WWE NXT delivered a dramatic night of tournament action, vicious attacks and a surprise reveal as the road to Halloween Havoc continued.

The show opened with a new theme, “Shebang” by Drake, before attention turned to the main event. Twenty women representing six brands would compete in a battle royal to determine who would challenge NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan at Halloween Havoc.

Backstage, BirthRight sent a warning to Zilla Fatu ahead of his match against Lexis King.

“You’re either with us or against us,” King said.

Fatu delivered his own response from another hallway before heading towards the ring.

Zilla Fatu vs. Lexis King

Fatu wasted no time getting his hands on King, attacking him during his entrance and taking control with powerful offence and corner splashes. King attempted a leg takedown, but Fatu barely reacted before continuing his assault.

The pair exchanged chops and strikes, with Fatu consistently getting the better of the exchanges. BirthRight eventually pulled King outside to give him a breather, only for Fatu to launch himself from the top rope onto the entire group.

Back inside, King distracted the referee while his stablemates occupied Fatu. As Fatu attempted to climb through the ropes, King kicked the rope into him to deliver a low blow and turn the match in his favour.

King enjoyed a spell of control before Fatu fought back with a huge Samoan drop. BirthRight continued interfering, but Fatu knocked the members off the apron and shrugged off a superkick from King. He then connected with the Triple Z to secure the pinfall.

Winner: Zilla Fatu

BirthRight immediately attacked Fatu after the bell. Charlie Dempsey grabbed a chair and struck him in the stomach and back before the group followed him outside.

After throwing Fatu into the ring steps, BirthRight lifted the upper section, trapped his hand between the two pieces and slammed them together.

“Booker, this is too far!” Vic Joseph exclaimed. “For what?!”

Backstage, Emily Agard spoke with Kelani Jordan about the battle royal and her upcoming Halloween Havoc title defence.

Jordan said the field would be competing for her attention, although Reina Volcan already had it after attacking her from behind. The champion pointed out that ambushing someone was very different from surviving a battle royal.

Chantel Monroe interrupted and described herself as a show-stopping diva who would take the championship. Layla Diggs then arrived to declare that her time had come. Jordan wished both women luck but insisted she would be the one making a moment at Halloween Havoc.

Following a commercial break and a WWE Radio promotion, this week’s NXT Focus featured DarkState’s Dion Lennox discussing Cruz Montana.

Lennox acknowledged that Montana’s words the previous week had been powerful and understood why viewers connected with him. However, he dismissed Montana’s account of his difficult journey, claiming he had created his own problems by putting toxins into his body.

“Probably the same ones your mama was selling,” Lennox added with a laugh.

Lennox described himself as a machine who never ran out of energy. He argued that he had not been given an easier path than Montana, but had simply made better decisions.

He spoke about the pressure of delivering for his family and community, claiming Montana could never understand those expectations. Although he had wanted to party with his friends, Lennox said he stayed disciplined and succeeded in two sports instead of becoming a “loser” like Montana.

Lennox also contrasted his two-year journey to NXT television with Montana’s 20-year wait. He insisted Montana would never beat him and promised to send him back to “that dark place.”

Montana was shown watching backstage and appeared unimpressed. Lizzy Rain joined him and remarked on Lennox’s nerve, before Montana turned the conversation towards her opportunity in the battle royal and wished her luck.

TNA Knockouts Champion Xia Brookside then approached Montana and expressed surprise that he was supporting Rain.

“You have really changed,” Brookside said before walking away.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs. Shido Ash and Victor Zanov

Hank and Tank’s entrance included footage of their recent swimming pool bellyflop competition. Their EVOLVE opponents, Shido Ash and Victor Zanov, were introduced with a pre-recorded promo highlighting their Olympic backgrounds.

Hank opened against Ash, creating an early contrast between Hank’s strength and Ash’s speed and technical ability. The EVOLVE pairing worked effectively together during the opening stages, although Hank managed a roll-up for a two-count.

The Creed Brothers were shown watching the contest backstage.

Tank eventually received the hot tag and tore through both opponents with clotheslines. A big back body drop sent Zanov outside, where Tank followed with a dive onto both members of the opposing team. Hank joined the action and threw Ash aside.

Tank connected with a swanton on Zanov, but Hank and Tank’s next attempt at teamwork was interrupted when Ash grabbed Tank’s ankle from ringside. With Tank unable to move into position, Zanov powerslammed Hank.

Ash pulled Tank to the floor before joining Zanov in attacking Hank inside the ring. Zanov was visibly bleeding from his face, although the point at which he suffered the injury was unclear.

The closing moments became chaotic as all four men got involved. Hank and Tank eventually hit their sandwich and powerslam combination to advance.

Winners: Hank Walker and Tank Ledger

Updated Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic brackets were shown, with another first-round match still to come.

NXT Champion Grayson Waller was then seen heading towards the ring following his successful first title defence the previous week. However, Vic Joseph urgently called for the cameras to switch to a backstage incident.

BirthRight were attacking Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux with pipes. Uriah Connors told the camera that, having already taken out Zilla Fatu, the group had now seemingly prevented Legacy and Van Dux from competing in the Dusty Classic.

Stacks added that anyone who crossed BirthRight would be left with a lasting reminder.

Waller made his way to the ring and celebrated defeating EK Prosper in the previous week’s open challenge. He praised Prosper’s performance but claimed his opponent had benefited from the “Grayson Waller rub.”

The champion suggested Prosper might get to hold the title one day, while insisting nobody could take it from him now. Waller said he was restoring the NXT Championship to its former glory before asking who would step up next.

Myles Borne answered the call.

Borne said he deserved to be a champion and, having moved on from the “dead weight” of Tavion Heights, was ready to pursue the one NXT championship he had never held. He explained that he had learned to be selfish and ruthless, just as Waller had.

Waller appeared pleased that someone was finally learning from his example, but Tony D’Angelo interrupted.

D’Angelo said he had unfinished business with Waller and warned Borne that he had picked the wrong moment to enter the title picture. Waller questioned why D’Angelo had not answered his open challenge the previous week.

“Where were you?” Waller asked.

D’Angelo replied that Waller would only have found an excuse to avoid him, so he was taking his opportunity now.

Waller proposed that Borne and D’Angelo “figure it out” the following week, with the winner getting a future title match.

Borne stepped towards Waller before suddenly turning and punching D’Angelo to the mat. Coins spilled across the canvas, revealing that Borne had used a roll of coins to deliver the blow. Borne then squared up to Waller.

Elsewhere, Shiloh Hill was shown preparing for his match against Naraku.

After the break, a disappointed EK Prosper was sitting backstage when William Regal approached, introduced himself and shook his hand.

Prosper explained that he was still frustrated about losing his championship opportunity against Waller. Regal encouraged him to stop looking down on himself, telling him he had the qualities of a future champion and would become a star if he continued working.

Robert Stone hurried past while speaking on the telephone, prompting Regal to call him over.

Stone explained that he was trying to find replacements for Legacy and Van Dux in the evening’s Dusty Classic match. Regal pointed out that although Stacks and Connors had already been eliminated, Lexis King and his “lad” Charlie Dempsey had never entered the tournament.

Stone initially objected to rewarding BirthRight’s behaviour. Regal argued that sometimes there was little choice, and Stone eventually agreed to put King and Dempsey into the match.

Shiloh Hill vs. Naraku

Hill and Naraku began with several lock-ups as they tested one another. Naraku threw Hill outside, but Hill skinned the cat to return to the ring and followed with a headlock takedown.

Naraku responded with a neckbreaker before controlling Hill in a headlock and punching him in the face. A forearm sent Hill to the floor, although Hill fought back with a heavy forearm of his own.

Back inside, the two traded strikes before clotheslines left both men down.

Hill climbed to the top rope, where Naraku cut him off. They fought above the ring until Hill knocked Naraku down and connected with a flying clothesline for a near fall.

Naraku regained momentum with a series of headbutts and a senton, but Hill kicked out. A crossface put Hill in further trouble before he reached the ropes to escape.

After Naraku missed another senton, Hill rallied with punches and a big boot.

Naraku attempted to spray blue mist into Hill’s face, but Hill ducked and the referee took the mist instead. The official called for the bell as Hill and Naraku continued fighting up the aisle, while Booker T called for medical help.

Result: The match was stopped after Naraku’s mist struck the referee. Commentary did not clearly confirm the official decision.

Kendal Grey’s latest therapy session followed.

Grey said she should have been competing in the battle royal and blamed herself for her injury. She also criticised her decision to give Kelani Jordan a championship opportunity and her role in exposing the ring post at Heatwave.

Asked whether she was always so hard on herself, Grey admitted that she was. She explained that she pushed herself relentlessly because she wanted to avoid the pain of feeling she was not good enough. Before anyone else could criticise her, she had already done it herself.

“And when you live like that for a long time, you stop learning how to celebrate, you stop learning how to be proud of yourself. I've realized my biggest opponent has always been myself.”

Grey recognised that she needed to address that pattern and admitted the sessions had been helpful.

Her therapist reminded her that there was no finish line and that support would remain available. With her three referred appointments completed and progress being made, they agreed it was an appropriate point to stop for now.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round: Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey vs. Tokyo Bad Boys

AAA’s Tokyo Bad Boys, Kento and Takuma, introduced themselves in a short promo before facing BirthRight’s newly added pairing.

Kento started against Dempsey in a fast exchange before Takuma tagged in. The Tokyo Bad Boys used quick double-team offence to keep Dempsey under pressure, before King entered for his second match of the night.

Kento and Takuma continued to set the pace, taking BirthRight out on the floor with a dive and a moonsault.

Dempsey eventually turned things around and isolated Kento. Takuma’s hot tag brought another burst of offence, but King broke up a pin attempt to keep BirthRight in the match.

Kento speared King to the outside, while Dempsey delivered a suplex from the top rope to Takuma.

Dempsey then sent Takuma into the ring post and finished him with a move Vic Joseph described as a “Gotch-type” suplex.

Winners: Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey

BirthRight advanced to the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic quarter-finals after taking the place of the team they had attacked earlier in the evening.

Before the main event, the following matches were confirmed for next week:

• Tony D’Angelo vs. Myles Borne, with the winner challenging Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc.

• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic quarter-final: Vanity Project vs. Chazz “Starboy” Hall and Mini Vikingo.

• Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic quarter-final: Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno vs. Fraxiom.

• Saquon Shugars vs. Tristan Angels.

Borne also delivered a backstage message, promising to go through D’Angelo before turning his attention to Waller.

20-Woman Battle Royal: NXT Women’s Championship Number One Contender’s Match

Izzi Dame entered first, followed by TNA’s Indi Hartwell. Vic Joseph reminded viewers that Hartwell had never lost the NXT Women’s Championship during her previous run.

After a commercial break, TNA Knockouts Champion Xia Brookside, AAA Reina de Reinas Champion La Catalina and NXT Women’s North American Champion Zaria were among those given featured entrances.

The advertised field included:

• Lizzy Rain

• Thea Hail

• Skylar Raye

• Zaria

• Izzi Dame

• Kali Armstrong

• Reina Volcan

• Nikkita Lyons

• Chantel Monroe

• Layla Diggs

• Arianna Grace

• La Catalina, representing AAA

• Indi Hartwell, representing TNA

• Xia Brookside, representing TNA

• M by Elegance, representing TNA

• Heather by Elegance, representing TNA

• Ivy Nile, representing Raw

• Kiana James, representing SmackDown

• Adelicious, representing AAA

• Lady Shani, representing AAA

The match quickly erupted into a crowded brawl, with Layla Diggs becoming the first woman eliminated.

Zaria and Dame confronted one another before Zaria swiftly threw Dame out. An angry Dame attempted to return to the ring, forcing security to remove her from ringside.

Reina Volcan established herself as one of the match’s biggest threats while alliances briefly formed elsewhere. After appearing to offer Arianna Grace their support, M by Elegance and Heather by Elegance turned on her and threw her out. Thea Hail then eliminated both members of The Elegance Brand.

Lizzy Rain battled Ivy Nile on the apron and managed to eliminate her. Rain then joined several other competitors in combining their efforts to remove Volcan.

Volcan responded by dragging Lady Shani out of the ring and powerslamming her on the floor before leaving. That attack would prove significant later.

With the field reduced, Zaria and Hartwell briefly worked together. Zaria continued to dominate and delivered an F5 to La Catalina.

Dame then slipped back into the ring and tried to attack Zaria. The North American Champion countered and threw Dame out for the second time, much to Vic Joseph’s amusement.

However, Zaria’s celebration gave Kali Armstrong an opening to eliminate her from behind. Zaria and Dame continued their fight on the floor as they headed backstage.

Hartwell eliminated Brookside, but the Knockouts Champion retaliated by grabbing Hartwell’s hair and pulling her over the top rope to the floor, apparently ending Hartwell’s involvement as well.

Kiana James, Lizzy Rain, Kali Armstrong and La Catalina appeared to be the final four, with Kelani Jordan watching from the crowd.

Joseph then pointed out an important detail: Lady Shani had never been eliminated and was still receiving attention from officials outside the ring.

La Catalina was eliminated, followed by James, leaving Rain and Armstrong battling inside the ring.

Rain clotheslined Armstrong over the top rope, but both women went over and held on. They regained their footing on the apron and exchanged strikes.

Rain attempted another blow, but Armstrong stood firm and Rain dropped to the floor.

Armstrong believed she had won and looked towards Jordan. However, Lady Shani returned to the ring and eliminated Armstrong from behind to claim the victory.

The surprise did not end there.

The winner removed her mask to reveal Wren Sinclair.

Sinclair stared up at an angry Jordan, having secured the opportunity to challenge her at Halloween Havoc.

Winner: Wren Sinclair, who earned an NXT Women’s Championship match at Halloween Havoc

What did you think of Wren Sinclair’s surprise reveal, and can she take the championship from Kelani Jordan? Share your thoughts in the comments.