Have you seen Scream? Since this is writing and not audio, nor is there anyway for me to hear your response even if this was, for the sake of argument and my sanity I’ll assume everyone reading this answered “yes.” So you’re familiar with the concept of “meta” in which the storytelling is fully aware of genre tropes and expectations.
That’s NXT right now. And I don’t have a problem with it.
It hit me during a moment I’ll get to later. Those few minutes crystalized for me the idea that NXT is a territory where everyone not only understands wrestling, but watches a lot of it. They’re well-versed in what’s supposed to happen, how it should happen, and audience expectations. That became more evident during the main event. Six men competed for a title shot at Halloween Havoc but with a slight twist.
Grayson Waller’s six challengers wrestled in a six-man tag match, with the winning side gaining entry to a Fatal 4 Way at Halloween Havoc. While both teams prepared, one member told his partners they weren’t doing the “can they co-exist thing.” NXT put these cats in a match to test their co-existing skills only for one of them to state that’s not a part of the program. And of course the match featured multiple moments where both teams showed that working together is a lot harder than it sounds.
The ending came when Tony D’Angelo put the finishing touches on EK Propser only for Mason Rook to blind tag Tony, use the former champ as a weapon, and put the finishing touches on EK himself. That didn’t happen because of any narrative in the match other than it had to. No matter who got the pin for their respective team, the winning team was promised a championship match. Neither Tony or Mason got anything extra for scoring the pin. Yet this sort of thing demands drama.
It’s not unfamiliar territory for WWE. The Attitude Era did this also, but in a way that was less about characters poking fun at what they should do and more about them telling the audience truths about the business. NXT is working on that level yet, and it would be easier if they did. It’s compelling when someone like Mick Foley walks into the arena refusing to be the person “management” wants him to be so it looks like he’s going rogue. NXT is trying to make wrestlers pointing out tropes or echoing what the fans say just as compelling.
Even Grayson as the champ is a part of this idea. He came back to NXT because he believed the men’s division is weak. He talked about the women running circles around the lads, echoing almost every fan with a social media account. The same guy who decried the men and gave us a peak behind the curtain now rules the roost. His reasoning is impetus for this match, and everything else that’s happened since he showed up. NXT is using Grayson to comment on itself while also hoping his presence improves the very thing he’s criticizing.
It’s a high wire act. I’m not sure they can pull it off but I’m so curious if they can.
This was a solid night for the CW brand. NXT is finally settling into a rhythm as we move into fall. Halloween Havoc is a big deal, one that demands their best foot forward. It’s early but it looks like they might do just that.
What say you, Cagesiders? Does Grayson retain his championship with all his opponents going at one another?
