Posted on 10/14/126 by Bob Magee
Last week on NXT, Wren Sinclair won a battle royal that she
wasn’t even in because she’s currently suspended. Kendal
Grey finished therapy (I think) and Birthright were re-added
to the Dusty Classic because they beat up Dorian Van Dux and
Sean Legacy and Robert Stone thought that was fine.
Will any of these mysteries of the NXT Playsets be solved
this week? Doubtful, but here we go none the less!
(Also, speaking of mysteries, Shawn Spears was supposed to
be in a match with Izzy Rain against Izzi Dame and Nico like
6 weeks ago and just didn’t show up and no one’s heard from
him since. I just feel like that should be brought up every
now and again.)
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2026 Quarter Final Match:
Chazz Hall & Mini Vikingo vs. The Vanity Project (Brad
Baylor & Ricky Smokes)
Since they are the current NXT Tag Team Champions, Vanity
Project got a bye in the tournament to advence to the second
round. Vikingo and Hall defeated Birthright, but for
reasons, Birthright is still in the tournament, so I guess
that’s like a bye too? Kinda? Anyway, It would please me
greatly for Vikingo and Hall to advance here.
Hall and Smokes kicked off the action with some go behinds
and quick switches before Hall landed a dropkick. Baylor
tagged in and dodged a dropkick from Hall, but fell victim
to a headscissor takedown. Baylor got a tag to Smokes who
hit Hall with a forearm.
Baylor continued the assault on Hall in the Vanity Project
corner, but Hall fought off a doiuble team and got a tag to
Vikingo who hit a tornado shoulder block off the top rope on
Smokes. Vikingo hit a hurricanrana as Hall grabbed a blind
tag to nail Baylor. Vanity Project went to the outside, but
Hall and Vikingo faked them out with the dive.
Vikingo got distacted by Myka Lockwood and Baylor took him
down from behind. Smokes did the same to Hall and Vanity
project took a moment or two to pose.
Back in the ring, Vikingo had Smokes on the ropes, but
Baylor hit him with a forearm from behind. Baylor laid waste
to Vikingo with a side neckbreaker for a two count. Smokes
came in and grabbed a headlock, preventing Vikingo from
getting a tag to Hall. Vikingo started throwing chops and
sent Baylor into Smokes.
Vikingo nailed Baylor with a standing Spanish Fly and got a
tag to Hall, just as Baylor got one to Smokes. Hall avoided
a double team and hit a double Pele Kick on Vanity Project.
He hit Sliced Bread on Smokes and went for a cover but could
only get a two count.
Vikingo got a tag in and hit a 450 off the top rope on
Smokes for another two count. Vikingo dragged Smokes to the
corner and went up for another 450, but Baylor pulled Smokes
out of harms way. Hall tagged in and Baylor caught him for a
cover, but Vikingo broke it up with a poisonrana.
Baylor started stomping on Hall, but Hall fought back with
some chops. Hall hit Baylor with a hurricanrana wthen got a
tag to Vikingo. Vikingo caem in from up top with a twisting
450, but Smokes broke up his cover on Baylor. Vikingo then
went over the top rope to take out Jackson Drake.
Smokes got his knees up on a Hall moonsault and Baylor made
the cover to get the victory.
Match Result: The Vanity Project defeated Chazz Hall & Mini
Vikingo
If I may make comment for a moment: boooooooooooooooooooooo!
-Backstage, Saquon Shugars yelled some gibberish about his
match with Tristan Angels. Grayson Waller wandered by and
said that Shugars doesn’t have it in him to be a concern to
Waller. Shugars told him to sit back and learn.
-In the NXT Robert Stone’s Office Playset, Kali Armstrong
was yelling at Stone about Wren Sinclair not being in the
battle royal and Stone was like “yeah, I know weird right?
Anyway, how would you like a AAA Reina de Reina’s
Championship match against La Catalina for relatively no
reason?” So, that’s happening later.
Saquon Shugars vs. Tristan Angels
So, let me lay out the in-depth and compelling story that’s
led to this confrontation:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So, here we go.
Shugars took it to Angels with dropkicks off the top until
Angels drove him into the corner for some shoulders. Shugars
grabbed a wristlock, but Angels powered out of it. Shugars
sent him into the ropes, but Angels countered and sent HIM
into the ropes. Shugars hit an atomic drop and then dropped
a leg on Angels for a two count.
Shugars stood on Angel’s head, but Angels rolled through and
stomped Shugars. Angels hit him with snake eyes and then
tried to remove a turnbuckle cover, but Shugars interrupted
and sent him to the outside. Angels started throwing chairs
into the ring until the Ref told him “Hey! Don’t do that!”
and he tossed them aside.
Shugars left the ring and Angels threw him into the steps
for his trouble. Angels threw Shugars back into the ring and
worked him over in the corner. He whipped Shugars into the
opposite corner and then suplexed him for a cover and a two
count. Shugars tried to roll Angels up, but couldn’t get the
pin.
Angels tried for a suplex, but Shugars got out of it and
walked right into a big boot. Angels went for a neckbreaker,
but Shugars held onto the ropes to avoid it. Angels hit a
backstabber and dropped an elbow for a two count. Angels
tried a sleeper, but Shugars backed Angels into the corner
and then sent him to the outside.
Angels got back into the ring and Shugars hit him with a
knee to the midsection. He hit a backbreaker into a face
slam for two and then went up top. Shugars lost his balance
and fell, then choosing to run Angels over the top rope an
out of the ring. Angels threw Shugars into the barricade,
and then threw him back in for a slam and a pin.
Match Result: Tristan Angels defeated Saquon Shugars
-In tonight’s NXT Focus, Tony D’Angelo addressed his
opponent for the evening, Mylse Borne. D’Angelo said that he
wasn’t going to get the job done. D’Angelo said that he
decides who walks and who takes a swim and he is the NXT
Master of Fate (What up, Sid?).
-Back from break, Izzi Dame and Nico were hanging out in a
dark corner discussing Zaria. Dame said that Zaria is broken
and she doesn’t want to fix her, she wants her to remain
interesting. Dame said that Zaria has forgotten what it’s
like when someone forces her to look in the mirror. This is
about more than just titles, it’s about Dame exposing Zaria
as… someone who went to high school? I guess? Anyway, Dame
ended the segment saying it “iz what it iz” and we all
agreed.
-Wren Sinclair came to the ring and was announced as the #1
Contender to the NXT Women’s Title. She grabbed a mic and
said that normally she’d keep her head down and play it
safe, but last week she did something that the old Wren
would never do: take a risk.
Sinclair said that even though she was scared last week, she
now knows she doesn’t have to hide or overthink anymore. She
said that sometimes you just need to be scared enough to
know that something matters. Sinclair said she’s realized
how fast everything she’s worked for can be taken away, so
she has to take these chances.
She then said “yeah, I know I was technically suspended…”
and then Kelani Jordan interrupted because who needs to know
the answer to that? Jordan came down to the ring and said
that Sinclair’s win doesn’t count because she was suspended.
Jordan said that Sinclair didn’t earn her shot so she
doesn’t deserve it.
Jordan said that she REFUSES to face Sinclair at Halloween
Havoc. She’ll take on anyone else, but not Sinclair. Jordan
said that Sinclair may have taken a risk, but she did it as
someone else which is sad.
Then, Robert Stone came out and lifted Sinclair’s suspension
(no reason why was given). Stone then asked the Audience if
Sinclair deserved the title shot and they chanted so that
means it’s official, Wren Sinclair vs Kelani Jordan for the
NXT Title at Halloween Havoc and nothing matters anymore.
-In the NXT Warehouse Playset, Izzy Rain and Cruz Montana
were chatting when Montana’s phone rang. He spoke to what I
assume was his mom and said that he was proud of her and he
loved her. That conjured Dion Lennox who attacked Montana
from behind. He picked up the phone and redialed Montana’s
Mom and said that he’s going to need her next week after he
kicks Montana’s ass.
AAA Reina de Reinas Championship Match: La Catalina (c) vs
Kali Armstrong
Armstrong got this match by complaining to Robert Stone
earlier about Wren Sinclair winning a battle royal she
wasn’t even in while being suspended. By that logic, I too
should have a Reina de Reina’s Championship match, but I
digress. The “official” reason Armstrong got this match was
having the most eliminations in the battle royal and as we
just learned, Sinclair’s suspension meant nothing, so I
guess good for Armstrong?
Armstrong grabbed a headlock to start and then knocked
Catalina to the mat with a shoulder. Armstrong got a
wristlock on, but Catalina got out of it and they rolled
around the mat. Catalina came off the ropes and tried to get
a quick pin, but Armstrong kicked out. She sent Catalina to
the corner and laid shoulders into her.
Catalina came off the ropes with a headscissor takedown that
sent Armstrong out of the ring. Catalina went for a dive off
the apron, but Armstrong caught her and slammed her on the
floor. Armstrong pulled up some of the floor mats and went
for a scoop slam on the concrete, but Catalina countered it
and sent her tumbling over the stairs.
Catalina threw Armstrong back into the ring and hit her with
corner lariats. Catalina went up for a moonsault, but
Armstrong pulled her down into a tree of woe for a spear.
Armstrong worked Catalina over with strikes and then a Camel
Clutch. Catalina powered out of the hold and rolled through
for a cover but only got two.
Catalina sent Armstrong face first into the turnbuckle and
went for a hip attack, but Armstrong avoided it. Catalina
hit her with a missile dropkick from the ringpost and both
women were laid out. Armstrong got to her feet and charged,
but Catalina was waiting with a dropkick and some rallying
forearms.
She sent Armstrong to the corner for a hip attack and then
hit her with a reverse facebuster for a two count. Catalina
went for a suplex, but Armstrong blocked it. They traded
shots until Armstrong caught Catalina with a side slam for
two. Armstrong went for a slam, but Catalina rolled through
and tripped her into the ropes for a meteora.
Armstrong came back with a powerslam, but Catalina caught
her picking up speed for the Kai Connection and threw her
over the top rope onto the concrete. Armstrong pulled
herself into the ring and Catalina nailed her with a high
knee to get the pin and retain her title.
Match Result: La Catalina defeated Kali Armstrong
-In the NXT Lunchroom Playset, Myles Borne was working out
when Wren Sinclair walked by. He said it feels good to stand
up for yourself and Sinclair told him he wasn’t standing up
for anything with what he did to Tavion. Then, Kendal Grey
arrived and Borne left. Grey said that she was officially
cleared by medical, so they should come up with a plan for
Halloween Havoc.
-In the NXT Locker Room Playset, EK Prosper was telling Mini
Vikingo and Chazz Hall that they shouldn’t feel back about
losing to Vanity Project. Then Vanity Project came in and
started making fun of them. Prosper said that they talk to
much and a 3-on-3 match was proposed and accepted with
Jackson Drake calling Hall and Vikingo “little jits” which I
assume isn’t as racist as it sounded.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic 2026 Quarter Final Match: Noam
Dar & Romeo Moreno vs. Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer)
Moreno and Dar defeated Los Americanos in an absolute banger
of a match and Fraxiom advenced over DarkState. The winners
of this match will go on to face Vanity Project in the Semi
Finals.
Frazer and Dar started off with a fast-paced exchange ending
with Dar getting an ankle lock on Frazer. Frazer pulled them
to the ropes though to break it and then put a crossface on
Dar. Dar grabbed a rope to break it and Moreno tagged in.
Frazer brought in Axiom who hit Moreno with an arm drag and
then caught him for a surfboard. Moreno avoided it though
and they ran around in a stalemate.
Axiom switched tactics and punched Moreno in the face before
hitting him with a dropkick. Moreno came back with a kick
and Frazer grabbed a tag. Dar came back in with a dropkick
and he and Moreno double teamed Frazer. Moreno sent Frazer
to the outside. Axiom tried to help and they blocked a
double kick from Dar and Moreno off the apron.
Back in the ring, everyone traded kicks and strikes until
all four were laying on the mat. Frazer and Dar remained
legal with Frazer getting a suplex in. Frazer went for a
cross body, but Dar ducked and Frazer rolled over to tag in
Axiom. Moreno hit him with a suplex and then threw Frazer to
the outside so he could jump on him.
Dar tagged in and he and Moreno double teamed Axiom for a
two count. Dar put Axiom on the ring post, but Axiom ceam
back with a submission attempt. Dar reversed it into an
ankle hold, but Axiom got a rope break. They traded shots as
Frazer and Moreno got into their corners for tags.
Frazer hit a sling blade on Moreno. then a second rope
spanish fly. Frazer charged and Moreno pulled down the rope
sending him to the outside. Moreno dove, but Fraxer moved
and Moreno knocked himself out on the announce table.
Frazer went up top but missed Dar as Dar threw Axiom out.
Fraxiom double teamed Dar and Axiom made the cover for a two
count. Axiom and Dar threw strikes until Dar got an Armbar
on. Frazer grabbed a blind tag and leapt off the ringpost,
but Dar caught him in a triangle choke.
Frazer stood up and Axiom hit Dar with a dropkick. Frazer
went for a frog splash but could only get two. Fraxiom hit a
high/low on Dar, but Moreno arrived to break up the count.
Axiom grabbed Moreno, who went behind and caught Frazer with
a suplex. Dar hit a German on Axiom and Moreno hit a
spingboard kick before going up top.
Axiom hit Moreno with a kicn and then a Spanish Fly off the
ringpost. Frazer follwoed with a splash, but Dar broke it up
with an ankle lock on Axiom. Frazer kicked him in the face
about it and Moreno gave him one in return while Axiom dove
on Dar on the outside.
Frazer hit a superplex on Moreno and Axiom went for a cover,
but Moreno kicked out. Frazer tagged in and held Moreno
while Axiom went up top, but Moreno scrambled up and laid
out Axiom. Frazer went for a springboard, but Dar caught him
with a back elbow. Moreno a Dar hit a double up and Dar made
the cover on Axiom to advance in the tournament.
Match Result: Noam Dar & Romeo Moreno defeated Fraxiom
That was an absolutely fantastic match! Given the
participants it shouldn’t be a shock, but damn! Easily the
best NXT match I’ve seen this year.
-Dr Wagner Jr and Galeno were interviewed in the back about
being in the Dusty Classic. They said they are humble and
honored to be part of the tournament. Then BirthRight showed
up and Ariana Grace said that they would be good additions
to Birthright, but they aren’t going to let them join (even
though no one asked). Galeno and Dr Wagner issued a warning
in Spanish and left, leaving BirthRight to wonder what they
said.
WWE NXT Title #1 Contendership Match: Tony D’Angelo vs.
Myles Borne
Last week, NXT Champion Grayson Waller called out anyone in
the back who thought they had the guts to take him on.
Cranky ol’ Myles Borne (who lost both of his titles in one
night at Heatwave) answered that call and demanded the shot.
Then Tony D’Angelo came out and said “nuh-uh!” so Waller
suggested that they have tonight’s match to figure out who’s
getting the title match at Halloween Havoc. Robert Stone was
presumably at home, washing his hair while all this
happened.
D’Angelo started with a clothesline and then a series of
slams on Borne. Borne rolled to the outside and then Jogged
away from D’Angelo when he followed. Borne slid back into
the ring and stomped D’Angelo when he tried to get in. That
didn’t stop D’angelo though who went for a suplex, but Borne
countered it with an elbow.
D’Angelo came off the ropes and Borne caught him with a body
slam. Borne sent him to the corner for a splash and D’Angelo
came back with a suplex. Borne took them to the outside
again where he threw D’Angelo into the barricades, the
apron, the ringpost and the steps.
Borne threw D’Angelo back into the ring and went for a cover
but only got two. Borne went up top, but D’Angelo knocked
him off the post to the ouside. D’Angelo then threw borne
into the barricades, the LED light board, the apron and then
cleared the Announced table. Borne went back into the ring
and D’Angelo followed with a spinebuster.
Borne rolled out of the ring and D’Angelo backdropped him on
the steps. D’Angelo suplexed Borne on the floor and threw
him back into the ring for a cover and a kickout. Borne came
back with a suplex and then a second to try and put D’Angelo
down, but all he got was kickouts.
Borne hit D’Angelo with a dropkick and then stomped him by
the ropes. Borne dropped a knee for a two count. He
continued working D’Angelo over with knees and suplexes but
couldn’t get the pin. Borne started throwing punches which
seemed to Hulk up D’Angelo who came back with a series of
German suplexes and a bulldog.
He nailed Borne with a powerslam, but could onlt get a two
count. D’Angelo went for a powerbomb, but Borne caught him
with a high knee on the way up. Borne came off the top right
into a spear from D’Angelo. D’Angelo went for the cover but
Borne kicked out.
D’Angelo went for a choke slam, but Borne tried to counter
with Borne Again. D’Angelo caught him though and hit a power
bomb for a two count. Borne came back with an Angle Slam and
then suddenly got distracted by a camera man who was wearing
full face covering for reasons. D’Angelo took advantage and
slammed Borne to get the win and punch his ticket to
Halloween Havoc.
Match Result: Tony D’Angelo defeated Myles Borne
After the match, the Camera Man got into the ring and
revealed himself to be Tavion Heights. He slammed Borne then
dragged him to the outside where he powerbombed Borne
through the announce table.
-Backstage, Robert Stone wandered into his Office Playset
where he found a note that said “Make me the host of
Halloween Havoc or you are cursed.” Obviously from the Repo
Man.
Next Week on NXT:
-Chazz Hall, Mini Vikingo & EK Prosper take on Vanity
Project in a Six-Man match
-Cruz Montana vs Dion Lennox in a “My Mom loved me more”
match
-The Creed Brothers take on Hank & Tank in a Dusty Classic
second round match
-AAA Tag Team Champions Galeno & Dr Wagner Jr vs BirthRight
in the other Dusty Classic Match.