Lyra Valkyria dethrones Becky Lynch on night one of WWE NXT Halloween Havoc. Abadon challenges Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s Championship. Devlyn Macabre chats with WrestleZone, and more! Let’s break it down in this week’s edition of Women’s Wrestling Wrap-Up!
Lyra Valkyria Wins NXT Women’s Title
Lyra Valkyria is the new NXT Women’s Champion after defeating Becky Lynch on night one of Halloween Havoc.
Leading into the Halloween-themed NXT event, Lynch had racked up four televised successful title defenses, beating the likes of Natalya, Tegan Nox, Indi Hartwell, and former titleholder Tiffany Stratton. On this occasion, though, “The Man” was tasked with taking on fellow Ireland native Lyra Valkyria.
With new WWE signee Jade Cargill looking on, Lynch and Valkyria fought feverishly to secure victory. Toward the end of the title match, Lynch nailed Valkyria with a Manhandle Slam. In a surprise turn of events, Valkyria kicked out, prompting Lynch to set up for a second Manhandle Slam. Before Lynch could fully execute it, though, Valkyria countered into a roll-up, gaining a three-count pinfall on Lynch. With this win, Lyra Valkyria was crowned as the new NXT Women’s Champion, cutting Lynch’s reign at 42 days.
Elsewhere on night one of Halloween Havoc, Roxanne Perez defeated Kiana James in a Devil’s Playground match. Meanwhile, Blair Davenport outlasted Gigi Dolin in a Light Out bout. The finals of the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament were also set here. After Kelani Jordan defeated Arianna Grace in the semi-finals, Lola Vice secured the other finalist position by overcoming Karmen Petrovic in the second semi-final contest.
An ‘Out-Of-Body’ Title Win
Following her massive victory over Lynch, Lyra Valkyria spoke with Irish Mirror, opening up about the emotions that accompanied her title win.
“It definitely feels like the payoff after years of the grind,” Valkyria said. “I have imagined this so many different ways. The things that you think about are who would I beat? How would I do it? What would I say after? How would that feel holding that title up? What would I be thinking?”
“It’s like an out-of-body experience because all the times I imagined that and then when it happened it’s just sheer shock so I’m still processing. All the ways I imagined it happening that wasn’t one of them because it never seemed within the realms of possibility Becky who has gone on to main event Wrestlemania, one of the most decorated women in WWE I couldn’t imagine that she could have been NXT Champion in 2023, what were the odds and how could I see that happening and for me to be the one to dethrone her. It’s a picture that is so perfect I couldn’t have painted it.”
RELATED: Becky Lynch: The NbeXT Era Is Over, Lyra Valkyria Will Be A Star For Years To Come
Abadon Challenges Hikaru Shida For The AEW Women’s Championship
With Halloween on the horizon, one of AEW’s spookiest competitors received an opportunity to challenge Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
On the October 27 episode of AEW Rampage, Abadon defeated Anna Jay, Skye Blue, and Willow Nightingale to earn a title match against Shida on AEW Collision the following day. For this AEW Women’s Championship match, the stakes were elevated, with AEW President Tony Khan adding a Fright Night Fight stipulation.
In the spirit of Halloween, Shida and Abadon utilized several holiday-specific weapons in their battle over the AEW Women’s Championship, including a pumpkin, a broom, and even candy. Eventually, Shida gained the upper hand, placing a pumpkin over Abadon’s head. After hitting Abadon with a Katana, Shida then secured the pinfall to retain the AEW Women’s Championship.
RELATED: Update On Abadon’s Return To AEW TV
Interviews
“The American Tragedy” Devlyn Macabre spoke with WrestleZone’s own Ella Jay about crafting her new wrestling persona as “The American Tragedy,” the significance of the horns she wears, forming a tag team with Kelsey Raegan, her recent ventures in the European wrestling scene, and more.
WWE RAW Superstar Raquel Rodriguez chatted with The Dallas Morning News about Jade Cargill’s arrival to WWE, the upcoming fatal-five-way match at Crown Jewel, possibly joining the LWO, updates on Liv Morgan’s injury, and more.
Former WWE RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair joined Bleacher Report to discuss RAW potentially airing on a different day, rekindling her rivalry with Damage CTRL, working with Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill signing with WWE, and more.
“Space Jesus” Billie Starkz spoke with Alicia Atout about her five-year-long career, signing with AEW, keeping her contract a secret, what she carries in her fanny pack, bands she loves, and more.
AEW manager CJ Perry appeared on Insight With Chris Vliet to discuss her AEW debut, the possibility of wrestling again, working with The Rock, not using her Russian accent anymore, and more.
