5 things WWE NXT got right at Halloween Havoc: Tommaso Ciampa survives; Mandy Rose wins first title

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc hosted some themed matches on Tuesday night. Four championship matches were booked for the event, while a couple of non-title matches also took place.

Io Shirai and Zoey Stark defended their NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships in a Triple Threat Scareway to Hell Ladder Match at Halloween Havoc. NXT Tag Team Champions MSK competed against Imperium in a Lumber-Jack O'Lantern Match.

Mandy Rose took on Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Women’s Championship in a Trick or Street Fight. Meanwhile, Tommaso Ciampa defended his NXT World Title against newcomer Bron Breakker in a traditional wrestling match.

Diamond Mine also showed up during the show for a match to make Halloween Havoc much sweeter. Solo Sikoa made his debut and showcased his dominance in a short segment.

NXT delivered a solid-themed show on Tuesday night that helped elevate the brand. Take a look at the five things NXT got right at this year’s Halloween Havoc.

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#5. The women put on a great Scareway to Hell Ladder Match at NXT Halloween Havoc

Io Shirai and Zoey Stark put their NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships on the line against two top teams in the Halloween Havoc opener. Toxic Attraction’s Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne and the team of Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta took on the champions in a Scareway to Hell Ladder match.

Dolin and Jayne started well enough to take control early. Meanwhile, Pirotta took Stark out for some time by knocking her out of the ring off a ladder.

Pirotta showcased her strength throughout the contest as she kept on slamming her opponents onto ladders with some big moves. Jayne leveled her for some time with a hurricanrana into the ladder.

Hartwell and Shirai traded some moves towards the end of the match. Hartwell sent The Genius of the Sky crashing off the ladder onto another ladder outside the ring in one of the ugliest spots of the night.

Jayne kept Hartwell busy as Dolin climbed the ladder on the opposite side and took down the titles to pick up the win for her team. The match was well-paced and got Halloween Havoc rolling early.

Shirai and Stark had a good title reign but didn't get too much time to defend their titles. Stark can now move into the NXT Championship picture while Shirai can take some time off.

Meanwhile, Toxic Attraction could look to take over the women’s roster with their victory. Jayne and Dolin are just getting started in WWE, and they could help elevate the NXT women’s division.

#4. Diamond Mine introduced an interesting concept at NXT Halloween Havoc

Diamond Mine came out to issue a Pick Your Poison challenge to anyone at NXT Halloween Havoc. Malcolm Bivens offered the massive Odyssey Jones a shot at NXT Cruiserweight Champion Roderick Strong.

Jones threw Strong around like a ragdoll and dominated the early portion of the match before the NXT Cruiserweight Champion fought back. He locked Jones in a Sleeper hold and followed it up with a big boot to drop the big man to the mat.

The former member of the Undisputed ERA locked in an Ankle Lock, but Jones used his strength to break out. He delivered a few big slams to nearly take out Strong.

The Creed Brothers interfered, allowing Roddy to take advantage. He hit a jumping knee and pinned NXT’s biggest superstar for a convincing win.

It was odd that NXT decided to put down one of its fastest-rising superstars at Halloween Havoc. However, Roddy did well to give Odyssey Jones a solid match. It helped elevate the cruiserweight division as Strong took down the mightiest man in the building.

The concept of Pick Your Poison is a good one. It works well for a diverse faction like Diamond Mine. WWE should focus on giving more superstars in the back a few matches against Diamond Mine.

#3. A friendly foe cost Raquel Gonzalez the NXT Women’s Championship at Halloween Havoc

Raquel Gonzalez made her entrance on a motorcycle and spun the wheel at NXT Halloween Havoc. After the wheel stopped on “Chucky’s Choice,” she decided to make it a Trick or Street Fight.

Mandy Rose brought out a kendo stick early and delivered a few strikes to the NXT Women’s Champion. Rose brought in a steel chair and then hit Gonzalez with a bicycle knee.

God’s Greatest Creation threw the big woman around with ease to keep the pressure on. Big Mami Cool fought back and slammed Rose’s face into some steel chairs.

The NXT Women’s Champion prepared to pick up the win, but a mysterious superstar hit her in the back with a shovel. Rose took advantage and hit the bicycle knee to win her first championship in WWE at Halloween Havoc.

The mysterious figure revealed itself to be none other than Dakota Kai. Gonzalez’s former best friend returned to cost her the NXT Women’s title.

Rose managed to showcase her improved wrestling skills throughout the match. Kai’s return was surprising and cost her former best friend her most prized possession. The angle will reignite the rivalry between the two top women in NXT.

#2. Imperium won back the NXT Tag Team Championships from MSK at Halloween Havoc

MSK made a great entrance at Halloween Havoc before their NXT Tag Team Championships defense. Imperium entered to their iconic theme before the match got underway. The two teams competed in a Lumber-Jack O'Lantern Match.

The lumberjacks arrived to keep all four men in the ring for some time. Once Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel were pushed to the outside, MSK dove onto them and wiped them out.

Aichner showcased his incredible strength by slamming both Wes Lee and Nash Carter with a Fireman’s Carry.

The two teams traded some moves while a brawl broke out outside the ring. MSK prepared to level Imperium with their finisher, but the heels countered it.

Aichner took Carter out with a brainbuster before an Imperium Bomb ended Lee’s defense in the ring. Imperium picked up the win and took home the NXT Tag Team Championships for the second time.

Both teams put on a great performance, and it was surprising to see MSK lose the titles. They’re known as the hottest tag team in WWE today. Imperium deserved to win the titles again, and they could have a long reign this time around. Their victory could lead to the return of WALTER to NXT following Halloween Havoc.

#1. Tommaso Ciampa broke down Bron Breakker at NXT Halloween Havoc

Tommaso Ciampa was set to defend his NXT Championship against Bron Breakker in the main event of Halloween Havoc. Ciampa came out looking as cool as ever to take on the dominant newcomer.

The Blackheart tried to avoid Breakker’s power moves and slowed him down with some technical offense. Breakker came back into the match with some power moves to stun the NXT Champion.

Ciampa hit the Willow’s Bell but could barely earn a two-count. The challenger answered back with a Frankensteiner and an underhook-bomb for a near win.

The match spilled over to the floor where Ciampa DDT-ed his opponent on the exposed concrete.

Back in the ring, Ciampa hit a Fairy Tale Ending but still could not put Breakker away. He hit a running knee, followed by two more Fairy Tale Endings, to put away Breakker and retain the NXT Championship.

It looked like NXT would take the title off Ciampa as soon as Bron Breakker entered the picture. However, WWE did well to build the rivalry.

The two men put on a good match and showed mutual respect at the end. The Blackheart reigns supreme, but Breakker won’t be staying out of the NXT title picture for long.