Hold onto your folding chairs, folks, because WWE NXT is bringing back the ECW magic—and maybe some whiffs of Philly cheesesteak—to the legendary 2300 Arena. With a hardcore showdown scheduled between the smack-talking Lola Vice and the high-flying Jaida Parker, fans are in for a throwback to the days when “extreme” meant blood, sweat, and “Don’t Try This at Home” warnings.
The night’s special guest referee? None other than ECW original and storyline trailblazer Dawn Marie. Announced by Ava Raine at last night’s Halloween Havoc, this marks Dawn Marie’s first foray into a ref shirt (at least officially—she’s always had that “calling the shots” vibe).
And let’s be real: it’s fitting to bring in an ECW alum like Dawn for a night dedicated to the rabid fanbase of Philly. Starting her career in 1998, Marie brought drama, sass, and a pinch of scandal to the original ECW as the manager of Lance Storm, staying with the promotion until the bitter end (or, as the IRS would call it, “bankruptcy”). Her WWE run? Unforgettable for its sheer boldness: she quickly went from McMahon’s assistant to Torrie Wilson’s soon-to-be “stepmom,” marrying Wilson’s dad in one of wrestling’s wildest family storylines. May he rest in scripted peace.
As for the main event, Vice and Parker have been trading verbal jabs and eye-rolls for weeks now, but this is the first time they’re going one-on-one. They had a tag match against Fatal Influence earlier this month that didn’t end in friendship bracelets, and this grudge match is set to settle the score. With Dawn Marie in the ring as the guest ref, expect vintage chaos.
This head-to-head clash between NXT and AEW Dynamite is set to air Wednesday night due to the election shuffle, so get your popcorn and nostalgia ready. Philly’s beloved ECW-era spirit is getting a revival, and it’s coming in hot—just like a Philly pretzel, slightly salted, with a twist.