The CW and Netflix will air a new episode of WWE NXT tonight, featuring Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary, live from the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The show will feature one of the most exciting cards of the year, with the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic final and both of the brand's top championships on the line.
Additionally, Cruz Montana and Dion Lennox will face off in an Unsanctioned Match, with Michael Chandler serving as the special guest referee. Meanwhile, John Cena will make an appearance to extend several invitations to NXT talents for the inaugural edition of the John Cena Classic. As always, we invite you to leave your comments on this article and share your thoughts on what happened during the show.
WWE NXT kicks off on Netflix!
We see several of tonight's competitors arriving at the venue: John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Kelani Jordan, Grayson Waller, and CM Punk (who is seen talking with Shawn Michaels).
We get a video recap of NXT Halloween Havoc 2026.
Six-Man Tag Team Match
The Vanity Project (Jackson Drake, Ricky Smokes, and Brad Baylor) (with Myka Lockwood) vs. Chad Gable, Dragon Lee, and Rey Fenix
Drake and Gable start the match. Both men exchange arm drags. Chad takes Jackson down to the mat before sending him out of the ring. Smokes catches Gable from behind and throws him out of the ring. Rey Fenix then sends Ricky crashing to the floor. Baylor is next, pushing Rey Fenix over the top rope. Dragon Lee catches Brad from behind and throws him out of the ring, bringing this chain of eliminations to an end. Both teams return to the center of the ring and face off. "Fight! Fight!" the fans chant.
The action quickly breaks out. The members of The Vanity Project are sent out of the ring once again. Dragon Lee prepares to dive onto Drake, but Brad and Ricky stop him by grabbing his legs. The NXT Tag Team Champions then strike Dragon Lee. Rey Fenix dives onto them with a diving crossbody. Meanwhile, inside the ring, Gable hits Drake with the Chaos Theory with Dragon Lee's assistance. 1..2..NO. Baylor and Smokes break up the pin. The members of The Vanity Project are sent out of the ring after being hit with a triple clothesline from their opponents.
The action returns to the ring. Dragon Lee traps Jackson against the ropes and delivers a painful chop. Drake manages to reach his corner and tag in Smokes, but Ricky quickly falls into the hands of his opponents. Rey Fenix delivers a loud chop to Ricky before locking him in a submission hold. Smokes catches Rey Fenix with a jawbreaker to escape the masked wrestler's grasp. The Vanity Project take control of the match.
Dragon Lee and Gable prevent their opponents from hitting a double-team suplex on Rey Fenix. Fenix kicks Brad in the head, leaving him sprawled on the mat. Gable, Rey Fenix, and Dragon Lee prepare to dive onto Baylor, but Drake and Smokes shake the ropes, causing them to fall. Brad and Ricky team up to take Chad down. Jackson follows up with a springboard footstomp. 1..2..NO. The members of The Vanity Project take turns punishing the former Intercontinental Champion, with Drake hitting him with a handspring cutter. 1..2..NO. Gable escapes from all his opponents and tags in Rey Fenix, who storms into the ring.
The AAA Cruiserweight World Champion takes on all his opponents at once. Rey Fenix hits Brad with a Tightrope Penalty Kick before following up with a moonsault. 1..2..NO. Dragon Lee gets the tag. Dragon Lee takes Drake down with a release German suplex. Dragon Lee kicks Jackson and Baylor, allowing Chad to hit them with a double release German suplex. The action continues. Chad hits Drake with an Exploder Suplex, sending him crashing into the turnbuckle and knocking Brad down. Dragon Lee takes advantage of the situation and crushes Baylor with a double footstomp. Finally, Gable and Rey Fenix hold Smokes and Drake in place, allowing Dragon Lee to hit Brad with an Operation Dragon. 1..2..3.
Winners: Chad Gable, Dragon Lee, and Rey Fenix
Shiloh Hill is talking with CM Punk backstage. Hill admits to "The Best in the World" that he doesn't want to experience the effects of the orange mist again. CM Punk asks him why he would take such a dangerous risk. Shiloh explains that he had been experimenting for weeks but had never been able to test the formula until the day of the match. Fortunately, everything worked out for him. "The Best in the World" acknowledges that Hill is an interesting guy. Shiloh, in turn, wishes him luck in his match against Grayson Waller, hoping he can take the NXT Championship away from him. If he does, Hill would like CM Punk to give him a shot at the title. CM Punk has no problem with that... as long as Hill doesn't use any kind of mist.
Waller interrupts their conversation. "He's right about you, Shiloh. You've got a bright future, but you're asking the wrong guy. I'm the champion, and that's not going to change tonight. Stick to your little experiments in the trailer park, and I'll take care of maintaining the prestige of the NXT Championship," he says. Waller approaches CM Punk. "Punk, don't forget to wipe your feet," a smiling Grayson says before walking away. "All right. I'll wipe my feet... on your face," CM Punk replies. "Please kick his ass tonight," Hill says. CM Punk assures him that's exactly what he plans to do. The two men shake hands as the segment comes to an end.
Kelani Jordan makes her way to the ring, where she will defend the NXT Women's Championship against an unnamed opponent. And her opponent is.... Paige!
NXT Women's Championship Match
Kelani Jordan (c) vs. Paige
Both women grapple for position. Kelani takes Paige down before kicking her. Jordan follows up with a running crossbody. 1..2..NO. Paige recovers and launches a counterattack. Paige punishes the champion in one of the turnbuckles. Paige delivers several headbutts to Jordan, who responds with a forearm. Paige takes Kelani to the apron, where she slaps her. Paige kicks Jordan against the ropes. The champion falls to ringside, where she is hit with a corner cannonball. "This is my house!" the Brit exclaims to the delight of the fans.
Paige brings Kelani back into the ring. Jordan quickly escapes through the opposite side. Paige slides toward the champion. Kelani blocks the Brit's kick and counters with a neckbreaker onto the floor. Kelani throws Paige into the barricade before bringing her back into the ring. Jordan hits Paige with a leg drop and then uses the ropes to inflict further punishment. Kelani kicks Paige in one of the turnbuckles. Paige tries to recover, but the champion takes her down with a spinning neckbreaker. 1..2..NO. "Let's go, Paige!" the fans chant.
Jordan locks Paige in a crossface. Paige fires off several elbows to break free. Jordan kicks the Brit. Both women take each other down with simultaneous clotheslines. Paige and Kelani exchange strikes in the center of the ring. Paige blocks a kick from the champion and takes her down to the mat. The Brit continues her assault on Jordan, finishing with a Knight Cap. 1..2..NO. Kelani tries to mount a comeback, but ends up taking a Rampaige. 1..2..NO. Paige can't believe it.
Jordan pushes Paige into the ropes before catching her with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. The champion locks Paige in an STF. The Brit shifts her weight onto her opponent to pin her shoulders down. 1..2..NO. Kelani catches Paige with a DDT. Jordan goes for a split-legged moonsault, but Paige gets her knees up. Paige prepares to finish her off with another Rampaige, but Kelani blocks it and catches her opponent with a roll-up. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL NXT Women's Champion: Kelani Jordan
Sol Ruca approaches Wren Sinclair and Kendal Grey backstage. Ruca congratulates Sinclair on her great performance at NXT Halloween Havoc. She also tells her that she should be proud of her performance despite losing to Kelani Jordan. "Sol is right. But don't worry. Sooner or later, Kelani is going to lose that title," Kendal says. Sinclair changes the subject and asks Ruca what brought her to NXT tonight. Sol replies that she received a message from Zaria asking to meet with her. However, she hasn't seen her yet.
Izzi Dame appears on the scene and reveals that she was the one who sent the message. Furthermore, Dame believes Sol should be talking to someone who actually won at Halloween Havoc, rather than a couple of losers. Wren confronts Dame, making it clear that a loser is someone who steps on others to achieve their goals. "I'm not the same Wren anymore. If you want me to prove it, I will," a defiant Sinclair says. "You're just like Zaria. You think you're not, but you are. It's a shame I can't fix all of you," Izzi replies, looking toward the entire locker room. Dame walks away, bringing the segment to an end.
Cody Rhodes makes his entrance. "The American Nightmare" takes a look at the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic trophy before making his way to the ring. Once there, he shakes hands with the finalists. Rhodes joins the commentary team to watch the match.
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic - Final
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs. Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno
Moreno and Tank start the match. Both men test each other's strength in the ring. Romeo catches Ledger with a dropkick. Tank responds with a springboard crossbody. Ledger tags in Walker, who crushes his opponent in the turnbuckle. Hank follows up with a Bulldog, allowing Tank to finish with a senton. Walker goes for the cover. 1..2..NO. Romeo manages to reach his corner and tag in Noam.
The European duo tries to team up against their opponents, but Hank and Tank nearly cause them to make a mistake. Romeo and Noam then move out of the way, causing Tank and Hank to accidentally collide in the center of the ring. However, the collision barely affects them. The action continues. Dar catches Walker in a Triangle Choke. Tank tries to intervene, but Romeo stops him with a Guillotine Choke. Walker escapes the Scottish wrestler's hold by hitting him with a one-handed sit-out powerbomb. At the same time, Ledger gets rid of Moreno with a suplex.
All four men exchange strikes in the center of the ring. Hank and Tank send the Europeans out of the ring before diving onto both of them with simultaneous suicide dives. Ledger and Walker continue their assault on their opponents at ringside. Hank and Tank place Noam on the commentary table and hit him with a double headbutt. Walker and Ledger bring the Scottish wrestler back into the ring to continue the attack. Tank and Hank take Dar down with a double shoulder tackle. Walker goes for the cover. 1..2..NO. Noam desperately tries to reach his corner, but Walker stops him.
Finally, Dar manages to reach his corner and tag in Romeo, who storms into the ring. Moreno dives at Hank with a Missile Dropkick. Walker ends up at ringside alongside his partner. The Spaniard dives onto both men with a diving crossbody. The Europeans send their opponents out of the ring once again. The action moves to ringside, where Hank and Tank regain control of the match. Walker and Ledger bring Noam back into the ring and hit him with two consecutive frog splashes. 1..2..NO.
Hank and Tank prepare to crush Noam in the center of the ring, but their opponents stop them by locking them both in simultaneous Ankle Locks. Walker can no longer withstand the pain and prepares to tap out. His partner kicks Romeo to break free before rushing over to Hank to stop his hand. Walker hits Noam with a Black Hole Slam.
Hank and Tank prepare to crush the Scottish wrestler in the center of the ring, but Walker's injured leg causes him to stumble. Romeo takes advantage of the opportunity and hits Walker with a running kick. Meanwhile, Dar catches Ledger with a cheap shot. The Europeans simultaneously hit Hank and Tank with a Cross Rhodes. Finally, they hit Ledger with their combined finisher (Leg Sweep + Cheap Shot). 1..2..3.
Winners and DUSTY RHODES TAG TEAM CLASSIC CHAMPIONS: Romeo Moreno and Noam Dar
Cody Rhodes approaches an exhausted Romeo and Noam, who are standing beside the trophy. Rhodes shakes the winners' hands before addressing the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, your Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winners... NOAM AND ROMEO!" he exclaims. Rhodes personally congratulates the Europeans before informing them that he has one more surprise for them. Robert Stone has informed him that Dar and Moreno will receive an opportunity at the NXT Tag Team Championships next week. The Europeans celebrate the news. Cody shakes the winners' hands once again as the segment comes to an end.
Unsanctioned Match (with Michael Chandler as the special guest referee)
Cruz Montana vs. Dion Lennox
Montana attacks Dion as he makes his entrance. Cruz unleashes a flurry of punches on his opponent. Montana lifts Lennox onto one of his shoulders, looking to drive him into one of the ring posts. However, Dion manages to break free just in time and shoves the Puerto Rican into the metal post. Lennox throws Montana into the steel steps. Dion hits his opponent with a suplex directly onto the floor. Lennox brings Montana back into the ring for a pin attempt, but the Puerto Rican easily kicks out.
Montana regains control at ringside. Cruz sets up a table next to the audience barricade. Montana prepares to powerbomb Dion through the table, but his opponent charges forward and drives him into the barricade, foiling his plans. Dion throws Cruz into some steel chairs. Lennox stacks the chairs on the floor, looking to hit Montana with a suplex onto them. Cruz blocks the suplex and counters with one of his own. As a result, Lennox crashes through a wall.
Montana goes after his opponent and throws him into the steel steps. Next, Cruz removes the protective padding from the floor, exposing the concrete. He then places Dion on the steel steps. Montana prepares to launch an attack on his opponent directly onto the exposed floor. Chandler tries to convince the Puerto Rican not to do it, giving Dion an opportunity to take his opponent down onto the steps. Lennox takes control of the match, which moves back inside the ring. "Boricua! Boricua!" the fans chant. "Shut up!" Lennox shouts at them.
Cruz catches Dion with a clothesline before hitting him with The Three Amigos. 1..2..NO. Dion strikes Montana with an elbow to regain control. Lennox locks Cruz in a headlock. His opponent breaks free, only to be thrown into one of the turnbuckles. Dion goes looking for a pair of handcuffs, intending to chain his opponent to the bottom rope. However, Chandler repeatedly stops him. Frustrated, Lennox shoves the UFC fighter, sending him crashing into the ropes. Chandler takes a deep breath to avoid attacking Dion.
Lennox ignores the special guest referee's warnings and goes after Cruz again, but Montana greets him with a kick. Montana unleashes a quick offensive flurry on Dion, taking him down with a rolling cutter. Cruz follows up with a corner cannonball. Lennox ends up at ringside, where he is hit with a spinning tope. Montana brings Dion back into the ring, only to hit him with a clothesline that sends him crashing back to ringside. Montana prepares to smash Dion's head against the unprotected floor. At that moment, Osiris Griffin and Cutler James rush onto the scene!
The members of DarkState join forces to attack Cruz, preparing to hit him with a triple powerbomb through the commentary table. Suddenly, the arena lights go out. When they come back on, we see Jaida Parker standing beside the commentary table. The rest of 946's members quickly appear on the scene and attack DarkState.
Bronco throws Osiris into the barricade, taking him out of the equation. Nima hits James with a chokeslam. He crashes onto the commentary table, destroying it. Meanwhile, Montana powerbombs Dion through the table he had previously set up at ringside, completely destroying it. Cruz brings Lennox back into the ring and finishes him off with a Spin the Block. 1..2..3.
Winner: Cruz Montana
All the members of 946 pose together in the center of the ring as the segment comes to an end.
John Cena makes his entrance. The fans welcome him with a huge ovation. With a microphone in hand, Cena addresses the Performance Center crowd. John praises NXT and the energy that this place radiates. And that's precisely why he is here tonight: to make the most of that energy. Without further ado, the seventeen-time world champion introduces the second entrant in the John Cena Classic, and it is none other than.... Zilla Fatu!
The Samoan makes his way into the ring, where "The Greatest of All Time" is waiting for him. Cena reminds Zilla that he has competed against many members of the Samoan family, including his father, someone he cared about deeply. "Umaga! Umaga!" the fans chant. John places his hand on Zilla's shoulder. "Your family has done so much for me. Tonight, it's an honor for me to give you an opportunity to make your debut in the John Cena Classic," John says. "You deserve it!" the fans chant.
Zilla thanks Cena for the invitation and for his kind words about his family. However, what he is most grateful for is the fact that it was the seventeen-time world champion himself who gave him this opportunity. With that said, Fatu promises that on December 14, he will make everyone shout just one word: "HELLO!" Zilla and John embrace in the center of the ring, bringing the segment to an end.
Tony D'Angelo appears in a very brief video. We see him leaning against a railing, staring into the darkness.
Kam Hendrix approaches John Cena backstage. "My name is Kam Hendrix, but you can call me Showtime. Who's my opponent in the John Cena Classic?" a confident Kam asks. "Showtime... I've heard it said before that if you're good, you'll tell everyone about it, but if you're great, they'll tell you. Instead of focusing on the John Cena Classic, you should be focusing on your opponent next week, EK Prosper," Cena replies before walking away.
NXT Championship Match
Grayson Waller (c) vs. CM Punk
Both men grapple in the center of the ring. CM Punk takes Waller down repeatedly before going for a pin. 1..2..NO. Grayson crawls toward one of the turnbuckles. CM Punk approaches him, only for his opponent to pull him into the corner. CM Punk stomps on the Australian to mock him. CM Punk sends Waller out of the ring. CM Punk attempts a suicide dive, but Grayson stops him with a right hand.
Waller returns to the ring and traps CM Punk in a grounded headlock. CM Punk breaks free, only to be taken down with a shoulder tackle. A knee strike from CM Punk turns the tide in his favor. CM Punk continues striking Grayson. Waller recovers and sends the challenger out of the ring with a clothesline. The champion attempts to dive onto CM Punk, but Punk catches him on the ring apron. CM Punk unloads on his opponent before bringing him back into the ring.
CM Punk throws Grayson into one of the turnbuckles. "The Best in the World" hits the champion with a backbreaker. CM Punk continues attacking the Australian, finishing with a knee drop. Waller pokes CM Punk in the eyes to escape the pressure. Waller traps his opponent's face against the ring skirt before kicking him. The champion follows up with several knees to CM Punk's back before finishing with a dropkick. 1..2..NO.
Grayson traps the challenger in a reverse headlock. CM Punk drives his opponent into one of the turnbuckles to break free. "The Best in the World" hits a corner spear. Waller avoids a second corner spear, causing his opponent to crash into the turnbuckle. Grayson hits CM Punk with a neckbreaker, sending the back of his neck crashing into one of the turnbuckle pads. The referee checks on the challenger, who remains down on the floor. Waller continues attacking CM Punk at ringside. Grayson gets back into the ring to build up momentum before charging at his opponent with a powerful clothesline.
The Australian brings CM Punk back into the ring and continues his assault. CM Punk tries to catch Grayson off guard, but Waller foils his plans with a right hand. CM Punk collapses onto the mat. Waller goes for the cover. 1..2..NO. Grayson continues attacking CM Punk. Punk recovers and starts exchanging strikes with the champion. CM Punk blocks a suplex and counters with one of his own. Both men end up sprawled on the mat.
CM Punk and Waller get back to their feet and begin another exchange of strikes. Waller unleashes a flurry of knees against "The Best in the World" near the ropes. The action moves to the apron, where CM Punk hits the Australian with a body drop. Waller's back crashes against the apron. The champion ends up at ringside. CM Punk dives onto Waller with a suicide dive. CM Punk brings the champion back into the ring and follows up with a diving crossbody. 1..2..NO.
CM Punk continues attacking the champion, hitting him with a neckbreaker. CM Punk follows up with a running knee strike in one of the turnbuckles before finishing with a diving elbow drop. 1..2..NO. Waller takes refuge in one of the corners. CM Punk goes after him and hits a superplex. CM Punk prepares to hit his GTS when Kevin Owens appears at ringside. Several security guards step in just in time to prevent Owens and CM Punk from coming to blows, allowing Grayson to catch the latter off guard with a roll-up. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL NXT Champion: Grayson Waller
A smiling KO is escorted out of the venue. Waller breathes a sigh of relief beside the audience barricade while CM Punk laments his defeat in the center of the ring. "Best in the World!" the Australian exclaims, pointing at himself. This brings this week's episode of NXT to a close.
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