Welcome to Wrestling Inc.’s review of the 2024 edition of WWE NXT Halloween Havoc. This year’s event marked its return as a Premium Live Event (PLE) after being a special episode last year. Unfortunately, the show had its fair share of ups and downs, making the things we loved harder to identify, while the things we disliked were, well… plentiful. Below, we break down the show with three highlights we loved and three moments that left us frustrated.
While most of the five-match card is covered here, we won’t delve too deeply into Tony D’Angelo’s second victory over Oba Femi—which was fine but uneventful. For more on that match, head over to our detailed Halloween Havoc results page. Now, let’s dive into the best (and worst) moments, or as we like to call them: three treats and three tricks.
Loved: Regal Aligns with Lexis King (and Dempsey)
One of the night’s pleasant surprises was the return of William Regal. During a backstage segment, Regal offered his services as a cornerman to Lexis King—who had been searching for support for an upcoming Heritage Cup Match against none other than Regal’s son, Charlie Dempsey.
This twist added exciting layers to the storyline. King, formerly distancing himself from his wrestling lineage, has now embraced references to his late father, Brian Pillman. Regal’s involvement may signal a turning point, nudging King to lean more into his family’s legacy as Brian Pillman Jr.
Since Regal’s return to WWE in January, his appearances have been limited to cameos—like announcing Dempsey’s All Japan Pro Wrestling stint or congratulating him for winning the Heritage Cup at Roadblock. Now, Regal seems to be stepping into a more pivotal role, not only driving the Heritage Cup storyline but also influencing both Dempsey’s and King’s character development.
The Heritage Cup’s significance has felt somewhat stagnant since its introduction, but Regal’s involvement injects fresh intrigue. With his storied career as “The Gentleman Villain,” Regal can introduce complex storytelling—think heel turns, double-crosses, and character reinventions. This angle opens several exciting possibilities, giving both King and Dempsey the narrative boost they need.
This storyline offers depth and unpredictability, making it one of the most promising aspects of Halloween Havoc. Whether it’s through a betrayal or character shift, the interplay between Regal, King, and Dempsey promises to deliver engaging television moving forward.
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