NXT UK
Date: November 7, 2018
Location: Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

Just in case you haven’t had enough from this taping cycle yet. It’s the second of two shows today and that could mean a variety of things. Pete Dunne successfully defended his United Kingdom Title last week against Danny Burch so he’s going to need a new challenger. We’re not quite there yet though so they must have something else on tap for this one. Let’s get to it.

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

Earlier today, the Coffeys and Wolfgang came to work.

Opening sequence.

Congratulations to Toni Storm for winning the Mae Young Classic. We get a quick clip of the finals.

Toni Storm vs. Dakota Kai

They lock up to start with Kai driving her into the corner for a clean break. A handshake seems to suggest that things are ok but they both try kicks to the ribs, both of which are caught. Kai kicks her down for two but Storm is right back with an uppercut as we hear about Storm’s time in Japan. An STF goes on for a long time until Kai makes the rope and gets back up for another slugout.

Stereo headbutts give us a double knockdown but Kai is there with two more kicks. A snap German suplex sends Kai into the corner but she runs to the other corner for a kick to the head. The bicycle kick rocks Storm, who shrugs it off for some running knees in the corner. Storm Zero finishes Kai at 7:17.

Rating: C. The ending wasn’t exactly in doubt as Kai never wins anything and Storm is likely to be one of the big stars of the division. Storm has some of the best star power I’ve seen in a good while and it makes sense to have her win in the first match. Just get her some competition though, as it’s not like there isn’t a full tournament roster to pick from.

They shake hands post match and here’s Jinny to jump Kai from behind. This is her NXT. Welcome to the club.

Zack Gibson vs. Amir Jordan

Jordan dances to the ring. Gibson goes straight to the arm and slaps Jordan in the face. Jordan comes back with a wristlock of his own and some dancing, followed by a blocked sunset flip. With Gibson shouting that Jordan has no chance, the fans suggest standing up if you hate Gibson. More arm cranking doesn’t go anywhere as Jordan scores with a dropkick and a high crossbody gets two. That’s it for Jordan as Helter Skelter sets up the Shankley Gates for the tap at 4:25.

Rating: D+. This was longer than it needed to be though Gibson getting a win is a good idea. He’s the best heel around here (though the catchphrase isn’t great) and that’s the kind of thing they need to build up around here. Building some challengers for Dunne is a good idea and the more they can have, the more interesting things can be.

Post break Gibson says he’s soon to be known as the best around here. He’s won the United Kingdom Championship Tournament and beat then beat Noam Dar. Every day is one step closer to being the UK Champion because this is the best British wrestling. Everyone wants to be part of something special but he’s not going to share the top spot.

He keeps going on until Trent Seven shows up to ask if Gibson is delusional. Fans: “YES! YES! YES!” Trent talks about Gibson having a cup of tea while Moustache Mountain made history on the WWE Network. He did win the tournament, and also made everyone in the Royal Albert Hall take off their shoes. A challenge is thrown out and Gibson bails.

Video on Jordan Devlin’s debut two weeks ago.

Kenny Williams is ready to prove himself.

Kenny Williams vs. Jordan Devlin

Devlin takes him down with an armbar and they trade some flips into a standoff. Kenny gets dropped into a standing moonsault for two and it’s off to the neck crank. That doesn’t last long as Williams gets up and dropkicks Devlin to the floor for a suicide dive. A top rope back elbow gets two, followed by a rollup faceplant for the same. Devlin is right back up with the spinning fireman’s carry slam (I think Nigel called it Ireland’s Call) for the pin at 4:35.

Rating: C. Not bad here, though neither has much that makes them stand out, which is the biggest issue around here. Devlin looked better and more well rounded though Williams’ flying wasn’t too bad. I could still go for more than “I’m British and I’m here to prove myself” because that’s kind of been covered to death.

Next week: an announcement from Johnny Saint.

Mark Andrews/Flash Morgan Webster/Ashton Smith vs. Coffey Brothers/Wolfgang

Webster kicks at Wolfgang’s knees to start so Wolfgang sends him straight into the corner with a hard forearm. Andrews and Joe come in with a faceplant getting one on Andrews and it’s off to Mark….vs. Mark. Thankfully Andrews flips out of a belly to back suplex and makes the hot tag to Smith for a running clothesline.

Everyone comes in for the big staredown until Smith settles down for a middle rope ax handle to Mark. Joe and Smith slug it out for a pretty cool visual with Joe grabbing a spinning butterfly suplex. It’s back to Andrews for a middle rope hurricanrana on Wolfgang but Andrews gets sent outside. That means a distracted referee and a stomping from the Brothers.

Back in and we hit the neck crank, followed by a crossarm choke. Wolfgang superkicks Andrews for two and it’s another chinlock. Mark slaps on a front facelock but lets it go to knock Smith off the apron. The delay allows Andrews to hit the Stundog Millionaire to escape. The hot tag brings in Webster for a Whisper in the Wind for two on Wolfgang. Smith comes in for a running boot in the corner but the Brothers chop him down.

Everything breaks down and Mark gets superkicked, only to have Joe spear Smith. Andrews hits a tornado DDT on Wolfgang and the double suicide dives drop the Brothers. A hurricanrana puts Wolfgang on the floor as well and Webster hits a big flip dive onto everyone. Back in and a spear cuts Webster in half, followed by a discus lariat and the pin at 14:46.

Rating: C+. This was fine, though the heat segment on Andrews in the middle went on for a long time. It makes sense to have the monsters win here as you need to build up some heels. The good guys weren’t anything special here but at least they got in some nice spots, including that flip dive from Webster.

Overall Rating: C. The show wasn’t bad but it was a far cry from the previous episode, which was quite entertaining from start to finish. They’re taking the right steps forward though and that’s a good sign. This is still the first wave of stories and they’ll eventually get on to the bigger stuff as time goes on. Still though, completely watchable show, though it doesn’t need to be the second of two in a row.

Results

Toni Storm b. Dakota Kai – Storm Zero

Zack Gibson b. Amir Jordan – Shakley Gates

Jordan Devlin b. Kenny Williams – Ireland’s Call

Wolfgang/Coffey Brothers b. Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews/Ashton Smith – Discus lariat to Webster

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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

NXT UK
Date: October 31, 2018
Location: Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge, England
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness

So this is something a little interesting as there will be two episodes of the show released today, both with today’s date listed. My guess is that since these shows were taped so long ago and another taping has already taken place, they’d like to get caught up at a faster pace. Since Mae Young Classic ended last week too, they needed something to make sure we still have four shows on Wednesday, because that’s just what we should have. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Trent Seven vs. Saxon Huxley

Huxley says he’s burned off the deadwood since losing in the UK Title tournament and the new beast is ready. They fight over a lockup to start with Huxley getting the better of it and working on the arm. A chop just hurts Seven’s arm and Huxley knees him in the ribs. Seven grabs a DDT but gets hammered down as the fans sing something to both of them. We hit the chinlock to keep Seven down for a few moments longer than you might expect until he fights to his feet for a windup lariat. There’s a backdrop as the fans are off to a version of what used to be Bayley’s song. The Burning Hammer finishes Huxley at 5:08.

Rating: D+. This was the less popular mustached guy beating the 193th menacing guy who likes to fight. Seven having to sweat a bit was fine, as he and Tyler Bate are two of the most popular guys around here so it’s a good idea to let him get a win like this. Huxley got a lot, but it’s not like he stands out whatsoever.

Video on the Coffey Brothers.

Mark Coffey vs. Flash Morgan Webster

Mark has his brother Joe with him. Webster gets caught with a shot to the ribs to start but he’s fine enough to snap off some armdrags into an armbar. A running hurricanrana sets up a standing inverted Swanton for two but Joe offers a distraction. That’s enough for Mark to get in a hard uppercut and a bridging belly to back suplex gets two.

Mark slows things down with some knees to the ribs and another belly to back is good for three straight near falls. Webster is back with a middle rope spinning flip attack for a breather and a jumping knee sends Mark outside. A hurricanrana around the post drops Mark so Joe offers a distraction, allowing Mark to grab another suplex. Mark tries yet another suplex but this one gets reversed into a crucifix to give Webster the pin at 6:16.

Rating: C-. It’s a good sign that they already have some heels together and faces to fight them, but Webster isn’t doing much for me. He comes off as the guy whose gimmick is being quirky without actually being quirky. The match was slightly better than the first, but it wasn’t exactly thrilling stuff. Also, do you really want to have one of your monsters losing clean, especially with his brother there to help him?

Post match the beatdown is on but Travis Banks and Mark Andrews run in for the save.

Danny Burch says you should be here to win.

Sam Gradwell says he’s not here for five star matches but to be a thunderstorm.

Danny Burch vs. Sam Gradwell

Burch forearms him into the corner but Gradwell punches his way out and snapmares him down as the fans think someone looks stupid. A German suplex gets Burch out of trouble and he hammers away, only to walk into a Michinoku Driver. They slug it out (you knew it was heading there) with Burch getting the better of it and grabbing a hanging DDT for the pin at 4:04.

Rating: C-. This was a rather simple way of doing things and that’s how it should have gone given the people in there. Burch can wrestle a good match but having him be the fighter isn’t the worst way to go. Gradwell is another generic guy in trunks who talks about how tough he is. Find something new.

Post match Danny talks about being a proud Englishman who has spent fifteen years traveling the world, carrying the banner of British wrestling. Now he’s home and part of the best wrestling in the world. He knows he’s earned the respect of everyone in that locker room but it’s time to get someone’s attention. That would be Pete Dunne because Burch wants the UK Title. Burch has been British strong style since Dunne was a baby so come try him.

Video on Jordan Devlin.

Zack Gibson vs. Noam Dar

They fight over arm control to start with Dar getting some very early control. The fans sing some more but Dar stops to mock Gibson’s boots in a weird moment. Gibson’s headscissors doesn’t get him anywhere so Dar goes for the leg and tries to take the boot off. I’m still not sure what that’s about so Dar just cranks back on the leg instead. Gibson’s armbar works a bit better as Dar can’t even roll his way out. The break finally has Gibson annoyed so Dar grabs some rollups for two each.

Another kick to the knee stops Gibson again and they head outside where yet another shot to the knee cuts Gibson down. Back in and a belly to back suplex gives Dar two but Gibson goes right back to the arm. The fans sing something else that I’m assuming is anti-Gibson, though it’s not always easy to tell. Gibson hits a few clotheslines for two and we hit the chinlock. There’s the stomp on Dar’s arm, which has become almost a requirement in arm work today.

A wristlock suplex keeps Dar in trouble but he’s right back with a few shots to the face. Dar gets two each off a pair of suplexes so Gibson gets his own near fall off a middle rope Codebreaker. The Shankley Gates is broken up and they head outside again with Gibson powerbombing him onto the ramp for a very painful sounding crash. That gives us the dive in at nine and the Shankley Gates go on.

Since that move only works in matches that aren’t incredibly important, Dar dives over to the rope for the break. Dar fights up again and kicks the knee out but the Nova Roller misses. Gibson can’t follow up so Dar heads up and hits a top rope double stomp to the knee. They get in a fight over arm cranking and knee kicks until Dar slaps on a kneebar, which is broken up as well.

Gibson’s Backstabber is countered into an ankle lock with a grapevine but that’s STILL not enough as Gibson punches his way out, including grabbing Dar’s ear. Dar misses a middle rope stomp to the knee and hurts his own knee in the process. Helter Skelter (a lifting spinning suplex) finishes Dar (with Gibson raising the bad leg) at 21:10.

Rating: B-. Well that was rather long, though it was also pretty good. Dar is SO much better as a face than a heel that it’s almost funny, while Gibson is a rather strong heel who has turned into one of the better villains on the show. This could have been five minutes shorter (it would have kept the show under an hour) but it was still an entertaining match that didn’t feel as long as it was.

Overall Rating: C. The show is starting to hit its stride though they’re still in the early stages. Considering this was the third show, that’s a combination of impressive and expected but the show certainly doesn’t drag and you can see who are the bigger stars. Nothing on here was bad and the main event is pretty good, making this a pretty easy hour (plus) show to watch.

Results

Trent Seven b. Saxon Huxley – Burning Hammer

Flash Morgan Webster b. Mark Coffey – Crucifix

Danny Burch b. Sam Gradwell – Hanging DDT

Travis Banks b. Noam Dar – Helter Skelter

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and pick up the paperback edition of KB’s Complete 2003 Smackdown Reviews (also available as an e-book) from Amazon. Check out the information here:

http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/09/07/new-book-kbs-complete-smackdown-2003-reviews/

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

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