NXT: Rob Van Dam, Jordynne Grace arrive before Philly

NXT Halloween Havoc on Sunday left many skeptical of the men’s division, only amplified by the involvement of Bubba Ray Dudley in the closing segment. Opposingly, the women’s division excelled with showings from new signees Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia. Tonight, the gap widened even further with the return (or arrival) of Jordynne Grace.

Dudley joined Rob Van Dam in the build-up to next Wednesday’s 2300 Arena show in Philadelphia. But two days removed, the excess of Halloween Havoc continued as Tatum Paxley interrupted the opening recap package, rolling out her own casket for the opening match.

Tatum Paxley vs Wendy Choo – Casket Match

Shawn Michaels answers the question to singer Tinashe’s viral line: “is somebody gonna match my freak?” Choo brings out a bed and sleeping pillow, and the two oddball competitors fight over the casket immediately. Paxley tops Choo with a garbage can and socks her with a broom stick, but the latter recuperates with a garbage-can dropkick before break. With a warm welcome back, Choo sends Paxley through a dollhouse… and stuff hers into the casket. The latter saves herself with the sleeping pillow – that Choo later empties with Legos. Paxley takes a nasty bump into the rigid blocks, and Choo dives into the casket with her. Paxley escapes and fire-extinguishes Choo through the wooden bed frame, ultimately stuffing her into the casket for victory. The freak was matched, but this match was apparently for the freaks.

Winner: Tatum Paxley

After the odd interruption, Halloween Havoc is successfully recapped. Following break, a teaser for a special cut of WrestleMania 40 Night One’s main event plays – to be released later on WWE socials.

NXT Champion Trick Williams speaks in-ring regarding Ridge Holland’s attack on him Sunday night. He brings out and thanks Bubba Ray Dudley, who explains that he took out Holland for disrespecting him and his radio show. Williams eventually pitches a tag-team match against Holland and Ethan Page at the 2300 Arena, and Dudley psyches himself up to a fully-standing audience. But he refuses to take an NXT wrestler’s spot, turning Williams down.

Rob Van Dam chats backstage with NXT General Manager Ava, who promises to place him on the show next week. Former Women’s North American Champion Kehlani Jordan steps in requesting a rematch before Nikkita Lyons stakes her claim too.

Shawn Spears and Brooks Jensen try pitching themselves to North American Champion Tony D’Angelo before Luca Crusifino and Channing Lorenzo interrupt with a voicemail. “That’s him. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of him on Wednesday,” D’Angelo says about the extremely Italian mystery caller – later revealed by commentary to be Nunzio.

Lexis King vs Charlie Dempsey (c) – Heritage Cup Championship

King is accompanied by Mr. Regal, who opposes his kin. “It be your own people.” King is the underdog despite having zero likeable qualities, and Dempsey scores the first fall with a butterfly suplex. He tosses King over the ropes, who collapses under his left knee before break. The latter makes a one-knee comeback in round two, and Mr. Regal discreetly hands him those notorious brass knuckles in round three. “I am not my father!” King declines, and Dempsey capitalizes with a German suplex for victory. “It be your own people,” but why? Further, why cheer for that punchable face?

Winner: Charlie Dempsey

Lola Vice compares a hardcore match to an MMA fight in a promo package for her match against Jaida Parker next week, refereed by special guest Dawn Marie in the 2300 Arena.

Brinley Reece vs ZARIA

ZARIA makes her in-ring debut, on-camera for more than two seconds this time. She wrenches Reece’s arm enough to bend it inward and clobbers it back out sadistically. A spear and F5 gives ZARIA the victory, effectively making her the most intimidating competitor in the women’s locker room.

Winner: ZARIA

New North American Champion Fallon Henley isn’t afraid, when she really should, prodding from the audience with Fatal Attraction. NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade appear from the entryway, and the five surround the ring. Kehlani Jordan, Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia back up ZARIA, and former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace arrives to even the odds. Unbelievably, the NXT women’s division continues getting stronger – figuratively and literally. 

Kehlani Jordan vs Nikkita Lyons

A stacked 10-women tag is made official for next week, and meanwhile, Lyons’ Linsanity run becomes something of yesteryear. They trade splits before Lyons dominates, but The Family’s Adriana Rizzo provides a distraction ringside. Jordan capitalizes with a finishing moonsault, and Rizzo attacks post-match to enact revenge on her defeated attacker.

Winner: Kehlani Jordan

In-ring, Ethan Page is quickly interrupted by Ridge Holland, who hypocritically accuses him of getting opportunity after opportunity. “He made the smartest decision of his life by rejecting Trick’s offer,” Holland says before Bubba Ray Dudley inevitably appears. Dudley claims everybody’s talking about Holland – probably in reference to the state of NXT’s men’s division. “Do you know who I am?” Dudley drops. “I have held more championships than you’ve had championship opportunities.” Holland aptly responds, “Nobody cares what you think anymore… You are a nostalgia act.” Dudley throws a right hand, and Page blindsides the radio host before Trick Williams returns the favor from Sunday. Dudley accepts the tag-team match to an earned pop, setting up the 2300 Arena show nicely.

ZARIA and her four superpartners are met by Monday Night Raw’s Rhea Ripley, who tells them to “blow the bloody roof off.” The aura is unmatched. After, it’s Jaida Parker’s turn for a promo package, threatening Dawn Marie if she tries to interfere.

The NXT Tag Team Champions make their entrance, but cameras rush to the parking lot where Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez strut away with steel weaponry. Ripley is floored by her sports car, half her face seemingly covered in blood.

Cedric Alexander and Je’Von Evans vs Nathan Frazer and Axiom (c) – NXT Tag Team Champions

Public discourse targets the state of NXT’s men’s division, but the tag division is just as dire. Fortunately with Fraxiom at the helm, especially coupled with tonight’s opponents, bangers are guaranteed. Evans and Frazer get Orlando standing with their signature speed, but Alexander interestingly tells him to slow down. 2016-era Alexander would be disappointed. The challengers capitalize off of Fraxiom friction, and after break, Evans makes a bouncy comeback with consecutive dives and springboards. He eventually hits his rainbow cutter to a big near-fall, Axiom hits a Destroyer and stifles Alexander. The champions’ Avalanche Spanish Fly and Phoenix Splash combo is broken by another crazy cutter from Evans before Wes Lee arrives with a steel chair. Evans brawls and disappears with Lee, and Alexander almost single-handedly scores the win. But a Brainbuster combo from Fraxiom earns the victory, to a chorus of boos despite a phenomenal main event.

Winners: Nathan Frazer and Axiom 

Officials separate Evans and Lee backstage, and Ava appears with Rob Van Dam. “You gave me a fantastic idea! I know what I wanna do next week. See y’all in Philly,” Dam says.