NXT UK
Date: September 1, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s always weird to see a final show in a series but that is where we have arrived this week. WWE has finally pulled the plug on NXT UK and now we are going to get to see the finals of a tournament for the United Kingdom Title tournament. Ignore the fact that this has been spoiled for weeks now. One last time, let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video recaps the history of Tyler Bate and Trent Seven in Moustache Mountain before the split, which still needs a blowoff and happens to take place during this week’s title match.

Opening sequence.

Commentary acknowledges that this is the final show, which certainly is the original commentary and not something that was put in later.

Blair Davenport vs. Amale vs. Isla Dawn vs. Eliza Alexander

Elimination rules and the winner is the new #1 contender to Meiko Satomura and the Women’s Title. Dawn gets pummeled to start with everyone else knocking her out to the floor. Amale slugs away at the two of them but Alexander kicks her in the face. That leaves Davenport to forearm Alexander into the corner but she comes back with some shots of her own. Amale is back up to sent Davenport onto the other two on the floor, setting up the big dive off the top to the floor.

The four of them pair off with Alexander ramming Amale into various things, only to get taken down with a running neckbreaker. Dawn whips Davenport face first into the post before taking her back inside for a faceplant. The other two get back in with Dawn hitting a running knee to drop Alexander for two.

Dawn gets caught on top though and the required Tower Of Doom follows. Amale is the only one up so she hits the running kicks in the corner to Alexander and Davenport. Dawn does the creepy rise up and grabs Amale, earning herself some kicks to the head. The Hopebreaker and a pile on pin finishes Dawn at 7:02 to get us down to three.

Some rollups get two each and everyone winds up looking at each other for a bit. Davenport catches Alexander’s charge but Amale dropkicks them both down. Amale gets dropped and Davenport’s missile dropkick makes it even worse. Davenport gets posted and Alexander knees Amale down for the elimination at 10:08, leaving us with an odd finale.

They trade big shots for two each with Davenport favoring her shoulder. Davenport manages to send her into the buckle and a middle rope double stomp gets two. Some clotheslines put Alexander in more trouble but she charges into an elbow in the corner. Alexander gets pulled off the middle rope for a crash back down and a scary Falcon Arrow finishes for Davenport at 15:09.

Rating: C+. Again, the winner wasn’t exactly in doubt so there is only so much that you can do as far as building up drama. Davenport has already been set up for the title match at Worlds Collide so seeing her run through two people there to fill in spots and Amale. I do like having a long women’s match on the final show though, as the women’s division has done pretty well in NXT UK’s history. Not a classic, but getting four women in there is a good idea.

Saxon Huxley vs. Kenny Williams

Feeling out process to start until Huxley sends him into the corner for some whips around the ring. Williams manages to get in some kicks to the leg, only to get whipped hard into the buckle. Huxley’s leg is bent around the rope though and a dropkick into said leg gets two. Cue Chase U to distract Williams though, allowing Huxley to go back in time with an atomic drop.

A running big boot sets up a running clothesline to the back of the head, followed by a running elbow for two on Williams. Huxley knocks him off the apron and into the arms of Chase U, where they drop him hard onto the floor. Back in and a chokebomb gives Huxley the pin at 5:45.

Rating: C. I’m glad to see Huxley get a win like this as he really found his niche over the years around here. At the same time though, this felt a bit more about Chase U than Huxley, which isn’t exactly surprising but it isn’t something that needed to happen. It’s the final episode, so let the focus be on the NXT UK stars. Oh and we’re never going to find out who Tiger Turan was are we?

We get a long video on the history of Trent Seven vs. Tyler Bate. Seven saw him at a training school in England and helped bring him up. Then Bate went on to become a huge star and they wound up becoming Tag Team Champions. Seven went too evil to make sure that they retained the titles though and that was too far for Bate. The team split, and now it is their big showdown, which happens to be for the title.

NXT United Kingdom Title: Trent Seven vs. Tyler Bate

For the vacant title so Sid Scala and Johnny Saint are in the ring with the belt. After the Big Match Intros, Bate takes him down into a headscissors, which actually requires a rope break. Back up and Seven pulls him into an armbar but Seven uses his feet to take the arm out as I don’t quite get the hatred that they seemed to have since their split.

With that broken up, a chop off goes to bate but Seven gets smart by going after the leg. The fans chant at Seven as he works on the leg but Bate pops back up and strikes away in the corner again. Seven sends the leg into the ropes to take it down again before slapping Bate in the back. Bate’s comeback is cut off with a DDT for two and it’s back to the leg as this is starting to get slow.

Some kicks to the face fire Bate up and he snaps off the uppercuts, setting up a t-bone suplex. The leg is fine enough to nip up and hit a running shooting star press for two before Bate muscles him over with a suplex. The slow motion airplane spin works but the Seven Star Lariat gives Seven two. Seven grabs the reverse Figure Four he used last week but Bate manages to turn it over, sending them both to the rope break.

They slug it out from the mat with Bate getting up to walk through some chops. A few bit shots to the face drop Seven but Bate can’t follow up. Bate’s rebound lariat into the Tyler Driver 97 gets two and they’re both down (with some fans/commentators stunned). Bate catches him on top though but the super Emerald Flosion gets two.

Seven hits his own Tyler Driver 97 for two and they’re both down again. Back up and it looks like Seven tries a Bitter End but Bate slips out and hits a Seven Star Lariat for a very near fall. The Spiral Tap gives Bate another near fall, followed by the Bang into another Tyler Driver 97 for the pin and the title at 20:29.

Rating: B. The first half took a long time to get going and the leg stuff didn’t go anywhere after the leglock was broken up. After that, it turned into the modern slugout with one big move after another. Much like the opener, there wasn’t a ton of drama here, but I would put that more on it being Tyler Bate vs. Trent Seven. While Seven’s heel turn was good, he just isn’t a top guy and giving Bate the title back was the best way to go and makes far more sense in this, or any spot really.

Post match Seven is devastated in the corner as Bate gets to pose with the title.

Commentary thanks everyone for being a part of this and we get a great video looking at the history of the show. There have been some absolute classics in there, especially around the United Kingdom Title.

A big group photograph wraps us up.

Overall Rating: B-. The opener and main event were both good matches and the match in between was solid enough. That being said, only the last few minutes felt like a big finale and that made it a little sad to see. NXT UK is a show that has its own history and identity and while seeing Bate win was good to see, there was only so much covered here. Then again it doesn’t seem like they knew this was the big finale, so this was as good as it could have been. Another rather nice show, as it should have been on the way out.

So that’s it for NXT UK and I’m going to miss it. I don’t think there is any hiding the fact that it was never anything more than a way to produce more weekly content, but it wound up being a fun, dependable show which is going to give you a completely watchable show almost every time. It took a long time to get there but it was possible the most consistent WWE show for the last year. I’ll miss NXT UK, but it was never destined to be anything significant, which is quite sad in its own way.

Results
Blair Davenport b. Isla Dawn, Eliza Alexander and Amale last eliminating Alexander
Saxon Huxley b. Kenny Williams – Chokebomb
Tyler Bate b. Trent Seven – Tyler Driver 97

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NXT
Date: August 30, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Vic Joseph

It’s the go home show for Worlds Collide and that means we should be in for the hard push towards the show. Since we currently have a two match card, I’m expecting quite a few matches to be added to the show this week. I’m not sure what that is going to be, but it almost has to happen. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Grayson Waller vs. Apollo Crews

Crews’ intro cuts off Waller’s pre-match speech, much to Barrett’s annoyance. Crews grabs a headlock to start as commentary talks about his random visions, which just aren’t going to be explained. Waller fights out but gets dropkicked down, allowing Crews to dribble an invisible basketball and dance a bit. The very delayed vertical suplex slam puts Waller back down but he seems to go to the eye to get a breather. A medic comes out to check on Crews and we take a break.

Back with Crews fighting out of a chinlock but his slingshot hilo is countered into a sleeper. Crews breaks out of that too and kicks him in the head but Waller gets in a shot of his own to slow him down. The rolling Stunner is almost countered into a spinebuster, only to have the second attempt connect to give Waller the pin at 11:13.

Rating: C. Waller’s push continues, even if it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. At the same time, Crews seems to be in NXT to put others over and that might be the best use for him. You could put him into a title hunt almost immediately or even bring him back t the main roster, but for now, this seems to be about it for him.

The Diamond Mine is ready to fight but Roderick Strong wants to talk about the security footage from a few weeks ago. Julius Creed doesn’t care, but here are Ivy Nile and Tatum Paxley are ready for their tag match against Katana Chance and Kayden Carter.

Bron Breakker is in the locker room when Finn Balor pops up to say he made the NXT Title the standard. He’s also beaten people twice his size so don’t underestimate Tyler Bate.

Tatum Paxley/Ivy Nile vs. Kayden Carter/Katana Chance

Non-title. Nile takes Carter down for an early two and sunset flips her for the same. Chance comes in to roll Paxley up for two more, followed by a double clothesline for a double knockdown. As they’re both down, we see that Toxic Attraction has left the Toxic Lounge. Cue Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne for a distraction, which draws Nile away. The 450/neckbreaker combination finishes Paxley at 4:16.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one, but it does say something that NXT seems to have some teams that can be thrown out there every now and then. It wasn’t exactly a great match and was there for the sake of the Toxic Attraction run-in, but at least the champs got a win. Now just find some better challengers for the champs and start making them seem better.

Post match Chance and Carter grab the mic but Doudrop and Nikki Ash interrupt. They like the idea of a party, but they also want a title shot on Sunday. Sure.

Kiana James is in her office where she is ready for Zoey Stark tonight.

The Schism is ready for some ceremony involving Cameron Grimes.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams arrive but don’t want to talk about anything but Hayes’ opponent at Worlds Collide.

Here is Schism, with Joe Gacy being proud of the Dyad’s efforts. He’s so happy that they get smiley face pins to show how great they are. They are moving up the Schism’s tree, and yes there is a graphic. The Dyad is rather pleased with what they’re doing, but for now, Joe Gacy wants to talk about Cameron Grimes. He can never be happy without the Schism so here is Grimes to answer.

Cue Grimes, who says the team has been after him for a few weeks but he has realized he doesn’t need them. Gacy talks about how Grimes keeps failing and has not titles, but Grimes still isn’t interested. That makes Gacy bring up Grimes’ dead father, and that’s enough for the fight. Grimes cleans house, but walks into Gacy’s handspring…..hug? Grimes leaves and is rather confused. I’m rather confused as to why Gacy, who might be the worst thing in wrestling, is still around.

Roxanne Perez can’t believe Cora Jade turned on her and goes nuclear by blocking Jade’s number.

Tyler Bate is in the back when Finlay comes in to say there’s a call for him. Pete Dunne is on a tablet and says go unify those titles for NXT UK. Yes Dunne, not Butch.

Lash Legend/Pretty Deadly vs. Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen/Fallon Henley

Henley goes after Legend to start but gets choked on the ropes for her efforts. Wilson comes in and gets slapped by Henley, allowing Briggs to come in for the big shoulder. It’s off to Prince, who comes off the top and lands in an atomic drop. Henley kicks Legend down and gets LAUNCHED over the top onto all three villains as we take a break.

Back with Briggs getting knocked down and pounded by Wilson, setting up some choking from the floor. The chinlock goes on but Briggs powers over and brings in Jensen to start cleaning house. Jensen and Prince knock each other down so Jensen goes for the tag, only to have Gallus come out. The women get in a fight, leaving Joe Coffey to kick Jensen into a rollup to give Prince the pin at 11:31.

Rating: C. this was all about getting Gallus out there and probably helping to set up the four way for both sets of Tag Team Titles at the pay per view. The distraction helps keep the champs looking ok and Henley vs. Legend was at least energetic. It’s still the weakest title match at the moment, but at least they seem to have a direction.

Shayna Baszler comes in to see Mandy Rose, who says she’ll be passing Baszler soon. Baszler tells her to unify the titles or nothing from the last year matters.

JD McDonagh twists the mic cube around and says people find him creepy, including Wes Lee. He doesn’t care about what people think or about things like feelings. Did you know McDonagh is weird? I don’t know if they made that clear enough.

Andre Chase vs. Charlie Dempsey

Chase U is here with Chase, as you might have guessed. They go with the grappling to start with neither being able to get very far. A test of strength results in them flipping down to the mat, with no one getting an advantage. Chase starts working on the arm to take over but Dempsey isn’t having any of that. Instead, Dempsey pulls him down into a string of holds, from a Fujiwara armbar into an STF into something like a Regal Stretch. Bodie Hayward annoys Dempsey though, causing him to let go and suplex Hayward on the floor. That’s enough of a distraction to let Chase grab a rollup pin at 5:11.

Rating: C. Not much of a match but it deserves some credit for the surprise ending. Dempsey was pushed as a killer in NXT UK but I like Chase actually getting a win. The whole Chase U act has figured out its ceiling and giving them a win like this isn’t the worst idea. There is always going to be room for someone like Dempsey and he’ll be fine, but Chase has a more unique talent and that deserves some attention.

Meiko Satomura runs into Alba Fyre (who Satomura beat to win the NXT UK Women’s Title) and they exchange respect.

Tyler Bate runs into Gunther, who tells him to bring the Bate that fought him in Cardiff to face Bron Breakker.

Kiana James vs. Zoey Stark

Stark starts fast and knocks her down, setting up a springboard corkscrew dive for two. A quick trip to the floor goes badly for James but she’s right back with an armbar inside. Stark fights up and hits a running knee for two of her own, setting up the flipping knee for the pin at 4:20.

Rating: C-. Another short match that didn’t have the time to go very far, but Stark winning gives her a nice boost back up. James is someone with charisma and a different kind of character but she hasn’t actually done much yet. She shouldn’t have started doing so here either, so this was the right way to go.

Post match Nikkita Lyons runs in to chase James off.

Blair Davenport is ready to unify the women’s titles on Sunday. Rhea Ripley pops up to say she has held both titles so do the same thing she did.

Nathan Frazer and someone else are reading WWE comic books. Frazer misses NXT UK and says the guy next to him wouldn’t know what that’s like. It’s Axiom, who agrees to face Frazer in a British rounds match under Heritage Cup rules at Worlds Collide. Then they trade comic books.

Gallus vs. Diamond Mine

Brutus has to fight out of early trouble and gutwrench suplexes Mark, allowing the tag off to Kemp for a waistlock. Everything breaks down and Diamond Mine tries stereo submissions to send us to a break. Back with Julius powering Joe up for a release slam, setting up the ankle lock. Mark trips Julius on the apron though and some shots to the back keep him in trouble.

Julius fights out of Joe’s chinlock and Wolfgang’s front facelock but still can’t make the tag. A missed charge allows the tag off to Kemp to clean house, but here is Roderick Strong with his phone. Kemp throws it on the floor for a stomping but the distraction lets Joe hit All The Best For The Bells for the pin at 11:00.

Rating: C+. Much like the other six man, this was a bunch of waiting around until we got to the important stuff with the interference. You knew there was going to be someone getting involved somehow and in this case, it was Strong messing things up for his own team. Gallus are fine as the bullies and the Creeds are growing on me, so this was at least decent until the obvious ending.

Post match Pretty Deadly runs in for the brawl but the locker room clears out, with a bunch of referees getting in on it.

Bron Breakker is in the back watching when Ciampa sits down next to him. Ciampa holds the title and talks about what he helped make it mean. It’s Breakker’s world now and he has to defend the brand.

Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams interrupt a chat about Sunday’s show because Hayes wants an opponent.

Quincy Elliott is still coming.

Worlds Collide rundown, now with Pretty Deadly, Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen, Gallus and the Creed Brothers in a unification match.

Here are Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams to demand to know who Hayes is facing at Worlds Collide. Hayes has already unified titles so this is nothing new for him. He isn’t a secondary champion and the lack of competition means he is not going to Worlds Collide. There is no one on his level or on a level beneath him. Then the lights go out and it’s…..Ricochet. Hayes: “Look he got a microphone. I don’t know if he knows how to use it though.”

Ricochet thinks Smackdown needs to be part of Worlds Collide. While he respect Hayes and all his title defenses, he can’t actually remember any of them. That’s why Ricochet is ready to give Hayes one to remember, which has Hayes ready to fight. Williams gets kicked down and Hayes springboards into a Recoil, leaving Ricochet to pose to end the show. Ricochet is a good choice as he means something around here and he probably wasn’t on a lot of radar. Just don’t let him talk that much.

Overall Rating: C+. The guest stars gave this a lot of energy and it made the show feel more important, at least for a week. They have taken Worlds Collide from a pretty one note show and turned it into something that could be quite the interesting mess. I’m more interested in where it goes now than I was coming into this week though and that means they did something right.

Results
Grayson Waller b. Apollo Crews – Rolling Stunner
Katana Chance/Kayden Carter b. Ivy Nile/Tatum Paxley – 450/neckbreaker combination to Paxley
Pretty Deadly/Lash Legend b. Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen/Fallon Henley – Rollup to Briggs
Andre Chase b. Charlie Dempsey – Rollup
Zoey Stark b. Kiana James – Flipping knee to the face
Gallus b. Diamond Mine – All The Best For The Bells to Julius

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AND

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NXT UK
Date: August 25, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

The slow march to the end continues as we are at the next to last show in NXT UK’s history. With two shows left and the semifinals/finals of the United Kingdom Title tournament to go, you know what is going to be the focal point this time. I’m going to be a bit disappointed that the rest of the stories aren’t likely to be tied up but WWE doesn’t seem to mind. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of the first round of the tournament and a video on Mark Coffey vs. Noam Dar in their rubber match for the Heritage Cup Title.

Opening sequence.

United Kingdom Title Tournament Semifinals: Trent Seven vs. Oliver Carter

They both promise to win because they want to be champion and Carter is coming in with a leg injury. Carter is tentative to start but manages a kick to the head with the good leg. Seven gets sent outside and taken down with a slingshot dive but the leg is banged up pretty badly on the landing. A dragon screw legwhip over the ropes has Carter’s knee in even more trouble and Seven is rather pleased.

The leg work is on, including a cannonball and some kicks in the corner. Carter manages to counter a shinbreaker into a sunset flip but Seven kicks the knee right back out. With one leg not working, Carter uses the other to catch him with a spinning kick to the head, setting up a one legged (nice) Lionsault for two. A jumping kick misses though and jams the knee, allowing Seven to hit a dragon suplex.

Carter manages another shot to the face though and a one legged missile dropkick drops Seven. An ax kick gets two but Seven gets smart and goes after the leg again. Some kind of a leglock (cross between a kneebar and a Figure Four) has Carter screaming but he manages to turn it into a slap off. Carter finally goes down and has to get his shoulders up, meaning Seven cranks even harder for the tap at 9:16.

Rating: B. This was as well structured of a match as I can remember seeing in a good while. They didn’t do anything out of the blue here as it was centered around the leg injury and the match ended because of it. Carter’s comeback was VERY nice to see as instead of just doing his usual stuff and then grabbing his leg, he changed up the offense and built it around the injury. It was a match that had some thought put into it and I liked it a lot more because of that work.

United Kingdom Title Tournament Semifinals: Tyler Bate vs. Joe Coffey

Not that this has been telegraphed or anything. They shake hands to start and it’s Bate working on a wristlock. Bate’s cravate is broken up and some running shoulders just annoy Coffey. Some hard shots knock Bate into the corner and the running headbutt knocks him into the corner for two. A backbreaker gets the same as Coffey starts leaning into the power game.

Coffey runs him over to cut off a comeback bid and the bearhug goes on. A giant swing sends Bate…uh, swinging and it’s a double crash to leave them both down. They slug it out for another double knockdown but Bate is up with a middle rope elbow to the jaw. The running shooting star press gets two but Coffey manages to snap off an overhead belly to belly. Another suplex gets two on Bate and the Boston Crab has his back in even more trouble.

The slow, dramatic crawl to the ropes is a bit too slow (and dramatic), allowing Coffey to pull him back into the middle. Bate eventually turns it over and kicks him in the face a few times for the break but Coffey hits the double springboard crossbody. That’s rather cool, though Bate rolling through for two lowers the impact a bit. The big slugout is on again until they both hit the ropes, with Coffey hitting All The Best For The Bells at the same time Bate this his rebound lariat, meaning it’s another double knockdown. Back up and the Tyler Driver 97 is blocked so Bate grabs a backslide for the pin and the spot in the finals at 12:00.

Rating: B. This took its time to get going but once they hit that high gear, it was one big shot after another. Bate winning wasn’t exactly a shock but Coffey can lay in the heavy shots as well as almost anyone around here. It’s kind of disappointing that Coffey never got the big singles run, as it seems like it could have gone really well. For now though, they’ll have to settle for the big heavyweight slugfest.

Post match Trent Seven comes out for the staredown and promises to show Bate he’s the better man.

Sid Scala announces a four way to crown the new #1 contender to the Women’s Title. This was also spoiled on this week’s NXT. Blair Davenport, Amale, Emilia McKenzie and Eliza Alexander all promise to win.

We hear about the announcement of NXT Europe, coming next year, and EVERYONE is excited. Or at least the tweets and announcements that they’ll show here.

We get a bit of an NXT UK montage, which I think serves as the goodbye video for the show. It does deserve one, just for sticking around far longer than it had any business doing.

Heritage Cup: Noam Dar vs. Mark Coffey

Coffey is defending in the rubber match. Round one begins with a feeling out process as neither gets very far to start. Dar takes him down by the wrist and starts cranking but Coffey reverses into a quickly broken leg crank. A headlock goes on for a bit, followed by a waistlock to keep Dar in trouble. Coffey armdrags him into an armbar as the round ends.

Round two begins with the armbar continuing but this time Dar reverses into a waistlock of his own. The chinlock is reversed into another armbar but Dar reverses the reversal into a headlock. Coffey is back up and misses the sliding forearm so Dar elbows him in the head. The sliding lariat connects for two on Coffey and Dar starts stomping on the arm as the round ends.

Round three begins with Dar missing a kick in the corner and getting clotheslined down as Coffey is starting in with the power. Dar avoids a charge in the corner but gets dropped face first, all while what sounds like two fans sing GALLUS BOYS ON TOP. A hard kick to the face gives Dar two but Coffey is too down for the Nova Roller. Instead he rolls Dar up before hitting the sliding forearm for the first fall at 1:22 of the round and 8:38 overall.

Round four begins with Dar trying to remember what planet he’s on and getting laid across the top rope. An elbow to the head staggers Dar again but he falls to the floor before Coffey can try the middle rope bulldog. Back in and the referee checks on Dar, who insists he’s ok so Coffey forearms him in the head for another long knockdown. Dar manages to pull him into the kneebar though and Coffey looks at the clock before tapping at 2:17 of the round and 11:33 overall to tie it up.

Round five begins with Coffey loading up the middle rope bulldog but having to settle for the standing version due to the leg. The Gator Lock goes on but Dar flips over into an armbar, which is broken up as well. Dar takes too long going up and gets elbowed down, only to come back with a kick to the head. Coffey rolls out of another kneebar but Dar puts it right back on. This time Coffey manages to ride out the clock as the round ends.

Round six (the final one) begins with another slugout but Dar has to break out of a guillotine. A small package gives Dar two so Coffey plants him with a half nelson slam. The sliding forearm connects, with Dar crashing out to the floor. Coffey throws him back inside but here is Sha Samuels to post Coffey, setting up the Nova Roller to give Dar the cup back at 1:46 of the round and 17:30 overall.

Rating: B. I got into this one by the end and that is because they built things up. Dar winning the cup one more time isn’t the most exciting thing but odds are this feud would have continued if the show kept going. They have chemistry together and commentary was doing a good job of making it feel like a big showdown. Good match here, with the drama near the ending making it that much better.

Dar and Samuels celebrate and a bunch of replays wrap things up.

Overall Rating: A-. This was one heck of a show as the action carried everything that they could have needed to do. Above all else, I was into all three matches and they did something different with each one. Sure all of the results were spoiled/predictable, but the matches were as good as just about anything else you’ll see in a ring this week. Excellent show as NXT UK (almost) goes out on a very high note.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: August 23, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Vic Joseph

We’re done with Heatwave and now it is on to Worlds Collide. NXT UK’s top names (and some others) have invaded and we are less than two weeks away from a bunch of showdowns between NXT and NXT UK, which does have potential. Odds are we get a lot of build towards this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of Heatwave and Tyler Bate appearing at the end of the show.

Here is Bron Breakker to get things going. He talks about his win over JD McDonagh last week and gets to the point: Tyler Bate needs to get out here right now. Bate comes to the ring and congratulates Breakker on a hard fought win last week. With that out of the way, Bate says he’s the first and last United Kingdom Champion and with NXT Europe around the corner, he can think of nothing better than to unify these titles. Breakker is down and they hold up the titles, as tends to be the case.

Video on Gallus.

Fallon Henley had to be held back from Lash Legend in the back. Why would you want to be near her?

NXT UK Tag Team Titles: Brooks Jensen/Josh Briggs vs. Gallus

Wolfgang and Mark Coffey are challenging for Gallus, with Joe Coffey and Fallon Henley as the seconds. Briggs gets taken into the corner to start the beating fast but it’s quickly off ot Jensen to pick up the pace. Jensen gets pummeled by Mark though and his mouth is busted, even as Wolfgang snapmares him over for two. The champs are in trouble as we take a break.

Back with Mark taking Jensen down and grabbing a front facelock to keep him down. That’s broken up and the hot tag brings in Briggs to clean house. Cue Lash Legend to jump Henley, with Pretty Deadly joining in. The champs go after Pretty Deadly and get counted out at 8:45.

Rating: C. That’s a surprise as I would have expected Gallous to get the win here and move on towards the title match with the Creeds. For now though, it seems that they might be setting up some kind of multi team match, which might be the more interesting way to go. Briggs and Jensen are still in over their heads, but at least they didn’t get squashed here.

Post match Diamond Mine runs in to go after Gallus and everyone has to be separated.

It’s time for Chase U, with special guest instructor Charlie Dempsey. A volunteer gets taken down and stretched with ease, before doing the same to Bodie Hayward, complete with some nose ripping. Andre Chase has to call him off because Dempsey doesn’t seem to get the point. Dempsey calls the class soft and leaves. I could go for more Dempsey around here.

Here is Grayson Waller for the debut of his Grayson Waller Effect talk show. After hyping up his Instagram, we get to the guest, with APOLLO…..Crews. We get some seat adjustment from Crews before Waller asks what happened to Crews’ accent. Crews brings the accent back, but he’s still a Nigerian warrior with or without it. He won the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania XXXVII but Waller would rather talk about Crews’ abilities to see the future (or whatever it has been in recent weeks).

Waller asks about Crews seeing Diamond Mine laid out and thinks he had something to do with it, which has Crews on his feet. We have a question from Grayson from Australia: what is going to happen when Crews gets run out of NXT? Apollo from Orlando has a question for Waller: how does it feel to be a low budget Miz? Waller brings up Crews’ kids, so Crews promises to win a title around here soon and punches him out. Crews is right about the low rent Miz, but this was some of Crews’ best talking to date as he sounded confident and like a normal person.

Pretty Deadly and Gallus have to be separated again backstage.

Video on Tyler Bate.

Mr. Stone and Von Wagner are ready to hurt Tyler Bate.

Javier Bernal vs. Cameron Grimes

Last week, Bernal annoyed a security guard, who wasn’t pleased. Schism is watching from the platform and wishes Grimes luck. Bernal claims an early poke to the eye to jump Grimes, earning himself a kick to the gut. Some more shots from Bernal are shrugged off and Grimes almost drops him on his head with a faceplant. The Cave In, plus a glare at Schism, finishes for Grimes at 2:31.

Video on Blair Davenport.

Video on Alba Fyre.

Blair Davenport vs. Indi Hartwell

Hartwell grabs an early headlock takeover and grinds away before being sent to the apron. A dropkick knocks Hartwell to the floor but she blocks a posting. Back in and a neckbreaker sets up a cobra clutch on Hartwell, before Davenport jumps on her back for a sleeper. With that broken up, Hartwell spinebusters her for two but Davenport pulls her off the top and hits something like a Snowplow for the pin at 3:46.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t exactly good as they were rather sloppy in multiple parts, especially the ending. What matters here is that Davenport got a win, even if Hartwell isn’t in the best place around NXT. Davenport seemed ready to break through in NXT UK and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the title picture here soon.

Post match Davenport says that she was #1 contender to the NXT UK Women’s Title so she’ll take the NXT Women’s Title instead. Cue Mandy Rose, who wants some respect on her name. Cue Meiko Satomura to say she’s the real champion instead of Rose. The challenge seems to be on but Davenport wants in on this. Satomura: “TRIPLE THREAT MATCH!”

Tiffany Stratton wants the winner of the triple threat match after she takes out Wendy Choo tonight.

Tony D’Angelo tells Legado del Fantasma that things are starting over tonight, even though they don’t look happy.

JD McDonagh, hanging upside down, seems ready to bounce back.

Wes Lee is creeped out by McDonagh but for now he’d rather talk to Kayden Carter and Katana Chance. They’re ready to face anyone and Lee is pleased.

Indi Hartwell is still sitting on the apron and says this is what rock bottom feels like. The problem isn’t Blair Davenport but Indi herself. She took a long look at herself but now she is right here four months later in the same position after Stand & Deliver. All she is doing is saying words….but here is Dexter Lumis.

We get the big hug, followed by a slightly less bigger hug. Dexter crawls to the floor and carries her out like he did in the old days. Wade Barrett is nearly sick as Dexter carries her to the door of the arena. Dexter hands her a letter, then walks outside and is arrested. The letter says “Goodbye Indi (for now). I (picture of a heart) love you).” That was so out there and nutty that it made me forget that it was Index.

Cora Jade insists that she is still better than Roxanne Perez.

Dyad vs. Legado del Fantasma

Everyone else you would expect is at ringside and Cameron Grimes is watching from the platform. Legado sends them outside to start but doesn’t like Tony D’Angelo. Back in and the Dyad hits something like Poetry in Motion to take over on Del Toro. An enziguri allows the hot tag back to Wilde as everything breaks down. What looked to be the Dyad’s former Ticket To Ride is broken up, only to have the second attempt connect for the pin on Wilde at 4:57.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t exactly working and that is often the case with two of the least interesting gimmicks on the NXT roster. Legado being annoyed at D’Angelo has been done to death and Schism is dull in general. Hopefully they’re kept apart, as the match wasn’t very good on top of making me grown when I saw the teams.

Javier Bernal is upset by his loss until he runs into a woman. The security guard (also known as Hank Walker from NXT LVL Up) tells him to respect women. Walker is really bad so I’m not looking forward to this.

Legado del Fantasma goes to the parking lot where Santos Escobar is waiting for them in the car. Family stays together, so they get in and leave with him.

Von Wagner vs. Tyler Bate

Mr. Stone is here with Wagner. Bate gets powered down to start and there’s the gorilla press drop to leave him laying. The chinlock goes on for a bit before Bate fights up, only to have the Tyler Driver broken up. Wagner gets sent outside for a dive from Bate though and Bate hammers away back inside. A clothesline drops Bate again but he comes back with a clothesline of his own. The rebound lariat is blocked so Bate goes with Bop and Bang. A rolling capo kick sets up a t-bone suplex and the Spinal Tap finishes Wagner at 6:08.

Rating: C. I’m not sure I get why Wagner got in so much offense on the new #1 contender as you would think Bate would be pushed stronger. Bate did win though so it isn’t some great tragedy, even if he didn’t get to do his big move. Wagner continues to be just another big guy around here and thankfully he didn’t do anything more than take a loss here.

Diamond Mine is ready for Gallus next week but Roderick Strong isn’t included as the Creeds don’t trust him. Josh Briggs and Brooks Jensen come in and a champions vs. champions match seems likely.

Wendy Choo vs. Tiffany Stratton

Lights Out meaning anything goes and Choo has to get out of bed. The lights are dimmed and the brawl is on, with Choo taking her outside for some rams into the corner. Back in and Choo hits a running shot in the corner before they go back outside for shots from….I can’t tell actually, and neither can commentary. Stratton gets in another shot to take over and we go to a break.

Back with Stratton missing a moonsault onto a chair onto Choo, who is back up with a suplex onto the chair. Choo puts on a reverse chinlock with a wrench over Stratton’s mouth but Stratton pulls hairspray from her purse to spray her way to freedom. A powerbomb onto a trashcan gives Stratton two and they both need a breather.

Back up and Choo hits her with a pillow, which is full of…..Legos. Stratton hits a fall away slam in the general vicinity of the Legos, followed by a toss to send her straight into the Legos for a better crash. Choo kicks some makeup powder into Stratton’s face though and a slam off the apron sends her through Choo’s bed. A top rope Vader Bomb gives Choo the pin at 13:02.

Rating: C+. I’m not wild on the result but they only did a few goofy things here and nothing that was too far out there. It was a bunch of different weapons and some of the spots were a bit more creative, so this could have been a heck of a lot worse. If nothing else, the feud seems to have been finally good so it’s nice to get done with this once and for all, even with Stratton losing.

Bron Breakker, Tyler Bate, Meiko Satomura, Mandy Rose and Blair Davenport all sign their contracts for Worlds Collide to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. I was only getting into this one a little bit as it was kind of an off week for the show. The NXT UK people being around doesn’t have the same impact when they’re just being moved over from a dead show but at least Worlds Collide is looking good. I’m not sure where they go after that show is set, but this could have been a better built towards the bit card. Not their best show and pretty firmly in the middle.

Results
Gallus b. Brooks Jensen/Josh Briggs via countout
Cameron Grimes b. Javier Bernal – Cave In
Blair Davenport b. Indi Hartwell – Snowplow
Dyad b. Legado del Fantasma – Ticket To Ride to Wilde
Wendy Choo b. Tiffany Stratton – Top rope Vader Bomb

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT LVL Up
Date: August 19, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Nigel McGuinness

The show continues its usual path of almost nothing sticking around from week to week but there is something interesting about having random matches with people popping up every so often. The problem is that a lot of the wrestlers on this show aren’t exactly grabbing me most of the time but maybe we can have some surprises. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Dante Chen vs. Javier Bernal

Well at least we’re getting rid of both of them at once. They shake hands to start before a wristdrag gives us an early standoff. Chen armdrags him down but Bernal hits him in the face rather than shake his hand again. Back up and Chen hits him in the face as well before getting taken down for some shots to the head. A sliding lariat gives Bernal two but Chen sends him into the corner. Chen is taken down again and Bernal rolls to the floor, where a “fan” starts taking a lot of pictures. Cue Hank Walker to pull the fan back, with the distraction letting Chen take over again inside. The double chop gives Chen the pin at 4:30.

Rating: C. Every time I give up on the idea of any angles or stories taking place on this show, they surprise me with something like Walker. Granted it would be nice to have it be ANYONE (ok maybe not anyone) other than Walker be involved but I’ll take it over the same stuff over and over. Bernal and Chen are regulars here and I can’t picture either of them going anywhere, but at least there is a little something going on.

Axiom is ready for his test against Xyon Quinn tonight, though he wishes there was a comic book test in high school. He has an equation to deal with Quinn. I had forgotten Axiom was a thing and this made me think I made the right decision.

Ivy Nile vs. Arianna Grace

Before the match, Grace talks about her unlimited potential. She dedicates the upcoming win to the fans as a thank you for their overwhelming support, but the fans don’t seem to buy it. Grace grabs some rollups to start and grinds away with a hammerlock. That’s enough to send Grace bailing to the ropes before trying a catapult into the corner.

Nile holds onto the ropes for the save and stomps down onto the sternum, only to have Grace get in a shot to the face to take over. The arm trap chinlock keeps Nile down, at least until she fights up and strikes away. A running dropkick in the corner gets two on Grace and the dragon sleeper makes her tap at 4:25.

Rating: C-. Grace still isn’t doing anything interesting so it was nice to see Nile shut her down without much trouble. Nile continues to feel like someone who should be the next big thing but she hasn’t even been around that much in recent weeks. Granted it might be the slow game, but I could go for seeing her shrug off everything Mandy Rose throws at her and choke the title reign out.

Axiom vs. Xyon Quinn

Feeling out process to start as commentary hypes up Axiom’s intelligence, which is usually a heel characteristic. Quinn gets knocked outside so Axiom hits a quick dive, only to get dropped by a heavy shot. Back in and Axiom grabs a small package for two but gets planted by a backbreaker for the same.

Axiom seems to load up a satellite DDT but is thrown down onto his mask instead. A hard clothesline gives Quinn two more and, after shrugging off Axiom’s guillotine choke, something like a rolling Death Valley Driver gets another near fall. Axiom comes back with the rapid fire strikes into a dropkick and the Golden Ratio (jumping basement superkick) finishes Quinn at 6:10.

Rating: C. Axiom seems like a great example of something that sounded good on paper but isn’t exactly working in reality. Having a superhero style character works, but a math based superhero character feels like something that you would see in a bad fourth grade class. A-Kid is a good star in his own right, but this isn’t exactly working, which is why he’s on LVL UP and not regular NXT. Quinn…my goodness that is an impressive miss, as his look alone seemed to be enough for a bodyguard spot on the main roster at worst.

Overall Rating: C. I’m not sure what it was but there was a bit more energy to this show. The action wasn’t exactly great, but having Axiom as some fresh blood, Grace talking before her match and what might be the start of a small angle in the opener made this feel like a better show than most. I have no reason to believe that it is going to continue, but at least they did a little something different for a change around here.

Results
Dante Chen b. Javier Bernal – Double chop
Ivy Nile b. Arianna Grace – Dragon sleeper
Axiom b. Xyon Quinn – Golden Ratio

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NXT UK
Date: August 18, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

Then everything changed, as WWE has confirmed that NXT UK will be going on hiatus after three more shows, with NXT Europe taking its place. Granted that isn’t much of a surprise as several NXT UK stars popped up this week on NXT, along with the whole spoiling the winner of the United Kingdom Title tournament. As for this week, more first round matches in the United Kingdom Title tournament. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

United Kingdom Title Tournament First Round: Joe Coffey vs. Mark Andrews

Coffey shoulders him down to start so Andrews tries a headlock. That works about as well, as Coffey powers him into the corner a few times, setting up a backbreaker. We hit the half nelson of all things to keep Andrews down but he’s back up with some dropkicks to the chest/leg. Andrews gets rocked by a headbutt but manages to come back with a flying forearm.

Coffey gets knocked to the apron where he winds up hanging upside down by his feet for a good visual. Back in and a high crossbody gives Andrews two but Coffey snaps off an overhead belly to belly for two. Coffey knocks him hard into the corner and it’s All The Best For The Bells to get rid of Andrews at 7:40.

Rating: C+. As has been the case for pretty much the entire history of wrestling, power vs. speed continues to work. There is almost no way to screw up such a basic formula and they did it well here. Andrews is good at playing the sympathetic face in peril and Coffey is big enough to hit people really hard. Solid opener.

Post break, Joe Coffey sings about his win and promises to take the title back to Gallus.

Amale vs. Nina Samuels

The fans seem to be behind Nina as Amale rolls her up for an early two. A dropkick into the corner keeps Samuels in trouble but she’s right back with a cheap shot as the referee separates them. We hit the chinlock with a knee in Amale’s back, followed by a backbreaker for two. Nina doesn’t seem to be a fan of Amale’s face as she fishhooks the jaws, only to miss a charge into the ropes. Amale slugs away and the comeback is on, with Amale hitting some clotheslines. The fans get behind Amale for a change as she hits a running boot in the corner. The Hopebreaker finishes for Amale at 6:31.

Rating: C. Amale continues to kind of meander but Samuels is the one who is there to put over just about anyone else. The fans continue to get behind Amale but if she isn’t going to get close to the title, there isn’t much for her to do. She has the charisma to make it work, but she feels like she has been on a treadmill for months now.

Oliver Carter leaves the trainer’s room and runs into Trent Seven, who thinks Carter should just forfeit their semifinal match. That won’t happen, so Seven promises to break Carter’s leg.

Ilja Dragunov loves the tournament but promises to come for the winner.

Chase U vs. Eddie Dennis/Saxon Huxley

Thea Hail is here with Chase U. Chase and Dennis trade wristlocks to start with Chase getting the better of things. Dennis gets knocked down to set up the spelling stomps and it’s off to Hayward. Some quick wrist cranking means it’s already time to go back to Chase, with Hayward barely being legal for fifteen seconds. Huxley comes in as well and accidentally ax handles Dennis’ arm, earning Huxley a shove into a rollup.

That doesn’t mean much as he runs Chase over and drops an elbow for two. Chase is sent into the corner for a clothesline from behind, only to get in a knockdown of his own. The double tag brings in Hayward and Dennis with the former taking over. Hold on though as Huxley comes back in, which doesn’t sit well with Dennis. That means it’s already back to Dennis, who gets backdropped for talking too long. The Fratliner finishes Dennis at 6:43.

Rating: C. One day, Chase U is going to go for some titles and the fans are going to be behind them so hard that it is going to be a sight to behold. The team works so well and they have put something together that is working far better than it should have. Hopefully they get the chance to move up a bit, because it could be a lot of fun.

Post match Dennis yells at Huxley, who chokebombs him and poses with Chase U.

Video on Mark Coffey vs. Noam Dar for the Heritage Cup Part II. They do a nice job of making a midcard title match including Noam Dar feel like a major deal.

United Kingdom Title Tournament First Round: Kenny Williams vs. Tyler Bate

Bate takes him down by the arm to start and then spins around a bit, setting up a quick rollup for two. The threat of Bop and Bang has Williams backing up before he goes with a test of strength. Williams actually takes him down but can’t break Bate’s rather awesome bridge. They head outside with Bate grabbing the airplane spin, only to miss a charge into the post.

Back in and Williams hits some headbutts to the ribs (that’s a weird way to go) but punches the mat in a failed attempt to block a sunset flip. A snap suplex gives Williams two and leaves him frustrated at the count. Some shots to the head set up a neck crank (with Williams almost sitting on his neck at the same time), only to get reversed into an electric chair.

Bate suplexes him out of the corner and nips up, setting up the running shooting star press for two. Back up and bate can’t get the airplane spin, but manages on the second attempt before spinning Williams right back the other way (that’s still clever). Bate is too dizzy to follow up though so Williams is able to get back up and kick him in the knee.

Bop and Bang is broken up again but Bate knocks him outside for the big dive. The fans are WAY behind Bate as he muscles Williams up into a bridging German suplex for two. The Tyler Driver 97 is countered but so is Bad Luck, leaving Williams to roll him up for two, even with feet on the ropes. Williams goes up but dives into an overhead German suplex. The Rebound lariat sets up the Tyler Driver 97 for the pin at 13:20.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of thing that makes Bate shine as he survived against Williams, who was just the right level of threat to give Bate a run for his money. Good main event here, as I think you can see the finals coming from here for Bate, though the match with Coffey should be good. Williams is a fine heel, but he was in over his head here.

Overall Rating: C+. It’s such a weird way to go with this show in its final weeks, as there is no reason to get invested in a lot of this stuff. Even if you knew the show was ending and the tournament was all you had left, there isn’t even any drama about who is winning the title. I still don’t get why WWE is going this way, but at least it is only going to last for a few more weeks before we get to the big finale. For now though, another pretty good show, which is right in NXT’s ballpark.

Results
Joe Coffey b. Mark Andrews – All The Best For The Bells
Amale b. Nina Samuels – Hopebreaker
Chase U b. Eddie Dennis/Saxon Huxley – Fratliner to Dennis
Tyler Bate b. Kenny Williams – Tyler Driver 97

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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NXT
Date: August 16, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Vic Joseph

It’s time for another special as NXT presents Heatwave. There are a few title matches here, including Zoey Star challenging for the NXT Women’s Title and Bron Breakker defending the NXT Title against JD McDonagh. Other than that we have a heck of a grudge match as Roxanne Perez faces Cora Jade. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Paul Heyman narrates the voiceover, hyping up the big matches in an old ECW style voice. He’s still got it.

North American Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. Giovanni Vinci

Hayes, with Trick Williams, is defending and the fans seem to be behind him. An armdrag takes Vinci down and a chop rocks him in the corner. Back up and Vinci hits some rather loud chops before they hit stereo clotheslines for a double knockdown. We take a break and come back with Vinci pulling Hayes out of the air and hitting a slam, setting up a middle rope moonsault for two.

Hayes is right back with the Fade Away for a breather and a suplex into a cutter gives him two of his own. Vinci backdrops him to the floor and hits a heck of a springboard dive, followed by a double jump moonsault for two back inside, with Williams having to put a foot on the ropes. One heck of a clothesline connects but Vinci has to powerbomb Hayes onto an interfering Williams. The distraction lets Vinci powerbomb Williams but Hayes reverses into a hurricanrana to retain at 11:50.

Rating: B-. Pretty nice opener here as Hayes gets another win under his belt and looks smooth doing it. They’re creating a situation where a win over him is going to be a big deal and that is the point of something like this. Williams is good as the trash talking lackey and they compliment each other well. Vinci has the tools, but still needs to actually beat someone to get to the next level.

Toxic Attraction arrived earlier and ran into Bron Breakker, who seemed to catch their eyes.

Julius Creed watched the Diamond Mine’s eight man tag and there is something that has caught his eye.

Mr. Stone brags about Von Wagner, who promises to end anyone smaller or weaker.

Here is the Diamond Mine for a chat. Julius Creed talks about how much they have done to get this far and become the Tag Team Champions. There is someone trying to take Diamond Mine down though and that is…..RODERICK STRONG! That is immediately denied, with Strong saying that he would put the Creeds up against the Usos, with Julius saying the Usos can bring it. Brutus Creed asks if Julius is sure and then standing behind him.

We see a clip of Strong accidentally kneeing Julius, but Julius points out Tony D’Angelo tapping the mat, which he thinks was a signal to Strong. Again Strong denies everything….and here is Gallus (from NXT UK) to jump the rest of the Diamond Mine. Gallus looks at Strong and then beats them down too. Green lights come on with Gallus posing. Of note: that green light with the Diamond Mine down was what Apollo Crews saw in his vision last week. That’s certainly a way to go, and I like that Gallus didn’t bother siding with Strong in a swerve.

Roxanne Perez is ready to take out Cora Jade for good.

Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade

Perez starts fast and the beating is on. Jade gets knocked outside for a suicide dive but a second attempt is knocked away. Instead Jade hits a suplex on the floor and we take a break. Back with Perez fighting out of a double arm crank and hitting some running forearms.

They hit stereo running boots in the corner, setting up a Russian legsweep for two on Jade. A shot to the face drops Perez though and Jade grabs the stick, which is quickly taken away by Jade. Perez thinks about it too long though and a DDT onto the kendo stick finishes for Jade at 11:44.

Rating: C+. That was a bit of a weird ending as a DDT onto a stick doesn’t seem like the biggest knockout move, but at least they had a good enough fight. Jade is being primed to be something bigger around here and while she’s a step above Perez at this point, Perez is more than talented enough to be right there with her. This feud is likely far from over and that’s a good thing.

Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen get into a fight with Gallus and have to be separated.

Long recap of Tony D’Angelo vs. Santos Escobar, setting up one more fight for Legado del Fantasma’s future.

Bron Breakker is warming up when Apollo Crews comes in, looks at the NXT Title, and leaves.

Santos Escobar vs. Tony D’Angelo

Street fight. If Escobar wins, the rest of Legado is free, but if D’Angelo wins, Santos is gone for good. Legado walks in from the street and Escobar is wearing his mask. Before the bell, Escobar chairs D’Angelo down and scores with a hurricanrana through the chair for two. The chair is wedged into the corner and Escobar knocks him down again as Stacks takes out the rest of Legado on the floor.

The suicide dive is cut off with a trashcan lid to Escobar’s head though and we take a break. Back with D’Angelo crushing Escobar’s arm with the steps and then suplexing him on a pile of chairs on the floor. A Falcon Arrow and a trashcan lid shot to the head gets two on Escobar but he’s right back with a headscissors.

Legado drops Stacks on the floor and Escobar grabs a rollup for two on D’Angelo. Escobar tells Elektra Lopez to hand her a crowbar but D’Angelo runs her over and doesn’t think much of it. They get back in and look at each other before going after something. Escobar gets D’Angelo’s whistle but D’Angelo gets the crowbar and knocks Escobar silly for the pin at 12:41.

Rating: C+. Another not so great ending aside, this is the result that makes the most sense. This feud has gone on for what feels like the better part of ever and it is nice to see them FINALLY wrap things up. In theory this sends Escobar up to the main roster, where he should have been for a long time now. Either way, what matters is that the feud is over and they can both move on to ANYTHING else.

Indi Hartwell congratulates Kayden Carter and Katana Chance on their win but misses the good old days. A woman comes up and gives Hartwell a letter…..from Dexter Lumis. She’s rather happy, but NXT UK’s Blair Davenport comes up and takes it away. Davenport says she’s going to be NXT Women’s Champion. That’s a nice debut.

Video on Tiffany Stratton vs. Wendy Choo, which will take place again next week in a lights out match.

Women’s Title: Zoey Stark vs. Mandy Rose

Stark is challenging and the rest of Toxic Attraction is here too. Rose gets knocked outside to start but manages to send Stark’s bad knee into the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with Toxic Attraction getting caught tripping Stark and ejected. Cue Nikkita Lyons to take them out but Rose grabs a half crab. That’s broken up and Stark strikes away, including a clothesline.

An enziguri gives Stark two and the flipping knee to the face connects, with Stark not being able to follow up. Instead Rose crawls to the floor and ties the bad knee up in the ropes. Back in and Stark grabs a rollup for two but Rose hits her running knee….for two more. With nothing else working, Rose puts Stark’s knee brace on and hits another running knee to retain at 11:40.

Rating: C. I’m not sure I get this one as Rose is running out of challengers to beat. They seemed to be building up to the Stark win here and then Rose just beats her again. That’s certainly one way to go, but I’m starting to wonder who takes the title from Rose. This seemed to be the most logical way to go and yet here we are with the reign continuing.

Quincy Elliott, the Super Diva, is coming and doesn’t mind being different.

Grayson Waller doesn’t like Apollo Crews but invites him on the debut of his talk show next week.

NXT Title: JD McDonagh vs. Bron Breakker

Breakker is defending and uses a sledgehammer to break a table that says JD. Must not be a Scrubs fan. McDonagh spins out of a wristlock to start and forearms him in the face, only to get gator rolled into a delayed vertical suplex. The spear misses though and McDonagh gets in a shot of his own as we take a break.

Back with McDonagh hitting a neckbreaker over the turnbuckle to send Breakker crashing out to the floor. Breakker fights up again but misses another pear and goes shoulder first into the post. Something like a Crossface goes on but Breakker is right next to the rope. Breakker’s arm is fine enough to hit a Frankensteiner for two but McDonagh is back with a Spanish Fly.

A brainbuster connects for two and now it’s McDonagh getting frustrated. Breakker is back with the spear but McDonagh rolls outside. Another spear connects and Breakker takes the straps down but McDonagh pops up and smiles. A third spear into the gorilla press powerslam retains the title at 13:11.

Rating: B-. This was pretty much Breakker 101: he gets hurt, fights through it, and then wins with raw power in the end. That’s not the worst way to go, but at the end of the day it is something they’ve done more than once now. Breakker is still a project, but this feud didn’t do him many favors. He needs something to make him feel like a big deal again and this wasn’t it.

Post match Tyler Bate (with the United Kingdom Title, which is CURRENTLY VACANT ON NXT UK TV and being decided in a tournament WHICH INCLUDES BATE) comes out for the staredown. There’s your upgraded feud.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the show for the most part, but at the end of the day, nothing really happened during the matches. It was one of those shows where they hyped up a bunch of matches and all of the champions retained, but then they made up for it with everything else. This show more or less said that NXT UK is done after they run out their current shows and honestly, that might be better for everyone. NXT needs the boost and it was certainly an eventful show, so well done on that front.

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NXT LVL Up
Date: August 12, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Sudu Shah, Nigel McGuinness

We’re back for another show and while I didn’t like the main event of last week’s show, I do like the fact that we might be seeing some curve balls here and there. That can make all the difference in the world, especially on a show where very little of note ever takes place. Let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Ikemen Jiro vs. Myles Borne

Borne drives him into the corner to start but Jiro keeps nipping up. A side slam drops Borne for a change but gets dropkicked out of the air for a quick two. Back up and an overhead belly to belly gives Borne two, followed by some rolled suplex for the same. Borne talks too much trash though and gets caught with a spinwheel kick as the comeback is on. A dragon screw legwhip takes Borne down again and some jacket punches make it worse. The Ikemen Slash finishes for Jiro at 5:10.

Rating: C. Jiro might not be the most serious guy in the world but he is able to have a smooth match against just about anyone. That was the case here, as Borne was able to power Jiro around a bit before coming up short in the end. I don’t see either of them going anywhere, but at least they had a fine enough match.

Sol Ruca knows she is in for a test against Elektra Lopez but she’s ready to turn Lopez’s world upside down.

Sol Ruca vs. Elektra Lopez

Ruca rolls her way out of a wristlock to start but Lopez takes it to the mat with a headlock takeover. Ruca gets creative by walking on her hands to escape but a clothesline cuts her right back down. A neck crank keeps Ruca in trouble until she powers out and hits a running shoulder. Lopez walks into a dropkick but gets her knees up to block a standing moonsault. The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Lopez the pin at 3:53.

Rating: C-. Ruca is one of those people who hasn’t had the chance to showcase herself very much but there is some potential there. At the same time, Lopez continues to feel like someone who should be a star but has never really gotten close. I’m not sure how that is going to improve, but the tools are there. Getting away from Legado/D’Angelo could help a bit though.

Chase U vs. Bronco Nima/Lucien Price

Nima takes Chase into the corner to start but Chase is right back on the arm. Hayward comes in to stay on the arm as we hear about Hayward’s family getting full rides to Chase U. Nima gets in a shot of his own though and the tag brings in Price for even more power. Hayward’s running knee is cut off and there’s a double elbow to drop him again. The chinlock goes on until Hayward suplexes his way to freedom, allowing the tag back to Chase. A high crossbody sets up the spelling stomps and the Fratliner finishes Nima at 6:17.

Rating: C+. I’m running out of ways to say how much fun Chase U is at anything they’re doing. The team is just a blast to watch and their energy is so strong every time they’re out there. Nima and Price didn’t get to showcase themselves very well here, but I’m sure they’ll be around again given their looks and athleticism.

Overall Rating: C. Not exactly a great show, but what matters here is that they kept the show moving and nothing was too bad. The weakest match was in the middle and it didn’t even break four minutes. At the same time you have Jiro and Chase U so they were having a good time here and it showed well enough.

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NXT UK
Date: August 11, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studio, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

We’re in a new world around here as the United Kingdom Title is vacant and that means it is time for a tournament to crown a new one. Other than that, we have the usual issues to deal with, likely meaning an NXT guest star and some stuff in the pretty decent women’s division. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

We recap Ilja Dragunov getting injured and the need for a title tournament.

United Kingdom Title Tournament First Round: Oliver Carter vs. Charlie Dempsey

The rest of Die Familie is here with Dempsey and Carter is coming in with a banged up knee. Both of them get inset promos promising to win. Carter isn’t having any of this Die Familie posing before the bell and jumps Dempsey to start fast. A clothesline puts Dempsey on the floor and there’s the slingshot dive, with the knee holding up well enough. Back in and Dempsey sends him hard into the corner so the leg hits the ropes.

Dempsey takes him down by the leg for some rather painful looking cranking. Carter fights up and tries a springboard, only to hurt his leg again. Of course Dempsey is fine with going after an injured limb, setting up a northern lights suplex for two. Carter kicks out of a kneebar attempt so Dempsey ties up the leg again and fires off some forearms to the chest.

A leg trap dragon suplex gets two on Carter but that’s escaped as well. Some forearms stagger Dempsey to start Carter’s comeback but his knee gives out again. A Rock Bottom gives Carter two so he tries the superkick, only to have his knee fail one more time. Another dragon screw legwhip sets up a half crab….which Carter reverses into a cradle for the pin at 9:11.

Rating: C+. Carter has come a long way and it is nice to see him getting a chance like this. He has no chance of winning the title but he got a win here and gets to keep going for one more match. It’s also weird seeing Dempsey get pinned, but he is the kind of guy who is going to be able to have a spot for as long as he wants as there is always room for a technical star.

After last week’s #1 contenders main event ended in a mess, Blair Davenport, Eliza Alexander, Amale and Isla Dawn had to be separated.

Tyler Bate is ready to be United Kingdom Champion again.

Eliza Alexander vs. Thea Hail

Alexander fires off forearms to start but gets flipped into the corner for her efforts. Back up and Hail hits a quick dropkick but gets sent hard into the corner. There’s a hair toss to start working on the hair and a camel clutch to work on Hail’s…..camels? Hail powers up and hits an enziguri but a standing moonsault hits raised knees. Alexander hits a running kick to the face for the pin at 4:14.

Rating: C-. Hail has a lot of energy and her charisma in the Chase U segments are great, but the matches aren’t quite clicking yet. It’s also a little weird to see her lose here when she’s treated as something of a project, especially to Xia Brookside’s enforcer. Not much of a match, with something of an odd result.

Amale is immediately interrupted by Nina Samuels, who calls Amale no hope to the French whatsoever. Amale rants in French before switching to English to say she’ll go through anyone to become champion, including Samuels.

Andre Chase finishes explaining why we don’t have a U in the word “color” but Eddie Dennis comes in to besmirch this university. Chase: “WHO THE F*** DO YOU THINK YOU ARE???” This is a TEACHABLE MOMENT and somehow Dennis gets a match with….Saxton Huxley? Dennis vs. Chase is as obvious of a path as you can get around here.

Teoman vs. Sam Gradwell

Rohan Raja is here with Teoman. Gradwell grinds away on a headlock to start but Teoman is back with a slap to the face. This goes as well as expected as Gradwell punches him in the face a few times, followed by a clothesline out to the floor. A Raja distraction lets Teoman sweep the leg on the apron though and we hit the chinlock back inside.

Gradwell powers up and tosses him away, with Teoman coming up holding his ankle. Even Gradwell doesn’t buy this but Raja grabs him from behind for a neck snap across the top. Teoman’s sliding forearm gets two so Gradwell fights up and slugs away. Raja gets caught pulling Gradwell off the ropes though and that’s an ejection. The distraction lets Gradwell hit a Samoan driver for the pin at 5:45.

Rating: C. Commentary was putting over how far Gradwell has come and that is absolutely right. He has gone from little more than another person without much of a personality to being the one who stands up to evildoers. That is the kind of spot that could serve him well as he is intense enough to make it work, which is exactly what he is doing.

Mark Coffey is in Sid Scala’s office when Noam Dar comes in, saying they need to talk. Dar wants a rematch and that’s fine with Coffey, who tells Scala to make a rubber match. Scala will get on that.

United Kingdom Title Tournament First Round: Wolfgang vs. Trent Seven

They take their time to start until Wolfgang shoulders him down. An armdrag into an armbar has Seven in more trouble, followed by some shoulders driven into his shoulders. Wolfgang runs him over again and they head outside with Seven being whipped into the barricade. Seven cuts off a dive from the barricade though and the beating is on back inside.

We hit the chinlock with a knee in Wolfgang’s back until he powers up, only to have his ribs give out. The ribs are fine enough for a release German suplex, setting up a basement shoulder for a double breather. A suplex into a cutter gives Wolfgang two and a fireman’s carry gutbuster gets the same. Wolfgang knocks him off the top but the Howling only hits raised knees. The Birminghammer finishes for Seven at 8:56.

Rating: C+. Nice stuff here, as Seven gets a win to continue his run. He isn’t likely to win the title either but he is in a better spot than Wolfgang, who just lost his title shot. The match was good enough too, with Wolfgang getting to dominate until Seven caught him in the end.

Overall Rating: C+. The good thing about having a tournament is that you can have a good idea of how long it is going to run. Odds are this one is going to last for probably a month, which should give us some nice action and drama. Other than that, we had the usual nice show with a bit of everything mixed in. In other words, it was your run of the mill NXT UK.

Results
Oliver Carter b. Charlie Dempsey – Rollup
Eliza Alexander b. Thea Hail – Running kick to the face
Sam Gradwell b. Teoman – Samoan driver
Trent Seven b. Wolfgang – Birminghammer

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NXT
Date: August 9, 2022
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Wade Barrett

We’re a week away from Heatwave and that means we need to get in the final push towards the show. In this case that means a few grudge matches, plus One Final Accord between Santos Escobar and Tony D’Angelo. Other than that, we have a bit of a twist with a rounds match between Wes Lee and Trick Williams. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Kayden Carter/Katana Chance winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles last week.

We get some rapid fire interviews from people wrestling tonight, including Trick Williams, Wes Lee, Cora Jade, Zoey Stark and Tony D’Angelo.

Nikkita Lyons vs. Kiana James

Before the bell, we get a quick promo from Lyons and Zoey Stark, who are ready to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. James fights out of an early suplex attempt and cranks on the arm. That’s switched to the knee, which is crushed in the corner before James takes her to the floor for a whip into the steps. Lyons fights back up with a German suplex and most of a nip up but James gets to the ropes. Back up and Lyons kicks her in the face, setting up the splits splash for the pin at 4:02.

Rating: C-. Nothing much to see here as Lyons gets a win to keep her on TV in a quick feud. James has a unique enough character but she still needs a win or two to make her seem important. That might be a little bit in the future, but at least she is getting in the ring on TV a bit more.

James jumps Lyons post match, because this feud is continuing for whatever reason.

Roderick Strong doesn’t like Apollo Crews watching film with the rest of Diamond Mine. A match seems to be made for tonight.

Lash Legend cuts off Malik Blade and talks about how amazing she was last week. This goes on so long that we just cut back to the arena.

Wes Lee vs. Trick Williams

Carmelo Hayes is here with Williams. This is a Rounds Match, meaning there are three six minute rounds with the first to two falls winning. You win by pinfall, submission or countout but a knockout or DQ instantly ends the match (it’s Heritage Cup rules if you watch NXT UK). They’re also both in boxing gloves, even though this isn’t a boxing match.

Round one begins with a lot of circling and then flailing but Williams hits a good shot. Lee slugs away in the corner and the round ends with Williams going down. They take the gloves off to start the second round and Lee grabs some armdrags. A slingshot dive to the floor connects for Lee but Hayes offers a distraction, allowing Williams to drop Lee for the first fall at 57 seconds of the round and 4:12 overall.

Round three begins during the break and we come back with the start of round four, with Williams still up 1-0 and wearing a boxing glove on his left hand. Lee grabs a rollup for the second fall to tie it up at 1:14 of the round and 9:32 overall, even with Williams’ feet on the ropes during the pin.

Williams blasts him with a left hand in between rounds and gets two at the start of the fifth round. Another shot to the face gives Williams two, followed by a suplex for the same. Lee fights back with some knees and a bulldog but stops to grab a boxing glove and knock Williams silly for the pin at 2:54 of the round and 12:44 overall.

Rating: C-. I usually like the rounds/Heritage Cup stuff but this was too wacky with the boxing being added. Just wrestle the gimmick match as is without adding in something else, as that’s too much for a match that fans aren’t likely to be used to in the first place. Lee winning was a bit of a surprise, though he could use the boost.

We go to Chase U where Andre Chase is talking to a woman we can’t see. Thea Hail comes and finds out that she has hurt Arianna Grace’s face. She and Bodie Hayward were doing something on the university’s campus and a ball hit Grace in the eye. Grace wants revenge so Chase makes a match for later. Actually she was thinking more along the lines of a lawsuit, which sends Chase into a rant about how this university solves things in the ring. Hail is excited for her first match and falls over something on the way out.

Carmelo Hayes is still in the ring to complain about Nathan Frazer interrupting the open challenge last week. Giovanni Vinci interrupts and says he’ll take that title shot right now. They’ll do it at Heatwave instead but the fight starts now, with neither being able to hit anything until referees break it up.

Video on Bron Breakker vs. JD McDonagh, with McDonagh playing more mind games and promising to wreck Breakker’s arm. Breakker is ready to hurt him but McDonagh says to never bet against an ace.

Lash Legend is still telling Blade about her match last week, with Edris Enofe now there too.

Thea Hail vs. Arianna Grace

The rest of Chase U is here with Hail. Grace takes her down and starts unloading with forearms but only hits Hail’s raised hands. Hail fights out of a chinlock and hits some elbows to the face, setting up a standing moonsault for two. Grace backs off while favoring her eye, only to sucker punch Hail. Wasteland (Barrett approves) finishes Hail at 3:50.

Rating: C-. Maybe it’s me not being a fan of the gimmick but I’m not getting into Grace whatsoever. The beauty queen thing isn’t clicking and feels like something that has been done better before. Hail losing is a bit depressing as well as she has done so well with the Chase U stuff. Not exactly a great match either, but Hail’s energy helped it a lot.

Apollo Crews is on his way to the ring and we seem to look into his mind’s eye, where a green video shows Diamond Mine down in a ring.

We look at Solo Sikoa beating Von Wagner in last week’s falls count anywhere match.

Sikoa has a PCL injury and he’s out 4-6 weeks. Cameron Grimes comes up to say congratulations. Sikoa says he’s coming for the North American Title next week but Grimes doesn’t seem to like being compared to him.

Apollo Crews vs. Roderick Strong

No Diamond Mine with Strong. They go with the grappling to start with Crews wrestling him down before crews drives him into the corner. Back up and Strong grabs his first backbreaker before dropping him onto his back again. Crews knocks him back and goes up, only to give into a dropkick to cut him down in a hurry.

Back with Strong working on a reverse chinlock before kneeing away at the ribs. A missed charge in the corner lets Crews make the clothesline comeback. The middle rope Blockbuster and a wheelbarrow suplex give Crews two but Strong suplexes him onto the apron. Another backbreaker is shrugged off and Crews muscles him into a fireman’s carry gutbuster. The spinebuster finishes for Crews at 15:23.

Rating: B-. Commentary was calling this a match of the year candidate for NXT and while that might be a bit much, it was certainly good. Crews is someone who can go move for move with just about anyone and Strong isn’t going to have a bad match most of the time. The problem is that everything else Strong does is about as uninteresting as you can get around here and it was hard to bring myself to get into anything he was doing.

Lash Legend is still talking until Malik Blade finally cuts her off to say she lost. Legend is offended by the interruption but Pretty Deadly comes in to defend her honor. A match is made.

Sanga is trying to give Yulisa Leon and Valentina Feroz advice but Katana Chance and Kayden Carter come in to offer them a title match. Feroz and Leon aren’t sure about this but Sanga offers to help them find inner peace.

The Diamond Mine are doing another film story on Apollo Crews’ suggestion. They see something that they don’t like but Roderick Strong comes in to yell at them for not being out there. Julius Creed yells about someone getting involved in the big tag match last week and is going to deal with it next week. Strong doesn’t want to hear about that and breaks Damon Kemp’s laptop.

We have one final accord between Santos Escobar and Tony D’Angelo. The meet outside the building and….sit down at a table to talk. They have the same argument they have had over and over about which family is better and how neither of them have accomplished anything. Escobar offers one final match between the two of them: if D’Angelo wins, Escobar is gone, but D’Angelo gets to keep the rest of Legado del Fantasma. If Escobar wins though, Legado is free. The match is on, and it’s a street fight. This was a long segment that could have been set up in a much faster segment.

Tiffany Stratton goes into her locker room where Wendy Choo (dang it) is waiting. Choo has night vision goggles on and turns the lights out, allowing her to beat up Stratton. Choo says this isn’t over, making me wonder WHY THE HECK IS THIS NOT OVER. There is NO reason for this to keep going, and stop acting like Choo is the heroine in any of this with her one “prank” and sneak attack after another.

Malik Blade/Edris Enofe vs. Pretty Deadly

Prince gets caught in the wrong corner for some early double teaming to start but a toss into an elbow cuts Blade down. Pretty Deadly goes to pose on the floor but here are Josh Briggs, Brooks Jensen and Fallon Henley to chase them back inside. The hot tag brings in Enofe to clean house as everything breaks down. A quick Spilled Milk finishes for Prince at 4:32.

Rating: C. Pretty Deadly winning is fine enough, though it would be nice to have Blade and Enofe win a match every now and then. The good thing is that they are continuously on TV and not getting squashed, so they are being at least somewhat protected. I could go for another of these on a bigger stage, or at least without the interference in the middle.

Cameron Grimes doesn’t like being mocked for being knocked down during last week’s main event. The Schism comes up to offer their condolences and Grimes might be a bit more interested.

Nikkita Lyons gives Zoey Stark a pep talk before her match.

Video on Toxic Attraction, with Jacy Jayne liking rock music and Gigi Dolin playing by her own rules.

Apollo Crews is happy with his win but Grayson Waller comes in to ask why Crews is here. A match seems likely.

Zoey Stark vs. Cora Jade

Mandy Rose is on commentary. Stark armdrags her down to start and fires off some knees to the ribs. Jade gets in a few shots of her own, including a knee to the face for a needed breather. We take a break and come back with Jade cranking on the neck but missing a shot with her stick. Stark grabs a German suplex to get out of trouble before they slug it out.

Jade tries to jump over her in the corner but gets superkicked down for two, with Rose wanting Jade to make a comeback. A hammerlock DDT gives Jade two and something like Sliced Bread connects for the same. Jade goes for the stick but Roxanne Perez pops up to take it away. Stark hits another superkick and flips Jade into a knee to the face for the pin at 11:04.

Rating: C+. I liked that finisher from Stark and Jade is already finding her rhythm as a heel. The good thing is that they are continuing to figure out what they are doing with this women’s division and it feels like there are multiple directions they could go on any given week. That’s more than most women’s divisions can say so well done.

Post match Perez chases Jade off and Rose gets laid out by Stark’s flipping knee (with Rose going DOWN on contact) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This one wasn’t working for me so well as a lot of the first half was pretty lame. Things got better later on in the show but I’m only kind of interested in what they have on tap for Heatwave. NXT tends to do well with the big shows though so there is a good chance they make it work. Not a great show this week, but next week is the one that matters.

Results
Nikkita Lyons b. Kiana James – Splits splash
Wes Lee b. Trick Williams 2-1
Arianna Grace b. Thea Hail – Wasteland
Apollo Crews b. Roderick Strong – Spinebuster
Pretty Deadly b. Malik Blade/Edris Enofe – Spilled Milk to Enofe
Zoey Stark b. Cora Jade – Flipping knee to the face

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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