In the opening match of NXT Halloween Havoc, Johnny Gargano challenged Damian Priest for the North American Championship. Earlier this month, at TakeOver 31, Gargano attempted to regain the title from Priest, but it was the “Archer of Infamy” that emerged victorious. Weeks later, following an attack on Priest by Gargano, NXT General Manager William Regal decided that they would face off one last time. However, their match would be decided by an old-school stipulation: Spin the Wheel, Make the Wheel.
We have reached a baton/kendo stick stalemate, folks. #NXTNATitle #WWENXT #HalloweenHavoc @JohnnyGargano @ArcherOfInfamy pic.twitter.com/PkNoELSFTm
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 29, 2020
Courtesy of NXT Halloween Havoc host Shotzi Blackheart, it was decided that Gargano and Priest would face each other in a Devil’s Playground Match. Given the images that Halloween itself brings, few match stipulations would be as appropriate. Throughout the match, Gargano and Priest battled throughout the Capitol Wrestling Center, which was appropriately decorated in the spirit of Halloween. Even Gargano found himself spooked at times, which made his task of unseating Priest for the North American Championship that much more of a challenge.
However, “Johnny Wrestling” seemed to have an ally on his side. Just as all hope was lost for Gargano, a stranger in a black cloak and Scream mask appeared behind Priest, attacking the champion with a foreign object. This allowed Gargano to take hold of a nearby tombstone, smashing it over Priest. The force of the attack caused the champion to fall off the elevated platform and through a makeshift shack. A weakened Gargano crawled on top of Priest as the referee counted the pinfall. By the end of the night, Gargano was the new NXT North American Champion.
Goodnight, @ArcherOfInfamy. #WWENXT #NXTNATitle #HalloweenHavoc @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/jCDjl5p1Db
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) October 29, 2020
With this victory, Johnny Gargano is now the first-ever two-time NXT North American Champion. He first won the title back in January of 2019, at TakeOver: Phoenix, when he bested Ricochet. Gargano would hold the title for less than one month before dropping it to Velveteen Dream. The bigger story coming out of NXT Halloween Havoc, however, is in regard to the mystery attacker. Who, exactly, helped Gargano defeat the “Archer of Infamy?” It’s likely we will learn more in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. WWE fan? You can check out an almost unlimited array of WWE content on the WWE Network.
Looking to talk wrestling, pro football, or any number of sports? Head on over to the LWOS Boards to engage in conversation with fellow fans!
