NXT UK – May 26, 2022: You Knew It Would Be There

NXT UK
Date: May 26, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

Things have been interesting around here as of late, but we are in a non-title week for a change. This time around the main event is a Heritage Cup Rules match between Charlie Dempsey and A-Kid, which should be a heck of a match. I’m not sure what else we’ll be getting, but I’m expecting some Lash Legend because it’s required these days. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Mark Coffey vs. Saxon Huxley

Coffey grabs the wrist to start before going with some forearms to the face instead. Huxley runs him over though and we’re already in a neck crank. Back up and they trade clothesline until Coffey gets in a backdrop. Huxley grabs a chokebomb for two of his own but Coffey hits a suplex, setting up a sliding forearm for the pin at 4:13.

Rating: C. This was a short match with the purpose of getting Coffey, and as a result, Gallus, back on track and that is not a bad thing. I could go with seeing Gallus going in a different direction and it seems that they might be doing just that, at least for now. If nothing else, the idea of Joe Coffey coming back for a showdown could be interesting.

Video on Ivy Nile, who is ready for her NXT UK Women’s Title match in two weeks.

Video on Sam Gradwell vs. Von Wagner. Both of them are ready for the other.

Emilia McKenzie vs. Lash Legend

Yeah you knew she would be here. McKenzie’s headlock doesn’t work as Legend sends her flying, earning a YOU SUCK chant from the crowd. Legend drops a big elbow and nips up for no count, despite a rather arrogant cover. A whip into the corner sets up an over the shoulder backbreaker but McKenzie slips out. McKenzie dropkicks the knee out so Legend drops to the floor, setting up a suicide dive to take her down again. Back in and a high crossbody gives McKenzie two more but Legend kicks her in the face for the pin at 6:07.

Rating: D+. I do get the idea thinking behind having Legend on a show like this where fewer people are going to see her, but at the same time it is a little hard to watch her drag down some of the stars around here. Legend is not someone who belongs on television yet so a web series might be the best option they have. It wasn’t even a good match, as McKenzie did what she could but then got kicked in the face. How fun.

Mark Andrews sneaks up on the still paranoid Kenny Williams and tells him to watch out. This doesn’t make Williams any more relaxed.

Sha Samuels vs. Damon Kemp

Noam Dar is here with Samuels. Kemp shrugs off the early wristlock attempt to start and wrestles him to the ground without much effort. Samuels manages to knock him into the corner though and a running splash staggers Kemp. A middle rope elbow gives Samuels two but he misses a middle rope backsplash. Kemp grabs a gutwrench suplex and starts the comeback but Dar grabs his leg. That’s enough for Samuels to hit a spinebuster for the pin at 5:43.

Rating: C+. I could go with more of something like this as Kemp has a little something going for him. He needs experience though and that is the point of something like this appearance, and he was even protected by Dar’s interference. Nice stuff here and Samuels gets a rare win as a bonus.

Video on Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter vs. Moustache Mountain vs. Die Familie in the triple threat Tag Team Title match in a few weeks.

Wolfgang offers Damon Kemp some coaching.

A-Kid vs. Charlie Dempsey

Heritage Cup rules. Round one begins with Dempsey taking him to the mat with a headscissors but A-Kid spins out and starts cranking on the arms. Dempsey ties A-Kid’s arm up and cranks away before getting two off a suplex. A-Kid is back up and tries a cradle but time expires.

Round two begins with A-Kid hiptossing him down for two but they go to the mat with a test of strength. A sunset flip gives A-Kid two more and they go back to the test of strength, with both of them flipping around on the mat to no avail. Dempsey grabs a spinning backbreaker to wrap up the round with A-Kid in trouble.

Round three begins with both of them grabbing a legbar at the same time, meaning it’s time to slap each other really hard. They both roll to the ropes before Dempsey blasts him with a running clothesline. A hard German suplex gives Dempsey two more so he ties up the legs and arm in that reverse cover of his for the tap at 2:19 of the round and 9:19 overall.

Round four begins with A-Kid striking away at the legs but getting his knee twisted. A-Kid is right back with more kicks before pulling Dempsey into a sleeper. That’s reversed but A-Kid fights out of a butterfly stretch and hits a running knee to tie it up at 2:36 of the round and 12:34.

Round five begins with Dempsey avoiding a charge but getting fisherman’s suplexed for two. Dempsey takes him down by the leg and plants him hard for two. A-Kid slips out of a sleeper and this a running kick to the chest for two of his own. The moonsault DDT plants Dempsey but A-Kid can’t cover in time and the round ends.

Round six begins with A-Kid hitting a running kick in the corner and some German suplexes drop Dempsey. Someone throws Dempsey a towel, which is tossed away just as fast, though Dempsey has found some brass knuckles. Those are thrown to A-Kid, with the distraction being enough Dempsey to grab the belly to back fisherman’s suplex for the pin and the win at 1:25 of the round and 18:10 overall.

Rating: B. Like this wasn’t going to be good, as you have this kind of talent in there and a lot of time to have their match. Sometimes you need a good wrestling match like this, though the ending left a good bit to be desired. You can only get so much of a result after that kind of a screwy finish, but A-Kid could have used the protection. Rather good stuff here and that shouldn’t be a surprise.

Overall Rating: C+. Solid show here and if you get rid of Legend, it’s that much better. It’s always a good sign when you have a positive show without the main eventers or a title match so they’re doing things well here. The main event is worth a look and we can get to the bigger stuff in the coming weeks. Nice job here.

Results
Mark Coffey b. Saxon Huxley – Sliding forearm
Lash Legend b. Emilia McKenzie – Big boot
Sha Samuels b. Damon Kemp – Spinebuster
Charlie Dempsey b. A-Kid 2-1

 

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – April 14, 2022: They Could Be Pillars

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

 

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – April 7, 2022: Again. As Always.

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.

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – March 31, 2022: To Be Continued (Sweet)

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.

 

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – March 17, 2022: The American Guest Star

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.

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – March 10, 2022: It Happens To Everyone

NXT UK
Date: March 10, 2022
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for another title match as Noam Dar will be defending the Heritage Cup against Joe Coffey in the main event. The other big match will see A-Kid facing Charlie Dempsey in what could be a spectacle of technical wrestling. This show is such a breath of air compared to the main roster stuff so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look at the Heritage Cup Title match.

Opening sequence.

Charlie Dempsey vs. A-Kid

During his entrance, Dempsey says he’s doing this himself, without Die Familie. Dempsey’s early cravate is escaped with a cartwheel and they stare at each other a bit. A-Kid gets taken down by the arm but reverses into a headlock. That is countered into a headscissors as they stay with the technical stuff to start. They go to the test of strength and flip around a bunch, with Dempsey bridging up on his neck.

A-Kid can’t break it down no matter what and gives up, looking a bit disturbed as a result. With that not working, it’s time to slug it out until an Octopus sends Dempsey to the ropes for the break. A-Kid starts twisting on the ankle instead but has to fight out of a kneebar, instead kneeing Dempsey in the head. Back up and Dempsey goes right back to the knee before switching things up with Cattle Mutilation. Dempsey switches to an armbar but A-Kid slips out so Dempsey grabs a fisherman’s suplex for two.

A-Kid is back with his own suplex for his own two but can’t get an arm crank. Instead he settles for an enziguri to drop Dempsey, which draws out Rohan Raja for a distraction. That’s enough for Dempsey to grab Checkmate (Where he ties up the head and leg so that A-Kid is almost kicking himself in the back of the head. It’s almost like he is covering and hooking the leg backwards.) for the tap at 12:34.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of technical exchange that is always going to be entertaining. Dempsey is quite the savage on the mat and knows how to make it look like he is destroying people. A-Kid is awesome, and now he might be on his way to the regular NXT, which should be quite good for everyone.

Sid Scala announces that an American is on his way here…but Wolfgang interrupts. That’s perfect for Scala, who gives Wolfgang a match with Roderick Strong next week.

We look back at Isla Dawn attacking Meiko Satomura last week to interrupt her special ceremony. The title match is in two weeks.

Aleah James is asked about the Women’s Title match but Stevie Turner interrupts to ask why we should care what James thinks. James walks away from her chattering.

Danny Jones/Josh Morrell vs. Symbiosis

Primate hiptosses Morrell over to start but gets caught with a pop up dropkick. T-Bone comes in so Jones does as well, setting up an exchange of shoulders. Jones takes over on the arm and it’s Morrell coming in with a top rope stomp to the arm. T-Bone pulls Morrell into the corner though and the beating is on, including Primate coming in off the middle rope with an ax handle to the back.

Morrell shrugs it off though and the hot tag brings in Jones to start cleaning house. T-Bone gets knocked down and Morrell climbs on top of Jones’ shoulders, setting up a Spiral Tap for two. That’s enough for T-Bone though, who is back with a powerslam and brings in Primate for a top rope headbutt and the pin at 6:04.

Rating: C. Jones and Morrell continue to be some of the more promising guys around here and it is nice to see them getting their chance here, even if they lose to a bigger team like Symbiosis. I don’t know if Symbiosis is going to the title scene, but they could make for some good challengers for Moustache Mountain. Not a showcase for either of them, but it did well enough.

Post match Symbiosis celebrates but Wild Boar runs in for his return and clears them out with a chair.

Nina Samuels mocks Emilia McKenzie, who steals the mic and asks how Samuels must feel to be this desperate for attention.

Ashton Smith/Oliver Carter think Moustache Mountain is trying to get out of the Tag Team Title rematch but Trent Seven tells them to earn it in a pair of singles matches. We’ll start next week.

Heritage Cup: Noam Dar vs. Joe Coffey

Coffey is challenging and has Mark Coffey to cancel out Sha Samuels. Round one begins with Dar circling around him before his leg dive attempt is thrown away. Coffey cranks on a wristlock before taking him to the mat. A Boston crab is escaped so Coffey goes after the leg again, only to have Dar grab the ropes as the first round ends.

Round two begins with Coffey grabbing a headlock takeover and grinds away for the first minute. Dar slips out and kicks away at the ribs but Coffey snaps off a hard German suplex. A running shoulder in the corner gives Coffey the pin at 2:25 of the first round and 6:11 overall.

Round three begins with Dar having to pull himself up so Coffey knocks him right back down. A top rope spinning crossbody gives Coffey two but Dar is back with a kick to the head. The kneebar doesn’t work for Dar so he rolls Coffey up to tie the score at 1:49 of the round and 8:35 total.

Round four begins with Dar going to the arm to cut off the slugout but stops to yell at the camera. Dar kicks him down and stays on the arm but Coffey gets to the apron for a hard slingshot shoulder. They’re both down for a bit until Coffey gets the Boston crab, sending Dar straight to the rope as the round ends. They fight to the floor between rounds though and Dar gets in a cheap shot.

Round five begins with Dar running over a staggered Coffey in the corner. The Nova Roller is cut off by a flying headbutt/shoulder though and they’re both down again. Coffey hits a clothesline for a knockdown but Dar is back up to badly lose a slugout. All The Best For The Bells knocks Dar silly but Samuels puts the foot on the rope. The distraction lets Dar hit the Nova Roller for the pin at 2:54 of the round and 15:45 total to retain.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t a bad match but it was the kind that came and went. Dar might have felt like he was in a bit of danger but it was nothing serious, even if Coffey winning the title could have been interesting. They seem to see something in Dar holding the Cup for a long time and I could go with that, but this was only a pretty good match.

Overall Rating: C+. In something I’ve said before about other promotions, they’re going to be fine if this is one of their bad ones. The star power wasn’t really around this time and they focused on the midcard guys, which worked out fairly well. You can’t have the big names on every week so it isn’t some horrible idea. Good enough show, though they have had better ones.

 

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.

 




NXT UK – February 17, 2022: The Midcard Express

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

 

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – October 28, 2021: It’s Actually Over

NXT UK
Date: October 28, 2021
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for another title match and this week that means the Heritage Cup is on the line. After spending what has felt like the better part of forever crowning a new #1 contender, it is time for Tyler Bate to defend the Heritage Cup against Noam Dar. Other than that, I’m not sure what really matters because I’m too relieved that the tournament stuff is finally over. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Mark Coffey vs. Rohan Raja

Wolfgang and Teoman are the seconds. Coffey takes him down into the armbar to start but Raja reverses, meaning it’s time to go to the ropes. Raja Codebreakers the arm and the fans are not pleased, though Coffey taking him into the corner makes it a bit better. Not that it matters though as Raja goes right back to the arm and some knees in the corner get two.

The seated armbar goes on but Coffey comes back with a clothesline and middle rope bulldog. Raja isn’t having that and plants him with a sitout powerbomb for two more, followed by a Backstabber for the same. Back up and Coffey scores with a quick kick to the head, followed by a sliding forearm for the pin at 5:55.

Rating: C. The ending was really abrupt but this was the best performance from Raja so far. He looked like someone who could hang with a bigger star like Coffey and that is a good sign for his future. This is the kind of feud that could go on for a bit, though I’m a bit surprised that Teoman hasn’t taken off more than he has. Either way, not a bad match to start things off here.

Post match Teoman and Raja jump Gallus and leave them laying.

Sid Scala is making a triple threat match to crown new #1 contenders between Oliver Carter/Ashton Smith, Symbiosis and Jack Starz/Dave Mastiff.

Charlie Dempsey is ready for his match but Gallus storms in looking for Teoman.

Myla Grace vs. Amele

Amele takes her down to start and shouts a lot before grabbing a headlock. Grace is back with some rollups for two each but Amele stomps her out of the corner to take over again. A fisherman’s neckbreaker gives Amele one and we hit the chinlock. Cue Blair Davenport to watch as Grace fights up and hits a 619 to the ribs in the corner. A tornado DDT out of the corner gets two on Amele, but she is right back with the Hopebreaker for the pin at 3:49.

Rating: C-. I get more out of Amele every time she’s on this show and it wouldn’t surprise me to see her moving up the ladder in a hurry. I’m not sure where Davenport fits into the whole thing but it could go somewhere in the future. Grace didn’t get to do much here but she showed off some skills while she had the chance.

Nina Samuels interrupts an Aleah James interview and makes fun of her for being short. James leaves and Samuels isn’t sure what went wrong.

Flash Morgan Webster comes up to Rampage Brown, who pins him up against the wall. If Webster wanted a match, all he had to do was ask.

Charlie Dempsey vs. Danny Jones

Dempsey takes him down in a hurry and works on a cravate with some grinding. Jones is back up with an uppercut and a backfist rocks Dempsey. That’s enough of being in trouble for Dempsey who goes for the leg and whips him face first into the middle buckle. A front facelock suplex gives Dempsey two as Nigel is rapid firing the British wrestler references. The rolling butterfly suplexes into the crossface chickenwing makes Jones tap at 4:48.

Rating: C+. This was a lot of fun as Dempsey is such a throwback to the old grappling style. That is something you can always use on any show because it is such a classic style of wrestling. Jones looked good in defeat here, but this was all about Dempsey, who isn’t the most impressive looking but can do some painful things in the ring.

Video on Meiko Satomura vs. Jinny before their title match next week.

Isla Dawn has her box of trophies but says she needs one more thing.

Heritage Cup: Tyler Bate vs. Noam Dar

Bate is defending and has Trent Seven in his corner while Dar has Sha Samuels. Round one begins with the two feeling each other out until Bate starts working on the arm. Dar’s twisting of the arm doesn’t last long so it’s a standoff until Bate takes him down by the head. Back up and Bate drives him up against the ropes but the round ends.

Round two begins with Bate taking him down by the foot and cranking away on the leg. That’s enough for Dar to need a breather in the ropes and they fight over the arm some more. Dar avoids a charge but has to slip out of the airplane spin. A double clothesline rocks both of them and they fight over an aggressive lockup as the round ends. Round three begins with Bate dropkicking him to the floor and then going after him. That’s enough for Dar to knock him outside with Bate hurting his knee. Back in and the Nova Roller gives Dar the first fall at 59 seconds of the round and 8:06 overall.

Round four begins with Dar throwing a rocked Bate down and taking his turns on the limbs. Bate manages a DDT but the knee is too banged up to do anything about it. The northern lights suplex drops Dar and Bate nips up, setting up a heck of a clothesline. The Tyler Driver 97 ties things up at a fall each at 2:03 of the round and 10:42.

Round five begins with Bate grabbing a dragon screw legwhip but Dar does the same to bring him off the ropes. Dar kicks him down for two but Bate is back up with a Birminghammer attempt. Samuels offers a distraction though and Dar slips out, only to miss the Nova Roller. Bate pulls him into a kneebar and they slug it out with the hold still on as time expires.

Round six (the final round, with Bate retaining in a draw) begins with another slugout until Dar kicks out the leg. Bate catches him on top with a t-bone superplex so Dar rolls outside for a breather. You don’t do that to Bate, who takes Dar out with a dive. Back in and Bate hits the rolling Liger kick but gets caught in the Champagne Super Knee Bar (I’m not sure if that is clever or not).

That’s broken up with a rolling German suplex to put both of them down but cue Pretty Deadly to go after Seven. The brawl is on as the knee bar goes on again….and Seven’s towel winds up in the ring, which is enough to make Dar champion at 2:45 of the round and 17:35 overall.

Rating: B-. I wasn’t feeling this one as much as some of the other tournament matches but what matters it they went with the right winner. After that never ending tournament, they more or less had to put the title on Dar. Bate having issues with Seven could be the start of something great, but the towel accidentally being thrown in is not the greatest. Still though, good enough match and the ending sets up some stuff.

Bate isn’t happy with Seven as Dar and Samuels celebrate to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Pretty solid show again this week, as they manage to turn the midcard title match into an event, which is a pretty impressive feat. I’m still enjoying this show every week and having fans back has made it feel that much better. More good stuff this week as things continue chugging along.

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – October 7, 2021: It’s Finally Done

NXT UK
Date: October 7, 2021
Location: BT Sports Studios, London, England
Commentators: Andy Shepherd, Nigel McGuinness

Things are about to change again in a good way as the fans are going to be returning to the show rather soon. The taping has already taken place and now we get to see just how the show can work with an audience. As for tonight, it is FINALLY the end of the Heritage Cup #1 contenders tournament as Noam Dar faces Wolfgang. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the tournament to get us to the finals.

Opening sequence.

Jinny vs. Emilia McKenzie

Joseph Conners is here with Jinny. They fight over wrist control to start until Jinny flips her over for two. A front facelock has Jinny in some trouble but she reverses into a leg crank and elbows at the head. McKenzie is back up with a dropkick and fisherman’s neckbreaker but can’t grab a German suplex. Instead Jinny twists her down by the arm and puts on an Iron Octopus for the always cool sounding hold. Now it’s off to a half crab, with Jinny letting go to stomp away before a rope can be grabbed.

Back up and McKenzie wins a slugout and snaps off a cutter for a much needed breather. A belly to back gets two on Jinny but Conners offers a distraction. Cue Meiko Satomura to kick him in the head (while still holding her title) so McKenzie can Angel’s Wings Jinny for two. Back up and McKenzie charges into an elbow to the face, setting up a Liger Kick to give Jinny the pin at 7:30.

Rating: C. I’m a bit surprised by the loss as I would have bet on McKenzie being the next challenger for Satomura. That being said, Jinny does make a lot of sense of her own as she has been the top heel in the division since Kay Lee Ray left. I’m not sure how much of a threat she would be to Satomura once the bell rang, but this is what makes the most sense.

Post match Jinny says she beat McKenzie and issues the challenge for the title match. Satomura holds up the title and I think we have a deal.

Blair Davenport storms into Sid Scala’s office, where she is told she’s back next week. This isn’t because of her actions, but because Stevie Turner wants to face her. Just don’t be all evil again. Davenport says she gets what she wants.

A-Kid is ready for Ilja Dragunov.

Mark Andrews vs. Sam Gradwell

This seems to be over Gradwell’s issues with riding skateboards. Gradwell cranks on the arm to start, which is countered with an armdrag into an armbar. That’s broken up and they head outside, with Gradwell sending him flying without much trouble. Back in and Gradwell says “come on skater boy” before hitting him in the back of the head for two. Knuckles to the ribs and a right hand to the face have Andrews in more trouble but he gets in a kick to the head. Gradwell pulls him off the ropes for two though and it’s off to the chinlock.

Back up and Gradwell tries to pull him off the ropes again but this time Andrews counters into a middle rope DDT. A double stomp to the back gives Andrews two but Gradwell is back with a discus forearm for the same. Another chinlock doesn’t last that long as Andrews is back up with the Stundog Millionaire. That sends Gradwell outside though, allowing Andrews to moonsault down onto him for the crash. Back in and Andrews tries a springboard but lands in a fireman’s carry for a Samoa driver to give Gradwell the pin at 8:47.

Rating: C+. This got going near the end and it’s nice to see Gradwell getting some focus as he has done quite well in recent months. I’m not convinced he is going to go anywhere but I’ve liked what I’ve seen from him lately. They had a nice match here and that’s about all you can expect out of a midcard match like this.

Flash Morgan Webster slaps Sha Samuels in the face and runs off. Sounds like a match for next week.

Ilja Dragunov is ready for A-Kid.

Heritage Cup #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Noam Dar vs. Wolfgang

The rest of Gallus and Sha Samuels are here too. Round one begins with Dar getting powered against the ropes and telling Gradwell to bring it. Dar tries to drop down but gets lifted up, allowing Wolfgang to grab a headlock. Wolfgang gets taken into the corner for some arm cranking but pulls Dar up for a powerbomb attempt as the round ends.

Round two begins with Dar kicking him in the face for one but Wolfgang is right back up to hammer away in the corner. A top rope ax handle drops Dar, only to have Jordan Devlin come out to jump Gallus. The distraction lets Dar grab a rollup with tights for the first fall at 1:27 of the round and 5:02 total. Round three begins with Wolfgang hitting a spear to tie it up at 6 seconds of the round and 5:42 total.

Round four begins with Dar having to pull himself up in the corner so Wolfgang whips him hard into another corner. The threat of another spear sends Dar bailing to the floor, where Samuels offers a distraction to give Dar a breather. Back in and Dar goes after the arm again, including kicking Wolfgang’s arm out to the floor. Dar tries to get away but eventually kicks the post by mistake as the round ends.

Round five begins with Dar stomping away in the corner, setting up a running boot to the face. Wolfgang manages a backbreaker for two but gets pulled down into the ankle lock. That’s broken up as Wolfgang gets to his feet and hammers away until Dar kicks him in the head. The Nova Roller is countered with a spear for a very close two as the round ends. That means it’s time for overtime and round six begins Dar striking away until Wolfgang snaps off a suplex.

Wolfgang misses a charge and gets kicked in the leg though, setting up a top rope knee to Wolfgang’s knee. Back up and Wolfgang blasts him with a clothesline for two but Dar is back with the Nova Roller. Wolfgang pops back up before the cover so it’s another Nova Roller to give Dar the pin and the tournament at 2:20 of the sixth round and 15:51 overall.

Rating: B. This took some time to get going but they hit a nice roll near the end. If nothing else, it is nice to see the tournament finally wrapping up and Dar is one of the best choices you could have for the winner. Wolfgang got a lot out of the tournament and he can move up the ladder a bit as well. Good final, but it took so long to get here.

Tyler Bate comes out for the staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Good show here and that isn’t much of a surprise. If nothing else, it is a nice feeling to have the tournament over. I’m not sure how the title match is going to go, but after so much time to get here, the interest might not be the highest. The rest of the show worked rather well too and now we get to see how much better the fans are going to help the show. Nice job this week, as stuff happened.

 

 

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.

 




NXT UK – September 23, 2021: The Ghost Levels Are Rising

NXT UK
Date: September 23, 2021
Location: BT Studios, London, England
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Andy Shepherd

The tournament to crown a new #1 contender to the Heritage Cup is STILL GOING, despite the fact that Tyler Bate could have probably given everyone in the field a shot at this rate. It’s time for another semfinal match this week as we’re finally close to wrapping up. Other than that, stuff will happen. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening sequence.

Heritage Cup #1 Contenders Tournament Semifinals: Teoman vs. Wolfgang

Rohan Raja and the rest of Gallus are here too. Round one begins with Wolfgang going simple by hitting him in the face and then knocking Teoman down into the corner. Teoman punches him in the arm and takes it to the mat with a wristlock. A suplex sets up a failed Crossface attempt so Wolfgang is up with a clothesline, setting up the Caber Toss for the first fall at 2:01.

Round two begins with Wolfgang hammering away again but missing a charge to crash out to the floor. Teoman tries to follow up but gets dropped in a hurry, allowing Wolfgang to take him back inside. Never mind as Teoman is knocked outside again, only to get in a cheap shot to take over. Back in and Teoman scores with a missile dropkick for two. Teoman tries the Crossface but can’t get it on as the round ends.

Round three begins with Teoman winning a slap off until Wolfgang knocks him down. The basement clothesline gives Wolfgang two but Teoman is back on the arm. A running forearm to the side of Wolfgang’s head ties it up at a fall each at 1:12 of the round and 7:17 overall.

Round four begins with Teoman going after the bad arm so Wolfgang uses the good arm to clothesline him down. Teoman ties the arm around the ropes but misses the stomp, allowing Wolfgang to drive him into the corner. A middle rope ax handle connects but the seconds get up on the apron. Not that it matters as Wolfgang hits a spear for the win at 2:45 of the round and 10:04 overall.

Rating: C. It’s not a bad match but egads this tournament feels like it has been going on forever. It also doesn’t help that we’re having seven Heritage Cup rules matches to set up an eighth Heritage Cup rules match. Teoman seemed like the natural winner here but it can be nice to throw in a curve every now and then. Fine match, but not exactly interesting.

Blair Davenport is annoyed that she is still suspended and promises more bad things will happen. Reinstate her.

Subculture arrives and finds that Sam Gradwell has spray painted over their spray paint. The spray paint over his spray paint too.

Gallus has taken over Jordan Devlin’s dressing room and throw him out, stealing his sunglasses in the process. Devlin: “I’M GOING TO TELL JOHNNY SAINT ABOUT THIS!!!” Tell him he’s still part of the show too.

Isla Dawn vs. Jinny

Joseph Conners is here with Jinny and this is fallout from Dawn drawing a pentagram on Jinny’s mirror last week. Dawn wins an early slugout but Jinny kicks away at the ribs in the corner. A running shoulder lets Jinny hammer away even more but Dawn whips her hard into the corner. Jinny hits a running knee to the face and loads up some kind of a stretch, which is countered into a whip into the ropes.

Dawn is back with her own running knee and some kicks in the corner rock Jinny even more. They head outside where Jinny is sent face first into the apron, sending Conners into a panic. Dawn grabs his wrists and seems to try some kind of a spell to make it worse. Back in and some running knees give Dawn two but she stops to yell at Conners again, allowing Jinny to grab the Facelift out of the corner for the pin at 4:51.

Rating: C. This was a rather energetic and hard hitting match as Dawn loses again. She has a bad habit of that, though at least she is actually doing something with the witchcraft deal after a very long time of just mentioning it. Good enough match though as we keep trying to find some more main event level talent for the division.

Dani Luna is lifting when Xia Brookside comes up for a friendly challenge. Sure.

Charlie Dempsey is ready to debut next week and demonstrate how to hurt people like they did in the good old days.

Trent Seven challenges Oliver Carter/Ashton Smith to a match against Moustache Mountain next week. Sure, despite Tyler Bate not being here. That doesn’t seem too bright.

Nathan Frazer vs. Rampage Brown vs. A-Kid

The winner gets the next UK Title shot against Ilja Dragunov. Brown has to fight off a double teaming to start and knocks the other two outside in a hurry. Back in and Frazer dropkicks him into the corner, setting up a double dropkick to the floor. Frazer picks up the pace to run/flip away from A-Kid before hitting another hard dropkick. Brown comes in to whip Frazer hard into the corner so A-Kid comes back in to strike away.

A kick to the knee puts Brown down with Frazer joining in, only to have Frazer drop him as well. Brown is back up up to wreck them again, including a toss to send A-Kid into Frazer. A-Kid is knocked outside, leaving Brown to chop away at Frazer. Brown puts Frazer on top but A-Kid is back in to kick away at both of them. A triangle choke has Brown in trouble, or at least it does until he powerbombs A-Kid onto Frazer.

The Doctor Bomb is broken up though and A-Kid is knocked outside, leaving the other two trying to get back up. Frazer takes too long to go up top and has to flip out of a German superplex. A-Kid is sent outside as well, allowing Frazer to dive onto both of them. Back in and Frazer drops both of them again, this time for two on A-Kid. They get up for the circle slugout until Brown hits a double suplex for a double knockdown.

A-Kid is back up with a springboard armdrag/headscissors to put them both down, followed by a high crossbody for two on Frazer. A northern lights suplex sets up a cross armbreaker on Frazer but Brown is back in with a powerbomb for the save. Frazer kicks Brown down again and everyone gets a breather. Somehow Frazer manages to slam Brown and super flipping World’s Strongest Slam A-Kid for two with Brown making a save.

A-Kid is back up with a guillotine on Brown, who reverses it up into a suplex until Frazer nails a superkick for two in a nice sequence. Frazer’s springboard is (nicely) powerslammed out of the air and now the Doctor Bomb can connect. A-Kid superkicks Brown to the floor though and a running kick to the face finishes Frazer for the pin and the title shot at 16:32.

Rating: B. This was some pretty sweet stuff with everyone going hard throughout until we got an interesting winner. Brown vs. Dragunov feels like a downgrade from Walter and Frazer doesn’t feel like a real threat. A-Kid might not either, but he is certainly a unique way to go and that is a good idea. Make things a little more interesting and let him show what he can do in a fight against the champ. This was rather good while it lasted though, with some innovating spots and everyone doing their thing well.

Overall Rating: B-. The main event is the only thing worth seeing and that’s not a good sign. The show usually has at least one good match but it feels rather cold at the moment. Dragunov has been champion for about a month now and it still feels like he’s a complete ghost. The entire promotion feels like it has been forgotten about to do its thing and I don’t know what happens to it when WWE remembers it exists. Another nice show here, though it still doesn’t feel important.

 

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.