NXT UK
Date: June 10, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s a title night as Meiko Satomura is challenging Kay Lee Ray for the Women’s Title. The two of them had quite the showdown back in March and it could be great to see what they could do again with the stakes at a high level again. Other than that, Walter is back and that means we could be in for an important appearance. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Walter for the first time in about two months to get things going. Walter talks about his title defenses in two days on two continents. Now he is the longest reigning champion of the modern era but his mission has never changed. His goal is to make this title prestigious and keep the ring sacred. And that’s it.

Subculture is ready for Jinny and Joseph Conners next week.

Jordan Devlin vs. Saxton Huxley

The bigger Huxley powers him into the corner to start and hits a knee to Devlin’s ribs. A headlock grinds Devlin down but he low bridges a charging Huxley outside. That doesn’t seem to bother Huxley, who drops Devlin throat first across the barricade. Commentary is stunned by the dominance as Huxley pulls him shoulder first into the post. Back in and a Thesz press drops Devlin again so it’s a rake to the eyes to cut Huxley off. Some kicks to the ribs keep Huxley down but he is right back up with a sitout chokebomb for two. Huxley puts him in a fireman’s carry but Devlin slips out and the Devlin Side finishes Huxley at 6:24.

Rating: C. This was a nice showcase for Huxley and there is no shame in coming up short against Devlin. I’m still convinced that Devlin could be the next challenger to Walter, if nothing else for the sake of mixing up the challengers. Devlin has been treated as being on a pretty high level, though Walter is on a level all of his own. Anyway, nice opener here.

Gallus is annoying Sid Scala when Sam Gradwell pops in. Then he pops out, leaving Gallus to be told they might get a match they want, possibly vs. Gradwell.

Symbiosis vs. Andy Wild/Dan Moloney

Eddie Dennis is here with Symbiosis (T-Bone/Primate) and Pretty Deadly is on commentary. Primate hammers on Moloney to start and cranks on the head. It’s off to Wild, who scares Primate into the corner for the tag to T-Bone. A snapmare into an elbow gets two on T-Bone, who is right back with a fall away slam. T-Bone holds up Moloney for a top rope ax handle to the back and a pair of stomps get two. Moloney finally gets in a few shots of his own and brings in Wild to clean house. That just earns him a belly to back suplex though and a spear drops Wild again. A powerslam into a top rope headbutt finishes Moloney at 6:10.

Rating: C-. Not quite a squash here but there wasn’t much drama about the result. Symbiosis are a good pair of brawlers and they looked good running over two game opponents. I’m not sure I can see the two of them getting the next title shot against Pretty Deadly, but I’ve heard worse ideas.

Teoman doesn’t like Oliver Carter getting in his way and wonders if Ashton Smith would even help him.

Next week: Sam Gradwell vs. Wolfgang and Joseph Conners/Jinny vs. Subculture.

Women’s Title: Meiko Satomura vs. Kay Lee Ray

Ray is defending and we get the Big Match Intros. Satomura kicks at the leg to start and forearms away in the corner. Ray can’t hit an early Gory Bomb attempt and bails to the floor from a fireman’s carry attempt. Back in and Ray hits a superkick for two and the chinlock goes on. With that broken up, Ray chops her against the rope for two and a clothesline sets up the trash talking.

A gordbuster sets up the Koji Clutch but Satomura reverses into an STF. Ray makes the rope and scores with an elbow, followed by some neck cranking. Satomura has to slip out of the Gory Bomb and it’s a DDT to plant the champ again. Back up and Ray nails a Death Valley Driver, only to walk into the Gory Bomb to put them both down. They trade kicks to the face, with Satomura smiling before hammering away again.

Ray is back with a tornado DDT for two but Satomura pops back up. Two superkicks make her pop up again so there’s a third, which just fires Satomura up enough for a Death Valley Driver. Another superkick from Ray sets up the Gory Bomb which sets up a Swanton for a rather near fall. Ray teases walking out but walks into a Death Valley Driver on the floor.

That barely slows Ray down and she hits the Gory Bomb onto the apron. Back in and they head up with Satomura managing a sunset bomb for a rather close two. Satomura grabs a sleeper but Ray gets over to the rope. Ray’s attempt at a Koji Clutch doesn’t work so it’s Scorpion Rising to give Satomura the pin and the title at 18:27.

Rating: B. This is how you should want a major title change to go and they made it work. It made sense for Satomura to put everything she had into this as you cannot have her lose twice in a row in major matches. Satomura winning the title to end Ray’s reign fits well as Ray has gotten everything she can out of the title (and it has been a lot). This was the right call at the right time and a rubber match is not the worst idea.

A lot of replays and celebrating, including red and yellow streamers, end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event is the most important thing by far here and while Walter’s appearance was cool, he didn’t really say anything. This show did a nice job of making me want to see the title match though and that is what matters most. NXT UK has done a great job of making its champions feel important and they did it again here with Satomura’s title win. Good show here, with the main event feeling like the big match it should have been.

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NXT UK
Date: April 22, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s time for a special reunion around here as we have the first ever Moustache Mountain in this building. We have not seen the two of them together in a very long time now and it should be good to see how good they can be after such a layoff. There are some high expectations but if anyone can pull it off, it would be those two. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Joey Coffey vs. Eddie Dennis

Fallout from a brawl on Supernova Sessions last week. They fight to the floor in a hurry before Coffey takes him back inside for some knees to the face. Dennis judo throws him down and grabs a cravate (seems like something he would use) but Coffey powers him off without much effort. Coffey’s spear is blocked though and Dennis elbows him in the face, setting up some hard shots to the face on the mat. Back up and Dennis hits a swinging sitout Rock Bottom for two and frustration is setting in.

Dennis wins a slugout so Coffey is right back with an overhead belly to belly. Coffey goes up but Dennis is right there to catch him with the Severn Bridge. The Neck Stomp Driver is loaded up but Coffey reverses that into the Boston crab. Cue the Hunt for a distraction so Dennis grabs a rollup for two. Gallus comes out to deal with the Hunt and it’s the running headbutt to put Dennis into the corner. All The Best For The Bells finishes Dennis at 8:27.

Rating: C. The ending was the right way to go as Gallus has lost quite a few of their recent matches so it makes sense to give them a win. Dennis is someone who is going to be fine even after a loss like this, so it isn’t like this hurt much. The big six man, whenever we get there, should be fine.

Post match the beatdown is on for Coffey but Gallus makes the save to clear the ring.

Ilja Dragunov is having flashbacks to his violent matches.

Gallus is in the back when Joe Coffey runs into Rampage Brown. Coffey wants a rematch and Brown doesn’t seem to disagree.

Dave Mastiff vs. Sam Gradwell

Mastiff knocks him into the ropes to start and grabs a surprising hammerlock. Gradwell gets knocked down for some splashes to the back and we hit a rather large chinlock. Back up and Mastiff drops him again but another backsplash hits raised knees, including one with a brace. Gradwell starts in on the back with some hard forearms, followed by the chinlock to keep him in trouble. Mastiff fights up with some headbutts and a running clothesline but Gradwell snaps off a Samoan driver for the pin at 4:56.

Rating: C-. It’s becoming more and more clear that Mastiff is mostly done as anything important every time he is out there. Once you beat a monster, they lose almost all of their aura at once and that was the case with Mastiff. Gradwell has been one of the best surprises in a long time around here and I could go with seeing him getting to do something a little bigger.

Aoife Valkyrie says it is time, and next week she gets Meiko Satomura. So wouldn’t next week be time?

Video on Emilia McKenzie, who is back to be part of UK wrestling again.

Dani Luna vs. Jinny

Joseph Conners is here with Jinny. The stronger Luna takes her down without much effort but Jinny gets in a takedown and hammers away without much effort. The Octopus doesn’t last long so Jinny forearms her down and grabs the same hold again. Luna powers out again and rolls some gutwrench suplexes for two. Back up and they slug it out until Luna blasts her with a running clothesline. Conners offers a distraction though and Jinny hits a Liger kick to set a rolling cradle for the pin at 4:09.

Rating: C-. Just a quick match and it worked well enough to keep Jinny looking strong. I’m just not sure where she can go though, as Kay Lee Ray isn’t likely to drop the title to her, which doesn’t leave very many options. I’m also not sure how far she is going with Conners as her big associate, but maybe we get a mixed tag with Luna and someone else.

Post match Conners and Jinny go after Luna but Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews (Luna’s trainers) make the save. Odds are there is your someone else.

Amir Jordan wants a rematch with Kenny Williams and Sid Scala agrees, as Williams has said the same. However, it is going to be No DQ and the loser leaves NXT UK. Jordan thinks about it and signs the contract.

Video on Rohan Raja, who is British born, Australian raised and Canadian trained. He debuts next week and isn’t tapping out to Teoman.

Teoman isn’t worried about Rohan Raja.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Moustache Mountain vs. Noam Dar/Sha Samuels

During the entrances, we find out that Nigel is a Star Wars fan. Bate armdrags Dar down to start and then slaps on an armbar to make it worse. That’s broken up so Samuels comes in to run Seven over with a shoulder. Seven is right back up with his fireman’s carry slam so Bate can bounce off of Seven’s shoulders for a flip dive.

Everything breaks down in a hurry and the airplane spin is broken up, meaning it’s back to Seven. A bunch of right hands put Seven down on the mat and it’s time for Samuels to rip at his face. Dar comes in for some shots to the back of his own and Samuels kicks Seven between the shoulders. Samuels hammers away again and we hit the chinlock. A bunch of stomping has Seven down again and Dar puts on a chinlock of his own.

Seven fights up and hits a DDT, allowing the hot tag off to Bate. House is cleaned with Bate grabbing a bridging northern lights for two on Dar. It’s already back to Seven, who is taken down in a hurry. This beatdown doesn’t last as long as Seven fights up and knocks Dar outside again. Bate tags himself in and hits the dive, allowing Seven to load up the Birminghammer, complete with Bate’s top rope knee for the pin at 12:51.

Rating: B-. It was nice to see Moustache Mountain back and since they never won the Tag Team Titles around here, it would make sense to think about giving them a chase. I’m not sure how much interest there would be in giving them a run against Pretty Deadly but it would be a story worth trying. Moustache Mountain still has it in the ring so pushing them is not the worst idea.

Overall Rating: C. Not too bad of a show here with the main event being the best thing. As usual though, NXT UK doesn’t seem capable of having a bad show. They know how to keep things moving and have enough going with all of the wrestlers that they have. Next week feels like a big show too and that is always a good thing. Now just make it work and things should be fine. Pretty good show this week, but above all else, a very easy watch.

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NXT UK
Date: March 25, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

We’re back to England and things are continuing their slow and steady process around here. I’m not sure what that is building towards as there is no Takeover in sight, leaving us with a bunch of featured television matches again. This time around that would be Ilja Dragunov in a rematch against Sam Gradwell. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We open with Supernova Sessions with Noam Dar talking about how he is facing Tyler Bate in two weeks for a shot at the Heritage Cup. For now though the guest is Trent Seven, who came just short in his shot at the Cruiserweight Title. Dar wants to know Seven’s secret to the weight loss, with Seven saying he never worked so hard in his career.

Dar cuts him off and says he has been around WWE for five years and has performed on every brand in the company. He’s the original gangster of the relaunch of the cruiserweight division but Seven gets up and calls himself one of the Founding Fathers of NXT UK. Cue Sha Samuels, who is going to be in Dar’s corner against Bate. Seven volunteers to be there to even things up. I’ve heard worse ideas.

Sid Scala tells Jinny that she and Piper Niven are banned from ringside tonight when Joseph Conners faces Jack Starz. She storms off, albeit fashionably.

We hype up NXT Prelude, which looks like a decent card.

Video on Walter vs. Rampage Brown, who are having a title match at Prelude.

Joseph Conners vs. Jack Starz

Conners grabs a cravate to start and Starz is out just as fast. The same is true of a wristlock but Conners tries it again and takes him down by the wrist. Back up and they hit the pinfall reversal sequence until Starz uppercuts and dropkicks him to the floor. That means a big dive from Starz, followed by a crossbody for two back inside.

Conners hits a double stomp out of the corner though and a backbreaker sets up some near falls. A clothesline gives Conners two more but Starz is back with a suplex for a breather. Starz hits a running uppercut to the back and a backdrop makes it worse. A rollup gives Starz two but Conners grabs a DDT and a neckbreaker to finish Starz at 7:53.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of match that I would have expected to be absolutely nothing but it wound up being a pretty fun one, which works well in a story that has no business being overly interesting. Neither of them have anything going on so putting them into a story is a nice idea. It’s certainly better than having them sit in catering for five months.

Pretty Deadly are rather excited about their first Tag Team Title defense next week, to the point where they speak in unison.

Piper Niven gives Jack Starz a pep talk after his loss.

The Hunt vs. Danny Jones/Josh Morrell

It’s the new Hunt (though still with Eddie Dennis) with T-Bone taking Wild Boar’s place. T-Bone unloads on Morrell in the corner and Primate comes in for his own shots. It’s off to Jones, who gets his arm worked on by both monsters. Jones does manage a Backstabber on Primate though and the hot tag brings in Morrell to start cleaning house. That earns him a hard shot to the face and it’s back to T-Bone for a backbreaker. Everything breaks down and Jones hits a step up enziguri, only to get kneed in the face. Primate adds the top rope headbutt for the pin at 6:29.

Rating: D+. I’m not sure what they were going for here but this didn’t make me think much of the new Hunt. This felt like it was almost about bringing both of them up, which should not be the idea in a match like this one. The Hunt needed to look dominant and while their stuff looked good, it doesn’t matter all that much when two jobbers are surviving and even hanging in there for a bit. Just let it be about the Hunt and squash these guys.

Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams are training at the Performance Center and everything seems cool. For now.

Aleah James vs. Isla Dawn

James takes her down by the arm to start and hits a dropkick to send Dawn into the corner. Dawn comes out with a kick to the face and then hammers away, only to get small packaged for two. A Saito suplex sets up a weird standing double underhook stretch to keep James in trouble. That’s broken up and James hits a dropkick, followed by a crossbody for two. Dawn suplexes the heck out of her though and a bridging half nelson suplex finishes James at 4:17.

Rating: C. Not too bad here and I’ve always liked Dawn, so it’s nice to see her getting a push for the first time in a good while. They have hyped her up as the white witch over and over again so having her actually do witchcraft stuff makes sense for a change. It’s not like there is anyone else to go after Kay Lee Ray (save for Xia Brookside) anyway.

Xia Brookside makes Nina Samuels clean the bathroom.

Kay Lee Ray comes up to Isla Dawn in the back, so Dawn makes the lights flicker. That’s enough for Ray, who walks off.

Sam Gradwell vs. Ilja Dragunov

No DQ. Gradwell throws his jacket at Dragunov to start and hammers away but Dragunov is right back up with a forearm to the face. A kick to the face sends Gradwell outside and there’s a dropkick through the ropes. Dragunov picks up a chair but throws it down and takes things back inside instead. The Constantine Special drops Gradwell but Dragunov has to stop himself from going too nuts. Gradwell goes outside where Dragunov gets a big running start, only to have Gradwell blast him with the bell (it looked like in the head at first but Dragunov is holding his arm so well done on the head fake).

Some cord whips to the back keep Dragunov in trouble and a shot to the mouth makes it worse. Back in and a butterfly suplex onto a chair gets two on Dragunov. Gradwell pulls off some turnbuckle pads and, after powering out of a guillotine attempt, crotches Dragunov on top. Dragunov shoves him off but gets rammed into the buckle. Gradwell knocks him off the top and they head outside, with Dragunov hitting a heck of a clothesline (which hurts his damaged arm).

The steps are picked up so Gradwell begs off, only to get German suplexed on the floor. Dragunov chops away at the back of the neck so Gradwell begs off again, saying he is a dad too. This time he suckers Dragunov in for something like an AA onto the steps. That makes Dragunov scream in agony but it’s only good for two back inside. More chairs are piled up but Dragunov fights out of another AA.

Dragunov sends him into the exposed buckle to knock him silly and it’s time to go back up. The top rope backsplash only hits chairs though and Gradwell chops him in the back…..which sends Dragunov over the edge (Gradwell knows he’s done too and the facial is perfect). Dragunov hammers away and kicks him in the face, followed by a bunch of chairs to the back. A bunch of forearms to the face are enough for the referee to stop it at 14:48.

Rating: B. The storytelling was what mattered the most here, though they beat the heck out of each other for a good while. Commentary did a great job of pointing out the chops sending Dragunov back to the match with Walter, which sent him over the edge. Throw in his background of dealing with bullies and trying to find an outlet for everything and Dragunov going insane at such a thing makes a lot of sense. That’s the kind of depth you don’t get very often in something WWE related and I want to see where it goes. Gradwell deserved attention as well, as he has gone from nothing to looking great, so more of him too.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event carried this one but it’s another good example of the promotion being able to build a show up without most of their top stars around. That’s a really good sign, because they are showing the ability to build people up rather than just going with the same people over and over. WWE could use a lesson from them, but that has never stopped them before. Good main event to a pretty nice show with some impressive character development.

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NXT UK
Date: February 11, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

This week is about revenge as Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews are facing the Hunt, after the monsters attacked them more than once over the last year. That makes for one of the better built feuds around here in a long time and hopefully the match lives up to the hype. Other than that, Meiko Satomura is making her debut in something that is likely to feel a bit more awesome. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at the Hunt, guided by Eddie Dennis, attacking Webster and Andrews but not being able to win the Tag Team Titles. They have taken out their aggression on Webster and Andrews again, setting up tonight’s street fight.

Andrews and Webster have attacked Wild Boar, meaning Dennis will be taking his place.

Opening sequence.

Meiko Satomura vs. Isla Dawn

So Dawn gets to be designated victim #1 of “Japan’s Final Boss/The Best In The World”, which is one heck of a pair of great monikers (ignore the likely Shane McMahon lawsuits). Satomura grabs a headlock to start to take Dawn down as Kay Lee Ray is watching from a distance. Back up and Satomura kicks her down, setting up a wristlock.

Some knees to the ribs don’t have much of an impact though as Dawn snaps off a suplex for two. Dawn goes up but gets superplexed back down, followed by a shot to the face for two more. A quick Saito suplex gives Dawn her own two but Satomura is back with a cartwheel kick to the head. Scorpio Rising (kind of a step up ax kick) finishes Dawn at 5:22.

Rating: C. That’s all it needed to be as Satomura shrugged off everything Dawn threw at her and then won in the end with a cool named finisher. Having Ray out there made sense too as there was no reason to act like Satomura isn’t going straight to the title picture. Great debut here, with Satomura feeling like the star she is supposed to be.

Earlier this week, Rampage Brown and Joe Coffey sat down at the Performance Center. Johnny Saint popped in on a screen to make a match between the two of them at some point in the future.

Video on Dani Luna, who is really strong.

Video on Aoife Valkyrie, who has feathers.

Meiko Satomura is ready for Kay Lee Ray.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions, with Noam Dar talking about how he says he’s great because he knows he’s great. The guest this week is Sha Samuels, who Dar describes as his lifelong friend. Samuels seems to agree but goes into a rant about how NXT UK made him into someone else instead of being himself. After Samuels cuts off Dar from telling a story, Sid Scala comes out to interrupt. Samuels doesn’t think much of him but Dar has a suggestion: Samuels getting a shot at the Heritage Cup. That will be taken under advisement but Dar still can’t tell that story.

Nina Samuels (no relation to Sha….at least I don’t think) accepts Xia Brookside’s challenge for a rematch, but if Xia loses, she is Nina’s assistant for a month.

Video on Trent Seven trying to lose weight to get his Cruiserweight Title shot.

Amale vs. Piper Niven

Niven ax handles her in the chest to start and hits a low crossbody. Cue Joseph Conners for a distraction though and Amale is able to get in a kick to the head. That’s not going to work either though as Niven sends her into the corner for the Cannonball. The Piper Driver finishes at 2:20.

Gallus has signed to defend the Tag Team Titles against Pretty Deadly in two weeks.

Ben Carter is back next week, plus Sha Samuels gets a Heritage Cup shot and Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey.

Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews vs. Primate/Eddie Dennis

Street fight but hold on as the fight has started in the back with the Hunt and Eddie Dennis attacking Webster and Andrews. With Andrews having been crushed by an anvil case, Webster is brought to the ring but says ring the bell anyway. Webster jumps over Primate and sends Dennis outside, where Webster gets whipped by Dennis’ belt. Primate rips at Dennis’ face as they fight up towards the entrance…..and Andrews moonsaults off the set onto all of them.

They wind up back at ringside with Andrews being dropped onto the barricade. Primate adds a diving clothesline and it’s time to head back inside, with all four having a chair. Andrews gets hit in the knee but Webster grabs his helmet to clean house for two on Dennis. Primate is back in to beat on Webster, allowing Dennis to miss a kendo stick to Andrews.

The Stundog Millionaire drops Dennis but Primate gets in a stick shot to Andrews’ bad knee. Webster is down on the floor so Primate sends Andrews knee first into the chair, setting up a leglock from Dennis. The chair to the knee is loaded up but Webster takes it away and starts the big comeback. A sunset bomb plants Primate on the floor and Dennis can’t quite get to one of the weapons. Webster and Andrews can though and it’s a big beatdown with the sticks to the back.

A table is sent in and set up but Andrews dives onto Primate instead, banging up the knee in the process. Webster dives onto Dennis for two with Primate making a save this time. Andrews has to save Webster from being sent through the table but dives into a spear to put him down in a hurry. Primate misses a spear to send himself through the table though, setting up a Swanton and shooting star press to give Andrews and Webster the stereo pins at 16:02.

Rating: B. That’s the kind of brawl they needed to have and it’s great to see a team like Andrews and Morgan have another signature win after they lost the Tag Team Titles. So many teams will lose the belts and then fade away, which seemed to be what was happening with them. This helped a lot and while it would have been better with Wild Boar in there instead, they did what they needed to do and the match worked better than I would have bet on.

Overall Rating: B-. Above all else, this week felt important and that isn’t something you can say around here very often. The main event came off as a big deal and Satomura felt special, which is exactly how they should have gone. Throw in setting up a pretty stacked card for next week and a title match for the week after and this was a rather nice use of an hour. That has been the case more often than not lately around here as NXT UK is becoming one of the more consistent shows around.

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NXT UK
Date: December 17, 2020
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

Things continue to stay interesting around here as we close out the year, but this time around it is going to be one more important match before we officially make it to the holidays. This time around it is all about the Tag Team Titles as Gallus defend the titles against the Hunt. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Isla Dawn vs. Kay Lee Ray

Non-title. Ray works on the arm to start so Dawn does exactly the same. Dawn gets in some double knees to the chest for two but Ray is back up to send her into the corner. Something like a basement Meteora gives Dawn two and the hard belly to back suplex is good for the same. Ray is right back with a tornado DDT and a Koji Clutch but Dawn is out in a hurry. That’s about it for Dawn though as Ray grabs the Gory Bomb for the pin at 4:18.

Rating: C-. Dawn is fine for a role like this and they need to give Ray a clean win here or there. It was smart to get the match in and out quickly as Ray shouldn’t be having trouble with Dawn. It’s not like there is much of a story here and Piper Niven or Jinny would seem to be the next challenger for the title anyway.

Post match Ray says you should get used to her being champion because forever is a long time.

Video on Ben Carter, who has officially signed with NXT UK. Good for him for getting a chance like this. Various wrestlers talk about how great he is and we see him in Seth Rollins’ wrestling school.

Ilja Dragunov is near tears in the ring because he came so close to winning the UK Title but came up just short. He’ll be back.

Levi Muir/Jack Starz vs. Saxon Huxley

The bigger Muir tries to power Huxley around to start before hit leapfrog is knocked out of the air. Starz tries a slingshot crossbody and after Muir offers a trip, it takes Huxley down. Back up and Huxley unloads on Stars with right hands before cranking on the neck a bit. A gorilla press sends Starz flying and there’s a running boot to the side of his head.

Huxley knocks Muir off the apron and then throws Starz back in for two. Starz gets in a shot to the face and brings in Muir, who is driven into the corner in a hurry. A double dropkick takes Huxley down though and a sunset flip, with some help from Muir, gives Starz the upset pin at 5:23.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what the point is in having Huxley lose but he isn’t the kind of guy you need to push, meaning the loss isn’t some horrible move. The action was fast paced too and it was a surprise ending so well done on the twist. Starz isn’t going to go anywhere but he’s the show’s designated jobber. Muir on the other hand looks great and could go somewhere if he is given the right push. Not bad at all here.

Post match Huxley beats both of them down but Dave Mastiff runs in for the save.

Earlier this week, Piper Niven showed Sid Scala a video of someone leaving Piper a message at the gym. Apparently it’s a contract for a match with Jinny, who Piper wants to face in three weeks. The match is made for January 7.

Dave Mastiff meets Rampage Brown. That wouldn’t be bad for Brow’s first real challenge.

Here’s A-Kid, who is very proud of what he has done and the pride it has brought Spain. He wants to be the best though and challenges Walter for the United Kingdom Title. Cue Walter to say hang on a second because he sees a lot of skill in A-Kid. But HOW DARE HE go this far? The one thing that will never change is that Walter is NXT UK Champion, which seems to mean no shot.

Earlier this week, Kenny Williams was upset when Amir Jordan comes in to say get back to it because they need to win the Tag Team Titles. Williams, with his bad knee, doesn’t seem convinced and suggests Jordan go on his own for the time being. However, Williams is willing to be in his corner. Something sounds afoot.

Trent Seven says he gave it his all in the Heritage Cup Tournament and had no idea how much he gave in until he lost. There are things that he needs to fix so he’s going away for now. This isn’t goodbye, but see you later, and Seven does not look happy.

Rampage Brown vs. Josh Morrell

Morrell’s headlock doesn’t work at all as Brown runs him over without much trouble. Brown throws him outside and then right back in, setting up the shoulders in the corner. A running shoulder hits the post though and Morrell hits a dropkick for one. Brown isn’t having that and hits the big clothesline, setting up up the Doctor Bomb for the pin at 3:13.

Rating: D+. Brown is one of those guys who continues to impress in the limited around of time that he gets in the ring every week. That’s exactly what he should be doing too, as he is looking more and more like a monster every time he’s in the ring. Just having him throw people around and then crush them in the end works, and he’ll get bigger competition in the future.

Sid Scala makes A-Kid vs. Walter for the UK Title at some point in the new year. Throwing Walter out there in a somewhat challenging title match is a good idea.

Next week: a special Christmas Eve show.

Tag Team Titles: The Hunt vs. Gallus

Gallus is defending and Eddie Dennis is here with the Hunt. Wolfgang gets double teamed in the corner to start with Primate stomping away. That’s broken up with straight power as Wolfgang fights out and drives him into the corner corner so Mark Coffey can come in. Wild Boar shrugs off the headlock though and brings in Primate for a double backdrop. We hit the chinlock on Coffey and a backsplash to the back gets two.

A right hand knocks Wolfgang off the apron but Boar’s charge only hits buckle. The diving tag brings Wolfgang in to clean house, including a top rope ax handle for two on Primate. Dennis pulls Boar out of a powerslam attempt and a shot to Wolfgang’s back puts him down. Cue Joe Coffey to take out Dennis, followed by Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews to go after Primate. That leaves Boar to take a powerslam/jumping enziguri combination for the pin at 7:59 to retain the titles.

Rating: C+. The Hunt were interesting challengers for the titles here as you don’t get to see many teams who can match Gallus for size and power. Gallus are fine once they’re in the ring, but they’re far from the most memorable team in the world. Half the time I forget that they’re the champions, which isn’t a good sign but when you have the titles as long as they have, it is bound to happen at some point.

Post match Pretty Deadly comes out to challenge for the titles. That was coming sooner or later. Cue Oliver Carter and Ashton Smith to send them into the ring for the beatdown from Gallus to end the show. When did this show build a tag division?

Overall Rating: C+. This was a very busy show and they set up a few things for next month. I’m more impressed by the tag division though, which now has several teams running around at the moment and you can imagine a lot of them going after the titles. I’m liking where things are going around here and that’s more than I can say about some other WWE shows at the moment. No it doesn’t mean much and this show is on an island of its own but for what it is, NXT UK is a rather nice hour of wrestling a week, with this show being another good example.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

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

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: November 12, 2020
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

We’re coming up on the end of the Heritage Cup tournament and that means we are going to need some finalists. A-Kid advanced to the finals last week and this week we find out who his opponent will be. Other than that, we have the debut of Rampage Brown, who looks like he could be a big deal. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

The Hunt vs. Kenny Williams/Amir Jordan

Eddie Dennis is here with the Hunt. Boar takes Williams into the corner and it’s Primate coming in off the top with a shot to the back. A headlock doesn’t do much to Primate but a dropkick sends him into the corner for the tag back to Boar. The Hunt is knocked outside by a springboard elbow and some dives have them down as well. Back in and Boar sends Williams flying towards the camera to take over.

The Hunt pounds Williams down in the corner and Boar adds a headbutt for a bonus. The face pulling is on but Williams fights up, only to get elbowed right back down. We hit the chinlock for a bit but Williams slips out again and this time gets over for the hot tag to Jordan. Everything breaks down and a Downward Spiral into a Swanton gives Jordan two. There’s an enziguri to Primate and it’s already back to Williams to strike away. Williams hits a double springboard elbow and brings Jordan back in but Dennis’ distraction lets Primate hit a clothesline. The double headbutt gives Primate the pin at 9:26.

Rating: C. I’ve liked the Hunt for a good while and it is nice to see them getting a push like this for a change. They could do well as the aggressive monster style team and they seem to be gelling well into the rope so far. Throw in Dennis, who has always had potential as well, and this is a team I want to see more from in the future.

Trent Seven talks about asking Dave Mastiff to help him with some training in his younger days. They became friends, but now they’re in WWE and Seven doesn’t need his help. Seven needs Mastiff to get out of the way so he can show he can win the big one.

Jack Starz vs. Rampage Brown

Starz circles him a lot to start and the forearms have no effect on Brown. A powerslam cuts Starz out of the air (Rick Steiner style) and Brown drives him into the corner. Starz scores with a dropkick but charges into a Samoan drop. The Doctor Bomb finishes Starz at 2:23. Brown looked good but it’s just Jack Starz.

Ashton Smith and Oliver Carter hijack a Sid Scala interview at the Performance Center. They talk to Pretty Deadly (while making me feel better by not knowing which is which either) and ask about Pretty Deadly’s relationship with Eddie Dennis. Insults are launched and Scala breaks it up, saying they can settle this later.

Video on Kay Lee Ray vs. Piper Niven. Piper looks rather violent here and that’s how to make her seem like more of a threat.

Rampage Brown says that is just the beginning.

Xia Brookside vs. Nina Samuels

They trade wrist control to start until Brookside hits a monkey flip into a springboard headlock takeover. The headscissors gets Samuels out of trouble until Brookside flips backwards into a half crab. That’s switched into an Indian deathlock but Samuels slips out and stomps away. The chinlock goes on but Brookside is back up with some forearms.

Nina charges into a boot in the corner and the high crossbody gives Brookside two. A missed big boot lets Brookside grab a Codebreaker for two but Nina avoids the running knees in the corner. The Brooksie Bomb is countered and Samuels cartwheels off the top to the mat, only to collapse while holding her knee. Brookside small packages her for the fast pin at 5:50.

Rating: C. Just a match here and the ending was a little weird. I was expecting the goldbricking but Brookside just got the small package for the win to get out of there in a hurry. Samuels is almost the gatekeeper loss of the women’s division and that’s a fine role for her to have. Brookside continues to be the person who seems to be the next breakout star but they’re taking their time with her, which is a good idea.

Post match Nina is helped out but she’s goldbricking and hits a fireman’s carry backbreaker to leave Brookside laying.

Sam Gradwell doesn’t like being asked about his loss last week. They threw him into a six man tag instead of a singles match and he can’t keep up with every three seconds in a match. He got pinned by Joe Coffey in a six man tag but a different tail would unfurl in a singles match. Alexander Wolfe comes up to ask what is wrong with Gradwell before leaving just as fast.

Next week: Kay Lee Ray defends against Piper Niven in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

Heritage Cup Semifinals: Trent Seven vs. Dave Mastiff

They fight over a lockup to start with Mastiff powering him against the ropes without much effort. Seven’s headlock is broken up without much effort and Mastiff grabs a much bigger version. Stereo crossbodies end the round with both guys in some pain, including Seven favoring his chest. Round two begins with Mastiff running him over again but misses a legdrop, allowing Steven to crucifix him for the pin at 1:22 (5:04 total).

Round three starts with Mastiff hitting him in the damaged chest and the backsplash gets two. Mastiff ducks his head and gets DDTed for two. Seven heads up top so Mastiff superplexes him back down, only to come back with the Seven Star lariat. That just earns Seven one heck of a right hand but the round ends despite Seven looking out of it.

Round four begins with Mastiff knocking hitting a powerbomb into Into The Void for the pin at 42 seconds of the round (10:24 total). Round five begins with Seven down in the corner but managing to avoid Into The Void. Seven blocks an apron superplex but Mastiff blocks a sunset bomb. A shot to Mastiff’s leg sets up the Birminghammer out of the corner to give Seven the pin at 1:30 (12:18 total).

Rating: C+. This match told a nice story with the monster injuring Seven and then following up on it by staying on the chest throughout. Seven needed to fight though because the point of winning the tournament is to prove himself, which is some of the best motivation you can get. It might not have been the best match but Seven vs. A-Kid sounds rather nice.

A-Kid comes out for the staredown/handshake to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. The wrestling was fine enough here but the important parts were setting up the finals and making Brown look like a player right out of the box. They accomplished both of those things and the show is still less than an hour so it is a little difficult to get annoyed. Not a show you need to see but a completely acceptable watch, making it run of the mill NXT UK.

Results

The Hunt b. Kenny Williams/Amir Jordan – Double headbutt to Jordan

Rampage Brown b. Jack Starz – Doctor Bomb

Xia Brookside b. Nina Samuels – Small package

Trent Seven b. Dave Mastiff 2-1

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: October 29, 2020
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for one of the bigger matches that has ever taken place around here as Walter defends the United Kingdom Title against Ilja Dragunov. This was originally planned for sometime earlier this year but the Coronavirus changed the plans. The match has been built up incredibly well and if the payoff is anywhere in the ballpark, this is going to be a smash. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video on Walter vs. Dragunov. They’ve made it feel special.

Opening sequence.

Aoife Valkyrie vs. Dani Luna

Luna armdrags her down to start but Valkyrie is right back with a headscissors to escape. Back up and a knee to the ribs slows Valkyrie down but Valkyrie scores with a running dropkick to send her to the floor. Valkyrie gets dropped onto the apron though and we hit the armbar back inside. That’s broken up as well and Luna armdrags her down for a breather. Valkyrie gets in a Pele for two but Luna snaps off a German suplex. A regular version gets two but Valkyrie is back up with slaps to the face. Another German suplex is escaped and Valkyrie kicks her down again. The top rope ax kick finishes Luna at 6:05.

Rating: C-. Valkyrie being one of the next title challengers would not surprise me and that is a good spot for her. She comes off as a serious threat whenever she is in there and has a cool entrance to go with it. That might be a ways off in the future, but it might be something to look forward to.

Long video on the first round of the Heritage Cup and what it has meant to have the title around.

Rampage Brown is coming. Cool.

We look at Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews both being attacked by an unknown assailant.

Here are Webster and Andrews to search for some answers but here’s Eddie Dennis to cut them off in a hurry. Andrews doesn’t trust him but Dennis says Andrews is the most narcissistic person he has ever met. Webster doesn’t want to hear it, though Dennis keeps talking about Webster being taken out before his big singles match. Cue Pretty Deadly to surround Dennis but the Hunt comes in to even things up. Dennis laughs it off by saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer….and the Hunt jumps Andrews and Webster. Dennis approves of and directs the attack as we have a new partnership. Cool.

Piper Niven still wants Kay Lee Ray and threatens an injury, which lasts longer than a title reign.

Pretty Deadly comes up to Sid Scala and want a Tag Team Title match. Sam Gradwell pops in to say he’s back and then leaves, with Pretty Deadly going in their own direction. Gallus comes in to say Scala should do something about this and promises to be back to normal next week.

Another video on Walter vs. Dragunov, including Dragunov pinning Walter in a tag match after the return.

Jordan Devlin vs. Levi Muir

This is Devlin’s return and his Cruiserweight Title isn’t on the line. Devlin takes the well built Muir down by the arm to start and stomps away as the aggression flows early. An elbow to the face cuts off Muir’s early comeback attempt and the trash talk is on. A release Rock Bottom into the standing moonsault hits Muir but he grabs a rollup for two. Devlin swats away at a second attempt and hits an Alabama Slam. Muir tries a Samoan drop but gets crucifixed for two, followed by a kick to the head. The Devlinside into a Texas Cloverleaf makes Muir tap at 4:49.

Rating: C. This was all about making Devlin look like a star in his return and that worked fine. Devlin was on total fire before he was put on the sideline and I’m hoping he gets to come back and do the same thing over and over again. Good start to the comeback here though, and Muir was a nice looking opponent as well.

Next week: Pretty Deadly/Sam Gradwell vs. Gallus and more Heritage Cup Tournament.

We look at the Walter/Dragunov contract signing, which turned into another hot brawl.

United Kingdom Title: Walter vs. Ilja Dragunov

Walter is defending and Dragunov hits a running knee into the corner at the bell. They strike it out with Dragunov slipping out of a powerbomb and kneeing away. Dragunov knocks him off the top and hits the top rope backsplash, only to have to flip out of the sleeper. Walter gets in a slam and a kick to the back before sending him throat first into the bottom rope, causing Dragunov to come up holding his neck. Back in and Walter starts on the neck with a hard clothesline and the chinlock, followed by a knee drop to the head.

Some choking on the apron stays on the neck and Walter starts cranking away. There’s a stomp to the chest and a shot to the head gives Walter two. Dragunov’s comeback is cut off so Walter steps on his head. Walter knocks him back down again and then lays Dragunov across the top. Dragunov falls outside after Walter steps on his face to put Dragunov out on the floor.

Back up and Walter chokes on the rope but Dragunov reverses into something like Sheamus’ ten forearms to the chest. Some German suplexes drop Walter and there’s a third to really get the fire going. Back to back enziguris set up a dead lift German suplex for two on Walter. A bunch of stomps to the head have Walter in trouble but he forearms Dragunov in the back of the head. The sleeper is blocked but Walter pulls him down on the second attempt.

Dragunov backflips over for the escape and hits him in the back of the neck, setting up the 61Line for two on Walter. They’re both down, with Dragunov’s chest looking absolutely terrible. It’s Walter up first with more stomps to the head and chops to the chest, so Dragunov says do it harder. The huge clothesline into the powerbomb gives Walter two (that would have blown the roof off with a crowd) and the sleeper, with a bodyscissors, goes on. Walter switches to a dragon sleeper before kicking him in the back to set up the regular sleeper again.

Dragunov headbutts his way out, even if he damages his neck again in the process. Some knees to the face and a double chop have Walter out on his knees and it’s a missile dropkick for a great two. They’re both down again so Walter shouts at him and they chop it out even more. Dragunov manages a suplex for another two but the neck gives out on the Torpedo Moscow attempt.

Instead it’s…I think a running knee to the head (maybe a Blockbuster) for two more on Walter. Dragunov elbows him in the head so Walter rolls outside where it’s a sleeper suplex to drop Dragunov on his head. Walter hits the apron powerbomb and then a regular one back inside. The top rope splash…only gets two, and Walter isn’t pleased. He unloads with shots to the face and grabs the sleeper with a bodyscissors. Dragunov is bleeding from the mouth and out cold so the referee finally stops it at 25:10.

Rating: A. They built this up for months and then delivered in spades. This was outstanding and that’s all you can expect from a big time Walter match. No one brings the big fight collision like he does as every time it feels like his challengers are throwing the world at him, only to have Walter take everything they have and hit right back even harder.

Dragunov looked like a star here and he never gave up, which is one of the best ways imaginable to earn respect. That and beating the heck out of Walter of course. This was great and is well worth your time if you want the brutal fight style. Star making performance for Dragunov, and another star confirming performance for Walter.

Dragunov is out and even Walter looks concerned as referees get him to his feet to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. This show was built around one match and that was as good as you could have imagined. The rest of the show was just there and that’s all well and good because it was a one match show throughout. The bottom of the card needs some work but the top of NXT UK’s roster is outstanding and I’m really curious to see who is next for Walter. And Devlin for that matter, as we now have a second star in the making. Great show, with a phenomenal main event.

Results

Aoife Valkyrie b. Dani Luna – Top rope ax kick

Jordan Devlin b. Levi Muir – Texas Cloverleaf

Walter b. Ilja Dragunov via referee stoppage

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: October 22, 2020
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

Things are hot coming after last week’s show with the red hot tag match. All roads are leading to the Ilja Dragunov vs. Walter showdown and I really want to see the match. Hopefully we should be in for something awesome, but there are some other things to get through first. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Eddie Dennis vs. Oliver Carter

They go to the mat to start but Dennis is up with a wristlock. Dennis’ headlock is countered into a headscissors on the mat before Dennis is back up to pull on the arm. Back up and Carter snaps off an anklescissors. Back up and Dennis strikes him in the face before low bridging him to the floor.

They get back inside for a hard whip into the corner for a cravate on Carter, which is broken up with some shots to the face. A facebuster sends Dennis to the floor and there’s a suicide dive. Back in and Carter hits a superkick into a Rock Bottom into a Lionsault, which is more of a knee to the face instead of a splash. Dennis catches him on top though and it’s the Severn Bridge for the pin 5:28.

Rating: C-. This was Dennis’ first match back since a long term injury and he looked about the same. The biggest problem was actually his gear, which is now just tights without the shirt he wore previously. I miss the previous gear as looks a bit weird like this, as Dennis is always a little off in general. The match was the regular stuff from him though, which certainly works for me.

Post match Dennis says it’s a shame that Flash Morgan Webster was taken out. Next week, he’s going to moderate an interview between Webster and Mark Andrews. Class adjourned. There’s something so creepy/slimy about Dennis and I rather like watching him.

Video on Joe Coffey and Gallus.

Amele vs. Nina Samuels

Fallout from Samuels turning on her in a tag match two weeks ago. The brawl is on in a hurry with Amele charging into a boot in the corner but coming back with a running clothesline for two. A Figure Four neck lock goes on but Samuels gets up and hammers away for a bit. Amele is sent into the corner and a bodyscissors goes on.

Samuels grabs a hammerlock with her leg and then cranks back on the other arm for a bonus. That’s finally broken up with a backdrop but Amele misses a charge in the corner. Samuels ties her in the rope for a running dropkick to the back but Amele grabs a northern lights suplex for two of her own. Back up and Samuels hits a quick Final Act for the pin at 5:39.

Rating: C. These two are both in weird places as Samuels has been around forever but is stuck in midcard limbo and Amele still feels brand new. Samuels winning here makes more sense as Amele still hasn’t established herself, though she has looked good in her limited appearances so far. I could go for more of both of them and that’s a good sign for the future.

Post break, Nina Samuels says she wants Piper Niven next.

Heritage Cup Tournament First Round: Trent Seven vs. Kenny Williams

Round one begins with Seven taking him into the ropes to start and then moves it to the mat for a hammerlock. Williams turns it into a test of strength on the mat but Seven reverses into one of his own. A monkey flip gets Williams back to his feet but it’s a slam into a legdrop to give Seven two. They start running the ropes as the round comes to a close.

Williams rolls around to start the second round and Seven ties Williams’ arms around his own neck. That’s broken up with an elbow to the face and a springboard elbow to the face takes Seven down again. There’s a running hurricanrana into a dropkick for two and it’s off to a headlock on the mat. Seven kicks out of a sunset flip and the round comes to an end.

We start round three and Seven is looking a bit winded. Williams takes him down by the leg and slaps on a headscissors to keep Seven on the mat. That’s broken up as well and they chop it out until Seven grabs a DDT for two. Back up and Williams springboards over Seven but walks into the Seven Stars Lariat for the first fall at 2:57 of round three (9:42 total).

Williams is shaken up to start round four so Seven tries another Seven Stars Lariat but Williams grabs the rope. A backslide gives Williams two but he bounces off the rope and grabs a sunset flip to pin Seven and tie it up at 38 seconds of round four (10:41 total). Round five starts with Williams grabbing a victory roll for two and hitting a hard rebound lariat for the same.

Williams grabs a quick tornado DDT for another near fall but Seven is right back with the dragon suplex. Seven goes up but Williams catches him with some shots to the face. A springboard hurricanrana brings Seven down, only to have him roll through and stack Williams up for the winning pin at 2:22 of round five (13:24 total).

Rating: B. This was the match that made the best usage of the round system so far as they were playing the drama very well. Seven looked like he was having to survive and pick his spots, which makes sense as he is the veteran compared to the much younger Williams. Good story, good action and good drama make for a rather good match.

Here are the updated brackets:

Noam Dar

A-Kid

Dave Mastiff

Trent Seven

Here are Ilja Dragunov and Walter for their contract signing. Walter wastes no time in signing and has no comment. Dragunov signs as well and stands up so the fight is on with Walter chopping away but not being able to powerbomb him through the table. Dragunov knocks him to the floor and tries a dive, only to get chopped out of the air. A big clothesline rocks Dragunov but he charges to drive Walter through the barricade. Dragunov throws the belt at Walter and the champ is held back to end the show. They didn’t waste time here and it was an awesome segment. I want to see these two fight and that’s exactly the point.

Overall Rating: B. This was a two hit show with the ending and the Heritage Cup match both working really well. The other two matches were just kind of there but they weren’t something that were going to make much of a difference on the show. I really want to see Walter vs. Dragunov though and that is the main goal here so it’s a success.

Results

Eddie Dennis b. Oliver Carter – Severn Bridge

Nina Samuels b. Amele – Final Act

Trent Seven b. Kenny Williams 2 falls to 1

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

IMG Credit: WWE

NXT UK
Date: July 23, 2020
Host: Andy Shepard

Every week I wonder how much longer this Greatest Hits deal can continue around here. The show hasn’t been around all that long and it isn’t like they have the longest string of classics to pick from. They can switch things up if necessary in the future, but I’m not sure if it can be exclusively NXT UK that much longer. Let’s get to it.

Andy throws us to our first introduction.

Mark Andrews is enjoying some ice cream and sends us to NXT UK, December 5, 2018.

Fabian Aichner vs. Mark Andrews

They shake hands to start and Andrews has to slip out of an early gorilla press. Andrews spins around his head into a headscissors to send Aichner outside, followed by a suicide dive. Back in and a backbreaker plants Andrews, which isn’t the most surprising strategy given how big Aichner is.

Back up and Andrews slides on his knees to duck a clothesline and nails an enziguri. A standing Whisper in the Wind splash gets two, followed by Andrews flipping out of a suplex into a hurricanrana (cool) for two more. Andrews scores with a 619 to the ribs and a victory roll gets two. That’s enough for Aichner so he clotheslines the heck out of Andrews, only to get caught with the Stundog Millionaire.

Aichner catches a Blockbuster and reverses it into a brainbuster (that’s some impressive power) for two but takes too long setting up a double springboard moonsault (which someone his size can just do). A very twisting DDT drops Aichner for another near fall but he moves before the shooting star can connect. They head outside with Aichner crushing Andrews’ head against the steps with a running knee for nine. Andrews is done so Aichner hits a helicopter bomb for the pin at 9:17.

Rating: B. Aichner is one of those guys with all the natural tools and Andrews has more than enough charisma and underdog status to make something like this work. He’s very good at making you believe that he can beat someone like Aichner, even as he comes up short in the end. Aichner could be a big star just with his natural look and skills alone so give him some kind of a character and he’ll be fine.

Xia Brookside promises us that we will get through all of this. NXT UK is trying its hardest to get back.

Piper Niven wants to be Women’s Champion and also wants to go to NXT UK, November 28, 2019.

Jinny vs. Piper Niven

Jazzy Gabbert is here with Jinny. Niven starts with the big shoves and Jinny can’t do much against the size and power. A missed charge into the corner gives Jinny a break though and Jinny gets two off a slingshot hilo. The Iron Octopus sends Piper down to one knee before powering out. Jazzy trips her up though and that’s good for an ejection.

Niven drops a big elbow for two as Nigel is wondering how Jinny can survive without her best friend. A headbutt knocks them both down but it’s Piper up first to snap off a belly to back suplex. Jinny gets caught on top and it’s an electric chair faceplant to give Piper two. Piper gets kicked in the face for two so she dropkicks Jinny hard into the corner. The Cannonball sets up the Michinoku Driver for the pin on Jinny at 7:28.

Rating: D+. The size difference caused some problems here as there are only so many ways you have have a monster like Niven as the face in a match like this. Jinny doesn’t have the most in the ring either and it made for a bit of a difficult situation. The match could have been worse, but this didn’t work all that well.

Saxon Huxley shouts about seeing things in his head and finally being unlocked.

Dave Mastiff wraps us up with this from NXT UK, December 12, 2018.

Eddie Dennis vs. Dave Mastiff

Mastiff takes him into the corner to start but they’re both tentative early on. Dennis’ shoulder has no effect and a second does even less. Instead it’s Mastiff hitting a heavy forearm to take over and some elbows to the head keep Dennis in trouble. The running dropkick looks to set up the backsplash but Dennis avoids the bad case of pain. A boot sends Mastiff outside and two more keep him in trouble.

Back in and Mastiff misses a charge in the corner, setting up….the cravate. Well it’s better than another armbar. Mastiff gets up and scores with a headbutt, followed by a big superplex to put them both down. A Regal Roll into a backsplash gives Mastiff two, followed by a bridging German suplex for the same.

Dennis is right back with a swinging sitout powerslam (and he held Mastiff up) for his own near fall. The Severn Bridge is blocked twice (even with Dennis holding him up in the Razor’s Edge position) so Dennis nails a clothesline for two instead. Mastiff has had it and throws him into the corner for the Cannonball and the pin at 11:47.

Rating: C. This was the hoss battle that it should have been and the more I think about it, the more I can go with Mastiff winning here. I’ve been saying for months that they have to do something around here to make more stars and Mastiff seems to be one of them at the moment. It’s a fun match, even if Dennis lost to my annoyance.

Overall Rating: C-. Yeah I’m not sure what else they’re going to be able to do around here, as these shows just aren’t working all that well anymore. The wrestling is acceptable enough at times, but there are only so many things that you can do with the limited selection they have available. There are all kinds of things you can do on this show, but sticking with just NXT UK is not going to work that well in the long run.

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2004 Monday Night Raw Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2019/08/26/new-book-and-e-book-kbs-complete-2004-monday-night-raw-reviews/

And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6