The October 21st edition of NXT served as the go-home show before this Saturday’s Halloween Havoc PLE and if there’s one takeaway, it’s that nearly every woman on the roster has something to prove. Let’s dive in!
Tatum Paxley Declares Her Moment
Tatum Paxley opened the show flanked by her Culling allies, Izzi Dame, Shawn Spears, and Niko Vance, soaking in “you deserve it” chants from the crowd. Beaming with gratitude and determination, Paxley reminded fans of her journey: four years of setbacks, loneliness, and evolution. She credited the fans for standing by her, calling them her “constant friendship,” before vowing to win her first PLE match at Halloween Havoc and bring singles gold to The Culling.
Cue Fatal Influence. NXT Women’s Champion Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, and Lainey Reid crashed the celebration with signature venom. Jayne mocked Paxley’s underdog story, declaring she “doesn’t stand a chance in hell” and dubbing her “barely average.” Paxley fired back, noting that like Jayne once did, she’s been grinding in empty gyms, quietly improving until her time came.
Henley, ever the opportunist, twisted the knife by questioning The Culling’s loyalty, warning Paxley they’d abandon her after she loses. Dame stepped up, defending her stable and promising unity. The tension boiled over, and when Fatal Influence tried to jump them, Paxley and Dame stood tall to clear the ring, a preview of what’s to come.
Backstage, Stacks walked hand-in-hand with Arianna Grace, continuing NXT’s most unexpected courtship. Grace teased that her father, Santino Marella, already knows Stacks might soon be “family.” If this keeps up, Thanksgiving at the Marellas could be must-see TV.
Outside the locker room, TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan was ambushed by locker room hostility. Her gear was dumped on the floor by Lola Vice, who sneered that Jordan wasn’t welcome in NXT since she’d fought for TNA. Jordynne Grace tried to calm things, but Jordan clapped back, accusing Grace of jealousy for never capturing an NXT title. It’s safe to assume this won’t be their last exchange.
Sol Ruca’s Decision
A somber Sol Ruca entered the ring on crutches, flanked by Zaria and NXT GM Ava, with both her Women’s North American and Women’s Speed Championships in hand. Ruca revealed she was injured on SmackDown and uncertain about her recovery timeline. Just as it seemed she’d relinquish her titles, Blake Monroe interrupted demanding to be crowned champion as the rightful number one contender.
Zaria wasn’t having it. She called Monroe out for chasing handouts and challenged her to earn it at Halloween Havoc. Ava left the decision to Sol, who emotionally entrusted Zaria to defend her title in her honor. The match was made official: Zaria vs. Blake Monroe for the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Blake, fuming, got physical and paid for it, Zaria hoisted her up and slammed her down before raising the title high. Sol’s look of uncertainty as Zaria celebrated suggested she might regret that decision later.
Backstage, Wren Sinclair was on the phone with Charlie Dempsey (still overseas in Japan) when Lash Legend interrupted. Lash brushed off Wren’s attempt to chat, only for Women’s Evolve Champion Kendal Grey to step in, backing up her friend. Lash issued a warning, setting up tension that’ll likely spill into the ring soon.
Tag Team Match: The Culling (Tatum Paxley & Izzi Dame) vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid w/ Fallon Henley)
Paxley and Reid opened fast with strikes before Jayne tagged in and took over with a hurricanrana. Paxley countered, planting Jayne with a double underhook suplex and a corner crossbody. Dame tagged in to level Jayne with a clothesline before Reid re-entered and ate a backbreaker from Dame.
Momentum swung when Paxley hit a dropkick on Jayne and nailed Henley at ringside, but the distraction proved costly. Jayne caught her with a Rolling Encore elbow for the three-count at around ten minutes.
Winners: Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne & Lainey Reid)
It was a solid match with strong pacing and chemistry from both teams. Fatal Influence benefited from Henley’s outside interference, proving once again that Paxley’s biggest battle at Halloween Havoc won’t just be against the champion, it’ll be against the numbers.
After the bell, Henley and Reid blindsided Izzi Dame into the steel steps. Fatal Influence circled Paxley, but the challenger exploded back, taking them out with a flurry of dropkicks and a sitout slam on Jayne. Paxley then hoisted the NXT Women’s Championship high, standing defiant ahead of the biggest night of her career.
This go-home episode did exactly what it needed to for Halloween Havoc. Tatum Paxley is entering with heart, Fatal Influence with arrogance, and Zaria with the weight of Sol Ruca’s trust.
Leave your comments below, who’s walking out of Halloween Havoc with gold?