-I’ll tell you what, WWE production did a nice job with the Halloween Havoc recap video to start the show this week. It made the show come across as much better than it actually was, but hey, I suppose that’s the point.
NOT a Casket Match
-Tatum Paxley vs. Wendy Choo in a Casket Match was way, WAY too goofy. This is a damn Casket Match. Legos in a Casket Match? Don’t get me wrong, stepping or falling on Legos hurts like hell, but c’mon. This isn’t the vibe you want for these kinds of matches. Paxley looked like a bigger star out there during this, so I supposed the upside is bigger for her right now. Either way, fine for what it was, but a total miss in concept and tone.
-Pretty good promo from Trick Williams. Like most talking moments from him, he kept it short and sweet, but it got over. Now, as I said in my Halloween Havoc review, Bubba Ray just doesn’t have a place on these shows. I get they are going to the ECW Arena next week and want a tie back to that, but Bubba? Just a bad fit. Now, Bubba’s promo wasn’t awful this week — good even — he just doesn’t fit as an act in 2023 NXT.
-Now, RVD makes a helluva lot more sense. Go with this. Just this.
-Lexis King vs. Charlie Dempsey for the Heritage Cup was fine, but the Lexis King story with William Regal is confusing. If this is a true King babyface turn … yikes. I’d imagine a turn on Regal is on the horizon, but then does Dempsey turn face? Kind of a mess.
Huge star potential
-Zaria needed a huge squash match as a debut and got one against Brinley Reece. Zaria was impressive and is going to immediately be a top tier player in the NXT Women’s division.
-Jordynne Grace back in NXT ahead of the ECW Arena show next week is a smart call. She got a huge pop and WWE is likely just counting the days until they can sign her.
-You had to get Kelani Jordan back on track after losing the Women’s NXT North American Championship at Halloween Havoc. Interesting to see Nikkita Lyons as the person to put her over. She got a big win last week over Lola Vice that signaled a push. Obviously that can still come, but there certainly are plenty others to put in this slot for Jordan too.
Action packed
-An excellent main event this week. Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. Je’Von Evans & Cedric Alexander. Incredible action throughout. Frazer & Axiom winning and retaining the titles wasn’t a surprise because Evans has a feud with Wes Lee going. We got a little tease of that and it was a strong cliffhanger to end the show. Should be a great match when it gets in the ring.
What did you think of this week’s episode of NXT? Let us know in the comments!
Subscribe to the Brass Ring Media YouTube channel HERE.
Become a Brass Ring Media member HERE.