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NXT Halloween Havoc (2023)

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NXT:
Halloween Havoc
Promotional poster
PromotionWWE
Brand(s)NXT
DateOctober 24 and 31, 2023
CityOrlando, Florida
VenueWWE Performance Center
NXT special episodes chronology
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Halloween Havoc chronology
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2024

The 2023 NXT: Halloween Havoc was a two-part professional wrestling television special produced by WWE. It was the fourth annual Halloween Havoc held for the promotion's developmental brand NXT, and the 16th Halloween Havoc event overall. The two-night event took place on October 24 and 31, 2023, at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and aired as special episodes of NXT on the USA Network. SmackDown wrestlers Shotzi and Scarlett served as the hosts of the event, marking Shotzi's third time hosting the show, after 2020 and 2022.

The 2023 edition returned the event to being a television special of NXT, like the shows in 2020 and 2021, as the 2022 edition was broadcast via WWE's livestreaming platforms. The 2023 edition was also the only to be held as a two-night event, as the previous events were only one night each with it returning to one night in 2024. The 2024 edition also returned to livestreaming, thus the 2023 event was the final to air on the USA Network as the NXT program is moving to The CW in October 2024.

The card comprised a total of 16 matches. Thirteen of these matches were televised, with seven on the first night and six on the second, as well as three dark matches, with one on the first night and two on the second night. In the main event of Night 1, Lyra Valkyria defeated Becky Lynch to win her first NXT Women's Championship. In another prominent match, Chase University (Andre Chase and Duke Hudson) defeated The Family (Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo) to win the NXT Tag Team Championship. Night 1 was also notable for the NXT in-ring debut of Lexis King (formerly known as Brian Pillman Jr. in All Elite Wrestling). In the main event of Night 2, Ilja Dragunov defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain the NXT Championship. In other prominent matches, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio defeated Nathan Frazer to retain the NXT North American Championship and Bron Breakker defeated Mr. Stone. Rock band New Years Day also performed their songs, "Vampyre" and "Hurts Like Hell", to open Night 1 and 2, respectively.

Production

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Background

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Halloween Havoc is a professional wrestling event currently produced by WWE. As the name implies, it is a Halloween-themed show held in October. It was originally produced as an annual pay-per-view (PPV) by World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1989 until 2000 as WWE purchased WCW in 2001. The 2000 event was the final Halloween Havoc until WWE revived the show as an annual event for their developmental brand NXT in 2020.[1] The 2020 and 2021 events were held as television specials of the NXT program on the USA Network, but for 2022, it was held as a livestreaming event.[2]

At NXT No Mercy on September 30, 2023, it was announced that NXT Halloween Havoc would return as a television special, but expanded to a two-part special of NXT on the USA Network. The fourth annual NXT Halloween Havoc, and 16th Halloween Havoc overall, was scheduled to take place on October 24 and 31, 2023, at NXT's home base, the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.[3] SmackDown wrestlers Shotzi and Scarlett served as the hosts of the event—Shotzi previously served as host of the 2020 and 2022 events, and in 2023, she and Scarlett began hosting a paranormal series on WWE's YouTube channel called Chamber of Horrors.[4] It was also announced that the rock band New Years Day would perform their song, "Vampyre", during Night 1 of the event, which was the theme song of the two-part show,[5] and they returned on Night 2 to perform "Hurts Like Hell".[6]

Storylines

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The card included 13 televised matches, with seven on the first night and six on the second, that resulted from scripted storylines. There were also three dark matches, with one held the first night and two the second. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the NXT brand,[7][8] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television program, NXT, and the supplementary online streaming show, Level Up.

On the October 3 episode of NXT, Lyra Valkyria defeated Roxanne Perez and Indi Hartwell in a triple threat match to become the number one contender for Becky Lynch's NXT Women's Championship during Week 1 of Halloween Havoc.[9]

On the October 10 episode of NXT, NXT Tag Team Champions The Family (Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo) proposed to guest NXT General Manager Cody Rhodes to set up a tag team battle royal where the last two remaining teams will compete in a standard tag team match to determine a number one contender for their titles during Week 1 of Halloween Havoc. Rhodes accepted the proposal and called this match the Bada Bing Bada Boom Battle Royal.[10] The following week, the Battle Royal was won by Chase University (Andre Chase and Duke Hudson).[11]

On the October 10 episode of NXT, guest NXT General Manager Cody Rhodes announced a triple threat match between Baron Corbin, Dijak, and the winner of Carmelo Hayes vs. Bron Breakker to determine the number one contender for Ilja Dragunov's NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc. Later that night, Hayes defeated Breakker to be added to the match.[10] The following week, the triple threat match was won by Hayes.[11]

On the September 5 episode of NXT, during Gigi Dolin's match against Thea Hail, Dolin was attacked by Blair Davenport, costing her the match.[12] The following week, Dolin and Davenport engaged in a brawl backstage.[13] Two weeks later, a scheduled match between Dolin and Davenport never occurred after Davenport attacked Dolin backstage.[14] At the NXT No Mercy pre-show, after Davenport defeated Kelani Jordan, she was attacked by Dolin,[15] and a match between them was set up for following episode of NXT, where Dolin won. After the match, Davenport choked the referee and yelled that her feud with Dolin was not over.[9] Two weeks later, Davenport challenged Dolin to a match at Halloween Havoc, which Dolin accepted. Later that night, Dolin unveiled the Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal Wheel, and spun the wheel with it landing on a Lights Out match, which was later made official.[11]

On the September 5 episode of NXT, Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez were chatting in the locker room before being interrupted by Kiana James, where Perez hit her with a forearm to start a brawl.[12] On the October 3 episode of NXT, during a triple threat match to become the number one contender for NXT Women's Championship, James pulled Perez to ringside, costing both James and Perez the match.[9] The following week, James tried to attack Perez after her match with Asuka, but Shotzi appeared and attacked James.[10] On the October 17 episode of NXT, Perez distracted James during her match with Shotzi, costing her the match. Later that night, a Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal match was announced between Perez and James, where Perez spun the wheel and it landed on Devil's Playground Match.[11]

The NXT Women's Breakout Tournament is a tournament composed of eight female wrestlers from the NXT brand. The tournament began on the October 3 episode of NXT. The winner earns a contract and can cash-in for a NXT Women's Championship match at any time.[9]

On the September 5 episode of NXT, Bron Breakker severely injured Von Wagner after crushing his skull with steel steps.[12] At NXT No Mercy, Wagner's manager, Mr. Stone interfered in Breakker's match against Baron Corbin, ultimately costing him the match.[15] On the October 17 episode of NXT, Mr. Stone stated that Wagner has a long way to go in his recovery and took issue with Breakker's lack of remorse. Mr. Stone challenged Breakker to a match at Halloween Havoc, which was later made official.[11]

On the October 17 episode of NXT, Fallon Henley was giving advice to competitors in the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament before being interrupted by Tiffany Stratton, who mentioned she defeated Henley to advance to the finals in the previous year's tournament.[11] The following week on Week 1 of Halloween Havoc, Henley cosplayed as Stratton and mocked her which lead to a brawl between the two. A match between Henley and Stratton was scheduled for Week 2 of Halloween Havoc.[16]

On the October 17 episode of NXT, The Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed and Julius Creed) and Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo competed in the Bada Bing Bada Boom Battle Royal. Garza and Carrillo eliminated the Creed Brothers before the latter cost them the match.[11] The following week, the Creed Brothers asked for a match against Garza and Carrillo and spun the Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal wheel, landing on a Tables, Ladders, and Scares match.[16]

In a digital exclusive on the October 16 episode of Raw, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio interrupted an interview with Nathan Frazer, who wanted a match for the NXT North American Championship, but Mysterio declined, saying Frazer didn't deserve a title match. A brawl then ensued between Mysterio and Frazer.[17] The next night on NXT, Mysterio and Frazer brawled again before Rhea Ripley, Mysterio's Judgment Day stablemate came to his defense. A title match between Mysterio and Frazer was later scheduled for Week 2 of Halloween Havoc.[11]

On Week 1 of Halloween Havoc, Chase University (Andre Chase, Duke Hudson, Thea Hail, and Jacy Jayne) were celebrating Chase and Hudson winning the NXT Tag Team Championship before Chelsea Green and Piper Niven took issue with their loud voices. Green threatened to file a formal complaint and asked to be directed to Shawn Michaels's office. Hail and Jayne offered to take them there and ask for a match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship against Green and Niven, which was scheduled for Week 2 of Halloween Havoc.[16]

Results

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Night 1 (October 24)
No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[16]
1DJosh Briggs and Brooks Jensen defeated Tavion Heights and Riley Osborne by pinfallTag team match[18]—
2Roxanne Perez defeated Kiana James by pinfallSpin the Wheel, Make the Deal: Devil's Playground Match[19]10:51
3Lexis King defeated Dante Chen by pinfallSingles match[20]4:12
4Kelani Jordan defeated Arianna Grace by pinfallNXT Women's Breakout Tournament semifinal match[21]7:35
5Chase University (Duke Hudson and Andre Chase) (with Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne) defeated The Family (Tony D'Angelo and Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo) (c) by pinfallTag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship[22]11:19
6Blair Davenport defeated Gigi Dolin by pinfallSpin the Wheel, Make the Deal: Lights Out match[23]12:32
7Lola Vice (with Elektra Lopez) defeated Karmen Petrovic by pinfallNXT Women's Breakout Tournament semifinal match[21]3:36
8Lyra Valkyria defeated Becky Lynch (c) by pinfallSingles match for the NXT Women's Championship[24]16:06
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
D – this was a dark match
Night 2 (October 31)
No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[31]
1DIvy Nile defeated Jaida Parker by submissionSingles match[25]—
2DBrooks Jensen defeated Oba Femi by pinfallSingles match[25]—
3The Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed and Julius Creed) (with Ivy Nile) defeated Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo by pinfallSpin the Wheel, Make the Deal: Tables, Ladders, and Scares match[26]14:03
4"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio (c) (with Rhea Ripley) defeated Nathan Frazer by pinfallSingles match for the NXT North American Championship[27]10:26
5Bron Breakker defeated Mr. Stone by pinfallSingles match[28]2:38
6Chelsea Green and Piper Niven (c) defeated Chase University (Thea Hail and Jacy Jayne) (with Andre Chase and Duke Hudson) by pinfallTag team match for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship[29]8:58
7Lola Vice (with Elektra Lopez) defeated Kelani Jordan by pinfallNXT Women's Breakout Tournament final match[21]6:56
8Ilja Dragunov (c) defeated Carmelo Hayes by pinfallSingles match for the NXT Championship[30]16:42
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
D – this was a dark match

NXT Women's Breakout Tournament

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This section is an excerpt from NXT Breakout Tournament § 2023 Women's.[edit]

The fourth edition of the Breakout Tournament was held in 2023, beginning on the October 3 episode of NXT.[32][33] The semifinals of the tournament were held at the Halloween Havoc night one on October 24 and the final was held at Halloween Havoc night two on October 31.[34][35] Lola Vice defeated Kelani Jordan in the final to win the 2023 tournament.[36]

First round
NXT
October 3-17 		Semifinals
NXT Halloween Havoc
October 24 		Final
Halloween Havoc
October 31
         
Kelani Jordan Pin
Izzi Dame 4:52
Kelani Jordan Pin
Arianna Grace 7:35
Arianna Grace Pin
Brinley Reece † 2:56
Kelani Jordan 6:56
Lola Vice Pin
Karmen Petrovic Sub
Jaida Parker 3:38
Karmen Petrovic 3:36
Lola Vice Pin
Dani Palmer 3:59
Lola Vice Pin
† Reece replaced Jakara Jackson after Jackson was not medically cleared to participate.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Toro, Carlos (October 4, 2020). "NXT Halloween Havoc Announced For 10/28". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 5, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  2. ^ Defelice, Robert; Tessier, Colin (September 20, 2022). "Solo Sikoa Forced To Relinquish NXT North American Title, Ladder Match Set For Halloween Havoc". Fightful. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  3. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (September 30, 2023). "NXT Halloween Havoc Set For October 24 And October 31". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 10, 2023). "Shotzi Makes Surprise Appearance On 10/10 NXT, Set To Host NXT Halloween Havoc With Scarlett". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  5. ^ Defelice, Robert (October 17, 2023). "New Year's Day To Perform Live At NXT Halloween Havoc". Fightful. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Watch: NEW YEARS DAY Performs New Single 'Vampyre' On WWE's 'Halloween Havoc'". Blabbermouth.net. October 26, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  7. ^ Grabianowski, Ed (January 13, 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  8. ^ "Live & Televised Entertainment". WWE. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d Moore, John (October 3, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/3): Moore's review of Trick Williams vs. Dominik Mysterio for the NXT North American Title, Gigi Dolin vs. Blair Davenport, Tyler Bate and Butch vs. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Moore, John (October 10, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/10): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Bron Breakker with John Cena and Paul Heyman at ringside, Asuka vs. Roxanne Perez, Cody Rhodes' announcement, Undertaker". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Moore, John (October 17, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/17): Moore's review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dijak for a shot at the NXT Title, Lyra Valkyria vs. Tegan Nox, Bada-Bing, Bada-Boom Battle Royal". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Moore, John (September 5, 2023). "NXT TV results (9/5): Moore's review of Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the NXT Women's Title, Dragon Lee vs. Mustafa Ali for a NXT NA Title shot with Dom Mysterio as referee, Bron Breakker vs. Von Wagner in a No DQ match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Moore, John (September 12, 2023). "NXT TV results (9/12): Moore's review of Tiffany Stratton vs. Becky Lynch for the NXT Women's Title, Wes Lee vs. Ilja Dragunov for a shot at the NXT Title, Heritage Cup tournament matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  14. ^ Moore, John (September 26, 2023). "NXT TV results (9/26): Moore's review of Butch vs. Joe Coffey in the Global Heritage Invitational final, Dijak vs. Eddy Thorpe in a strap match, Gigi Dolin vs. Blair Davenport, Joe Gacy vs. Trick Williams, the final push for NXT No Mercy". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Moore, John (September 30, 2023). "NXT No Mercy results: Moore's live review of Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Title, Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton in an Extreme Rules match for the NXT Women's Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d Moore, John (October 24, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/24): Moore's review of Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria for the NXT Women's Title, Tony D'Angelo and Stacks vs. Andre Chase and Duke Hudson for the NXT Tag Titles". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  17. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 16, 2023). "Dominik Mysterio Confronts Nathan Frazer At 10/16 WWE Raw". Fightful. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  18. ^ Krotchsen, Billy (October 24, 2023). "DARK MATCH RESULT FROM HALLOWEEN HAVOC NIGHT ONE". PWInsider. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  19. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 17, 2023). "Roxanne Perez To Face Kiana James In A Devil's Playground Bout At NXT Halloween Havoc". Fightful. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 17, 2023). "Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr.) To Debut At NXT Halloween Havoc 2023 Night 1". Fightful. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c Lambert, Jeremy (October 17, 2023). "NXT Women's Breakout Tournament Semi-Finals Set For NXT Halloween Havoc". Fightful. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  22. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 17, 2023). "Chase U Wins Bada Bing Bada Boom Battle Royal, Earns NXT Tag Title Bout At NXT Halloween Havoc". Fightful. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  23. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (October 17, 2023). "Blair Davenport To Meet Gigi Dolin In A Lights Out Match At NXT Halloween Havoc". Fightful. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  24. ^ Defelice, Robert (October 3, 2023). "Lyra Valkyria To Challenge Becky Lynch For NXT Women's Title On Night 1 Of NXT Halloween Havoc 2023". Fightful. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  25. ^ a b Krotchsen, Billy (October 31, 2023). "DARK MATCH RESULTS FROM HALLOWEEN HAVOC NIGHT TWO". PWInsider. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  26. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 24, 2023). "The Creed Brothers vs. Angel Garza And Humberto Carrillo Set For NXT Halloween Havoc Night Two". Fightful. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  27. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 24, 2023). "Nathan Frazer To Challenge Dominik Mysterio For North American Title At NXT Halloween Havoc Night 2". Fightful. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  28. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 17, 2023). "Mr. Stone vs. Bron Breakker Set For NXT Halloween Havoc 2023 Night 1". Fightful. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  29. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 24, 2023). "Chelsea Green And Piper Niven To Defend WWE Women's Tag Team Titles At NXT Halloween Havoc Night Two". Fightful. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  30. ^ Tessier, Colin (October 17, 2023). "Ilja Dragunov To Defend NXT Title Against Carmelo Hayes At NXT Halloween Havoc Night 2". Fightful. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  31. ^ Moore, John (October 31, 2023). "NXT TV results (10/31): Moore's review of Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes for the NXT Championship, Dominik Mysterio vs. Nathan Frazer for the NXT North American Title, Bron Breakker vs. Mr. Stone". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  32. ^ Bryan Rose (September 12, 2023). "WWE announces return of NXT Women's Breakout Tournament". WON / F4W. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  33. ^ Robert Defelice (September 12, 2023). "NXT Women's Breakout Tournament Announced As 'Coming Soon'". Fightful. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  34. ^ Bryan Rose (October 17, 2023). "Semifinals set for WWE NXT Women's Breakout Tournament". WON / F4W. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  35. ^ Bryan Rose (October 24, 2023). "Finals set for NXT Women's Breakout Tournament". WON / F4W. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  36. ^ Bryan Rose (October 31, 2023). "Lola Vice wins WWE NXT Women's Breakout Tournament". WON / F4W. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
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