Following last week’s TakeOver ‘extra’ episode, this week’s instalment of NXT UK gave us all the fallout from the sensational TakeOver: Cardiff show at the end of August.
Tag Titles Shine Once More
Just like in that Triple Threat Match at TakeOver: Cardiff, the NXT UK Tag Team Championships were once again showcased in a spectacular tag team encounter as Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster made the first defence of their newly-won titles against former champs The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake). When these two teams collided at TakeOver alongside Gallus members Mark Coffey and Wolfgang, magic was created inside the ring. This match wasn’t exactly as good as that one, but it was still a class match nonetheless.
It's a MUST-WIN situation for @JamesDrake_GYT & @ZackGibson01 as they look to regain the #NXTUK #TagTeamTitles from @MandrewsJunior & @Flash_Morgan! pic.twitter.com/RZIjs8m3Bd
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019
It was very much the same sort of match as well, with a slow build at the start before becoming more fast-paced in the later stages. The cohesiveness of both sides proved beneficial throughout the contest as they both used some double team manoeuvres to sway the match in their favour but ultimately, that tactic would come back to bite The Grizzled Young Veterans as James Drake accidentally delivered a superkick to the jaw of Zack Gibson. A Fall to Pieces shooting star press would ensure Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster remained the NXT UK Tag Team Champions in their home of Wales.
The Mat Is Sacred
The night’s proceedings kicked off with a visit from Imperium (WALTER, Alexander Wolfe, Marcel Barthel, and Fabian Aichner). With WALTER fresh off a huge defence of his WWE United Kingdom Championship at TakeOver against Tyler Bate to cement the group’s dominance over British Strong Style, Imperium had even more reasons to be as cocky as ever. As always, their mission is to protect the sacred mat, which Barthel and Aichner were out to showcase as they battled the debuting Welsh tandem of Danny Jones and a rather overtanned Harry Green (better known to fans as Beano).
CAN ANYONE STOP #IMPERIUM?!
The jury is still out. #NXTUK @WalterAUT @TheWWEWolfe @FabianAichner @Marcel_B_WWE pic.twitter.com/Io3LLWuNDS
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019
Like many would’ve expected, this was quite the squash match, with the European duo dominating the bout after ambushing their opposition before the bell had even rung. Although Jones and Green were able to show some tenacity throughout the beatdown, it wasn’t enough to come out victorious as Jones would be downed with the European Bomb (a powerbomb/diving uppercut combination) for the three count.
As if that wasn’t enough, WALTER nearly decapitated poor Danny following the bout with a lariat, the same move he used to defeat Tyler Bate two weeks ago. Imperium claim there’s no-one left to take them out – judging by this one-sided performance, they could be right in saying that.
The Shiniest Wizard
Fresh off a surprise appearance at TakeOver: Cardiff, Tegan Nox made her NXT UK in-ring debut on this week’s episode as she went face to face with Shax. For anyone hoping to see a lengthy bout between these two would’ve been left disappointed as Tegan easily defeated Shax with the shiniest of all the shining wizards to go 1-0 in her NXT UK career.
After waiting 300+ days on the sidelines, @TeganNoxWWE_ makes her long-awaited COMEBACK to @WWE on #NXTUK! pic.twitter.com/iJfpId7BIn
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019
It wasn’t all fun and games for Nox however, as she was confronted after the bell by the new NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray. The Queen of Insanity vented her frustrations at her title victory being overshadowed by the debut of Tegan, but she may have made a mistake there as Tegan responded by saying she’ll happily take the fight to KLR anytime and anywhere.
Sounds like one hell of an NXT UK Women’s Championship match!
Irish Ace Victorious
Angry at being left off the card at TakeOver: Cardiff, Jordan Devlin was out for vengeance here as he battled Ashton Smith, someone who hasn’t exactly had that breakout performance in NXT UK quite yet. As a result, The Irish Ace likely wasn’t expecting much of a fight from the Manchester native here, but he couldn’t have been more wrong.
.@Jordan_Devlin1 & @AshtonSmith_WWE BOTH have something to prove as they go one-on-one on #NXTUK! pic.twitter.com/rOUIjQ9uuh
— WWE (@WWE) September 11, 2019
Ashton came in this one like a house on fire, showing every single person in Cardiff why he was signed to NXT UK in the first place. He very nearly picked up the victory as he attempted his ripcord DDT but eventually, Devlin took Smith off his feet with a standing Spanish fly followed by the Devil Inside to gain the win. An impressive showing from both men here, with Devlin proving to be the superior athlete on this occasion.
Press Conference Ruined
With a victory in the bank over Travis Banks at TakeOver: Cardiff, Noam Dar was featured on his very own ‘press conference’ as he revealed some breaking news – he’s the best. Some truly shocking news here from The Scottish Supernova. While Noam was having the time of his life up on-stage answering questions and telling dafties to leave the room, he was interrupted by Trent Seven, with the British Strong Style member putting an end to Dar’s egotistical tirade.
What Else?
In addition to all this, backstage interviewer Radzi Chinyanganya was on hand to get a word with the now-former NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm, but instead was met by Nina Samuels, who said that she is the NXT UK women’s divison. Plus, it was revealed that NXT UK general manager Johnny Saint had scheduled a rematch for next week between his assistant Sid Scala and Kassius Ohno, with the pair set to do battle in an NXT UK first – a British Rounds Match.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Be sure to catch all of the NXT UK action via the WWE Network.
