For some, the October 12 edition of WWE NXT 2.0 was the end of their runs in the developmental brand. Perhaps no one felt that more than Isaiah "Swerve" Scott.

The NXT North American champion was drafted to Friday Night SmackDown alongside Hit Row, but he needed to end one last story. He would face Santos Escobar for his championship as Legado del Fantasma looked on.

Joe Gacy has caused a stir, and he hoped to turn that into an opportunity. Gacy requested an opportunity that Tommaso Ciampa granted him, a match where if he won, he would be added to the NXT Championship triple threat at NXT Halloween Havoc.

One more rivalry looked to reach its conclusion before Ridge Holland headed to the blue brand. The big man teamed with his mentor Pete Dunne to fight the awkward alliance of Kyle O'Reilly and Von Wagner.

Diamond Mine has made its presence felt in recent week. Ivy Nile was the last to step into the ring. She would make her debut in NXT 2.0.

The night was stacked with talent. Rivalries would reach their fitting end just before a massive Halloween Havoc.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Joe Gacy

Joe Gacy promised before the match that he represented all the "snowflakes" in bettering NXT 2.0. Harland watched as Tommaso Ciampa beat down his opponent with vicious intent. Gacy responded back with a spin-out uranage followed by a running senton on the apron.

Ciampa went for the over-the-shoulder piledriver, but Gacy ducked out and hit a powerbomb for two. He missed a second-rope moonsault, setting up the Fairy Tale Ending, which Ciampa hit with a second effort to win.

Harland laid out the NXT champion, and Gacy had to calm the monster down before he did any more. Backstage, Grizzled Young Veterans looked ready to attack Ciampa backstage, but Bron Breakker got involved to send them running.

Result

Ciampa def. Gacy by pinfall.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Gacy remains a solid wrestler trapped in a bad gimmick. He performed well enough against Ciampa to look like a future challenger. However, it never truly seemed like he had a legitimate chance to defeat The Blackheart.

Harland is an interesting addition to Gacy's act for the moment, but he has far more to give on his own. Hopefully, he is not stuck in the crowd for too much longer.

This was an unnecessary speed bump to Ciampa vs. Bron Breakker. It would have been more interesting to have Breakker face Gacy since the challenge should have to prove himself not the champion.

Toxic Attraction Announce Their Next Title Opportunities

Toxic Attraction arrived to call its shot. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne explained their goal to capture the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships, announcing they would face Io Shirai and Zoey Stark at NXT Halloween Havoc.

Mandy Rose also made clear she would face Raquel Gonzalez for the NXT Championship. Later in a pre-taped promo, Gonzalez raised the stakes, demanding a Spin the Wheel Make the Deal match against Rose.

Grade

D+

Analysis

This was the same promo that Toxic Attraction has cut since the start, and it led to the unnecessary announcement of a rematch for the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships. These teams fought to a clean finish. Dolin and Jayne should have earned this first.

Gonzalez vs. Rose was the expected match for Halloween Havoc. While that should not be the end for Big Mami Cool, it certainly could be. God's Greatest Creation has been on a steady rise to the spotlight since she joined NXT.

Xyon Quinn vs. Malik Blade

A vignette showed for someone burying something, promising the surprise of a new beginning come Halloween Havoc.

Xyon Quinn blasted Malik Blade early with shoulder strikes and clotheslines. He looked dominant but could not put the match away. Blade fired back with a missile dropkick only to take a chokeslam for his trouble. This set up Quinn for the running forearm to win.

Result

Quinn def. Blade by pinfall.

Grade

C-

Analysis

Quinn has been on a fine run so far. His running forearm does not look great, but his work in the ring shows promise. He needs veterans to challenge him far more than Oney Lorcan was allowed to do in back-to-back recent matches.

Blade has continued to play the jobber role for bigger stars. He shows some potential that could be tapped into later. However, he must be more than just another cruiserweight, especially at a time when that division is highly disrespected on a weekly basis.

Ivy Nile vs. Valentina Feroz

Ivy Nile barely left her feet in a dominant display against Valentina Feroz. She threw around her opponent with effortless dominance. She decided to end the match when she trapped Feroz in a torture rack to force a tap out.

Malcolm Bivens hyped up Ivy Nile and The Creed Brothers before handing the mic to Roderick Strong. Ikemen Jiro interrupted, which set off Julius Creed. He told Jiro he had to earn a shot at the Diamond Mine leader.

Julius rag-dolled Jiro with a series of suplexes. He chopped his opponent down at the knee to stop the charismatic performer's momentum. Jiro answered back with a moonsault but jumped into the arms of Julius, who ended the match with a wheelbarrow slam and low clothesline.

Kushida hit the ring to stop Diamond Mine from beating down Jiro further, but he was stopped by Nile then laid out by Strong.

Result

Nile def. Feroz by submission; Julius def. Jiro by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

Diamond Mine continue to build an impressive record by laying out competitors. Nile looked very good against Feroz, but she will need a veteran to challenge her beyond this point. She's strong, but can she compete?

Julius Creed is an impressive performer already. Solo and in tag team action, he has looked like a star. His work with Jiro was one of the better recent sprints in NXT 2.0.

At a certain point, Strong may end up finding himself outshined by the younger athletes. He is one of the best wrestlers in NXT, but the others have more upside.

Von Wagner and Kyle O'Reilly vs. Pete Dunne and Ridge Holland

Lash Legend praised Hit Row and their rise to SmackDown then called out Tony D'Angelo as unworthy of appearing on Lashing Out. Later in the night, D'Angelo revealed he had kidnapped Legend's producer Mark.

Ridge Holland and Pete Dunne dominated Kyle O'Reilly, trying to keep him away from Von Wagner. When the big man did get into the action, he send both UK stars reeling to the outside with aggressive offense.

The Bruiserweight used a few different tactics to take Wagner out of the equation. As he prepared to injure KOR on the steel steps, Wagner made the save and got the hot tag. The big man ended the match with a double underhook spinning side slam for the victory.

Finally, O'Reilly accepted Wagner, and they bumped fists.

Result

Wagner and KOR def. Dunne and Holland by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

While this tag team match never hit a top gear, it was a good way to showcase Wagner with veteran talent. He looked dominant and dangerous without looking completely out of place. He just needs more time to form his moveset and style.

He could truly benefit from working with O'Reilly. The veteran wrestler has the talent to not lose momentum while taking the beatdowns for his team. It will be fun to see them evolved as an alliance and team.

Duke Hudson vs. Grayson Waller

Andre Chase tried to mock Odyssey Jones in his class, but one of his students questioned him on his cheap tactics.

Grayson Waller talked up his boxing career before the match, but it was his high flying that was on display early. He nearly got the win off a rolling cutter into a stack-up pin. Waller went for a rebound elbow, but Duke Hudson tripped him in the ropes then stacked him up for three with a handful of tights.

Hudson left Waller with a stack of chips, wishing him better luck next time. Backstage, Waller promised to shower and take out a woman in a tight blue dress. This impressed Cameron Grimes, who asked for help. Waller introduced him to internet dating.

Result

Hudson def. Waller by pinfall.

Grade

C

Analysis

Waller and Hudson have both shown some talent. However, this match lacked energy. Neither man was fighting for anything that mattered. The crowd barely recognized them despite their growing usage in NXT 2.0.

These two could do each other good with time. It would be good to see serious stories forming in NXT for the lower divisions. This is the only way stars like this can stand out amongst the crowd.

Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta vs. Sarray and Amari Miller

Indi Hartwell and Persia Pirotta walked into this match confident against an inexperienced tag team. Pirotta booted Sarray out of the way before planting Amari Miller with a fireman's carry facebuster. Hartwell hit a diving elbow drop on Miller to take the win.

Afterward, Pirotta called out the NXT women's tag team champions. Io Shirai and Zoey Stark arrived followed quickly by Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne. The champions cleared the ring and stood tall.

Result

Hartwell and Pirotta def. Sarray and Miller by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Analysis

There was almost nothing to this match. It was over before it began. Pirotta has been riding the wave of moment for Hartwell, and she may not quite be ready for her spotlight. She has shown some power that works well with her married friend, but is she ready for gold?

At the very least, NXT added Hartwell and Pirotta to the Halloween Havoc tag title match. That would make that contest more interesting rather than going with a rematch so soon.

NXT North American Champion: Isaiah "Swerve" Scott vs. Santos Escobar

Legado del Fantasma attacked Hit Row before the night began, kidnapping B-Fab and Top Dolla. Isaiah "Swerve" Scott was left alone as Santos Escobar taunted hm.

Before the match, Swerve made clear that his challenger had brought out his most dangerous side. Escobar promised that he would leave Joaquin Wilde, Raul Mendoza and Elektra Lopez in the back.

Scott attacked before the bell, dazing Escobar. The fighting got only more intense as the two traded suicide dives into the announce table. The Emperor of Lucha Libre took over, hitting a huge frog splash for a nearfall.

Swerve hit a fireman's carry slam on the apron to set up the 450 splash, but he flipped right into the knees of his opponent for the closest of near three counts. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams made the save as Wilde and Mendoza got involved.

This allowed Scott to send his opponent into the exposed turnbuckle then connect with the JML Driver to win.

Hayes attacked Swerve after the victory and sign the contract for his immediate title match. Swerve fought at first, but feel to a diving axe kick.

Result

Swerve def. Escobar by pinfall to retain the NXT North American Championship; Hayes def. Swerve to become the new NXT North American champion.

Grade

A+

Analysis

Swerve and Escobar have always had incredible chemistry. This was as good as it absolutely needed to be after everything that led here. It was the end of a rivalry that has defined Escobar's entire NXT career.

The two got physical early and did not let up in their aggressive offense. NXT 2.0 needs matches like this to showcase the best stars in the company.

While Hit Row deserved the call-up to SmackDown, it was a shame that the ending was telegraphed by that move. Luckily, NXT pulled a smart twist. Hayes was ready for this moment and needed the re-heat moment after last week.

Melo is NXT North American champion, and it should be fun to watch him reshape that title scene.