NXT UK – December 3, 2020: The Next Show
NXT UK
Date: December 3, 2020
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd
The Heritage Cup has finally been awarded in a pretty good match last week, meaning that it is time to move on to something new. The question is what that is going to be though, as NXT UK has had some issues with figuring out a next step from time to time. I’m not sure what to expect from this one, but maybe they have a few surprises ready. Let’s get to it.
Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.
Opening sequence.
We recap Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews being attacked by mystery assailants earlier this year. Eddie Dennis took responsibility and teamed up with Pretty Deadly, so Andrews and Webster got their friends, the Hunt, to join them. The Hunt then revealed that they were with Dennis and wiped them out again. More on this later.
Rampage Brown vs. Saxon Huxley
Huxley goes with an aggressive headlock to start but Brown reverses into one of his own. That’s broken up so Brown hits a dropkick into a running clothesline for an early two. A suplex gives Brown two more and he clotheslines Huxley outside. Back in and Huxley hits a running clothesline of his own for two but the frustration is setting in off the near falls. Brock catches him on top but gets shoved down, only to have Huxley dive into a powerslam. The Doctor Bomb finishes Huxley at 5:03.
Rating: C. They’re turning Brown into a thing and that’s a pretty good idea. Someone is going to have to be the next challenger for Walter and while Brown is still new, it isn’t like there is anyone better at the moment. Build someone up and put them in a spot because you need someone. It has worked forever in wrestling and it can work here too.
Jinny and Piper Niven got into a pull apart brawl at the Performance Center earlier this week.
Eddie Dennis talks about being a shepherd to his sheep and brings in the Hunt. Dennis claims that Webster and Andrews used the two of them. Now Dennis is taking care of them instead.
Saxon Huxley does not like being told “better luck next time” and storms off.
Aoife Valkyrie vs. Aleah James
Valkyrie avoids a dropkick to start but misses a spinwheel kick to the face for the early standoff. A headlock works a bit better for Valkyrie but she has to stick the landing when James snaps off a hurricanrana. They trade rollups for two each and this time it’s James grabbing her own headlock. James takes her to the mat until Valkyrie fights up, only to have her clothesline countered with a Matrix.
Valkyrie sweeps the base out though and gets two off a dropkick to the back of the head. We hit the full nelson with the legs (good looking one too) before a crucifix gets two on James. A northern lights fisherman’s suplex gets two on Valkyrie as she can’t put James away. Another kick to the face sets up a running Blockbuster on James though and it’s the top rope ax kick to give Valkyrie the pin at 4:10.
Rating: C. Valkyrie seems like she could be the next best this and that’s not a bad idea. She has a unique enough look and is stating to get into a groove around here. This was about James though, who got in a lot of offense here and was treated like a threat to pull off the upset, even if it was just a small one. If nothing else, it was nice to see someone fresh getting a chance and that was at least half of the point here.
Pretty Deadly show us how in sync they are by saying the same speech at the same time. They want the Tag Team Titles. I could go for that.
We look at Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews fighting back against Eddie Dennis and the Hunt.
Joe Coffey vs. Alexander Wolfe
There are no seconds here. The grappling starts fast with Coffey taking over on the mat, only to go with the left hands to the face instead. A backbreaker staggers Wolfe again and Coffey unloads in the corner. Wolfe uses the referee breaking them up to get in a shot to the face to take over. Now it’s time to go after Coffey’s arm, which is a smart move given Coffey’s power and striking so far. The armbar goes on but Coffey reverses a suplex into one of his own.
Coffey pulls him off the middle rope and hits some flying shoulders, only to bang up the bad arm some more. A spinning high crossbody gets two on Wolfe and a backbreaker is good for the same. Wolfe blocks the Boston crab attempt so Coffey just drops down and hammers away at the face. Some kicks to the jaw get Wolfe out of trouble and he cuts off a comeback attempt with a boot to the face.
The lifting spinning suplex gives Wolfe two and the Death Valley Driver gets the same. They both need a breather (well yeah) and it’s time to trade kicks and strikes. Wolfe pulls him into a German suplex for two but Coffey gets in All The Best For The Bells to the back of the head. That’s only good for two as Coffey knocked him outside for a delay, meaning more frustration sets in. They slug it out on the apron with Wolfe getting the better of things. Coffey manages a slingshot shoulder though and now All The Best For The Bells can finish Wolfe at 12:33.
Rating: B. Let two physical guys beat the heck out of each other over some time and see what they can do. That’s what we got here as the battle between Imperium and Gallus has potential, even if Imperium is a bit fractured at the moment. Wolfe continues to look like a breakout star in the making and Coffey already is a star so hopefully they both get something out of this rather hard hitting fight.
Jordan Devlin issues an open challenge for a title match next week. Anyone under 205 Live, come test yourself against the Irish Ace. That could be interesting.
Here’s what’s coming next week.
The Hunt vs. Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews
Well what else could main event the show? Eddie Dennis is here with the Hunt. It’s a brawl to start before the bell with the Hunt being sent outside and taken down with stereo suicide dives. Back in and Webster takes Boar into the corner for a tag from Andrews. A running dropkick puts Boar on the floor but he comes back in to plow through Andrews. That means Primate can come in to unload, setting up the rotating double teaming.
Boar hits some Junkyard Dog style headbutts until Webster comes back with an enziguri. That’s enough for the hot tag to Webster and house is cleaned early on. Everything breaks down and Webster snaps off a running hurricanrana off the apron to take Boar down again. Back in and a standing Sliced Bread #2 sets up a running shooting star press for two on Boar. Webster’s leg is grabbed though and Primate uses the distraction to plant him with a German suplex for two.
A headbutt sends Boar into the corner and a double tag allows Andrews and Primate to come in. Andres gets to clean house, including a double tornado DDT. A monkey flip into a jumping knee to the face gets two on Primate with Boar (thrown in by Dennis) making the save. Webster is sent outside and Primate blasts Andrews with a clothesline. Boar is taken out by Webster though and there’s the Stundog Millionaire to Primate. Andrews goes up but Dennis crotches him back down, allowing Boar to hit a spear. An AA into a sitout powerbomb finishes Andrews at 10:01.
Rating: C+. Power vs. speed has always worked in wrestling and it always will because any fan can get the idea in a hurry. There was a higher energy to this one and that’s how it should be given their history with each other. Both teams are going to be fine going forward, though the Hunt vs. Gallus has more interest at the moment.
Overall Rating: B-. This was more like it with a bunch of matches that all either moved something forward or made someone look good. The limited roster would seem to be an asset here as more people get a chance to showcase themselves. It worked here as I had a good time with the show, which flew by pretty easily. Nice show this week.
Results
Rampage Brown b. Saxon Huxley – Doctor Bomb
Aoife Valkyrie b. Aleah James – Top rope ax kick
Joe Coffey b. Alexander Wolfe – All The Best For The Bells
The Hunt b. Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews – AA into a sitout powerbomb to Andrews
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