NXT Halloween Havoc: Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae should win the belts

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae should walk out of NXT Halloween Havoc with the gold around their waists.

This Wednesday wrestling fans get to enjoy the return of a classic WCW Pay Per View, Halloween Havoc. It has been twenty years since the last time this show has been used and this edition dons the black and yellow brand of NXT. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are in two central title matches on Wednesday, rematches from NXT TakeOver 31. This time things should end differently with the husband and wife duo holding the gold at the end of the night.

The heel turns of LeRae and Gargano have been sneakily entertaining every week. Their style of comedy and self-awareness is a nice addition to their wrestling abilities that are among the best in the business. NXT has a large empty space of solid, main event heels. Gargano and LeRae may not have been considered for that role initially, but their gradual push after the feud with Tommaso Ciampa has helped them elevate in the eyes of everyone involved. Putting the titles on Gargano and LeRae on Wednesday will help complete the transaction.

With LeRae the justification for putting the title on her is easier than it is with her husband. Gargano has been in a title picture in NXT for majority of his run on the brand. LeRae has been around the middle of the pack in the women’s division, even though she is probably the most consistent performer of the group. Her recent involvement with Indi Hartwell has helped elevate Hartwell even though the latter has not been involved in a match since September.

Putting the belt on LeRae also helps much of the women’s roster. For Io Shirai she can move to the main roster. Monday Night Raw needs a top feud for Asuka and there is none better on the red brand that can give her a run than Shirai. WWE missed out on the chance to have Asuka and Kairi Sane put on classic matches back-to-back, a feud between Asuka and Shirai would help fill that void. Plus, a heel LeRae gives women like Ember Moon, Toni Storm and Rhea Ripley a solid target at the top of the card.

Pitching a victory for Gargano over Damian Priest is more difficult. Priest has continued to improve as the NXT North American champion and he does not quite fit into either the NXT championship picture or either of the main roster shows. Of the two, Gargano is the one that does not need the title at this time but putting it on him for the second time would help further the overall narrative of the husband and wife duo.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae are the perfect pair to become champions at the same time. The segments alone would be entertaining, and we know their matches will deliver. Plus, they help shuffle around the men’s and women’s rosters in a way that can help create some fresh angles on NXT. At the end of Halloween Havoc the NXT North American and NXT women’s championship should be in their hands. Now is the time to make the move.