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WWE NXT will present their first-ever Halloween Havoc PLE this Saturday from the WWE Performance Center, with Shotzi Blackheart and Quincy Elliott hosting. Here is our take on what will go down.
WWE NXT Champion Bron Breakker vs. JD McDonagh vs. Ilja Dragonuv.
Dave: Usually I say that the Champ will come out with the belt but something tells me that the heat between Ilja and Bron will carry over on Saturday and JD comes out with the belt. Then again with the Austin Theory variable, I could also see Bron retaining and Theory poaching the Title. I think I just changed my own mind and will go with the latter, largely because I think cashing in for the NXT Title could elevate it in perception. They can definitely go in a few directions here.
Mike: I thought the Austin Theory tease was great because it was the last thing anyone saw coming and it added to the spectacle of the go-home show this past Tuesday. I don't expect he will cash-in, but I like the idea of him showing up to add to the "danger" for Bron Breakker. Who should go over here? I don't think Dragonuv nor JD have been established enough for the NXT audience here in the States, so my gut is Breakker gets the win unless Chucky decides to screw with him to get back at his father Rick Steiner from their old WCW Nitro feud. Just kidding, I think.
Richard: The presence of the fourth wheel in this Triple Threat Match is what I think will determine the result of this match. I think that this will be a good match, but only if Austin Theory decides to cash in AFTER the match ends. If he cashes in before or during the match to make it a Four Way, all bets are off. The X Factor in his match is JD McDonagh. He has done little to make me care about his character since his return to the US and he has to revert back to something closer to Jordan Devlin to make me excited for his existence (in general, not just this match). Ilja's promo makes me think he should win the match, but if the match goes the way his title defenses as NXT UK Champion where he is fighting against the odds due to an injury suffered in the match, I don't want to see him win. However, if Ilja does not win, does he stay in the US or is he gone to wait for NXT Europe? If Theory cashes in after the match, I want JD to win and have Theory successfully cash in. If Bron or Ilja win and Theory tries to cash in, I see a failed cash in.
WWE NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose vs. Alba Fyre.
Dave: I really want Fyre to win because she's just so good, but Mandy has been great as champion too so I think she retains. With a little luck it makes Fyre go back to her roots and we see the return of Kay Lee Ray.
Mike: Mandy has really found herself since returning to NXT. I don't know that Alba is ready for the win, only because we are still seeing her morph back into the NXT UK Rae that we really loved. To me, Fyre's role here should be to look like she's got Mandy beaten, but in the end, Rose steals and eeks out the win. I am curious to see if Sonya Deville continues on as part of the storyline.
Richard: Does the person who loses this match move on to the main roster? If so, I almost want Mandy to retain to face Roxanne and lose the title to her while Alba joins THE Judgment Day or feuds with Rhea Ripley. How much will Toxic Attraction and Sonya get involved? The more the less merrier. Fyre should win, but since I have picked against Mandy in almost every match (except the one she unified the titles), she will retain. Alba would be a great champion but I think it is Roxanne's title to win.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Oro Mensah vs. Wes Lee vs. Von Wagner vs. Nathan Frazer - Ladder Match to crown new WWE NXT North American Champion.
Dave: Since they took it off of Carmelo under dubious circumstances to put it on Solo Sikoa I would like to see him get it back here. The only other person I would consider putting it on right now is Frazer.
Mike: VON WAGNER! Just kidding. I like the idea of Wes Lee shocking EVERYONE with a big win. I expect this to be a lot of fun with Wagner being the base catching everyone on the big dives. I expect this to open the PPV and I expect this to be really, really fun. This will be the match designed to make the next generation of talents ascend upward.
Richard: Every time Hayes loses the title, he wins it back so I think it happens again. I don't think Mensah or Lee have a chance and I think Frazer, while a choice I wouldn't mind, wouldn't resonate with more fans than it won't. That leaves Unfrozen Caveman Sports Entertainer. I can see Robert Stone, Trick Williams, and Axiom get involved in the match to muddy the waters and maybe Axiom accidentally causes Frazer to lose the match and lead to a rift between the Wonder Twins. Hayes retains, but if not him, then belt Von.
Damon Kemp vs. Julius Creed - Ambulance Match with Brutus Creed's career on the line.
Dave: Kemp broke up the band so he needs to pay the price here. Time to send him packing to the hospital.
Mike: Kemp and Creed did a GREAT job on NXT this week talking up the match. It was probably the best thing Kemp has done thus far in the company, but unless they are going to have Gabe Steveson hiding in the Ambulance to attack Creed, we know he's not going to fail his brother. Creed wins.
Richard: I can't see the Creeds go to the main roster yet so I can't see Julius losing this match. Julius is so much fun to watch in the ring and I thought his promo on Tuesday night was very strong. This will be a fun match and I could see Ivy and Brutus try to get involved or do something behind the referee's back to give Kemp a taste of his own medicine. We need a feed from Roddy's hospital room to see him react like Lou Brown in Major League 2.
Cora Jade vs. Roxanne Perez - Weapons Wild Match.
Dave: After all that Cora has put Roxanne through it's time for her to get her comeuppance. She has gotten over on Roxanne long enough.
Mike: A year ago, Roxanne (as Rok-C) was by far the most entertaining and worthwhile part of Ring of Honor. This year, she's one of the most worthwhile and entertaining parts of WWE NXT. The story hasn't always made the most sense to me, but the work has been good. By going the hardcore weapons route, they have the chance to add some grit to the story. Roxanne getting the win here makes the most sense to me.
Richard: Roxanne had a great performance against Rhea on Tuesday night and looked strong in her match on Smackdown as well. Roxanne is the future of the women's division and should win this one. The big pay off is her finally using the 'candy cane colored' kendo stick on Cora many times. Roxanne's next step is the Women's Title.
Apollo Crews vs. Grayson Waller - Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal.
Dave: Crews has to get revenge here for the attack on his eyes. Blindfold match would work but whatever the case, Crews goes over.
Mike: The Blindfold match makes the most sense but it would be ridiculously silly, so I am hoping they go into any other direction. If they go that route, it can't be any worse than the Coal Miner's Glove match all three of us witnessed in Philly when Sting wrestled Jake Roberts in 1992! Dave is 100% here in that Crews should get some revenge here. I think humilating Waller would be the way to go so we can see how he react and responds.
Richard: I hope Chucky gets to choose a blindfold match since it would make the worst visual but follow the storyline where Crews had visions but they have been clouded by Waller's attacks and Waller coming from under the ring with blood flowing from his eyes. Crews has to win, but you never know.
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