NXT UK
Date: May 5, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

We’re back to the title picture this week with Meiko Satomura defending the Women’s Title against Isla Dawn in a World of Darkness match. I’m not sure what that means but NXT UK has enough of a track record that I can believe they’ll pull it off. On top of that, we get more of the build towards next week’s 200th show. Let’s get to it.

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

Lash Legend arrived earlier today and conscripted Emilia McKenzie to take care of her bag.

Opening sequence.

It’s time for Supernova Sessions, this time in the ring. Noam Dar says this is the first edition of Supernova Sessions 2.0, which makes me scared for this place’s future. This week’s guest is international superstar Lash Legend and, after taking some time to get her seated, Dar gives her something resembling a plant. Hold on though, as Samuel Sha brings in a much nicer bouquet, which she puts in the Heritage Cup.

Legend rhymes about how awesome she is and talks about being here to run through the competition. Dar has his another present for her in the form of a Lash video package, which Legend certainly likes. Then Dar tries to open a water but it seems to be soda and sprays all over him. With Dar dealing with that, Samuels looks at the odds for the incoming NXT exchange students having success around here, though he isn’t sure who Damon Kemp is.

Legend talks about how her physical abilities are like some animals and promises to leave everything else for the vultures. Now play the funky music. This was pretty terrible and one of the worst things I can remember on NXT UK in a long time. Granted that might be due to it being about Lash Legend and nothing actually happening.

Sid Scala talks about finding challenges for the Tag Team Titles, with a triple threat title match coming up. Von Wagner comes in to shake Scala, but Sam Gradwell says he’s here to do that. A match seems likely.

In the back, Damon Kemp comes up to Sha Samuels and Lash Legend. That’s enough to get Legend to leave so Kemp can complain about being a 400/1 underdog on Samuels’ odds.

Tiger Turan vs. Tate Mayfairs

Turan is a masked guy and kind of skinny. Mayfairs’ wristlock is flipped away to start and Turan cartwheels over him, setting up a butterfly suplex. A high crossbody gives Turan two but Mayfairs pulls him out of the corner for a crash to take over. That doesn’t last long as Turan chops him down a few times and scores with a middle rope dropkick. Turan hits a Swanton for the pin at 4:05.

Rating: C. Turan is fairly small but he was good enough to look decent in there. I don’t know how much of a future he’ll have around here as this place seems to be the new NXT dumping ground but when has that stopped NXT UK from getting something out of someone before? Not much of a match but I can always go for a masked man.

Gallus runs into Oliver Carter/Ashton Smith and they both seem to want the Tag Team Titles. They’ll meet next week in one of the #1 contenders matches.

Video on some of the NXT UK stars who have moved on to become NXT/main roster stars.

Video on Ivy Nile.

Nina Samuels doesn’t like Nile stealing her spotlight and she’ll do something about it next week.

Danny Jones vs. Damon Kemp

Kemp wrestles him down to start but Jones slips out in a bit of a surprise. Jones grabs the arm but is quickly reversed into a gutwrench suplex. A clothesline drops Kemp and the neck crank is on, only to have Kemp come up with some overhead belly to belly suplexes. Kemp hits a Regal Roll, setting up a running powerslam to finish Jones at 4:26.

Rating: C. Kemp continues to impress but I think you can get the idea of what the new NXT UK, or at least this taping cycle of it, is going to be about. Kemp made short work of someone who has had some nice appearances around here before and that is probably going to be the case for more than one NXT UK regular. I get that NXT UK is the minor league, but making them practice dummies is a bit hard to swallow.

Post match Sha Samuels runs in to beat Kemp down.

Tiger Turan is celebrating his win but here is Kenny Williams with wanted posters, apparently thinking that Turan attacked him last week.

Die Familie is on their roof and talk about their upcoming matches, with Charlie Dempsey facing A-Kid and Teoman/Rohan Raja wanting the Tag Team Titles.

Video on Jordan Devlin vs. Ilja Dragunov for the United Kingdom Title next week. Devlin talks about his dad telling him to be whatever he wanted, but to be the best. They had their first match but it wasn’t quite how Devlin wanted it. Now it’s time for the title match, but also Loser Leaves Town to make it more interesting.

Women’s Title: Isla Dawn vs. Meiko Satomura

Satomura is defending in a World of Darkness match, which means a street fight with the lights dimmed. We get the Big Match Intros, but this time Satomura jumps her before the bell to start fast. Dawn kicks her out of the air to little avail as Satomura kicks her to the floor. The apron kicks are blocked though and Dawn busts out a broom. Some shots with said broom have Satomura in trouble so Dawn kneels to make some thunder and lighting go off.

Back in and it’s time to open up Dawn’s box of trinkets and pull out Dani Luna’s hair. The hair is wrapped around Satomura’s eyes but she fights up, steps on the box, and starts kicking away. A spinwheel kick gives Satomura two but Dawn catches her on top with some chair shots. The backdrop driver onto the chairs is broken up though and Satomura kicks her out to the floor.

That works for Dawn, who whips out a rope/cord and ties Satomura to the post. Some whips have Satomura in trouble until she kicks her way to freedom. Dawn misses a dropkick into the steps, allowing Satomura to get in a kendo stick shot back inside. The cartwheel knees to the back let Satomura swing the stick again but Dawn is back with a Tarantula. The top rope rope Meteora onto the chair gives Dawn a delayed two (thanks to her banged up knees) and it’s time to set up some chairs. Dawn can’t suplex her through the chairs and it’s Scorpio Rising to retain the title at 12:49.

Rating: C-. The lights were darker? That’s really all they had for this? That might be the lamest gimmick I have seen in years as it felt like something Russo would have done. All they did was a weapons match with the lights dimmed down and I’m supposed to find that more interesting? That’s a bad sign coming after a pretty lame show and that’s a rather bad sign.

Satomura celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. Please don’t let this be how NXT UK is going to go. Please. It’s the one consistently very good show that they have. While it is one thing to send someone over to another show to let them have some more time, this show felt like the NXT dumping ground with a BIG focus on the lower level NXT stars, plus a really lame main event. NXT already has two shows. I know these people need to be in the ring, but can they just get back on the Coconut Loop again instead of taking away one of the few shows that I like week in and week out? Please?

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NXT UK
Date: April 21, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

It’s another title week this time around as Ashton Smith and Oliver Carter are getting a rematch against Moustache Mountain. This is a 2/3 falls match though and that should make for a pretty awesome showdown between two great teams, even though Moustache Mountain is teasing a move to the dark side. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the Tag Team Title match.

Opening sequence.

Sam Gradwell vs. Kenny Williams

Back Alley Brawl, meaning street fight and Gradwell starts the fight in the aisle before the bell. The beating is on with Gradwell grabbing a trashcan but getting it knocked away. Williams manages to knock him down but we have a masked man looking at Williams from somewhere near the entrance. They go inside with Williams pounding away but Gradwell grabs some backbreakers.

The fight heads back outside where Gradwell gets in some more trashcan shots, only to get sent into the post. A lame fire extinguisher blast gets Williams out of trouble and he puts Gradwell on the steps for some stomps onto a chair onto Gradwell. Back up and Gradwell slams him onto a trashcan, meaning a table can be loaded up.

As is almost always the case, that takes far too long and Williams chairs him down to take it back inside. Williams gets sent hard into the corner but he comes back with a shot to the leg. The belt is removed to whip Gradwell in the back but that isn’t going to work for him as he whips Williams instead. Gradwell is sent to the apron, where he catches Williams on top for an AA off the apron and through the table. Back in and Williams is done at 9:43.

Rating: C+. NXT UK doesn’t do this kind of match very often and that means it has a bit more impact when the do one. Gradwell getting a win is a nice touch and I can always go for a masked man running around. It wouldn’t shock me if it’s Williams’ old partner Amir Jordan, though you never can tell around here. That’s a good thing and I’m curious about where this is going.

Post match the masked man chases Williams to the back.

Video on Symbiosis vs. Mark Andrews/Wild Boar, with Eddie Dennis issuing the challenge for the tag match.

Stevie Turner vs. Emilia McKenzie

Turner backs her into the corner but gets shoved away as McKenzie isn’t having that. Some forearms stagger Turner but she’s right back with a bicycle kick to take over. Another running kick gets two and the chinlock keeps McKenzie down. That’s broken up without much trouble and, after ducking another kick, McKenzie hits the spear for the pin at 4:43.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one, which tends to be the case when Turner is involved. I’m not sure what has gone wrong with her but she has an interesting look and idea behind the character but nothing has ever come close to clicking. McKenzie isn’t exactly great, but a student vs. teacher showdown for the Women’s Title could work well, as it almost always does.

Isla Dawn is ready to put out Meiko Satomura’s flame and win the Women’s Title.

Some American NXT stars are coming, including Von Wagner, who Saxton Huxley refers to as STUPID MAN.

Xia Brookside is ready to batter someone next week.

In three weeks: Ilja Dragunov defends the United Kingdom Title against Jordan Devlin on the 200th episode.

Tag Team Titles: Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter vs. Moustache Mountain

Moustache Mountain is defending and this is 2/3 falls. Bate starts with Smith, who can’t shake off the early wristlock. Smith’s reversal is reversed so Bate can hit some running shoulders and armdrag him into an armbar. Seven comes in but his assisted moonsault is countered into a rollup for two so Smith can take over. It’s off to Carter to work on an armbar of his own, which doesn’t last long as Seven is back with a legdrop.

Smith saves Carter from a double suplex though and the champs are sent outside. Back in and Bate snaps off a dropkick for two on Smith and it’s Seven coming back in for a kick between the shoulders. The seated full nelson goes on but Smith ducks a clothesline and dives over to bring Carter back in. A release German suplex gets two on Bate, who grabs a victory roll for the same. Seven’s assisted powerbomb gets two on Carter as everything breaks down. Back to back kicks and clotheslines drop the champs and an assisted moonsault gives Smith the pin on Seven for the first fall at 9:57.

There is no break between falls so Carter kicks Seven in the face for two. Private Party’s Silly String into a splash connects for two more as Seven stays in trouble. Seven finally gets in a shot to the face out of the corner but a missed enziguri means no tag. Carter’s kick to the head gives Smith two but Seven grabs a DDT.

That’s enough for the tag off to Bate and the pace picks way up. Smith saves Carter from a middle rope elbow to the face so Bate suplexes Carter for two instead. It’s back to Seven and stereo Tyler Driver 97s get two on Smith and Carter. With that not working, Bate hits the running clothesline into Seven’s dragon suplex for the pin on Smith at 16:28 to tie it up.

Bate punches Smith back into the corner but Seven gets Blue Thunder Bombed for two. Another assisted moonsault is broken up with Bate pulling Seven out, only to have Carter moonsault onto the two of them outside instead. Back in and Bate has to springboard in with a knee for the save and they’re down again.

Seven and Smith strike it out until the Seven Star Lariat drops Smith for a close two. The top rope knee into the Birminghammer gets two more with Carter making the save for a good false finish. Bate is sent into Seven so Smith can grab a rollup for a VERY near fall so Seven sends Carter into Smith. Seven is evil enough to put his feet on the ropes though and that’s enough to retain the titles 2-1 at 21:39 (Bate is NOT pleased).

Rating: B+. I got way into this one and some of the near falls near the end were great. They didn’t bother doing anything cute here and went with straight action, including some cool looking double teams. In the end, Seven gets to keep cheating and driving a wedge between himself and Bate, which is starting to give me Sting/Lex Luger vibes. Granted Moustache Mountain is a better team, but it’s a good story that could get interesting in the long run.

Bate (begrudgingly) celebrates with Seven to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. That main event is more than enough to carry the show and that shouldn’t be a surprise around here. NXT UK has a tendency to be mainly in-ring focused but the stories are enough to make things feel all the more interesting. It was on display in the main event as they had me wondering how it was going to end, which is not a feeling you get on a lot of WWE shows. Good stuff this week and one of the better NXT UK shows in a bit.

Results
Sam Gradwell b. Kenny Williams – AA through a table
Emilia McKenzie b. Stevie Turner – Spear
Moustache Mountain b. Oliver Carter/Ashton Smith 2-1

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NXT UK
Date: April 14, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

We’re in an interesting place here as this is one of the few shows without a title match over the next few weeks. Instead we have A-Kid vs. Teoman in a match that should be worth a look and some other stuff that should work out as well. This kind of show tends to work well for NXT UK so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Coffey Brothers vs. Dave Mastiff/Jack Starz

Joe and Mastiff collide to start but the shoulders don’t send either of them anywhere. Mastiff tries it again to some more success before bringing in Starz. This doesn’t go as well as Joe takes him into the corner for the tag to Mark and some arm cranking. A double atomic drop sets up a backbreaker for two but Starz manages a dropkick. Joe gets driven into the corner for a change and the tag brings in Mastiff.

That actually doesn’t go well at first as Joe tries a slam, only to have Starz hit a dropkick to the back to knock Mastiff onto him. A slingshot splash gives Starz two, with Nigel wondering how Joe isn’t spitting up Irn Bru. Joe finally gets up and sends Starz at Mastiff, which is enough for a tag and another splash crushes Joe again. With the power not working, Joe gets in a shot to the face and hits a middle rope missile dropkick for the needed breather.

The hot tag brings in Mark to clean house and a middle rope bulldog gets two on Starz. A half nelson suplex is broken up though and Starz gets in a much needed backdrop. Mastiff comes back in but gets enziguried, only to have Joe tag himself in. Joe tries to get the pin himself but the delay lets Mastiff knock him silly. Starz’s powerbomb finishes Joe at 8:32.

Rating: C+. This got a bit of time and the story continues to be the issues between Gallus. They can’t win a match at the moment and I’m curious to see if it leads to a heel turn, a split or both. Starz has come a LONG way since he was the designated victim and this big guy/little guy team with Mastiff is working. The result was a bit predictable but I liked the match.

Post match the winners are happy and the losers aren’t. Wolfgang comes out to calm things down but Joe yells about how Mark and Wolfgang are the team and walks off.

Video on Ilja Dragunov retaining the United Kingdom Title last week over Roderick Strong.

After the match, the two of them met up in the back, with Strong saying Dragunov is special but they’ll see each other again. They shake hands but Jordan Devlin comes in to say he’s the Irish Ace. Dragunov sneers a bit.

Video on Kenny Williams vs. Sam Gradwell, as Williams keeps pushing Gradwell, who seems ready to push back. They’ll be having a back alley brawl, which Williams says is a mistake for Gradwell. This gets some time and they make it look a good bit bigger than it had been coming in.

Here is Meiko Satomura for a chat about wanting her title back. Satomura wants Isla Dawn out here with the title right now so here is a laughing Dawn to respond. The lights dim and the camera gets a bit weird as Dawn talks about getting attached to the title. They have a future together, but she is willing to hand it back over on one condition: a rematch, under Dawn’s own chaotic rules. Dawn throws the title down and stares at her as the rematch is accepted. That works for Dawn, who mists Satomura and says she’ll get the title back in a world of darkness.

Amale will be watching Eliza Alexander’s match and says she is still full of rage. It is a matter of time before she gets her hands on Eliza and Xia Brookside.

Gallus argued during the break and Joe Coffey left.

Mark Andrews says he and Wild Boar have been friends for fifteen years. The only time that hasn’t been the case was when Eddie Dennis got involved. Boar promises to hurt Dennis as soon as he gets the chance. Andrews holds up a chair and Boar says Symbiosis is the hunted.

Eliza Alexander vs. Angel Hayze

This is Alexander’s in-ring debut and Xia Brookside is in her corner. Alexander grabs a headlock to start as we hear about Brookside’s father training Alexander when she was 13. Hayze grabs a rollup for two but gets taken down with a clothesline to the back of the head. There’s a kick to the back and the fans aren’t pleased with Alexander. The slow beating continues with Alexander dragging her around by the wrist but Hayze gets in some shots of her own. A Sling Blade gives Hayze two but Alexander cuts her off with another clothesline. One heck of a running knee knocks Hayze silly for the pin at 3:09.

Rating: C. That knee alone is going to get Alexander noticed as she blasted Hayze with that thing. Other than that, you had little more than a squash here, as Alexander toyed with her for a few minutes before getting serious to finish it off. Good debut here, though there is only so much to get out of something like this.

Emilia McKenzie talks about training hard and being successful thanks to coaching from Meiko Satomura. Stevie Turner pops in to say Satomura is helping McKenzie because Satomura doesn’t see her as a threat. McKenzie seems to think about it.

Moustache Mountain is ready for their 2/3 falls Tag Team Title defense against Oliver Carter/Ashton Smith. This includes Trent Seven being a good bit more nefarious lately as he has to keep the titles.

Teoman vs. A-Kid

The rest of Die Familie is here with Teoman. Feeling out process to start with A-Kid taking him to the mat. That doesn’t last long so let’s have a standoff. Teoman gets in a kick to the chest out of the corner but A-Kid seems pleased that things are picking up. A headlock takeover puts Teoman down but he switches into a headscissors. That’s reversed into a bow and arrow but Teoman slips out to land on top for a quick two.

A-Kid starts cranking on the ankle, which is reversed into a crossarm choke. With that not working either, A-Kid pops up for a dropkick to stagger Teoman again. Charlie Dempsey offers a distraction though and Teoman hits a dropkick down to the floor. Back in and the chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a forearm to the back of A-Kid’s neck. A slam cuts off a comeback attempt but Teoman hurts his own knee to slow things back down.

The delay lets A-Kid fight up and chop away and a loud kick to the chest gets two. There’s a fisherman’s suplex for the same but Teoman is back with a kind of brainbuster onto the knee, setting up a sliding forearm for two of his own. A cross armbreaker is blocked as Teoman rolls over to the ropes, sending both of them to the apron. Teoman misses a sliding forearm and goes into the steps so A-Kid moonsaults onto the rest of Die Familie. The distraction lets Teoman hit a reverse flipping DDT for the pin at 11:12.

Rating: B. I keep going back and forth on both of these guys as they both seem ready to move up to the next level but it never seem to happen. Teoman does seem like the leader of the team, though Charlie Dempsey gets my attention every time he’s in there. As for A-Kid, he seems to be falling further and further down each week, even after that random NXT cameo. At least they had a good match here though, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

Teoman yells about the Eye seeing everything to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. They had a series of good matches this week, though it is kind of interesting that we seem to be getting back to Jordan Devlin as the challenger for the United Kingdom Title. I have long since thought that Devlin would be getting the title, though I’m not sure if Dragunov is anywhere close to being ready to lose the belt. Other than that, this was a show about moving stories forward and as usual, NXT did it fairly well.

Results
Jack Starz/Dave Mastiff b. Coffey Brothers – Powerbomb to Joe
Eliza Alexander b. Angel Hayze – Running knee
Teoman b. A-Kid – Flipping reverse DDT

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NXT UK
Date: April 7, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for the big title fight as United Kingdom Champion Ilja Dragunov is defending the championship against Roderick Strong. It says a bit that NXT UK has to import challengers for Dragunov, but it isn’t like there is anyone around to give Dragunov a run for his money at the moment. Let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at the title match and makes it feel like a big deal.

Opening sequence.

Primate vs. Wild Boar

The rest of Symbiosis is here and if Boar wins, he gets to face Eddie Dennis. They go straight to the slugout with Primate getting the better of things for all of a few seconds. Boar takes him down and stomps away before going after Dennis. T-Bone gets in the way and the distraction lets Primate take Boar down. That doesn’t last long either though as Boar knocks him into the corner and hits the big reverse Cannonball. T-Bone offers another distraction though and Dennis gets in a chain shot to give Primate the pin at 3:36.

Rating: C. This was a storyline advancement match as Boar is going to need some help to fight off Symbiosis and get his hands on Dennis eventually. You don’t have these two in there for a technical match so they didn’t bother trying, which is how something like this should go. Not exactly a classic, but it did its thing well enough.

Post match Dennis wraps a collar around Boar’s neck and whips him with the chain. Mark Andrews returns from injury though and runs in for the save with a chair.

This week, Sam Gradwell arrived at the Performance Center but found maggots in his bag. Gradwell blames Kenny Williams but has he checked with Bray Wyatt?

Die Familie is at their apartment and Charlie Dempsey is ready to make Wolfgang tap. Dempsey warns Teoman to be ready for his match with A-Kid but Teoman doesn’t seem scared.

Dave Mastiff and Jack Starz are training together when Gallus comes in to get in their faces. A match seems to be set.

Wolfgang vs. Charlie Dempsey

Rohan Raja is here with Dempsey. Feeling out process to start with Dempsey grabbing a cravate. Wolfgang suplexes his way to freedom and starts working on an armbar to keep Dempsey down. That’s countered with a choke and they slug it out with Dempsey’s running shoulders not really working. Instead he goes after Wolfgang’s leg to put Wolfgang back in trouble, setting up an armbar.

Make that an armbar with a leg crank, at least until Wolfgang punches his way to freedom. Back up and the uppercut it out until Wolfgang hits a top rope ax handle. Dempsey knees him down and goes for the leg again, setting up a knee to the back of the knee. That doesn’t last long either as Wolfgang fights up and grabs a suplex. The spear is loaded up but the Eye of Teoman appears on the screen. That’s enough of a distraction for Dempsey to grab a bridging butterfly suplex for the pin at 7:20.

Rating: C+. There is something so fun about seeing Dempsey tie people up and that is what he did again here. Wolfgang has come a good way too as I didn’t think much of him when he started and now he is a perfectly competent singles guy here. Gallus’ issues continue, but the question is if they go heel again as a result. I’m not sure if one is better than the other, but I wouldn’t be surprised.

Meiko Satomura is a champion without a championship but she’ll remedy that next week.

Kenny Williams knows nothing about the maggots in Sam Gradwell’s bag. Then he finds a note saying keep watching your back. Williams yells at whoever left the note, saying come out and they can do this right now.

Xia Brookside is happy to have won her match against Amale with a little help from her daddy and her new friend Eliza Alexander. Eliza is debuting next week and promises to batter someone.

Sid Scala has Moustache Mountain and Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter in his office and promises to settle things. In two weeks, it’s a 2/3 falls match and the teams are down.

Wolfgang wants to know where the Coffey Brothers were. They say it won’t happen again but Wolfgang is still annoyed.

United Kingdom Title: Roderick Strong vs. Ilja Dragunov

Dragunov is defending. They fight over a lockup to start until Strong takes him down into an armbar. With that broken up, Strong has to duck a spinning backfist to the head but Dragunov avoids a jumping knee. An exchange of chops fire each of them up even more, with Dragunov getting the better of things. Dragunov misses a running headbutt though and falls outside, allowing Strong to stomp away.

We hit the armbar back inside and Dragunov can’t roll out of it. A shoulder breaker sets up another armbar but Dragunov is back up with some hard chops. Dragunov’s charge is countered into a backbreaker (you knew that was coming) for two and the armbar goes on again. That’s broken up as well and Dragunov hits a running kick to the head. Strong has to kick his way out of a kneebar so Dragunov switches to a Brock Lock.

Another kick to the bad arm breaks that up though and they’re both down. With the grappling not working, Dragunov rolls some German suplexes but the bad arm gives out, leaving them both down again. Back up and the threat of Torpedo Moscow sends Strong outside but he pulls Dragunov out with him.

The half nelson slam sends Dragunov into the steps for two back inside. A backbreaker onto the top turnbuckle rocks Dragunov again but he kicks out anyway. Some more forearms stagger Dragunov but he manages some jumping enziguris. Dragunov strikes away but Strong hits the jumping knee…which Dragunov shrugs off and hits Torpedo Moscow to retain at 14:39.

Rating: B. Of course this was good, as Dragunov is one of the most consistently interesting people around, but I could go for him having a match without focusing on his arm. I don’t think Strong was meant to be a serious threat to the title here but they did a nice job of making you believe that Dragunov was in some trouble. At least until he shrugged off the jumping knee and hit his finisher for the win.

Replays and celebrations wrap us up.

Overall Rating: B-. Strong main event to go with some stuff being set up for the future. This was a slightly better than usual NXT UK, which continues to be nice and steady. That’s all it needed to be and it worked out just fine again. They already have the next two title matches set up and I want to see how both matches go. Nice job. Again. As always.

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NXT UK
Date: March 31, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

Last week saw a title match as Meiko Satomura successfully defended the Women’s Title against Isla Dawn, only to have Dawn steal the title belt after the match was over. Odds are that is going to be continuing in some way, but we also need to get closer to Roderick Strong challenging Ilja Dragunov for the United Kingdom Title. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Amale vs. Xia Brookside

Brookside gets punchy to start but Amale counters her crossbody with a slam. A fall away slam gets two but Brookside kicks her down out of the corner. Some rather bratty stomping on Amale’s back keeps her in trouble and Brookside fires off the shoulders to the back in the corner. The running knees to the back give Brookside a slow two and we hit the camel clutch.

Amale escapes and starts striking away, setting up a northern lights suplex for two. The Hopebreaker is blocked but so is Brookside’s Boston crab attempt. Instead Brookside bails to the floor so Amale can hit a running boot against the barricade. With Brookside thrown back in, a mystery blonde clotheslines Amale on the floor, leaving Brookside to hit the Broken Wings for the pin at 5:57.

Rating: C. Brookside cheating to win makes sense, though it’s almost weird to see Amale lose. She has cooled off a bit but it is clear that she has moved up the ladder more than a few steps. This is probably going to be the start of a longer story between them and Brookside having some muscle behind her makes it even more interesting.

Post match the blonde gets in the ring to pose and then leave with Brookside.

We get a creepy video with Isla Dawn singing about how she has something that belongs to Meiko Satomura. The bond between Meiko and her title is quite strong, but Dawn wants something from her. Either do what she asks….or else.

Video on Roderick Strong vs. Ilja Dragunov, with various wrestlers talking about how great it should be. A lot of them want a shot at the winner.

Trent Seven vs. Ashton Smith

Tyler Bate and Oliver Carter are here too. They fight over the lockup to start with Smith driving him up against the wall. Smith sends him into the ropes but gets crossbodied down. A hiptoss into a legdrop gives Seven two and a suplex gets the same. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Smith is back up with a face first drop on the country and a running shoulder. Smith starts in on the arm before loading up a superplex.

That’s broken up with some shots to the ribs so Seven tries a high crossbody, which is pulled out of the air in a nice power display. Seven is muscled up into a suplex for two but is fine enough to catch Smith on top. That means Seven can hit a superplex for two of his own and it’s time to slug it out.

The referee tries to break it up so Seven gets in a cheap shot, setting up a dragon suplex (Smith bounced off that thing). The suplex slam gets two but Smith goes after the arm to break up the Seven Star Lariat. Smith hits his own Seven Star for two and frustration is setting in. They go to the pinfall reversal sequence and Seven grabs the trunks for the pin at 8:52. Bate sees the cheating and is absolutely NOT cool with it.

Rating: C+. What matters here is they have me wanting to see what they are going to do with the title match. Seven is almost full on evil and that is going to either cause Bate to come with him or the two of them to lose the titles. It’s giving me Sting/Lex Luger from the Nitro era vibes and that means there are more than a few directions this thing could go. Nice match too, which is almost a bonus at this point.

Post match Bate applauds Seven but still looks annoyed. Smith and Carter aren’t happy either.

A-Kid is back and this place will always be special to him. He isn’t letting Teoman get away with what he has been doing lately.

Wild Boar, looking a bit crazy, is carrying a crutch and promises that he can handle anything that Eddie Dennis throws at him. Then he throws a bunch of stuff.

Oliver Carter and Ashton Smith aren’t happy with the cheating. Moustache Mountain comes in, with Trent Seven saying that was a win. The argument is on until Sid Scala comes in to say they’re going to figure this out in his office….next week. Seven tells Tyler Bate that a win is a win.

Tate Mayfairs vs. Kenny Williams

Williams stomps him into the corner to start and rakes a boot across the eyes. Mayfairs fights back but Williams takes his leg out without much effort. A rake to the back lefts Williams get two, complete with a knee on Mayfairs’ face. The double arm crank goes on, with Williams sitting on his back for some extra….I guess pain?

Mayfairs fights out and starts striking away, including a kind of step up right hand. Williams knocks him outside but doesn’t want a countout, instead throwing Mayfairs back inside for Bad Luck. That’s good for two, with Williams pulling him up instead of getting the pin (oh dear). Mayfairs is sent outside for a crawl underneath the ring, but Sam Gradwell pops out. Gradwell scares Williams off and throws Mayfairs inside for the countout win at 5:45.

Rating: C. I’m kind of over the slip on a banana peel finish to these squash matches but that is what we got here again. Gradwell wanting to dismantle Williams makes sense and it should make for a good fight, though this was a long way to get to an annoying loss for Williams. Mayfairs doesn’t seem like someone they are pushing, as he is another guy in trunks who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Wolfgang is ready for Mark Coffey to win the Heritage Cup. Die Familie comes in and asks why Gallus always gets to represent heritage. Mark vs. Charlie Dempsey seems to be set up.

We get a face to face showdown between Ilja Dragunov and Roderick Strong. Dragunov knows of Strong’s reputation and says he feels the same way about wanting to push things to the next level. Strong sees a lot of himself in Dragunov for the same reasons. He knows Dragunov is the next real challenge and wants to add the title to his resume.

Dragunov accused Strong of not respecting him and says he became a new man when he won the title. Strong says Dragunov is living in the moment and doesn’t know what it feels like to lose. Nothing hurts Strong more than saying “I was” and Dragunov will feel that after their title match. They get in each others’ faces and Dragunov promises to stand his ground. Intense stuff here, which is where Dragunov excels.

Heritage Cup Title: Noam Dar vs. Mark Coffey

Dar is defending and has Sha Samuels in his corner, with Joe Coffey in Mark’s corner. Round one begins with the two of them taking their time before exchanging some wristlocks. Dar takes him down with a headlock before having to duck a right hand. Hold on though as Samuels gives Dar a shot from his flask, with the contents then being thrown into Joe’s face. Dar trips the frustrated Mark and gets in some laughs from the corner.

With that not having much staying power, Dar ties him up with something like the Tequila Sunrise. Some arm cranking wraps up round one, with Nigel being VERY pleased. Round two begins with Dar going right back to the arm, including countering a chinlock attempt into an arm crank. With the technical stuff not working, Coffey hits him in the face, only to charge into a small package to give Dar the first fall at 1:10 of the round and 4:41 overall.

Round three begins with Coffey hitting him in the face again for an early two and muscling Dar up for a backdrop. A German suplex gets two more so Samuels pulls Dar outside, only to get dropped by Mark. Back in and an enziguri ties us up at a fall apiece at 1:34 of the round and 6:44 overall.

Round four begins with Samuels begging the referee to give Dar more time, allowing Dar to kick Mark in the head for two. Some more kicks rock Mark but he manages a belly to back suplex out of the corner for a breather. Dar catches him on top and hits a running kick to the face, only to get knocked down hard for his efforts. They slug it out with Mark getting the better of things until he misses a jumping kick and hurts his leg again. Dar grabs the kneebar but time runs out to save Mark.

After the corner men nearly get into it (papers are torn up and thrown), round five begins with another forearm off. Dar hits a spinning elbow to the face but gets rolled up for a fast two. Something like a Tazmission crossface has Dar in a lot of trouble but Mark has to drag him away from Samuel’s attempted interference. Samuels offers another distraction so Mark lets go and Joe gets in the ring to glare. The distraction lets Dar hit the Nova Roller for the retaining pin at 1:47 of the round and 12:44.

Rating: B-. Dar cheating to retain has become a Bingo card entry as it seems almost like a guarantee whenever he puts the title on the line. Now he has run through all of Gallus and I’m not sure who is next, but I could see him holding the title for awhile to come. The fans still don’t like him, but it would be nice to see him do something a bit different, just to shake things up a bit.

Gallus shakes their heads to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There wasn’t anything great on this show, but they did a good job of making me want to see where some of the stories were going. That is one of the things that NXT UK does as well as anyone else these days, especially when a lot of the star power wasn’t here this week. Pretty good show here, though far from a classic.

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NXT UK
Date: March 24, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s another title week here as Isla Dawn gets her shot at the NXT UK Women’s Title and Meiko Satomura. That could make for a good showdown, as Dawn has cranked up the evil in recent weeks. In other news, Wild Boar gets his shot at Symbiosis, starting with T-Bone. Let’s get to it.

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

Quick video on Meiko Satomura vs. Isla Dawn.

Opening sequence.

Die Familie vs. Saxon Huxley/A-Kid

Teoman is here with Familie. A-Kid and Dempsey start things off with Dempsey working on an early armbar. Huxley comes in and slams his way out of another armbar before slamming Raja too. An elbow gets a rather delayed two and it’s back to A-Kid, who is quickly pulled into a Fujiwara armbar.

A-Kid breaks that up so Dempsey takes him down by the leg instead as this isn’t A-Kid’s night so far. Dempsey grabs a fisherman’s suplex for two and it’s off to a standing armbar. A jump over Raja finally allows the fast tag to Huxley though and it’s time to clean house in a hurry. Huxley hits a big clothesline for two on Dempsey but stops to chase Raja to the floor, allowing Dempsey to grab the Kimura.

That’s broken up as well and it’s back to A-Kid to German suplex Raja. Huxley adds a butterfly backbreaker to Raja with A-Kid adding in a running basement dropkick for two. Dempsey distracts the referee though and Teoman sends A-Kid into the barricade. The distraction lets Raja post Huxley and a jumping Downward Spiral finishes at 8:26.

Rating: C+. This took some time to get going but it felt like Die Familie had to work to get the win. That being said, it is a little surprising to see A-Kid get beaten up this badly. He didn’t get anything going here until the very end, which isn’t something you see from him very often. Dempsey looked dominant though and they might have something special on their hands with him.

We look at the return of Wild Boar and his quest for revenge on Symbiosis.

Amale is asked about this week’s Women’s Title match but Xia Brookside interrupts and asks about a possible rematch. Sure, but Brookside has no time to answer questions from the interviewer. Instead, Brookside calls her father and says IT’S TIME.

Wild Boar vs. T-Bone

Eddie Dennis and Primate are here with T-Bone. Boar comes in through the crowd and the beating is on with T-Bone being knocked outside before the bell. Back in and Boar sends him outside again but this time a Symbiosis distraction lets T-Bone get in a cheap shot. T-Bone starts in on Boar’s recently repaired knee, including an assist from Dennis for a running kick to the leg. A suplex gives T-bone two but Boar manages to send him chest first into the corner. The running shoulder to the ribs drops T-Bone and, after knocking Primate off the apron, Boar hits a jumping DDT for the pin at 4:38.

Rating: C. Boar returning wasn’t exactly a big deal but points for giving him a win to get him back on track (assuming he was on said track in the first place). I doubt Wild Boar is going to be the next big singles star around here but at least they are letting him do something to spice him up a bit. Now follow up with what they started here.

Ilja Dragunov, in a nice suit, talks about how he and Roderick Strong both know that diamonds are made under pressure, so it would be an honor to meet him in the ring. Just remember that the Czar doesn’t crack under pressure.

Earlier this week, Kenny Williams couldn’t find his car keys. He goes to his car and finds the doors, hood and trunk open and a tire missing. The interviewer suggests that it is tied to whomever sent him the note last week but he doesn’t want to talk.

Danny Jones vs. Jordan Devlin

Devlin drops him with an early chop and then hits a running elbow to the face. Back up and Jones hits his own chops in the corner but Devlin knocks him down without much trouble. A running knee to the ribs has Jones down again and a clothesline gives Devlin two. Some more forearms wake Jones up and he hits a jumping enziguri. There’s a running knee in the corner and a suplex gets two on Devlin. A double arm trap rollup gets two but that’s enough for Devlin. The slingshot cutter sets up a brainbuster to finish Jones at 4:43.

Rating: C. Jones is someone who has been showing up more and more in recent weeks so maybe they see something in him around here. That’s not the worst place to be, though Devlin isn’t someone who is going to lose outside of a big match. I keep waiting on the trigger to be pulled with him but that might not be happening anytime, either soon or far off.

Post match Devlin says the person who holds the title doesn’t matter, because there is only one Ace.

Video on Moustache Mountain having to get a little more evil to deal with Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter. Smith and Carter have some momentum though and are ready to keep going to get another title shot. The champs are ready for anything though.

Noam Dar is ready to complete the Gallus sweep in Heritage Cup Title defenses.

Women’s Title: Meiko Satomura vs. Isla Dawn

Satomura is defending and Dawn shoves her in the face a few times to start. A hard shot takes Satomura down but she blocks a bicycle kick and hits an uppercut. Some kicks have Dawn in more trouble as she seems to be a bit over her head here. Dawn tries to take her into the corner but gets kicked in the head. A neck snap across the top rope works a bit better for Dawn and she drags Satomura to the floor.

There’s a big boot against the barricade and we hit the chinlock back inside. Some knees to the back and face cut off Satomura’s comeback attempt but the second try works a good bit better. A spinwheel kick staggers Dawn and the Saito suplex gets two. Satomura’s frog splash hits knees though and Dawn is back with a dropkick. Dawn misses something off the top and gets caught with a Pele kick, setting up the Death Valley Driver for two. Scorpion Rising misses but Satomura is fine enough to grab a cradle and retain at 8:00.

Rating: C+. They were in a weird spot here as Satomura is a much bigger star than Dawn, who is only starting to move into a more serious role around here. That left the match feeling more like waiting around until Satomura won, though Dawn has come a long way in recent months. She might be able to stay higher up in the division and it would be deserved.

Post match Dawn steals the title and leaves to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was another show that didn’t have most of the main stars but still came out well enough. While the action itself here wasn’t exactly blowing me away, the show continues to set things up in the future and keep me wanting to come back for more. That isn’t something that happens very often and I could go for more of it for a long time coming.

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NXT UK
Date: March 17, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

We have a guest start this week as Roderick Strong is coming over from NXT. That isn’t something that happens very often and I’m curious to see where it leaves. It very well may be a one off match, but it’s a little weird to see WWE suddenly caring about this show after years of indifference. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Scott Hall.

Opening sequence.

Oliver Carter vs. Tyler Bate

Ashton Smith and Trent Seven are here too. Bate works on a wristlock to start but Carter slips out and grabs one of his own. They go to a quick pinfall reversal sequence and it’s off to an early standoff. Carter takes him down with an armbar and then does it again to show off. Back up and Bate hits a running dropkick out to the floor for a crash.

Bate starts in on the ribs but gets taken down by a quick crossbody. That doesn’t see to bother Bate, as he is right back with the airplane spin into a gutbuster for two. An abdominal stretch with an elbow in the ribs has Carter in trouble and Bate turns it into an octopus to make it worse.

Carter falls down for the escape so Bate small packages him for two. A half nelson backbreaker gives Carter two of his own and they trade strikes to the head. The Tyler Driver 97 is countered into a hurricanrana for a VERY close two and the seconds get in a fight on the floor. The distraction is enough for Carter to backslide bate for the huge upset at 10:11.

Rating: B-. Now that is an upset and they actually surprised me with the clean (enough) finish. Beating Bate means a lot more than beating Seven so this is the way to go if you want to make Carter and Smith feel like a threat. If nothing else, Seven has been paranoid about keeping the titles and the loss might have Bate doing the same, which could get interesting.

A-Kid asks a raving Saxon Huxley to be his tag partner against Die Familie and gets a shouting yes.

Wild Boar looks at a mask and says he blames Eddie Dennis for everything that happened to him last year. Vengeance is sworn.

Nina Samuels vs. Emilia McKenzie

Samuels slips out of a headlock to start and they trade wristlocks. Some armdrags put Samuels down and McKenzie goes up for a middle rope hurricanrana. A slam cuts McKenzie off though and things slow down. Samuels kicks her into the corner to set up the chinlock, which is broken up as per expected.

McKenzie hits some clotheslines and a belly to back suplex and Samuels is sent outside. That means a big suicide dive to knock Samuels into the barricade for the crash and they’re right back in. McKenzie goes up but gets pulled off the top (by the hair, to make it even worse) for two and Samuels is frustrated. Samuels misses a moonsault though and McKenzie hits a quick spear for the pin at 9:43.

Rating: C+. McKenzie continues to be good for some nice performances and beating Samuels is a solid win for her. I don’t know if she goes anywhere with Meiko Satomura as champion but building for the future is a wise move. Samuels continues to be herself: a character that is easy to dislike who has been in the same place on the card for years now.

Mark Coffey leaves Sid Scala’s office and has gotten himself a Heritage Cup Title shot. Joe Coffey seems happy for him.

Someone, possibly Sam Gradwell, has left Kenny Williams a note saying he has made a lot of enemies. Williams isn’t too worried, but does seem a bit nervous when someone shuts the locker behind him.

Symbiosis comes in to see Sid Scala, as Wild Boar wants a match with Eddie Dennis. That’s not going to work for Dennis, who suggests Primate instead and then leaves before Scala can make a decision. Scala has to make a call as I try to get my mind around the idea of someone named Wild Boar making a formal request.

Aleah James vs. Stevie Turner

They fight over wrist control to start until Turner shoulders her down and glares a lot. A running headscissors gives James two but Turner hits a boot to the head. Another running kick to the head and a forearm get two more and we hit the chinlock with a knee in James’ back. James finally fights back but a Side Effect gives Turner two more. Back up and James grabs an O’Connor roll and bridges back for the pin at 4:11 for the clean pin.

Rating: C. I’m still not sure what they’re doing with Turner, who seems like she should be a bigger deal than she is and just never gets there. James is hardly a star and she beat Turner clean without as much as a fluke mishap. Maybe James is on her way up, but Turner seems to be falling lower and lower with every match.

Sha Samuels is now taking bets on Mark Coffey vs. Noam Dar. Someone calls in and Coffey takes a bet on Coffey…..at nearly 1700-1. Oh this isn’t going to end well.

Video on Meiko Satomura vs. Isla Dawn, who meet for Satomura’s Women’s Title next week. Dawn looking more and more insane makes her feel extra evil.

Roderick Strong vs. Wolfgang

Strong gets a nice reaction and there are no seconds here. Wolfgang powers him to the apron to start so Strong goes for the leg. That just makes him have to bail back to the floor as they’re firmly in first gear to start. Back in again and Strong goes after the arm but gets reversed into a headlock. Wolfgang lifts him up by the arm but Strong gets it back to the mat and grabs a chinlock.

That’s broken up and Strong is sent outside, where Strong drops him onto the barricade. Strong takes it into the corner back inside and strikes away, only to stop to yell at some chanting fans. Wolfgang gets taken down into a reverse chinlock but fights up and drives in some shoulders to the back in the corner. A powerslam gives Wolfgang two and the Caber Toss sends Strong flying again. The spear only hits buckle though and Strong scores with a jumping knee for the pin at 9:51.

Rating: C. I wasn’t feeling this one as it wasn’t exactly a barn burner. Strong is a much bigger star and there wasn’t much drama, which left Wolfgang feeling like he was just there to take a fall. Odds are Strong has a big match before heading back stateside and that is a good use for someone who has more star power than most of the NXT UK roster.

Post match Strong, who is bleeding from the eye, challenges Ilja Dragunov to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The slightly disappointing Strong match aside, I had a good time with this show as the other matches were entertaining. It continues to be a positive sign that NXT UK can put on engaging shows without a lot of its top stars around. I’m curious as to why Strong was brought over though, as NXT UK has been almost completely isolated for the better part of ever and now, here’s a guest star. Just please don’t let the people with authority remember this show exists. I can’t take another loss.

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NXT UK
Date: February 17, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

Things toned down a bit last week after back to back title match weeks. This time around seems to be more of the former as well, with the main event being a grudge match between Wolfgang and Jordan Devlin. Other than that, it’s hard to say what we might be getting around here week to week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Sam Gradwell vs. Kenny Williams

Hold on though as Williams, in street clothes, is out on crutches. There was a terrible accident so the match cannot happen. Hold on to that holding on though as Sid Scala pops up on screen to say there is no evidence of Williams being injured, so start the match. Gradwell pulls him in and hammers away to start as Williams is rocked early.

A forearm out of the corner staggers Gradwell and a rake to the eyes lets Williams hit a rebound lariat. The cravate goes on for a bit before Williams rakes at the back. Gradwell fights up and hits some clotheslines into a butterfly suplex, only to get rolled up for two. Back up and Williams tries a sunset flip but Gradwell sits down on him for the pin at 3:58.

Rating: C. Williams finally gets caught and oddly enough it’s in a wrestling counter, which was a nice change of pace after Gradwell being all intense most of the time. It’s nice to see Gradwell getting a win, even if it is a small one like this. Odds are the feud continues though and I’m not sure if that is the best thing, as it’s only so interesting.

Post match Williams jumps Gradwell with the crutch as this is indeed going to continue. Williams pulls out some scissors from underneath the ring and cuts off Gradwell’s mohawk to really make this personal. Gradwell is furious, though not quite furious enough to go after Williams, who is standing at the entrance.

We recap Gallus stealing Jordan Devlin’s sunglasses last week.

The Coffeys find this funny but Wolfgang takes it a bit more seriously.

Xia Brookside is very happy to have an interview but she freaks out when she is asked about Amale. Her daddy will be hearing about this!

We recap Jack Starz wanting to earn one of Dave Mastiff’s bomber jackets, meaning Mastiff has some challenges for him.

First up it’s Challenge #1: Bomber Physicality. That means an hour of free squats, but Mastiff forgets to check on him and comes back three hours later, with Jack mostly still squatting and a pool of sweat underneath him.

Challenge #2: Bomber Appetite. Starz has to eat a bunch of what looks to be cookies or crackers.

Challenge #3: Bomber Guts. Starz has to streak through the Performance Center but he can’t do it and runs off (censored) instead.

Sam Gradwell is furious and goes hunting for Kenny Williams.

Angel Hayze vs. Emilia McKenzie

McKenzie grabs a headlock to start but gets rolled up for a fast two. Hayze hiptosses her over for two more and it’s off to a front facelock. That’s eventually broken up with McKenzie powering her down for two of her own. There’s a forearm for two more and McKenzie grabs a chinlock.

This time it’s Hayze fighting up and hitting her own forearm for a breather. A running elbow in the corner sets up a Sling Blade for two as McKenzie is having to work here. McKenzie is right back with a fisherman’s neckbreaker into a belly to back suplex for a needed breather. A superkick gives Hayze two more but McKenzie grabs a wheelbarrow faceplant for the pin at 4:57.

Rating: C+. This was a back and forth match and much better than I would have expected. Hayze got in a ton of offense here and looked like a pretty solid prospect, making this a very nice surprise. The women’s division can always use some fresh stars and if that is Hayze, good for her.

Earlier this week, Nathan Frazer talked about how last week’s win over Teoman might shut up Die Familie for a bit. As for facing the Ring General (no name given), he was scared to death of what was in front of him and he didn’t know how he got there. Now he needs something new though, so he’s challenging Ilja Dragunov for the NXT UK Title. That’s a big step forward.

Die Familie is in their apartment, where Teoman says he’s ashamed of his loss. Rohan Raja says Teoman kept his promise of looking after his family, but Teoman says he will never be a loser, as long as the family wins. Charlie Dempsey says the loss might make the family come closer together.

Stevie Turner vs. Myla Grace

They fight over a lockup to start with Turner taking her into the corner. Grace armdrags her down into an armbar but Turner is back up with a Thesz press. A running boot to the face knocks Grace against the ropes for two and we’re off to the chinlock. Nigel tries to explain Stevie’s futuristic deal as Grace fights up, including a clothesline which is more like a punch to the stomach. Turner cuts that off without much trouble though and finishes with a Side Effect at 4:36.

Rating: C. I’m not sure what is missing from Turner but she has yet to click around here. Granted part of that is due to the still weird futuristic deal, which seems to involve her wearing slightly strange clothes. Grace was fine here, but didn’t exactly stand out for the most part.

Sid Scala announces that Meiko Satomura will be presented with a gift next week.

Moustache Mountain is very happy with their Tag Team Titles and now they’re ready to defend against Ashton Smith and Oliver Carter. Smith and Carter are ready too, with the title match coming next week.

Jordan Devlin vs. Wolfgang

Feeling out process to start with Wolfgang driving him into the corner. It’s time to work on the arm, including some driving shoulders to put Devlin down. Back up and Devlin’s running shoulder has no effect so Wolfgang shows him how it’s done, which bangs up the arm even more. Another shoulder puts Devlin on the floor but he pulls Wolfgang outside too. It turns out that it’s a bad idea to brawl with someone named Wolfgang, as Devlin is beaten up against the barricade.

Back in and the slingshot cutter is blocked, allowing Wolfgang to hit a delayed vertical suplex for two. It’s back to the armbar but Devlin knocks him outside. The Asai moonsault is pulled out of the air but Devlin manages to post him shoulder first for a breather. Devlin’s armbar is broken up as well but he kicks at the arm to cut Wolfgang down again. The arm is fine enough to hit a gorilla press drop, only to have Devlin get his knees up to block a moonsault.

Devlin gets a cross armbreaker but Wolfgang is in the ropes almost immediately. There’s a running kick to Wolfgang’s arm and another puts him down on the floor. Back in again and Devlin grabs a hammerlock before kicking at the arm again. Wolfgang manages a catapult over the top to send Devlin outside for a breather before hitting a top rope ax handle back inside.

The spear only hits buckle though and now the slingshot cutter gives Devlin two. Devlin unloads on him with shots to the head but Wolfgang hits a spear, which hurts his arm even more though. Wolfgang goes up top but gets caught with a super Spanish Fly….for two. That’s enough for Devlin, who hits the 450 for the pin at 13:43.

Rating: B. This was the kind of match where they didn’t have much of a build coming in (stolen sunglasses remember) but put together a good story with both of them having bad arms. Wolfgang looked solid in a rare singles match but there wasn’t much drama as Devlin needed to get a win after losing to Ilja Dragunov a few weeks back.

Overall Rating: C+. The main event is quite good but this show was really feeling the lack of star power. Maybe they front loaded these tapings too much or something but the last two weeks haven’t been as sharp as the weeks before them. I’m not sure what they are going to do next with with Satomura’s gift, though maybe it can lead to something bigger. Good show, assuming you don’t mind the midcard getting the focus.

Results
Sam Gradwell b. Kenny Williams – Rollup
Emilia McKenzie b. Angel Hayze – Wheelbarrow faceplant
Stevie Turner b. Myla Grace – Side Effect
Jordan Devlin b. Wolfgang – 450

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NXT UK
Date: January 20, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

We are officially in a new era now as Walter (er, Gunther) is officially gone from NXT UK. I’m not sure how much of a difference that is going to be, but we do have a big match around here this week. The Heritage Cup will be on the line this week as Noam Dar will be defending against former champion A-Kid. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

We see some clips of Sam Gradwell trying, and failing, to find a mystery partner to face Pretty Deadly. He even sent tweets to Steve Austin, Elon Musk and Paul McCartney. Gradwell also had to beat up Kenny Williams for laughing at him. This was funny, as they just had some fun with the idea and went a little out of the box. Do more of that.

Pretty Deadly vs. Sam Gradwell/???

Gradwell does has a mystery partner in the form of…..Saxton Huxley. Gradwell locks up with Howley to start but can’t get very far. A shoulder sends Howley into the corner for some more success and it’s Stoker tagging himself in for a cheap shot. Gradwell doesn’t mind, as he grabs Stoker by the ear (ow) and slams him down. It’s off to Huxley (with Shepherd getting in an accurate Berzerker comparison) to shoulder Stoker down as well.

A very long run of the ropes sets up a running elbow so Howley gets in a cheap shot. It’s back to Howley to send Huxley into the post as we move into a new phase. Pretty Deadly starts taking turns on Huxley, including a double drop onto the top rope. Howley drops him again and we hit the abdominal stretch…which makes Nigel sing. That’s broken up with straight power though and the hot tag brings in Gradwell to clean house.

Everything breaks down and Stoker BLASTS Gradwell with a forearm for the double knockdown. Cue Kenny Williams for a distraction though and Huxley is knocked off the apron. Williams runs him over on the floor, meaning there is no one for Gradwell to tag. Howley comes back in and it’s Spilled Milk to finish Gradwell at 9:21.

Rating: C+. Pretty standard tag match, but the part that I like here is how old school the booking felt. Williams had a logical reason to want to mess with Gradwell after the pre-match stuff and now we probably have something to do after this match is over. That is something you don’t get early often enough in WWE today and it was nice to see it happen again here.

Jinny doesn’t see hope when she looks at Amale, but instead, pity. The two of them are very different people, because Jinny doesn’t exploit her past to get the fans to cheer for her. The fans are just like Amale: nothing. Now Amale wants to get famous off of Jinny and that isn’t happening.

Video on Die Familie vs. Gallus, as the two teams are ready to destroy each other. Next week.

Blair Davenport unlocks a gate at what appears to be her family estate. She is the latest in a long line of Davenports and everyone who isn’t one of them is an enemy. You can hate and reject her all you want, as long as you fear her. Meiko Satomura should fear her, because it is time for Davenport to show how she can be.

Emilia McKenzie vs. Isla Dawn

This is fallout from Dawn taking McKenzie’s watch for her special box. McKenzie takes her down into a hammerlock to start and then cranks on a wristlock. That’s broken up but Dawn blocks a sunset flip with a quick stomp to the chest. There’s the Saito suplex to send McKenzie flying but she blocks a superplex attempt. A middle rope sunset flip gives McKenzie two and an enziguri staggers Dawn again. The spear gives McKenzie two so she sends Dawn outside for a big suicide dive. Back in and a high crossbody misses for McKenzie, allowing Dawn to hit a fireman’s carry spun into a side slam for the pin at 5:32.

Rating: C. This started off a bit slowly and then picked up a lot for a little while. McKenzie put up a good fight before going down, though I’m curious to see where this whole thing is going with Dawn. She has been doing this for a little while now and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The good thing though is she is doing something with the witch stuff rather than just talking about it over and over. McKenzie put up a fight but lost, as she should.

Post match, Dawn returns McKenzie’s watch, leaving McKenzie rather confused.

Amale doesn’t think much of Jinny and suggests bringing it.

Video on Ilja Dragunov vs. Jordan Devlin, with Dragunov being angry over everything Devlin has said. Devlin wants the title and Dragunov wants revenge, so next week it’s an empty arena title match.

Heritage Cup: A-Kid vs. Noam Dar

Dar, with Sha Samuels, is defending. Round one begins with a feeling out process, including A-Kid taking him to the ropes, where Dar needs a breather. A headlock takeover works a bit better for Dar so it’s time for some early grappling. Dar can’t very far with his escape attempts and the round ends with A-Kid cranking away.

Round two beings with A-Kid grabbing a cravate and taking Dar down to the mat to crank away even more. Back up and Dar goes after the arm before grabbing a headlock of his own. Dar cranks him down by the arm again and puts on a reverse chinlock, only to get reversed into a European Clutch for two. A-Kid grabs a front facelock and cranks away until the round ends.

Round three begins with Dar striking away for a change and sending a charging A-Kid over the top. A kick to the face rocks A-Kid though and some knees to the face make it worse. The Nova Roller is blocked so Dar kicks the leg out instead. Now the Nova Roller can finish A-Kid for the first fall at 1:36 of the round and 8:32 overall.

Round four begins with Dar going right after him but getting pulled into an armbar. That’s broken up and Dar hits him in the face, setting up a rollup with feet on the ropes for two, as the referee catches the nefarious cheating. Back up and A-Kid sends him outside, only to have Samuels break up a big dive.

They both beat the clock back in, where Dar elbows him in the face for two more. A-Kid fights back so Samuels gets on the apron, only to have A-Kid springboard up and hit a moonsault DDT to plant Dar for the tying pin at 2:34 of the round and 11:48. Samuels screams a lot though, as he just lost EVERYTHING because of his bets, even as Dar is barely able to stand.

Round five begins with A-Kid missing a charge and getting knocked down again. He’s fine enough to catch Dar on top though and it’s a butterfly superplex for two. They trade attempted armbars until A-Kid grabs a German suplex. Dar blocks another one though and pulls him into an armbar, only to be countered into a rollup for two. The kneebar doesn’t work so Dar pulls him into a sleeper, which is flipped into a cradle for two. A running kick to the chest rocks Dar but the round ends before a count.

Round six (the last round) begins with a slugout as they’re both pretty spent. A-Kid has to kick Dar off the apron before grabbing a kneebar. Dar is in the ropes in a hurry though, meaning it’s time to kick him in the head instead. Back up and Dar hits his own kick to the face for a near fall and they’re both down. The Nova Roller is cut off with a jumping superkick to give A-Kid two and it’s time for another strike off with thirty seconds to go. Dar hits him in the face for two but gets pulled into the Omoplata as time expires to end round six at 19:00 overall, meaning Dar retains the cup.

Rating: B. This match did a great job of setting up the drama and making me want to see how this was going to play out. That’s how this kind of drama is supposed to go and these two are rather good at the whole thing. Dar is one of those somewhat cowardly champions who manages to survive, but there are enough moments where he fights back to make him believable. I had a good time here and it felt like a showdown, with a rematch likely down the line.

Post match Samuels is crushed over being poor but celebrates with Dar to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. The wrestling was good, but what made me happier here was how they continue to set things up for the future. There are stories on the show that have me wondering where they are going and that is not the case with even the midcard on most WWE shows. Throw in an intriguing main event and I have more and more fun with this show every week. Pretty awesome week here as NXT UK is the best thing going in WWE by a wide margin.

Results
Pretty Deadly b. Sam Gradwell/Saxon Huxley – Spilled Milk to Gradwell
Isla Dawn b. Emilia McKenzie – Fireman’s carry swinging side slam
A-Kid vs. Noam Dar went to a 1-1 draw

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: December 16, 2021
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

Things changed a bit last week as Moustache Mountain won the Tag Team Titles from Pretty Deadly. That means we can focus on something else this week, so thankfully we do have a #1 contenders match to the Heritage Cup between Nathan Frazer and A-Kid. That alone sounds awesome so let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Joe Coffey vs. Charlie Dempsey

The bigger Coffey pushes him up against the corner and seems to be a bit more aggressive here. Dempsey kicks his way out of a wristlock but can’t quite tie up the arm and leg at the same time. Back up and Coffey rolls through a hiptoss into an armbar as he seems to be a step ahead so far. Coffey ties up the legs and even stomps on them, only to punch the turnbuckle by mistake.

Dempsey goes right after the arm, even tying it up so he can slug Coffey in the face. A backslide attempt doesn’t get Coffey anywhere so Dempsey rips at the face to keep him in trouble. Dempsey grabs a suplex for two and puts on something like an abdominal stretch on the mat. Coffey fights up and is quickly put into a guillotine but powers out again. They hit heads and go down for a double breather, followed by the slugout.

That’s as illogical as it seems for Dempsey as Coffey hammers away and scores with the discus lariat. Coffey manages a springboard spinning crossbody but the bad arm is banged up. Cue the rest of Die Familia, which draws out Gallus for the big brawl. Dempsey uses the distraction to send the bad arm into the steps, setting up the dragon sleeper to knock Coffey out for the win at 12:29.

Rating: B-. Dempsey really does feel like someone that different around here, even if he is about as physically uninteresting as you can get. That doesn’t seem to matter though as he knows how to hurt people, which can always be used around here. Odds are this is setting up a six man tag and that could be a heck of a fight, whenever we get there.

We look back at Moustache Mountain winning the Tag Team Titles last week.

Sid Scala announces a tournament to crown the new #1 contenders for the Tag Team Titles.

Video on Jordan Devlin, who knows that he is awesome and looks great, but he wants to be more than just an ace. He wants to be more than Ilja Dragunov, who needs the fans approval. All Devlin needs is himself.

Here is Moustache Mountain to celebrate their win. Trent Seven talks about how they needed that last week because they have come up short a few times. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do if they didn’t win….but it doesn’t matter because they have the titles. Seven is going to fight as long and hard as it takes to keep these titles, which sounds good to Bate.

The champs are rather pleased with their win, which Seven says makes Bate a Grand Slam winner around here. I believe he means Triple Crown winner but close enough. They thank everyone for sticking with them through the rough times because this is impossible without them. Nice moment here, as it was a big win.

Ashton Smith and Oliver Carter want the Tag Team Titles.

Video on Blair Davenport, who is coming for Meiko Satomura’s Women’s Title. The title match is in three weeks.

Danny Jones vs. Kenny Williams

Hold on though as Williams says he wants to beat up Mark Andrews instead of Jones. That’s not enough to get Jones to to back down though so let’s get this over with. Jones armbars him to the ropes to start but Williams slips out of a slam and goes for the knee. There’s a rake to the back and Williams yells about Andrews. Jones manages a comeback by sending him into the corner, setting up a kick to the face. Williams takes the knee out again and stomps away though, setting up Bad Luck. Another Bad Luck finishes Jones at 3:47.

Rating: C. This was just a step above a squash for Williams and that is what he should be doing. I’m still not sure how far he is going to go as the Cockroach but at least he got a win here and looked pretty good doing so. Jones is another one of those guys who can look good in defeat while giving someone else a boost so at least he has a role.

Post match, Williams yells about Andrews some more.

Symbiosis is read for a new beginning in 2022. They’re standing behind a cage during this for some reason.

During the break, Kenny Williams has attacked Mark Andrews, injuring his arm in the process.

Nathan Frazer vs. A-Kid

Heritage Cup rules and the winner gets a shot at Noam Dar. Round one begins with A-Kid taking him to the mat for a very early headlock before running Frazer over for two. Frazer can’t get very far with a hammerlock as A-Kid is right back up with another headlock. A-Kid hits him in the face to take over but can’t quite get the Fujiwara armbar. Frazer’s monkey flip doesn’t get him out so A-Kid stays on the arm without much avail to end the round in a standoff.

Round two begins with Frazer hitting a dropkick and grabbing an armbar of his own. Frazer flips out of a headscissors as they are still at a fast pace. We hit the pinfall reversal sequence with Frazer getting a cradle for the pin and the first fall at 1:48 of the round and 5:22 overall.

Round three begins with A-Kid missing some kicks to the face, allowing Frazer to kick him in the face instead. A-Kid’s cross armbreaker sends Frazer bailing to the ropes and he’s back with a belly to belly. There’s a moonsault into the reverse DDT to plant A-Kid and they slug it out until A-Kid hits a heck of a running knee for two. The Fujiwara armbar goes on but time runs out on A-Kid.

Round four begins with Frazer kicking him in the ribs and hitting a Sling Blade. Frazer rolls into a Boston crab but A-Kid rolls out for a break of his own. A-Kid is up with a dive through the ropes to counter a springboard moonsault into a German suplex (cool) and Frazer is rocked. Back in and a leg lariat finishes Frazer at about 1:50 of the round and 11:14 overall.

Round five begins with A-Kid hitting a fisherman’s suplex for two but he nips up into a heck of a superkick to give Frazer two. They go up top with Frazer hitting a dropkick on the top and hitting a super flipping fall away slam for two more. A-Kid is right back up with a shot to the arm though, setting up the Rings of Saturn with the legs for the win at 2:31 of the round and 14:19 overall.

Rating: B. These are two of the young, talented guys around here and it is nice to see them getting to showcase themselves well. A-Kid getting the chance to get his title back is a good thing, but I’m not sure if I would have gone with him here. Frazer is a fresh challenge for the title and it could have been interesting to see what he could have done in the title match.

Respect is shown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a heck of a show with two good matches and a not bad one in the middle. They seem to be setting up some big stuff in the future and that’s how these shows are supposed to feel. I’m not sure what that future is going to be if the pandemic keeps hitting everywhere, but it’s nice to enjoy it while it lasts.

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.