WWE NXT 2.0 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from October 19

WWE NXT 2.0 promised a show that would build up to Halloween Havoc.

The big match was a tag team clash in which Tommaso Ciampa and Bron Breakker had to work together in fighting one of the best tag teams in the division, Grizzled Young Veterans.

In a Triple Threat with stakes for Halloween Havoc, three tag teams needed to choose a representative to earn a shot to spin The Wheel in the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships match next week. Io Shirai or Zoey Stark would compete against Gigi Dolin or Jacy Jayne as well as Indi Hartwell or Persia Pirotta.

Odyssey Jones had a mission to end his rivalry with Andre Chase in a definitive result that would shut his rival up.

Every NXT event needs a host, and LA Knight and Grayson Waller both wanted the honor for Halloween Havoc. The two would compete for that right.

Tony D'Angelo made a memorable debut two weeks ago by picking up his first win in front of a welcoming crowd. He fought again this week against another NXT talent.

Tuesday's NXT was not going to match the excitement of Halloween Havoc, but it had a chance to set the stage with a well-wrestled show.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams arrived to celebrate the new NXT North American champion, and The Final Boss put himself over as the top titleholder on the brand.

However, Johnny Gargano interrupted Melo. He wanted to get back to competing and was looking directly at the NXT North American Championship. As Trick threatened Johnny Wrestling, Dexter Lumis backed up his "father-in-law" and sent Melo and Trick running.

Gargano stole the NXT North American belt from Melo. Later in the night, Lumis left the champion and Trick an invitation to a haunted house next week to get the gold back.

Grade

B

Analysis

This was short and to the point. Gargano set the stage for a great first title defense for The Final Boss. Johnny Wrestling could help launch Melo further into the stratosphere as a megastar in NXT.

Lumis and Gargano have also been set up as a tag team, which could be fun to watch in a division that is in flux. Johnny Wrestling has showed himself to be a great wrestler in every aspect, and he can take his teammate to the next level.

This is the perfect spot for Gargano at the moment. He is set to put over several of the best young stars in NXT.

Andre Chase managed to ground Odyssey Jones by targeting his knee.

However, Jones was largely unfazed by The Professor's offense in front of his students in the audience. He planted Chase with a running splash to take a quick dominant win.

Result

Jones def. Chase by pinfall.

Grade

D

Analysis

There was little here beyond putting over Jones. The big man is clearly the featured attraction while Chase is playing a comedy heel. This feud should end now if there is any opportunity for either man to advance soon.

The future of NXT should include Jones, but he must be tested first. Carmelo Hayes challenged him, but it was an abridged showcase. He is a fresh talent with a wealth of athleticism in a huge frame. He needs a challenger who can push him as a performer and character.

Malcolm Bivens explained that Diamond Mine were done playing nice and would take what they wanted.

The Creed Brothers brought it to Imperium, who were surprised to be outmatched by the power of Julius and Brutus Creed.

Marcel Bartel found himself dominated in Diamond Mine's corner. Fabian Aichner saved his partner and went on a roll, including hitting Brutus with a rolling senton. Roderick Strong got involved to distract Imperium.

Just as Diamond Mine looked ready to take the win, Ikemen Jiro and Kushida arrived. They distracted Brutus enough for Bartel to stack him up for three. Afterward, MSK attacked Imperium and gave them a title shot for Halloween Havoc.

Jiro interrupted Kushida in the bathroom and convinced him to put back on the Back to the Future attire to find his style for a future team-up between the two.

Result

Imperium def. The Creed Brothers by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

It was good to see The Creed Brothers competing. Their match with Imperium could have been really good, but it was rushed into an awkward breakdown. Bartel and Aichner should have been allowed to look more dangerous as No. 1 contenders to the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Wes Lee and Nash Carter have been struggling to keep the crowd behind them, and it may be time to take the titles off MSK and rebuild. Imperium are ready and can compete with anybody. It could even lead to a significant rematch with the Creeds down the line.

Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner bonded over a workout in the woods and agreed to work together to take over NXT.

Joe Gacy touched hands through glass with Harland and promised to lead him to a safe space.

Santos Escobar called out Carmelo Hayes as lucky and promised to dethrone him when the time is right. He handed the microphone to Elektra Lopez, but Cora Jade interrupted.

While Lopez dominated Jade throughout the match, she got caught with an inside cradle that gave Jade a surprise three-count.

Result

Jade def. Lopez by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

While it would have been nice to see the women's contest go longer, this helped continue Jade's wild ride up the ladder. She has been set up an underdog who can sneak out a win against anyone. Her confidence in the face of dangerous opponents makes her easily likable.

Hopefully, WWE can give her the momentum she needs to become a star. She has the talent to make this work and just needs booking that eventually makes her look like more than just a fortunate rookie.

Legado del Fantasma are on a downward trajectory. Escobar needs a fresh rival to help him build back up to a featured spot. If he keeps chasing the NXT North American Championship, he will continue to fail.

Io Shirai sent Persia Pirotta outside early. Jacy Jayne tried to take out Pirotta with a suicide dive but got cut off. The Genius of the Sky laid out both women with a moonsault off the apron. Due to early injuries, Jayne was unable to continue.

Pirotta looked surprisingly dominant when it came down to her against Shirai. She threw around The Genius of the Sky and planted her with power moves, and she nearly got the win off a powerbomb.

Shirai fought back with a dropkick and locked in a crossface. Pirotta powered through to her feet only to take a German suplex. She ended the match with an Over the Moonsault.

Shirai spun the wheel, determining that the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships would be contested in a Scareway to Hell ladder match.

Result

Shirai def. Pirotta and Jayne by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

While Jayne's injury was unfortunate, Pirotta benefited from the additional spotlight. Shirai sold well for her in what was a great way to showcase a fresh talent. The strongest competitor in the match used her advantage against a veteran.

In the end, The Genius of the Sky was always going to be too much for Pirotta to handle this early. However, if Indi Hartwell's maid of honor can keep competing like this, this team could be the next women's tag champions.

Tony D'Angelo took a boot to the face from Ru Feng, and he lost it. He hit a series of suplexes into a swinging neckbreaker for the victory.

Afterward, Samantha Irvin interviewed D'Angelo about the disappearance of Lash Legend's producer, Mark, who went missing last week.

D'Angelo handed the interviewer some cash and told her to "forget about it."

Result

D'Angelo def. Feng by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Analysis

The first week, D'Angelo's squash match went too long; this week, it was too short. NXT cannot find the right balance, and he never really got to show what he can do in this sprint.

His gimmick is such a stereotype of a mobster, and it is entertaining in short bursts. It likely won't work in the long term unless he can find a way to take himself more seriously, but he's a talented wrestler.

It will be interesting to see his evolution if NXT commits to him.

Legado del Fantasma beat down Trey Baxter backstage in front of Jade until Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen got involved to even the odds.

Raul Mendoza and Joaquin Wilde laid out Jensen and then blasted Josh Briggs with a steel chair before an impromptu bout.

The injured team fought hard for a win afterward, but the damage done beforehand was too much. After taking Briggs off the apron, Mendoza and Wilde hit a running knee/Russian leg sweep combination for the win over Jensen.

Result

Legado del Fantasma def. Briggs and Jensen by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

For a short sprint, this tag team match was impressive. Briggs and Jensen continue to look better together with each performance. While their gimmick is generic, their talent is obvious and the reason why this team is on NXT 2.0 almost every week.

It was a smart decision for Wilde and Mendoza to take this, especially with a pre-match sneak attack. It keeps one of the brand's seasoned teams relevant and gives Legado del Fantasma a needed win after an embarrassing loss for Elektra Lopez.

This tag team feud can help solidify Briggs and Jensen while keeping Mendoza and Wilde on TV in the new NXT.

NXT 2.0 showed off a video package promoting Raquel Gonzalez vs. Mandy Rose in which both women explained why they would win at Halloween Havoc. Another video showed a woman burying her past to present her new gimmick.

Meanwhile, Grayson Waller tried to roll up LA Knight early and often in their fight.

The underdog rocked his opponent with a series of strikes, but Knight responded back with a facebuster for the win.

Result

Knight def. Waller by pinfall to become the host of Halloween Havoc.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Waller is finding his rhythm as a performer. He looked really good for stretches here, and the crowd was behind him. He may not be ready to compete with upper-midcard stars like Knight, but he has proved he can handle the spotlight.

Knight as host makes too much sense given he isn't on the card. It is a surprise he has never been in that role before. Hopefully, there will soon be a plan for him beyond next week. At the moment, it feels like he should have been drafted rather than lounging in NXT 2.0.

Tommaso Ciampa and Bron Breakker talked backstage, and The Blackheart told his No. 1 contender he would follow the rookie's lead.

Zack Gibson and James Drake were so confident they did not even trash-talk before the bout. However, Drake was not ready for the power of Breakker, who threw him around with ease. Ciampa had to blind-tag his way in as Breakker did not want to stop.

The NXT champion ran over both Grizzled Young Veterans with a series of clotheslines. Gibson and Drake managed to catch him in a slow moment, using their acumen to isolate and wear down The Blackheart.

Ciampa gave Breakker a hard slap of a tag when he finally got to his corner. Breakker nearly attacked his teammate, but the champion ducked, allowing Drake to take the heavy offense. The No. 1 contender won with the military press powerslam.

Champion and challenger ended the show staring each other down.

Result

Ciampa and Breakker def. GYV by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was as expected. Breakker has looked fantastic, but he still hasn't been challenged. Ciampa as the champion was the one taking the beating for his team, and the rookie will need to prove he has it all when he faces the NXT stalwart.

Grizzled Young Veterans worked a conventional match here. They have the talent to make even this style work due to their impressive array of offense. It is a shame Drake and Gibson never had a real chance to win.

The goal was always to make Breakker look as unstoppable as possible against Ciampa, and he certainly looks like that at the moment. It's hard to imagine The Blackheart beating the undefeated monster, but it is all down to how much NXT 2.0 wants to commit to Breakker this early.