NXT UK
Date: June 17, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

Things might be a bit slower this week as we are coming off a pretty awesome title change last week. Meiko Satomura is the new Women’s Champion, meaning we could be in for something a bit slower this time around. I’m not sure what that is going to mean for the show, but NXT UK is pretty awesome at the moment so they should be fine. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Meiko Satomura finally ending Kay Lee Ray’s record setting Women’s Title reign last week. That was a pretty cool moment.

Wolfgang vs. Sam Gradwell

Before the match, Gradwell makes Big Bad Wolf jokes but is very clear that his house is made of stone. Wolfgang shoulders him down without much trouble to start and grabs an armbar. Back up and Wolfgang’s big whip sends Gradwell into the corner as this is one sided so far.

Wolfgang heads up but gets knocked down to the floor, meaning it’s time to grab a shoulder. That doesn’t last long though as Wolfgang is right back up to slug away and run Gradwell over. A suplex gives Wolfgang two but Gradwell elbows his way out of a fireman’s carry. Wolfgang manages to snap Gradwell’s throat over the top though and a spear is enough for the pin at 6:13.

Rating: C. Wolfgang has never been the most interesting singles star so it was nice to see him getting a chance like this. The match wasn’t great or anything, but it gives Wolfgang some momentum. That being said, it would be nice to see Gradwell win something for a change. I don’t remember the last time that was the case and that’s not a good sign.

Kenny Williams is ready to prove himself.

Various wrestlers are excited about Meiko Satomura’s win. Well save for Amele, who wants the title.

Subculture and Jinny/Joseph Conners are about to come to blows but Pretty Deadly pops in to interrupt. They’ll be on commentary for the mixed tag.

Danny Jones vs. Kenny Williams

Jones takes him down in a hurry and grabs a headlock, followed by the armbar. Williams is sent outside and snaps Jones’ arm over the ropes to take over. Back in and Williams bends him around the ropes, setting up a running dropkick to the back. The armbar has Jones in more trouble but he fights up for an enziguri. Jones tosses him into the corner a few times and hits a running boot but Williams takes the leg out. Back up and Bad Luck finishes Jones at 4:11.

Rating: C-. Not much to see here but Jones got to showcase himself more than I would have expected. What mattered here was having Williams pick up a win in the end as he is someone NXT seems interested in pushing. I’m not sure how far he is going to go, but they are trying something with him and that is how you start.

We get a sitdown interview with Rampage Brown, Ilja Dragunov and Joe Coffey with the three of them talking about how tough and violent they are. They all seem ready to fight, with Coffey and Brown taunting Dragunov about not being what he used to be. Their match is next week.

Mark Coffey annoys Sha Samuels and makes him run off in frustration.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions because this needs to keep going. This week’s guest is Jordan Devlin, with Noam Dar complimenting his fashion sense. Devlin likes Dar’s shoes too and Dar gives him the new Supernova Sessions shirt. After dominating America, Devlin is back here because America sucks. We hear about Devlin dropping the Cruiserweight Title to “Santa Claus” Escobar. Dar likes Devlin so he can have the big closing statement. Devlin says the franchise brand is back so come to the biggest dressing room and challenge him.

Video on Oliver Carter vs. Teoman next week, with Carter fighting to avenge his injured partner, Ashton Smith.

Dave Mastiff is training in the Performance Center but we cut over to Tyler Bate offering Jack Starz a Heritage Cup shot. Starz says he isn’t ready and Bate says the offer is there later. Bate leaves and Mastiff asks Starz what he is thinking.

Nathan Frazer vs. Rohan Raja

Frazer grabs a quick rollup for two so Raja grabs a headlock to slow him down. Back up and Frazer snaps off a Sling Blade but charges into a hard toss into the corner to give Raja his own two. The waistlock keeps Frazer in trouble until he reverses into a rollup for two of his own. Frazer runs him over with a forearm into a moonsault but Raja rolls away.

That’s fine with Frazer who lands on his feet and hits a standing moonsault for two instead. Raja is back up with a sitout Sky High for two but Frazer grabs a twisting suplex. A springboard moonsault into a Nightmare On Helm Street connects but Raja catches him on top. That just means a headbutt to put Raja down and the frog splash finishes for Frazer at 6:50.

Rating: C. There is something about Frazer that makes him fun to watch. His offense looks crisp and he has the charisma on top of it, which is more than you are going to get out of almost anyone else these days. It wasn’t a big match or even anything important, but I had fun here, as is the case with almost any Frazer match.

Post match an eye pops up on screen so Frazer looks at it but nothing happens.

Jordan Devlin comes in to his huge locker room and finds A-Kid. It seems we have a challenge.

Subculture vs. Jinny/Joseph Conners

That would be Flash Morgan Webster/Dani Luna for Subculture and Pretty Deadly is on commentary. The guys start things off with Webster grabbing a running armdrag to little avail. A knee to the ribs cuts Webster off so the women come in, with Jinny cranking on the arm. It’s back to Conners, with Luna backflipping Webster into a moonsault. Jinny gets in a cheap shot on Luna though and the stomping is on in the corner. A Black Widow has Luna in more trouble but she powers out for a fall away slam.

The hot tag brings in Webster to fire off the clotheslines to Conners to put him outside. Luna backdrops Webster into a flip dive, allowing her to snap suplex Jinny. Luna kicks an invading Conners in the face and sends him over the top but Conners comes back in for I believe Chuck Taylor’s Awful Waffle for two on Webster. Jinny gets in a cheap shot from the apron so Conners can grab a rollup for two more as the referee finally bothers to clear the ring a bit. The distraction lets Luna kick Conners down, setting up a 630 to give Webster the pin at 8:11.

Rating: C+. This was a fast paced match with Luna getting to look like a monster. You can probably pencil in Subculture as Pretty Deadly’s next challengers and that is not a bad thing. What matters here is Subculture getting a win to boost them up a bit, as the group is just getting off the ground. Besides, can Conners really fall that much further down?

Post match, Mark Andrews joins Webster in the ring for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. They had a pretty balanced show here and that’s where NXT UK tends to shine. Nothing on here really got a ton of focus, which is fine when none of the matches is that much bigger than the rest. This show is just so easy to watch and that makes all the difference in the world these days. Rather nice show here and I’m not even surprised by that these days.

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NXT UK
Date: June 3, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for a grudge match as Joe Coffey gets to face Rampage Brown in a hoss fight rematch. What more could you really ask for from a show than that? Well in this case we will also be getting Ilja Dragunov vs. Noam Dar and Pretty Deadly defending the Tag Team Titles. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Here’s what’s coming tonight.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Noam Dar

Dar actually takes over on the mat to start but it’s a quick break to let them both up. This time Dragunov down but he holds himself back from going nuts. Instead Dragunov wrestles him back to the mat without much time and cranks on the arm. A big boot staggers Dar again but he is right back with a cradle for two. Dragunov tries the Constantine Special but the knee gives out, allowing Dar to knock him outside in a hurry.

Back in and Dar starts working away on the arm but Dragunov pulls him into an armbar of his own. Dragunov fights up for a German suplex until the knee gives out, though he manages to hold on anyway. The half crab is broken up in a hurry so they slug it out, with Dragunov nailing an enziguri.

Back up again and now the Constantine Special can connect for two on Dar. Dragunov misses a middle rope knee and Dar is right there to bar that knee. The rope gets Dragunov out of trouble so Dar strikes away….which wakes Dragunov up. Something like a fireman’s carry slam into a gutwrench suplex gets two on Dar. An elbow staggers Dragunov though and Dar loads up the Nova Roller, only to walk into Torpedo Moscow to give Dragunov the pin at 13:36.

Rating: B-. This was two guys beating each other up and trying to pick the other apart. When the technical and submission stuff wasn’t working for Dragunov, he resorted to a flying headbutt to the chest. Dragunov as the man to dethrone Walter is not impossible and this was a good showcase of why it was possible. Dar held up his own end as well, as he can deliver when he is given the chance with the right opponent.

Video on Aoife.

Jordan Devlin is back and Sid Scala is glad to see him. Before Devlin is back for good though, he has some demands: a private dressing room, someone taking care of his Mustang and a spot on Supernova Sessions. I hope he itemized that list.

Tag Team Titles: Pretty Deadly vs. Jack Starz/???

Pretty Deadly is defending and this is fallout from the two of them mocking Starz. The mystery partner is…Nathan Frazer, which should work rather well. Stoker drives the much smaller Starz around without much effort to start, followed by a front facelock. Howley comes in to whip Starz hard into the corner but Starz jumps over him for the hot tag off to Frazer.

A very quick armdrag into an armbar doesn’t last long on Howley, as he takes Frazer into the corner as well. It’s back to Stoker and Frazer is tossed hard out to the floor. Frazer is back in rather soon and dives over for a hot tag of his own. Starz gets to clean house as everything breaks down. Something like a slam faceplant gives Starz two on Howley but Frazer is sent outside. That leaves Starz to get jumped, setting up Spilled Milk to retain the titles at 7:10.

Rating: C. This wasn’t exactly strong when it came to drama but it felt like a one off match more than anything else. The good thing here was that I never thought they would have Frazer take the loss here, because thankfully NXT UK is smart enough to know better than to do something so stupid. Throw in Pretty Deadly being a rather snappy heel team and this worked fine.

Tyler Bate is doing some blindfolded training and meditation, while saying anyone can come after the Heritage Cup.

Flash Morgan Webster vs. Joseph Conners

Jinny is here too. Webster works on a wristlock to start and some leg trips set up a standing inverted flip backsplash. That’s a bit too much for Conners, who unloads on Webster to take over. Some quick rollups give Webster two so Conners cuts him off with a backbreaker.

For some reason Webster decides to slug it out with Conners and actually gets the better of things, including knocking Conners outside. That means the big running flip dive on the floor. Back in and they stagger each other again so Jinny grabs Webster’s helmet. The referee deals with that, allowing Jinny to crotch Webster on top. The hangman’s neckbreaker gives Conners the pin at 5:03.

Rating: C. This was pretty quick and mainly a way to establish Conners as more of a threat. That’s all well and good, though Mark Andrews would seem to be the bigger accomplishment. Subculture is a group that works well together, even if it is a team we have seen for months now with a woman added. Not a bad match, but it seems to be setting up more for later.

Post match Subculture runs in for the save.

Walter is back next week. That’s an upgrade.

Video on Kay Lee Ray vs. Meiko Satomura before their rematch for the title next week. Satomura almost has to win there, but I’m not sure she will, which is a hard trick to pull off.

Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey

Rematch from a few weeks ago where Brown won. No seconds here and they go straight to the power off, as you might have guessed. Coffey goes for what might be banged up ribs before getting dropkicked out to the floor. They slug it out on the apron before going inside, where Brown stomps on Coffey’s hand. That doesn’t work for Coffey, who knocks him outside for a dive into the barricade.

Back in and Coffey unloads on the ribs, including rights and lefts into a side slam. The running shoulder to the ribs in the corner have Brown in even more trouble, followed by a belly to belly. A double jump moonsault gives Coffey two more and some rapid fire right hands in the corner keep Brown down. Brown blocks a superplex but and rives off the top to drop Coffey again but the ribs give out. Coffey misses a spinning high crossbody and comes up favoring his knee.

They crash outside again with Coffey getting the better of things, though they both break the count. Then they go right back to the floor to slug it out, with Brown being sent into the steps. Back in and Coffey hits a missile dropkick, followed by a bridging German suplex for two. Brown can’t hit the Doctor Bomb so Coffey hits a pair of running headbutts to put him in the corner. All The Best For The Bells finishes Brown at 11:38.

Rating: B-. There is nothing wrong with having two big power guys beating each other up until one of them couldn’t get up. Brown losing actually feels like a bit of a big deal so they have done a good job building him up. Coffey needed a win to boost him back up after not doing much for a little while. Good power match here, which was about all you could have expected.

Respect is shown post match and they both seem up for a rubber match. Cue Ilja Dragunov to stare them both down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked the show again and I can’t say I’m even a bit surprised by that these days. NXT UK has figured out the formula with a pair of good matches wrapped around some just ok ones. That is something that is going to work, and my goodness Walter returning and the Women’s Title showdown for next week sound like a great core for the show. This was good, but the big one is next week.

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NXT UK
Date: May 27, 2021
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

Things picked up a lot last week when the Heritage Cup changed hands. Tyler Bate defeated A-Kid to win a heck of a main event, and now we could be in for a few different directions. The big story coming up would seem to be Meiko Satomura challenging Kay Lee Ray for the Women’s Title, whenever that is going to take place. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Nathan Frazer vs. Sha Samuels

Noam Dar is here with Samuels. Frazer chops away to start but Samuels hammers him with right hands in the corner. A running clothesline is countered into a Downward Spiral into the corner but a Dar distraction lets Samuels toss him REALLY far off the top. The chinlock goes on, followed by a hard elbow for two on Frazer. Back up and an elbow drops Frazer again as the power is working for Samuels. Dar suggests and receives a slam for two and it’s time for some fishhooking. Samuels runs him over for two more and the chinlock goes on again.

Frazer is sent into the corner and a belly to back suplex gets two. That’s enough to finally start the comeback with some right hands and a running forearm to drop Samuels. Some rapid fire chops in the corner have Samuels in trouble but Dar distracts Frazer from the floor. Frazer decks Dar, who is ejected for trying to come after him. A running clothesline puts Samuels on the floor for a heck of a running flip dive and a nine count. Back in and Samuels tries his Butcher’s Hook but gets dropped with a springboard moonsault into Nightmare on Helm Street. The frog splash gives Frazer the pin at 9:33.

Rating: C. Frazer continues to impress, but more importantly he continues to appear, as NXT UK seems to have at least some kind of a plan for him. I’m not sure where that plan is going, but it is a lot better than never making television. This was a nice comeback win over a big name, and the fact that he got rid of Dar in the same match made it even better.

Last week, Dani Luna and Flash Morgan Webster had a staredown with Jinny and Joseph Conner.

Joseph Conner and Jinny are ready to show Subculture what they are all about.

Noam Dar is annoyed at being ejected and will take it out on Ilja Dragunov next week.

Teoman vs. Ashton Smith

This is fallout from Teoman mocking Smith for Oliver Carter being gone. Smith shoves him around to start and hits a release backdrop to send him flying. A shot to the face puts Teoman down again as it’s all Smith to start. More right hands and a judo throw get two on Teoman and Smith knocks him outside. The following only gets Smith caught in the ring skirt so Teoman can pound him in the back though, meaning the slow beating can starts up back inside.

Teoman takes the knee out and kicks the arm, setting up a stomp onto the shoulder. The arm is wrapped around the post but the Crossface attempt is countered into a suplex. Teoman is right back with a sliding forearm to the head for two more but Smith hits him in the face a few more times. A gutwrench suplex sends Temoan flying again but he sends the arm into the corner. The Crossface makes Smith tap at 6:39.

Rating: C+. Smith was getting to show off a bit here, which is nice to see after him not really doing anything for a good while now. It might not lead anywhere, but one nice match is more than some people get. Teoman continues to look good and once he gets an actual story, he might be able to go somewhere. For now though, these one off matches will do fine for him.

Post match Teoman puts the Crossface on again but Oliver Carter runs in for the save.

Ilja Dragunov isn’t worried about Noam Dar because he has changed, which is the truth. Dar keeps giving his own version of the truth. Now it’s time to bring violence to Dar.

Pretty Deadly come in to see Jack Starz and mock him for not having friends. Starz yells at him and a match seems ready, if Starz can find a partner.

Andy Wild vs. Kenny Williams

Williams has a new look but gets tossed into the corner by the neck to start. Wild puts him on the top but a rake to the eyes cuts him off. A chop block puts Wild down again and Williams stays on the leg, including a standing leglock. Williams charges into a boot in the corner though and an overhead belly to belly gives Wild a breather. The leg gets taken out again though and a bulldog driver gives Williams the pin at 4:03.

Rating: C-. Short and to the point here as Williams gets his first win after dispatching Amir Jordan. I’m not wild on the bulldog driver as a finisher but it is a pretty emphatic knockout move. This went about as well as it could have and Wild looked good even in defeat, so not a bad use of four minutes.

Video on Kay Lee Ray vs. Meiko Satomura in two weeks. Ray talks about trying to show respect but she isn’t trying to make friends. Satomura just wants the title and wants a clean match but then Ray laid her out a few weeks ago. Now it’s time to fight again.

Video on Joe Coffey vs. Rampage Brown, with Coffey being ready for a rematch. They’re on for next week.

Trent Seven vs. Sam Gradwell

Gradwell has been calling out Seven for coasting on his reputation as of late. They go with the aggressive lockup to start with Gradwell taking him down by the arm. Seven is right back with a crossbody but Gradwell hits a rather hard STO to cut that off in a hurry. A few forearms to the face (with Nigel saying they had some mustard, ketchup and a bit of mayonnaise as well) keep Seven in trouble and there’s a hard shot to the back as well.

The chinlock goes on, with Gradwell cranking on it pretty hard. Seven fights up and hits a DDT (Andy: “That’s going to mes up his hair!”) and a half and half suplex sets up the Emerald Flosion. Gradwell is sent outside for the suicide dive, with Seven coming up holding his knee. Back in and Seven misses a splash, banging up the knee in the process. Gradwell grabs a half crab but Seven reverses into one of his own.

That’s broken up and Gradwell sends him outside, setting up a pretty hard forearm off the apron. They both beat the count at nine with Gradwell going up top but getting caught with a top rope superplex. Gradwell forearms him so hard that Seven might have lost a tooth and a Samoan driver gets two. The Seven Star Lariat gets the same and the double frustration has set in. With nothing else working, the Birminghammer finishes Gradwell at 14:08.

Rating: B. These guys beat each other up rather hard and that is what you would want to see out of a match like this. Gradwell has come a LONG way since his return and it might have made more sense for him to get the win here. Seven did need a win to get him back on track though so it isn’t a horrible decision. Still though, Gradwell winning something in the future would be a good idea.

Overall Rating: C+. Another good show this week, which has long since become a trend around here. NXT UK has the talent pool and the setup to make a weekly show work, with the one hour run time continuing to be the right length. I continue to like this show every week and that has been the case for a long time now, again showing that it can be done if they don’t overthink things.

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NXT UK
Date: May 20, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s time for a title match as we have A-Kid defending the Heritage Cup against Tyler Bate in their rubber match. That alone should be enough to carry the show but we should be getting some other good stuff around here to make the rest of the show work. If it is like their recent efforts, everything should be fine. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video on A-Kid vs. Bate, with Bate becoming a huge star and A-Kid needing to become his own man. Bate needs to win something to get back on top and it’s time for a showdown.

Opening sequence.

Rampage Brown vs. Wolfgang

They trade cravates to start as we hear about their various European championships. Brown hits a dropkick but gets whipped hard into the corner to put him down as well. It’s already time to go outside for the slugout with Wolfgang sending him into the post. A backbreaker gives Wolfgang two back inside and we hit the bodyscissors to stay on the ribs.

Some shots to the knee get Brown out of trouble but Wolfgang gets up for a middle rope splash to the back. Brown Samoan drops his way to freedom but Wolfgang is right back with a spear for two. Another spear hits knee though and Wolfgang is sent hard into the post. A lariat sets up the doctor bomb to finish Wolfgang at 6:19.

Rating: C+. This was two big guys hitting each other rather hard for a few minutes and that is almost always going to work. Brown does not have the most depth and in his case that is about as perfect as you could get. Wolfgang hasn’t gotten to shine very much on his own but he looked fine here, so we’ll call it a good opener.

Ashton Smith was working at the Performance Center when Teoman came in. He asked where Oliver Carter has been lately and accuses Smith of forgetting about his family.

Aoife Valkyrie is training in the woods because now she knows what failure feels like. Now it is time to look forward and fly.

Rampage Brown is a little banged up but runs into Gallus. Joe Coffey says he’ll let Brown have some time to heal up and then come looking for him.

Amele vs. Xia Brookside

The angry Brookside goes for her in the corner to start but can’t get anywhere. Brookside takes her down by the arm and starts cranking away but gets pulled outside. Amele drives her back first into the apron and it’s time to go back inside for some stomping to the back. Brookside fights up with a running hurricanrana for two but Amele snaps off a northern lights suplex for the same. A kind of spinebuster plants Brookside for the pin at 4:42.

Rating: C-. This didn’t have much time to go anywhere here and I’m a little surprised that Amele won so clean. Brookside has kind of hit a wall in recent weeks and I’m hoping that she gets to bounce back sooner rather than later. At the same time, Amele looked impressive here and maybe she could go somewhere soon.

Nathan Fraser isn’t happy with Sha Samuels messing with him as of late so he takes Samuels’ notes from him. We have a match set for next week.

We recap Meiko Satomura becoming #1 contender for the Women’s Title, meaning champion Kay Lee Ray laid her out as a result.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions. Noam Dar wastes no time this week and brings out Ilja Dragunov for a chat. For the sake of Dragunov not going insane, Dar puts up some videos of waterfalls and they both have nice, comfortable robes. Dragunov’s looks to be more like a kid’s version though and he doesn’t look pleased. Dar brings up the loss to Walter, with Dragunov talking about the violence and anger that has come with the loss. He isn’t that person anymore though, but Dar brings up some of Dragunov’s recent acts of violence.

However, Dar wants to fix things up a bit, so he has a stuffed dog named Lenny. That’s too far for Dragunov, because Dar must think this is funny. Violence is teased, but Dar says he thinks this is an act. Dragunov walks out and Dar looks annoyed as the music plays. Dar was making me laugh here, despite my disdain for pretty much every wrestling talk show.

Sam Gradwell comes in to see Sid Scala to complain about Trent Seven. Gradwell isn’t going to press charges but he’ll singe off Seven’s moustache.

Post break, Scala makes Ilja Dragunov vs. Sid Scala and Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey for two weeks from now.

Heritage Cup: Tyler Bate vs. A-Kid

A-Kid is defending and Trent Seven is Bate’s corner man. Round one begins with a feeling out process as they both seem a bit tentative. A-Kid flips out of headlock and nips up to an early standoff. Bate takes him down by the arm but A-Kid reverses into a wristlock of his own. A monkey flip doesn’t get Bate out of trouble and the wristlock stays on. Bate finally flips out and it’s another standoff to end the round fairly evenly.

Round two begins with A-Kid grabbing a headlock takeover but Bate kicks his way to freedom again. Almost totally even so far with A-Kid’s advantage being pretty minimal. A-Kid has to flip out of a headscissors and cranks on both arms at the same time. Another escape gives us yet another standoff so Bate grabs a headlock to end the round with a minor advantage.

Round three begins Bate slapping on an armbar but getting countered in a hurry. Bate tries to pick up the pace and slides through the legs so A-Kid drops down onto him for a sleeper. That’s broken up and they trade rollups until A-Kid blasts him with a diving forearm to the jaw. Bate uppercuts him to the floor as the pace has picked up in a hurry. Back in and Bate pops him in the jaw but they both crash over the top to end the round on the floor.

Round four begins with Bate charging across the ring for an uppercut to the jaw. A-Kid dropkicks him right back and a fisherman’s suplex gets two. Bate knees him in the face but a middle rope elbow is countered into a backslide (cool). The airplane spin goes on so A-Kid reverses that into a Crossface attempt. A-Kid goes with the sleeper instead so Bate drops him back onto the mat for the break. A guillotine has Bate in trouble but he muscles A-Kid up into a suplex for two as the round ends.

Round five begins with both guys banged up and Bate powers him to the mat for an early two. A bridging German suplex gets two on A-Kid and the Tyler Driver 97 is good for the same. Spiral Tap misses and A-Kid grabs a cross armbreaker, which he switches into a Rings of Saturn with his legs. Time expires just in time though and Bate survives again.

Round six (the final round) begins with Bate in pain but being able to hit the rebound lariat. The Tyler Driver 97 is countered into a hurricanrana for two so Bate blasts him with a right hand. That earns him a superkick into a rollup but Bate drops down into a cradle for the pin and the title at 58 seconds of the sixth round (18:58).

Rating: B. They made me buy into this and I wouldn’t have bet on that coming in. I like the rules but they made the drama work here, which is a lot harder than having good action. The idea of the rounds and the clock ticking down is a great effect and this was an awesome main event, even if the winner might not have been in the most doubt.

Post match A-Kid is disappointed but presents Bate with the trophy and applauds to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The main event was what mattered most here (shocking I know) but they managed to get in a few other good things and also build up for later. This show has gotten the NXT formula down to a near science and the one hour run time makes it that much easier to watch. Another quality show here, with the main event getting the most out of its unique rules.

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NXT UK
Date: May 6, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s time to get rid of someone as the main event of this week’s show will feature Amir Jordan vs. Kenny Williams in a loser leaves NXT UK showdown. This presents an interesting challenge as the result should not be surprising, but neither of them are really major stars in the first place. NXT UK can probably find a way to make it work though so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Dave Mastiff

Dragunov slugs away to start but Mastiff gets in a shot of his own. A headlock doesn’t last for Dragunov, who is sent into the ropes in a hurry but comes off with a heck of a forearm. Dragunov jumps on his back for a choke as something seems to be wrong with Mastiff. A drop back breaks the hold but the referee checks on Mastiff and stops the match at 1:37.

The replay shows that the forearm busted Mastiff open and he did look shaken up.

Video on Xia Brookside (the first of five, one for each of the entries in the gauntlet match). She’ll fight for us.

Kenny Williams is ready for the main event.

Stevie Turner wants the best in NXT UK and seems to like the future. Must be an Asuka fan.

Ilja Dragunov doesn’t want to talk about what happened out there.

Gallus plays with a ball because whenever they drop it, they pick it back up. Rampage Brown comes up and isn’t happy that Joe Coffey isn’t here.

Video on Isla Dawn, who will sacrifice her soul to be Women’s Champion.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions, with Noam Dar talking about how people see him as underrated. That doesn’t make sense to him, but he doesn’t need validation from the fans anyway. With that out of the way, we’ll get to our guest with Nathan Frazer coming out. Frazer changed his name from Ben Carter because Carter was the name he used to hide his wrestling career from his family and coach. Now he is with WWE though so how much hiding can he do? Sha Samuels says Frazer isn’t a real British wrestler and after some yelling, a challenge is set.

Video on Jinny, who has studied for next week.

Amir Jordan is ready for the main event.

Subculture video. They want you to join them.

We look at Tyler Bate beating A-Kid in their first match last year, with both guys watching. Then they wrestled again, with the more confident and experienced A-Kid beating Bate, his mentor. Now it’s time for the rubber match for the Heritage Cup.

Video on Dani Luna, who is strong.

Saxton Huxley vs. Trent Seven

Huxley backs him into the corner to start and uppercuts away at the ribs. Some knees to the ribs put him down Seven down again but he’s right back with a slam into a legdrop. Back up and Huxley hits a running knee into a Thesz press to take over again. Some facewashes in the corner set up a running hip attack into a big boot as this is almost one sided so far.

Seven gets knocked down to the floor for an elbow off the apron for two back inside. A missed charge lets Seven hit a DDT though…and Sam Gradwell pops up on the screen to talk about how Seven can’t get the job done, no matter how much weight he lost. Seven is fine enough to snap off a dragon suplex into the Seven Star Lariat for the pin at 6:03.

Rating: C. I can go for more Seven, who feels like an actual legend around here. Huxley is slightly better since his return but it still isn’t anything you need to see. That being said, Seven vs. Gradwell should be a pretty good match once we get there, and for once we might have a chance of Gradwell winning something.

Video on Emilia McKenzie, who wants to prove herself around here.

Amale has attacked Xia Brookside and left her laying. Brookside might be in danger for next week’s match.

Kenny Williams vs. Amir Jordan

No DQ and Loser Leaves NXT UK. Williams takes him into the corner for some shots to the ribs to start but Jordan fights out and talks about how it’s all on the line here. A whip into the corner puts Williams down for two but he is right back with a kick to Jordan’s already banged up shoulder. Williams jumps down onto the shoulder and then cranks away, followed by a trip to the floor.

Some chair shots to the back keep Jordan down and it’s time to throw in a toolbox. Williams grabs something from said box and sits down in a chair, promising to end Jordan for good. Jordan fights his way out despite being upside down and kicks Williams outside. The suicide dive connects but a kick only hits post. The mats are peeled back but Jordan manages to block a bulldog driver onto the concrete.

Jordan is whipped into the barricade but manages to send him over said barricade so the walking/fighting portion can begin. An anvil case takes Williams down again but he comes back with a fire extinguisher blast. They crash through the barricade, with Jordan saying he won’t quit because this is his life. Back in and Williams takes the turnbuckle pad off and sends Jordan into the steel for two.

A powerbomb onto the exposed floor is broken up though and Jordan manages to suplex him onto the concrete instead. Jordan throws him back in for the top rope Swanton and a rather near fall. With Williams down, Jordan goes up top, only to have Williams throw a chair at him for the crotching. A bulldog driver into the chair finishes Jordan at 13:55.

Rating: B-. They had a rather hard hitting fight here and it did come off like a struggle, so points for getting the feeling right. Like I said at the start though, it is kind of hard to get into a match with this kind of setup. Jordan was all but destined to lose here and that took away a lot of the drama that the match had. Good enough, but as good as it was going to get.

Post match Jordan is crushed but managed to pull himself up so he can walk away on his own to end the show, complete with one look back at the NXT UK logo.

Overall Rating: C. This was a weird show as the main event did deliver but it wasn’t quite big enough to have such a focus. The rest of the show was mainly focused on the upcoming women’s gauntlet match than anything else, though the other builds worked out. Not every show they do is going to be some big smash, but if this is the new standard for a somewhat weaker show, they’ll be just fine.

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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: March 4, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for a special show with a huge main event. This week the Women’s Title is on the line again as Kay Lee Ray defends against Meiko Satomura in what sounds like a final boss fight (because that’s an awesome/appropriate nickname). I’m not sure how I see it going but it would be a bit un-NXT to have someone pop in and win the title in her first major match. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the Women’s Title match with various main roster and NXT women giving their picks.

Opening sequence.

Sam Gradwell vs. Ilja Dragunov

Gradwell gets in a slap to the face and dodges away, only to get taken to the mat with a head and arm clutch. That’s broken up with Gradwell going for the arm but walking straight into a big boot. Gradwell is busted open but he is still able to catch Dragunov on top and knock him to the floor. Back in and Gradwell gets two off a shot to the face but has to check his busted mouth.

The butterfly suplex sets up a chinlock until Dragunov fights up and stares him down. A hard headbutt rocks Gradwell and sets up the rolling German suplexes, followed by an enziguri to rock Gradwell again. The top rope backsplash looks to set up Torpedo Moscow….which only hits an exposed buckle. Dragunov is fine enough to slip out of a fireman’s carry though and the hard elbows to Gradwell’s head are good for the stoppage at 8:07.

Rating: C. These two beat each other up well enough as I’m rather surprised at how much better Gradwell has gotten since returning. The intensity is there and it is making for an interesting story. Then there is Dragunov, who is a different kind of intense and has to be going somewhere with his recent near insanity streak.

Post match Dragunov keeps unloading with the elbows until the referee reverses the decision. Dragunov goes after the referee before snapping back to reality and looking at his hands. Dragunov is near tears as he leaves on his own.

Teoman (Lucky Kid) tells us that his name is Teoman and he is coming next week.

Xia Brookside has Nina Samuels bring her and Aleah James an apple and tea. Nina spikes the tea but Brookside takes the wrong one, meaning the frustration grows again.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions with Noam Dar, who reads some nice statements about himself. Tyler Bate is the guest this week and Dar mocks him for looking young. Bate is proud of his accomplishments and mentions being a vegan. Therefore, Dar has a gift for him: a lot of broccoli and some lettuce, which Bate enjoys. Bate doesn’t feel bad about losing to A-Kid because you only lose when you don’t do. Dar says Bate should face Dave Mastiff next week, which Bate will do, assuming it is under Heritage Cup rules. He is no one’s doormat and wants the funky music played.

Ben Carter was training at the Performance Center this week and talks about how awesome it is.

Video on Aleah James, who was inspired by Melina and Mickie James.

Isla Dawn uses an Ouija board, crystal ball and tarot cards for an unexplained reason.

Kenny Williams/Amir Jordan vs. Oliver Carter/Ashton Smith

Williams rolls away from Carter’s wristlock to start and they miss a few charges each. Smith comes in to run Williams over and takes him down again with a judo throw. Back up and a crossbody sets up a headlock but it’s off to Jordan in a hurry. That goes badly for him as well as Smith forearms him in the head, followed by Carter dropping him face first onto Smith’s raised boots. A running clothesline gives Smith two and it’s back to Carter for some kicks to the face.

Jordan manages an enziguri though and the hot tag brings in Williams to clean house. A Code Red gives Williams two on Smith as everything breaks down. Williams and Jordan hit stereo dives to the floor but Smith takes Williams down with a faceplant back inside. Carter flips Smith into a 450 for two on Jordan with Williams making the save. Williams dives onto Smith and it’s Jordan trading rollups with Carter. With Jordan in trouble, Williams turns a rollup over and Jordan gets the pin at 8:11.

Rating: C+. Not too bad here with both teams getting to showcase themselves. The problem here is both of them are on the lower tier of tag teams around here and they both needed that breakout match. I’m not sure if this was it, but winning a match on TV is always going to help things out a bit.

Video on Jinny/Joseph Conners vs. Piper Niven/Jack Starz. Piper wanted to fight them both on her own but had to get a partner so Starz is filling in for the first ever mixed tag in NXT UK history.

Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams are happy with their win and are ready to keep going against Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews next week.

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

Satomura is challenging and of course we get the Big Match Intros. The fight over a lockup doesn’t go anywhere so Satomura kicks the leg out and grabs the armbar. Back up and Ray slaps on a hammerlock but Satomura knocks her outside with ease. Ray scores with some chops back inside and gets two off a dropkick. Satomura is fine enough to slap on the STF, with Nigel freaking out on commentary.

The rope grab gets Ray out of trouble so Satomura kicks away at the leg. Ray is fine enough to pull her down into a Koji Clutch until Satomura stacks her up for two and the break. Back up and Satomura kicks her down in the corner without much trouble, only to have Ray slide to the floor and trip her down. A hanging DDT off the apron plants Satomura but she’s back up for a slugout on the apron.

Satomura’s Death Valley Driver onto the apron knocks them both silly on the floor. They both make the count and it’s a Saito suplex for two more on Ray. A tornado DDT gives Ray the same but she pulls Satomura into some kind of a triangle choke. Satomura finally makes her over to the rope for the break and hits another Death Valley Driver for another two.

Ray gets her knees up to block a frog splash and the Gory Bomb connects for the next near fall. Ray’s knee is banged up so the Swanton takes too much time. Satomura loads up the Scorpio Rising but Ray grabs the leg and pulls her into the Gory Bomb…which is countered into a sunset bomb for two more. Ray is right back up though and now the Gory Bomb retains at 16:47.

Rating: B+. These two beat the heck out of each other and it even exceeded the hype they had built up. Ray winning is the right call, as it makes her feel like the next level champion by beating the legend. That’s a great way to go with these two and they had one of the better matches in NXT UK history on the way there. Awesome stuff and they both held up their end.

Post match Ray helps Satomura up and bows in respect before posing to end the show without going violent.

Overall Rating: B. This was a great show with nothing bad and a pretty incredible main event to wrap it up. They have things set up going forward but also had this show to go with it. NXT UK may be the best show going at the moment because the wrestling is good and the pacing is even better, which isn’t something many other shows can get right. Keep this stuff up, because it’s great.

Results

Sam Gradwell b. Ilja Dragunov due to a reversed decision

Kenny Williams/Amir Jordan b. Oliver Carter/Ashton Smith – Rollup to Carter

Kay Lee Ray b. Meiko Satomura – Gory 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 UK
Date: February 4, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s another week in London and that means we could be in for some good stuff. NXT UK has started to find its stride again, including a pretty awesome four way tag team match last week that saw Pretty Deadly become the new #1 contenders. Hopefully they can keep the momentum going this week so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Commentary opens with a bit of a surprising chat about how the pandemic has shaken everyone. You don’t hear WWE talk that way on television very often.

Xia Brookside vs. Nina Samuels

As usual, Samuels has a man carrying her bags and tells Brookside that she should be doing just that. They start fast with Brookside taking her to the mat and then pulling on the arm as they get back up. Samuels kicks her into the corner though and sits on Brookside’s leg, setting up the chinlock. Make that an armbar but Brookside fights up and slugs away. The running knees in the corner set up a running faceplant and they head outside. Brookside kicks the steps by mistake so Samuels throws in a suitcase. That’s enough of a distraction for a loaded purse to knock Brookside silly for the pin at 4:56.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here before the screwy finish but Samuels winning to set up Brookside’s revenge down the line should work fine. I still like Brookside a lot and Samuels is starting to grow on me. She has a perfectly fine heel character and they could go in a few directions with her so things could be looking up.

Post match Samuels poses and said she told us so.

Jordan Devlin wants to know who he is facing tonight but Sid Scala isn’t sure.

Sid Scala talks to Jack Starz behind closed doors and Stars doesn’t look thrilled. It looks like Scala is trying to find Devlin’s opponent.

Josh Morrell vs. Joseph Conners

Conners has Jinny in his corner. The grappling exchange goes nowhere to start so Morrell dropkicks him to the floor, where Conners needs to talk to Jinny. Back in and Conners starts cranking on the arm before clotheslining him down for trying to flip out. The arm is snapped over the ropes and Conners crucifixes him for two. There’s a backbreaker for two and we hit the armbar again. This one doesn’t last as long as Morrell fights up and increases the pace with a dropkick. Morrell has to bail out of something off the top but gets run over again. A neckbreaker finishes for Conners at 5:37.

Rating: C. It’s going to take a long time for me to care about Conners but at least this is better than complaining about the young whippersnappers of NXT UK. Morrell doesn’t have much to make him stand out but the energy he has in the ring should keep him around for a bit. This was all about Conners though and he looked a bit better than usual.

Video on Sha Samuels, who calls himself the Butcher because he comes from a family of butchers.

Xia Brookside wants a rematch with Nina Samuels and orders Scala to get it done.

Ilja Dragunov vs. Tyson T-Bone

T-Bone promises to win during his entrance and they charge at each other to start in a hurry. Some shots to the back have Dragunov in trouble so he rolls over into a keylock. Cue Sam Gradwell to watch from ringside and heckle Dragunov. A hard slam into a knee drop keeps Dragunov down and a t-bone suplex does it again. Gradwell: “YOUR FAMILY IS WATCHING!”

Dragunov manages to knock him into the corner but charges into a belly to back suplex. A half nelson suplex puts Dragunov on the floor where Gradwell talks even more. T-Bone follows for some shots to the back….and Dragunov snaps to unload on T-Bone outside. They go back in where Dragunov takes him down with ease and unloads with elbows for the stoppage at 6:47.

Rating: C+. T-Bone is another one of those guys who hasn’t shown me much, though he hasn’t felt like a big waste of time. This was a better performance though as he kept taking it to Dragunov but eventually got caught by the buzz saw version. Dragunov continues to look awesome and it’s going to be even better when he fully embraces the full monster side.

Post match Gradwell yells at Dragunov some more, saying Dragunov let his family down. Gradwell: “Do you need a cuddle???” Dragunov snaps and runs over the cameraman but referees keep them apart before violence can ensue.

Meiko Satomura is here next week and some people are rather pleased.

Sid Scala still tries to find Devlin’s opponent.

Joe Coffey vs. Danny Jones

Coffey drives the tall Jones up against the ropes but Jones slaps him in the face. This is a rather bad idea as Coffey unloads on him with right hands to put Jones down. Jones manages some shots to the face, including a jumping knee, but a belly to belly suplex cuts that off. A sleeper staggers Coffey but he’s right back with the running headbutt into the corner. All The Best For The Bells finishes Jones at 2:51. There was WAY more in here than you would have expected and Jones gave it a shot.

Post match, Coffey says if Rampage Brown wants to make a name for himself, he needs to hit someone in the face really hard. Cue Brown to say anytime anywhere.

We look back at Pretty Deadly becoming #1 contenders last week.

Gallus is ready for Pretty Deadly.

Video on Eddie Dennis and the Hunt vs. Flash Morgan Webster/Mark Andrews. They meet next week in a street fight.

Here’s Jordan Devlin for the main event and Scala has found him an opponent. It’s just not for the title.

Jordan Devlin vs. Dave Mastiff

Non-title of course. Devlin works on a wristlock to start before switching to an early headlock. the running shoulder hits Devlin though and Mastiff cartwheels away and drops a backsplash. An exchange of shots to the face goes to Mastiff and he runs Devlin over in the corner. Devlin slips out of a suplex though and takes out the knee in a smart move.

A dragon screw legwhip into another chop block keeps Mastiff down but Devlin manages to put him on top. He can’t pull him into the Devlin Side though and Mastiff gets the better of a slugout. There’s a big toss to send Devlin into the corner and another toss sends him flying over the top to the floor in a great bump. Back in and Devlin slaps him in the face so Mastiff gets Devlin on his shoulders. A victory roll sends Mastiff to the floor with Devlin following, only to get caught in the Regal Roll.

Mastiff breaks the count but goes back to the floor, where Into The Void only hits (and breaks) the barricade. Devlin is still down so Mastiff hits a top rope headbutt for two more with commentary losing it on the kickout. A dropkick to the leg takes Mastiff down again though and there’s a slingshot cutter to knock him silly. Devlin adds the 450 for the pin at 12:02.

Rating: B-. If Devlin wasn’t already a face, this might have been the match that shoved him over the line. Not only did he want to fight tonight but he came up against a monster and beat him clean. I still thing this winds up with Devlin taking the United Kingdom Title from Walter and they’re setting Devlin up as a giant killer. Mastiff had Devlin in a lot of trouble but wanted to win clean rather than taking the countout. Good stuff here, but it could be setting up something bigger down the line.

Overall Rating: C+. I liked this one quite a bit as it was rapid fire material focusing on all kinds of people up and down the card. They set up a few different things going forward and you could see a Takeover style card, even if that show isn’t even set at the moment. Either way, good stuff here and I could go for another format like this in the future.

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NXT UK
Date: January 21, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s title night as Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray is defending against Jinny. This is an interesting one as they are both heels, with Ray having held the title for over a year. I’m not sure if I can see Jinny winning the title, but I’m also not sure I can imagine Ray holding it that much longer. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at Ray vs. Jinny, which has been built in a hurry.

Opening sequence.

Rampage Brown vs. Dave Mastiff

They go with the power battle to start but Brown can’t shoulder him down. The slugout is on early until Brown nails a dropkick. Back up and Mastiff hits a much bigger dropkick but Brown kicks him in the face to take over again. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Mastiff gets up and sits on Brown’s chest.

The backsplash crushes Brown again and Mastiff headbutts him out of the air. A pumphandle suplex gets two more but Brown hits a hard clothesline for the same. Mastiff nails a German suplex so Brown bails into the corner, where he blocks Into The Void. Brown manages a pretty impressive Doctor Bomb for the pin at 6:32.

Rating: C+. This worked in a few different ways at the same time, with the guys having a nice power match and Brown getting his biggest win so far. Mastiff has been well protected and as a result, the win means something more for Brown. It’s nice to see a promotion building things up like that and doing the right things for a change.

We look at A-Kid losing to Walter last week.

A-Kid says next week will be different.

Kenny Williams tells Amir Jordan that he has gotten him a match with Tyson T-Bone. Jordan isn’t thrilled but goes through with it.

Jack Starz vs. Ilja Dragunov

Feeling out process to start with Dragunov’s wristlock setting up a bunch of flips from Starz. A dropkick sends Dragunov into the corner but he’s right back with a headlock takeover. Some rollups get two each on Dragunov so he double legs Starz down into the headlock. Back up and Dragunov hits a spinning chop but the Torpedo Moscow is cut off with a clothesline. They slug it out with Starz getting the best of it and chopping him in the back. That’s too much for Dragunov, who unloads in the corner to set up a German suplex. Torpedo Moscow to the back sets up a bunch of elbows to draw the referee stoppage at 5:53.

Rating: B-. Who would have thought these two would have a competitive match? This one told a nice story as Dragunov still isn’t right after the loss to Walter and then snapped at the idea that someone else could beat him. I could go for a lot more of Dragunov so seeing him in any kind of story is a nice change.

Post match Dragunov snaps back to reality and begs Starz to be ok.

Ben Carter is in action next week.

Sam Gradwell is ready to send Carter back to Jersey.

Tyson T-Bone vs. Amir Jordan

Kenny Williams is here with Jordan. T-Bone hammers away to start and muscles him up for a backbreaker. There’s a fall away slam and some right hands set up some shots to the back. Jordan jawbreaks his way out of a chinlock and hits a dropkick before dodging an elbow. T-Bone gets sent face first into the buckle but sits down on a sunset flip, only to have Jordan roll over to pin T-Bone at 5:01.

Rating: C-. I wouldn’t have bet on that one as Jordan often comes off as the goofy friend rather than anyone of note. T-Bone hasn’t been around in a long time but he still has enough of an aura to him that a win over him seems like it means something. Williams looking so surprised by Jordan winning probably doesn’t bode well for him though.

Xia Brookside doesn’t like Nina Samuels jumping her or dragging the Brookside name through the dirt.

Video on Gallus.

Women’s Title: Kay Lee Ray vs. Jinny

Jinny, with Joseph Conners, is challenging. They go with a hard lockup to start with Ray cranking on the armbar. Jinny knocks her into the corner but Ray is right back out with a dropkick. Ray’s double underhook facebuster gets two but Jinny dropkicks the knee out to sent it outside. Some forearms to the back have Ray in trouble as they go inside again….where the lights on the screen flicker. Can we put a moratorium on that for a bit?

Jinny grabs a surfboard but Ray gets her arms free to grab the rope. Some shots to the head keep Ray in trouble and the chinlock goes on. That’s broken up and they slug it out with Ray getting the better of things. The Koji Clutch has Jinny in big trouble but she kicks out a few seconds later.

Jinny gets in a shot of her own and pounds away but Ray is right back up. The Gory Bomb is broken up by a Conners distraction, followed by a trip to pull Ray down. That’s enough from Conners so the referee tosses him. That’s fine with Conners as he grabs the belt, only to have Jinny miss a shot. Ray grabs the Gory Bomb for the pin to retain at 11:07.

Rating: C. That was kind of a relief as Jinny felt like a challenger of the month with Conners kind of messing up. At the same time though, Jinny seems like someone who could be back for another shot later. It’s nice to see Conners fail in any way shape or form and Ray was wrestling pretty face here so it was certainly eventful.

Overall Rating: C+. They were starting off great this week but then it slowed down near the end. I like the idea of getting the title matches out there when they can and thankfully they haven’t come close to overdoing it yet. Carter is a nice draw for next week and this time we might even see him get a win. Pretty good show here, but it started off looking great.

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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:

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