Mission 029 – The Mission? Sifting Through the Scary Fall of 2025
Well, it has been quite a minute since we last saw each other and I am actually commenting on the state of affairs AFTER Hyatte for a change. There’s a lot of ground to cover, but I am going to address as much of what has transpired over the past month or so by offering my predictions for Halloween Monday (October 27th, 2025) which features AEW’s “Sympathy for the Devil” and WWE’s “Halloween Havoc”. Afterwards, I will offer a preview for ULW’s “Hallow-Travaganza”.
WWE’s Halloween Havoc
NXT North American Title – No DQ – HBP © v. Kross
The feel good story of the season so far is that of HBP’s rise back into the limelight. This time last year, HBP was just another exempt legend in ULW. Then, he lost a match to Giant Gonzales which cost him his exemption. As a result, HBP was sent to WWE during the Draft which had many experts believing that HBP was about to be humiliated on a weekly basis.
Initially, that was exactly what happened, but it wasn’t humiliation without a purpose. Instead, HBP’s suffering and goofy antics backstage led to him becoming more and more sympathetic to the point that him getting one more good run was essentially demanded by the audience.
This obviously led to the incredible moment wherein HBP captured the North American Title from Carmelo Hayes upon NXT’s return from WWE’s lengthy vacation. Meanwhile, Karrion Kross is still reeling from losing his NXT Title to Trick Williams. Kross may actually be in a bit of a state of limbo right now as he curiously continues to hang out in NXT despite having paid his dues and passed the proverbial torch.
Here, I think HBP is in danger of losing the strap short of an interference. While I may think that Karrion should be called up to the main roster to possibly challenge for the World or WWE Titles, he remains stagnant in development, and for this reason I am leaning heavily in favor of him capturing the gold, especially in light of the fact that Jesse Ventura captured a world title only to drop it just a week or two later.
Maybe Karrion will be a transitional champion, or maybe HBP will retain (which may actually be more likely the more I think about it considering how Kross came out of nowhere). In the end, the match and its aftermath will provide a fun ride despite my admitted confusion as to why Karrion is still involved in this developmental roster.
US Title – Haunted House Match – Dirty Dom © v. Lumis
Dirty Dom got the girl and the United States Championship in one fell swoop – causing Buddy Murphy to lose all sense about himself – at Crown Jewel, but all signs are pointing to a major insurgency for the so-called Wyatt Sicks. Dexter Lumis has had many ups and downs in his young career, but it appears as though his joining this new stable may have just injected life into his efforts.
Now, let me be clear here, I do not feel as though this group needs any titles right now, but I do think that having them suffer losses (depending on the circumstances) when they are exposed via having matches throughout the card poses the risk of costing them momentum in the aftermath. Even so, I can see a path to having them lose a few matches while preserving their mystique and strength.
The key is to have the Wyatt Sicks force a DQ. That’s the only way they can lose and keep their strength intact, in my assessment. Now, they can suffer a loss after someone interferes, but that still comes at the expense of their mystique and strength.
My prediction here is that Lumis wins the title, and it might actually be due to the increasingly unstable Buddy Murphy.
Intercontinental Title – Gable © v. Rowan
This match and the next match serve as a continuation of the Lumis v. Dom bout. Wyatt Sicks is exposed via three matches here, and Rowan is less likely to win than Lumis. I say this with more confidence when considering the fact that Chad JUST recaptured this title from Mystico. Does that guarantee that Rowan doesn’t win? Absolutely not. This is WWE after all where title changes either happen seldom or all at once, and right now the pattern seems to favor the “all at once” approach (this is, admittedly, an over-simplification, so spare me your hate mail).
Either way, Gable is VERY strongly booked right now and the odds of him being made to look like a bitch after he over-performed in retaking the gold. I just don’t see it happening. He won the title, fired Doc Brown, and established himself as a sort of Homelander figure in the division.
Rowan is going to put up a fight, but he is DEFINITELY not winning this one.
World Title – Day of the Dead Match – Priest © v. Strowman
I love Braun Strowman, and have always seen him as a great pick for leading a company, at least as transitional monster champion. But, Damian Priest just won this strap from Jesse Ventura a short while ago, and I have a hard time seeing WWE just tossing this title around after establishing its prestige with a storied run by Cena.
Damian Priest having his second world title is something that you can tell WWE has wanted since they got him back. I know that Priest was bound for glory in ULW , and that is why he was initially exempted. Regardless, Strowman is going to give Priest a good run for his money until Priest “shockingly” retains.
Sorry, I don’t make the rules.
No Holds Barred “Special Main Event” – Rollins v. Demon Balor
This brings me to Seth Rollins taking on the Demon, Finn Balor. Seth came in practically on fire with his historic jumping ship to WWE while adorned in ULW gold. His story was framed around taking down the Rock alongside Murrey and the McMahons. Then, he betrayed his partners and now the Rock is sending Finn Balor to take him out before they battle for the WWE Title.
There is no chance in hell that Seth loses his literal debut match in WWE unless the Rock intervenes. If that happens, it will make sense, but I don’t see it going down like that. I predict that Finn and Seth are going to steal the show. When the dust settles, Seth will be the clear winner.
We will have an official prediction for the WWE Title match when it is on the verge of taking place, but my prediction as of right now is that the Rock will retain on the first encounter and even the second, but that Seth is likely to capture the gold on their third and final encounter.
I suppose we will see!
AEW’s Sympathy for the Devil
Hash v. Riddle
Moving on to AEW we see the third or fourth installment of “Sympathy for the Devil” kick off with an encounter to give Riddle a chance at exacting vengeance for the attacks on Young Crock and Lady Love.
This is one of AEW’s leading stories and it 100% makes sense for it to open the show. If Hash loses, then we experienced everything up until now arguably for no clear reason. What do I mean by that? What I mean is that Riddle defeating Hash at this point would effectively end the story. Why? Because Hash is a high-profile hitman hired by Midget Hogan to take down Young Crock and/or Lady Love, and his defeat would essentially defang him and the man he answers to, unless we have a swerve coming wherein Midget Hogan has additional minions doing his bidding.
Jesse Hash notably hasn’t been a “babyface” in years, and I think he is an excellent choice to join with ol’ Midgey in their mission. While a win here would work wonders for Riddle, he can afford a loss here as it would further the story in all the right ways. As you can obviously see, I am predicting that Jesse Hash wins and that we see him and Midget Hogan reveal what their ultimate intentions are.
On the other hand, there is a lingering affect in the High-Minded locker room wherein the group has been fractured in a permanent way due to the drama created by Midget Hogan’s jealousy. I can see Riddle’s loss sending the group into a state of disarray. Ultimately, they will find the right method to defeat Midget Hogan, but for now we need them to take a few hits to enhance their sympathy factor. Absolutely a journey that I look forward to seeing unfold!
Brodie Lee v. Orton
Brodie Lee’s new group – the “Guilty Remnant” – has found a foe in Benny’s loyal servant: Randy Orton. After Orton tried to take out Brodie’s team, he found himself in the crosshairs of group which is determined to take Benny down in addition to the Mouse family empire.
This match is a tad harder for me to predict. Due to the fact that Orton is in need of finding his way back to world title contention I see Orton winning this, but I have to pull myself back from fully offering that prediction due to the growing influence of the Remnant.
Ultimately, I see Brodie pulling off the win, forcing a soul-searching moment for Orton as he potentially drifts further back into violent insanity.
AEW Title – Olson © v. Ospreay
This one really could go either way, and I will explain why. First of all, Olson literally just won this damn title just shy of a month ago, but Ospreay is getting back on track after his feud with Adam Page derailed him for a little while. In other words, I can find just reasons that either man should win, but considering the fact that AEW made it a point to highlight the fact that this is Ospreay’s first title challenge in AEW, my money is on Olson.
And don’t sit here and think that means Ospreay is about to go through an extensive struggle to get back to the gold. Rather, his journey will likely take one more detour en route back to dethroning Olson. Olson, though, is bound to milk this for a while in the interim, and he may start to tap into his inner Dragonfly a bit. You’re already seeing some signs of it, but not from someone like Dragonfly who thinks they can’t be topped. Instead, it’s going to be from a man who is tired of being told that he has that special quality to be a megastar without follow-through. He’s here to take over by force, and he will for a minute!
Hell in a Cell Match – Zayn v. Danhausen
Lastly, we have the Main Event for AEW’s mid-season finale (code for “we know we would likely become erratic for the next few months if we didn’t come out and say this”…I kid…maybe). Zayn and Danhausen are having a rematch on the anniversary of their previous match. This time it will be inside of one of the industry’s most feared structures outside of Lady Love’s bunker when she’s in heat.
Everything is sort of riding on the outcome of this one. If Sami wins, then Benny is likely going back to his brain cage where he starts drooling and emulating Ten Second Tom from “50 First Dates”. If Danhausen wins, Splinter and the other rat bastards have to go back to the drawing board to figure out how else they are going to take down the second most evil creature to ever exist outside of Mickey and Hitler (I’m not convinced that those two aren’t the same soul via reincarnation).
This feels very much like a culmination of events spanning the past 5 years or so. Benny has been in trouble with his broken mind since the beginning of the 6th Era, and his ability to continue in control very much rests on the outcome of this match.
So, who do I see winning here? I have to say that Danhausen is going to somehow find a path to victory. Remember that he pretty much knows what’s going to happen next. Like that old action thriller with Nicholas Cage, Danhausen is a big step ahead of everyone else, and that will prove to be Sami’s undoing.
ULW’s Hallow-Travaganza
Firepit Career Match – FRED v. Bray Wyatt
Shifting gears here and we find ourselves looking at history in the making with ULW’s Second Annual Hallow-Travaganza! Remember last year when the creative team thought it was a good idea to initially have an extra, unnecessary “O” in that name? Yeah, bunch of idiots.
Anyways, tonight’s broadcast kicks off with one of the biggest and most consequential showdowns in wrestling history (almost on par with that Zayn/Danhausen bout). Reason being, that one of these monsters are going to have to call it quits for good. Bray Wyatt has had run-ins with FRED before from helping to restore the monster to his old strength, to being betrayed by Mickey via FRED’s help, to coming back as the Fiend to seek revenge. Bray Wyatt’s career has been deeply intertwined with FRED’s over the past half-decade.
As for FRED, this monster who once served as an apparent figment of Maniac’s imagination was introduced to us in horrific fashion at UWA’s Abominable Actions in June 2003, when he attacked Mickey’s Ministry of Enforcement. Soon thereafter, he became a quasi-reliable servant of Mickey’s darkest desires. I say “quasi” because you can’t really tame a monster like FRED, and he has struck fear in the hearts of countless victims over the course of his 22-year reign of genuine terror.
Fear. Real. Evil. Dead. FRED was named by Maniac, but the acronym was almost meant to convey that the end is near for whomever stands in his way. Will that be Bray’s ultimate fate tonight, or will the most impactful beast in industry history finally meet his end?
Title versus Title – Sasha Banks (Women’s Champ) v. Maryse (International Champ)
Sasha Banks has been relentless since she was drafted as ULW’s top pick back in June. She first sought to dispense with her most familiar foe – Alexa Bliss – and then she had to get past both Asuka and Ronda Rousey on her way to the top. If it wasn’t for Jade’s departure, an argument could have been made suggesting that Sasha may not be in this spot right now if things had worked out differently in the summer.
But they did work out this way, and Sasha has made sure to reinforce her efforts with the return of her loyal bodyguard; Chyna. Still, one can not and should not count out the former Women’s Champion and current International Champion; Maryse. Maryse is what you get when you cross a supermodel with skilled athlete. She’s cunning, talented, and determined to get back to being the number one woman in the business. She just has to prove that she can best the so-called “Boss” first.
CM Punk v. AJ Styles
We all seemed to think that AJ defeating Mr. Punk back in the summer was the end of this, but then Punk dug in deep to find a reason to screw over Styles. Styles was so very close – with a tad bit of assistance from Team Lenny’s bending of the rules – to dethroning Seth before the bandit made off with our title, but the unsettled issues between these two men inspired Punk to blind-sight Styles at the worst possible time for all involved except Rollins and Punk.
Heading into this bout, the heat is off the charts, but this is the least consequential match of the evening. Still, don’t look past this one to possibly steal the show. These two former world champions are hungry as ever, and you know what that means for all of us lucky enough to behold the magic unfolding!
Lights Out Match – Brock Lesnar v. Slammu
Slammu has had quite the year, my friends. He announced earlier this year – late last season – that he was out to get one more title run before he retires, and the entire calendar year has been comprised of that journey; including losing his shit when the ULW Title chaos of last season swept away his chance to win number 26, getting inducted into the WOW and ULW halls of fame, and then being the victim of Brock Lesnar’s shocking debut at Independent Intentions.
That last moment there has produced one of the most exciting feuds of the year – and maybe even the Era -, as the two have been near impossible to control as they attempt to unalive one another, destroying arenas, taking out officials, interrupting interviews, and having a no contest war at Scorched last month. The two are obviously not finished with each other either, and the continued chaos forced Scott Nash to declare that they would finally have it out in an unsanctioned “Lights Out Match”.
I don’t know about you, but I fully expect an incredible match where no one or nothing in the arena is safe. I wouldn’t be surprised if they start launching children at each other from the crowd. No matter what, though, we will have a winner, because there will be no stopping this one until one beast is left standing!
Metalhead’s Deadline
Lastly, for tonight that is, we prepare for Metalhead to finally get some answers about the mystery of Mickey and Abigail. That is, he better deliver or Menotaur has promised to tear him limb from limb. This all stems back to last season’s journey wherein Splidder was tortured by Menotaur – on behalf of Ted Dibiase – to find dirt on Benny and BWM Inc, with Metalhead attacking Splidder to keep him quiet. We all remember the incredible moment when one chunk of that truth came out: Abigail is Megan Mouse’s twin sister.
Then, in June with hours to go until the Draft, Metalhead managed to get Splidder to reveal another hidden truth: “He Lives”.
Since that moment, we have learned that Abigail wiped Metalhead and Splidder’s memories, and now Menotaur is back for answers as he apparently took up Dibiase’s mission for himself. After weeks of Menotaur’s pursuit of Metalhead, Metalhead finally agreed to help Menotaur find out what Splidder meant, and that brings us to tonight’s deadline…imposed by Metalhead himself. Stay tuned!
Ascendant: Devil’s Night
Lastly, here is what’s on tap for Friday’s special edition of Ascendant:
Extreme League Vacancy Match: Lance Archer v. Dragon Lee
Spotlight Interview: Darby Allin
Tag Title Match: FTR © v. Lucha Brothers
A fun way to end the spookiest month of the year, and here we go. Prepare for the release of the magazine, which is now only about an hour away!
Until our next Quest, this has been Johnny with yet another mission!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 