Thatch Can on NXT
Timothy Thatcher hosted a special live version of Thatch-as-Thatch-Can on NXT with Anthony Greene. However, Thatcher didn't care about his name, calling him Andrew and Alex. He told Green to go for his leg twice, both times showing how easily he could reverse whatever Green threw at him.
Green got angrier and managed to grapple with Thatcher, nearly choking him out. Thatcher called in a referee, making it an official match.
Timothy Thatcher vs Anthony Greene on NXT
Thatcher blindsided Greene and hammered his face in with a series of elbows. Finally, the high angle single leg Boston Crab forced the submission.
Results: Timothy Thatcher defeated Anthony Greene via submission on NXT.
Grade: D
Less of a match and more of a slaughter, Anthony Greene didn't get any offense in. Wonder if he'll be back for revenge.
We got a vignette of Damian Priest talking about the "Great" Johnny Wrestling while Priest was getting a new tattoo.
Priest said that nothing has changed in Gargano. He's as great as he's ever been. The Archer of Infamy and current NXT North American Champion is just better.
NXT Tag Team Championship Match: One-Two vs Breezango (c)
Oney Lorcan squared off with Fandango in the NXT main event. The WWE veteran had the upper hand over the Star Destroyer but was surprised by a sunset flip counter. Lorcan locked in a single leg Boston Crab, the third for the night, but Fandango made it to the ropes.
Lorcan tagged out to Danny Burch, giving the Guvnor of NXT some time to shine. However, Fandango was able to bring him to their corner, allowing Tyler Breeze to come in for a quick snap suplex and a two-count.
Breeze wrapped Burch's knee around the ring post as we cut to break, keeping Breezango in control. When Fandango tagged back in, Burch and Lorcan took over. The Brit-Am Brawlers battered Fandango for a while before he finally dumped both men over the ropes with a pair of clotheslines.
Lorcan's suicide dive was countered with a step-up enziguri from Breeze, who was sent over the barricade by Burch. The Guvnor met Fandango back inside and was planted with the Falcon Arrow. The Last Dance connected, but Burch kicked out at two.
Lorcan saved Burch from a double team maneuver, and Burch and Lorcan nearly got a submission with a cloverleaf/crossface combination. Fandango broke it up, leaving Burch and Breeze to slowly get to their feet.
Breeze went back to the knee, hitting several elbow drops on Burch's knee. As Breeze moved up, Burch crotched him on the top and hit the Tower of London. Eventually, all four men were left in the ring. Breezango rocked both challengers with double superkicks. Fandango was shoved off the top by a mystery man before he could hit The Last Dance.
As the official was distracted, Burch hit a low blow on Breeze. One-Two hit the London Bridge DDT, giving them their first reign as the NXT Tag Team Champions.
Results: One-Two defeated Breezango via pinfall on NXT.
Grade: A
After the match, the mystery man was revealed to be none other than Pat McAfee. McAfee was the one responsible for injuring the Undisputed Era, and he just screwed Breezango out of the NXT Tag Team Titles!
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