Backstage Critics Blame Naraku vs. Shiloh Hill for Ruining NXT Halloween Havoc

Key points

• Dave Meltzer stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that attendees and insiders felt the Naraku vs. Shiloh Hill match 'ruined that entire show.'
• The match was advertised as the second bout but began with a backstage attack, leading to a prolonged cinematic sequence involving poison mist and hallucinations.
• Shiloh Hill defeated Naraku after countering his mist with fog and applying a modified neck-breaker for the pinfall.
• Meltzer compared the event unfavorably to CMLL’s Halloween shows, noting that the criticism from WWE attendees was widespread, not just his own opinion.
• The segment included interactions with skeleton royal family members and a zombie referee, culminating in a brawl that spilled into the ringside area.

Background

This event occurred at the WWE Performance Center on October 31, 2026. Recent archive coverage indicates WWE has been aggressively scheduling major talent on NXT to counter AEW’s Blood & Guts special, including appearances by John Cena and Cody Rhodes. Additionally, Grayson Waller retained the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc, prompting a challenge from CM Punk for November 4. The negative reception of the Naraku/Shiloh Hill segment stands in contrast to other successful defenses, such as Kelani Jordan retaining the Women’s Title.

How outlets are covering it

Ringside News and 411Mania both highlight Dave Meltzer’s report that the match’s execution was a disaster, with 411Mania emphasizing the specific backstage reaction. SEScoops provides detailed context on the match’s structure, noting it was advertised as the second bout but evolved into a show-long cinematic segment. Fightful focuses on the factual outcome, confirming Hill’s victory and the sequence of events, including the backstage attack and the final ring action. While all sources agree on the negative reception, Ringside News and 411Mania emphasize the severity of the criticism, whereas Fightful remains neutral on the quality, focusing only on the result. Meltzer’s comparison to CMLL suggests a broader industry critique of WWE’s creative choices for the holiday.

Why it matters

The backlash indicates that WWE’s experimental approach to storytelling may not always resonate with audiences or internal staff. If the Naraku/Shiloh Hill segment is perceived as a failure, it could influence future booking decisions and the development of these characters. The criticism also highlights the risk of over-investing in a single storyline, potentially detracting from other matches on the card. For WWE, this feedback is crucial as they continue to experiment with new formats and characters in the NXT brand.

What to watch

WWE will likely evaluate the reception of the Naraku/Shiloh Hill storyline in future bookings. The company may adjust the frequency or style of cinematic segments to avoid similar backlash. Additionally, the ongoing rivalry between CM Punk and Grayson Waller for the NXT Championship will likely dominate the next few weeks, potentially overshadowing the Halloween Havoc criticism. WWE may also use the feedback to refine how they integrate long-running storylines into special events.