A special 3PM start time for NXT UK this week on a show that featured a passing of the torch moment, the official NXT UK in-ring debut of a Spanish wrestling standout, an exceptional man event between two top contenders in the main event title picture, and more!
This Is Your NXT UK
THIS didn't faze @RheaRipley_WWE, and neither will WARGAMES! #NXTUK #NXTTakeOver pic.twitter.com/9MRwvfqlho
— WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2019
Jinny and Jazzy Gabert have made quite a few enemies since joining forces under the NXT UK banner, but no-one has had more of a problem with the pairing than the team of Piper Niven and the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley. The Fashionista and her enforcer used some sneaky tactics throughout this one, coming close to defeating the unlikely alliance of Niven and Ripley, but they weren’t quite close enough. The Vixen of Violence dropped a huge senton on both of her opponents, eventually picking up the three count following a Viper Driver (or would that be a Piper Driver?). Rhea showed respect to Piper post-match as the former rivals now have a proper mutual respect for one another – this looked like it could have been a sendoff for Rhea, seeing as she’s become a main NXT performer over the last month or two.
Bombs Away
.@DaveMastiff sends @Jordan_Devlin1 SAILING following an exchange of forearms during this highly-anticipated battle on @NXTUK! pic.twitter.com/d5q7cUJGRr
— WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2019
The main event of the evening featured Jordan Devlin battling Dave Mastiff, with both men looking to set their sights on the WWE United Kingdom Championship currently held by Imperium‘s WALTER. Despite having a considerable size disadvantage against Mastiff as well as the fact that he was fighting through an injured lower back, Devlin put up one hell of a fight (Mastiff was competing with arm and knee injuries in his own right). The Irish Ace connected with a gorgeous top rope moonsault in this match, with a second one being countered as Mastiff got his knees into Devlin’s ribs before connecting with his Into The Void cannonball. When push came to shove though, it would be the former Over The Top Wrestling (OTT) World Champion who picked up the win in this win, pinning Mastiff following an impressive Devlin Side Suplex on The Bomber. Looks like WALTER may have found his next challenger for the United Kingdom Championship – if their match at OTT earlier this year was anything to go by, then we’re in for a treat when this one comes around.
New Kid On The Block
WHAT A WIN BY @AKidWrestler!
With a second to spare, @AKidWrestler defeats @KassiusOhno by count-out in his debut match! #NXTUK pic.twitter.com/1lrFVBCHJy
— WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2019
One half of the fantastic Team WhiteWolf pairing made his official NXT UK debut this week as A-Kid battled childhood hero Kassius Ohno. The artist formerly known as Chris Hero had a 100-pound weight advantage over the Spanish sensation, but that didn’t seem to bother the former three-time White Wolf Wrestling (Triple W) Absolute Champion as he put in one hell of a performance against The Knockout Artist. Both men brawled to the outside, before A-Kid made his way back into the ring to be awarded the count out victory over Ohno. Kassius Ohno would have the last laugh over A-Kid though, ambushing NXT UK‘s newest superstar and synching in the Kassius Klutch, eventually being chased off by Tyler Bate. Not exactly the debut A-Kid had hoped for in NXT UK.
NXT UK Originals
DON'T look down and DON'T underestimate @JosephConners. #NXTUK pic.twitter.com/SPOiSU5Y0l
— WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2019
In a battle between two of the competitors in the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament from January 2017, Joseph Conners went toe to toe with the returning “Big Wavy” Roy Johnson, with Conners adamant to make a name for himself at the expense of anyone who stands across the ring from him. While Johnson did have some brief spells of offence, it would be The Righteous Killer who put another tick in the win column as he downed Roy with his beautiful Don’t Look Down reverse STO finisher. With another win in his book, maybe we’ll be seeing Conners (finally) rise up the pecking order within NXT UK. Don’t get your hopes up though.
What Else?
In addition, the NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray was on hand to put the entire NXT UK women’s locker room on notice that she was the best around (namely pointing out Xia Brookside), Killer Kelly revealed she has been cleared to return to in-ring competition before following Isla Dawn into the locker room (insinuating that she needed to pick a fight with someone to be noticed by management), Gallus cut a promo where they called out Imperium with Joe Coffey seemingly confirming his in-ring return for next week while also making hints that he was coming for WALTER’s United Kingdom Championship, and Alexander Wolfe let Ilja Dragunov know that Imperium were still waiting for an answer from the Russian star regarding whether or not he would accept their invitation to join the ranks of the European stable.
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.
