Halloween Havoc takes shape as Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic delivers major surprises
WWE NXT delivered an action-packed night of tournament competition, personal rivalries and championship developments on October 20, with the road to Halloween Havoc becoming increasingly intense.
The Wagner Brothers advanced in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Hank and Tank scored a major upset over The Creed Brothers, and the bitter rivalry between Cruz Montana and Dion Lennox reached a chaotic conclusion.
Meanwhile, Tony D’Angelo and Grayson Waller exchanged heated words ahead of their NXT Championship showdown.
Match-by-match breakdown
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic The Wagner Brothers def. BirthRight
Women’s singles match Izzi Dame def. Layla Diggs
Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Hank and Tank def. The Creed Brothers
Main event grudge match Cruz Montana vs. Dion Lennox — double count-out
1. The Wagner Brothers defeat BirthRight
The Wagner Brothers — El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno del Mal — advanced to the semifinals after defeating Charlie Dempsey and Lexis King of BirthRight.
The match featured aggressive tag-team action, with BirthRight attempting to isolate Wagner Jr. and wear him down.
Galeno eventually helped turn the tide, and the brothers capitalized on the chaos to secure the victory with a top-rope frog splash on King.
Zilla Fatu then attacked BirthRight after the bell, adding another layer to the faction’s ongoing problems
2. Izzi Dame defeats Layla Diggs
Izzi Dame picked up a hard-fought victory over Layla Diggs in a competitive women’s division matchup.
Diggs showcased her athleticism with fast-paced offense and a frog splash, but Dame survived the challenge and delivered a decisive running knee to secure the pinfall.
Afterward, Zaria confronted Dame over her continued mind games and offered her a championship match at Halloween Havoc.
Dame accepted, setting up a major showdown.
Hank Walker and Tank Ledger scored one of the night’s biggest victories by eliminating Julius and Brutus Creed from the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
The Creed Brothers used their strength and technical ability to control portions of the match, targeting Ledger and preventing him from reaching his partner.
However, Walker eventually received the hot tag and unleashed a powerful comeback.
Hank and Tank finished the contest with an assisted powerslam on Julius Creed, punching their ticket to the tournament semifinals.
4. Cruz Montana vs. Dion Lennox ends in a double count-out
The highly personal grudge match between Cruz Montana and Dion Lennox headlined the show.
Lennox repeatedly targeted Montana emotionally, provoking him with deeply personal comments about his family. Montana responded with increasingly violent offense as the contest spilled outside the ring.
The match ended in a double count-out after Montana drove Lennox through the ringside LED display while the referee completed the count.
The violence continued afterward.
Montana attacked Lennox near the steel steps and on the exposed concrete, while Cutler James intervened to protect Lennox from another blow.
Officials ultimately restrained Montana and handcuffed him, leaving the rivalry far from resolved
Major storyline developments
Tony D’Angelo and Grayson Waller intensify their rivalry
The two exchanged personal accusations over their shared history and competing ambitions.
D’Angelo vowed to take Waller into deep waters at Halloween Havoc, where the NXT Championship will be at stake.
Kelani Jordan and Wren Sinclair’s contract signing turns hostile
Sinclair demanded her championship opportunity, but Jordan responded by bringing an injured Kendal Grey to the stage instead of signing the contract.
Their confrontation left the women’s title situation unsettled heading into Halloween Havoc.
Myles Borne and Tavion Heights erupt into a brawl
Heights accused Borne of betraying him, prompting Borne to attack him during the confrontation.
Their fight spilled into the NXT parking lot before officials separated them
Final assessment
NXT delivered a strong combination of tournament action and storyline progression.
Hank and Tank’s upset victory provided the night’s biggest competitive surprise, while the Wagner Brothers continued their impressive tournament run.
However, the closing angle involving Montana and Lennox supplied the show’s most intense moment.
Their rivalry has moved beyond ordinary competition, and Montana’s post-match actions could have serious consequences for his future.
With Halloween Havoc approaching, NXT has established several compelling rivalries, although the championship contract situation still needs resolution
