By Liz @Ms_Deathwish
As the buzz surrounding the hotly anticipated NXT UK Tag Team Championships intensifies, this week’s episode kicks off with the Coffey brothers and Wolfgang making their way to the ring to make a statement. Tonight the show takes place in Plymouth in front of a rowdy crowd. Joe Coffey leads the charge, proclaiming the group’s dominance and that NXTUK is their “kingdom”. He announced that the new name of their faction is “Gallus”, a Scottish word meaning delinquent or wayward. A suitable name for the devious heel stable in my opinion. They called out British Strong Style before being interrupted by the entrance music of a returning Travis Banks.
The “Kiwi Buzzsaw” was put out by the brothers from Scotland some weeks previous and has payback on his mind. He wastes no time at all and runs to the ring to confront Joe Coffey and his brethren. This proves to be a mistake as all three men join forces to assault Banks. The music of Moustache Mountain soon hits as Tyler Bate and Trent Seven run to the aid of their friend. This segment finishes with Moustache Mountain and Travis Banks standing in the ring triumphant, but it’s obvious this feud is far from over.
Match 1: Fabian Aichner vs Mark Andrews
The first match features Fabian Aichner’s NXTUK debut. I have seen him compete in NXT before and also remember him from the Cruiserweight Classic. He is a powerful and intense competitor with some good matches under his belt, including a win over NXT favourite Johnny Gargano. I was impressed by his past performances so I look forward to seeing what he does in NXT UK.
The two men shake hands at the start of the match, showing sportsmanship and respect for each other. The start of the match is a great battle between the strength and power of Aichner and the speed and athleticism of Andrews. Some lovely moves from both men countered with a number of innovative reversals. Aichner lays out Andrews with an explosive Pop-Up Backbreaker but Andrews fights back with his signature Stomp-182. He follows this up with a beautiful Standing Corkscrew Senton. On many occasions Andrews was stopped mid flight by the strength of Fabian Aichner, making it hard for him to build momentum. One particularly brutal example of this was an Overhead Wheelbarrow Suplex that put pressure on Andrews already injured mid-section.
Andrews nailed the Stun-Dog Millionaire but his injury meant he was unable to capitalise. Aichner caught him as he came off the top rope and plunged him through the mat with a vicious Brainbuster. Mark Andrews showed how tenacious he can be by continuing to kick out, in spite of the power of this Brainbuster. Aichner took to the top rope and proved he was also able to fly, with a lovely Springboard Moonsault.
Eventually the action spilled out of the ring, leading to a sudden change in attitude from Fabian Aichner. It was as if something snapped in his head due to the frustration of not being able to put Andrews away. He propped Andrews up against the steel steps and smashed his head against them with a running knee. Rolling back into the ring he called for the ref to start counting. Mark Andrews just about managed to crawl back into the ring before the ref reached a count of ten but Aichner took advantage of his disoriented stated and picked him up for a Spinning Sit-Out Powerbomb, finally managing to score the victory.
Result: Fabian Aichner wins via pinfall
A solid debut from Aichner and another exceptional performance from Mark Andrews. The attitude change towards the end of the match says to me that they are setting Aichner up for a heel type of role. His sudden change towards a more aggressive style is certainly in line with this. He is an impressive powerhouse and seemed to come alive when that vicious side took over, so I think that it will suit him well.
Before the next match we are informed that general manager Johnny Saint has appointed a new assistant, and that assistant is Sid Scala. They are interrupted by the new NXTUK Women’s champion Rhea Ripley, who is demanding some decent competition following her victory last week.
Match 2: Nina Samuels vs Isla Dawn
As if in response to Rhea Ripley’s demands, we are now in for a treat with a match from the women’s division. The White Witch of NXTUK Isla Dawn, takes on Nina Samuels. The opening minutes of this bout are quite evenly matched. Both women exhibit competent grappling ability in this solid back and forth sequence. Nina Samuels executes a nice Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker giving her an advantage that allows her to dominate Dawn for a while. However, as soon as Isla Dawn is able to get some distance between herself and Samuels, she uses her kickboxing training and plants some impressive kicks. This is the turning point in the match, leading to a powerful Back-drop Driver from Dawn. Following this, she finishes Samuels off with innovative Underhook Suplex, picking up the win.
Result: Isla Dawn wins via pinfall
This was quite a short match but a decent showing from both women. Nina Samuels continue to improve and proves she is a very accomplished technical wrestler. I’d love to see her bring a bit more character to her performances and think she’d be brilliant as a really nasty and vicious heel. I like Isla Dawn’s gimmick a lot and would really love to see some spooky promos from her. I think there is a lot she could do with her witchy persona and I really hope that NXTUK let her have some fun with it.
Match 3: Eddie Dennis vs Tucker
Next up we have the Welsh giant Eddie Dennis taking on the Northern Irish Tucker. Eddie approaches the ring with his usual ominous presence. He is undefeated in NXTUK at this point so we shall see if Tucker can finally topple the big man. The match starts out with a slow methodical pace that behooves Dennis. He likes to take his time dismantling his opponents. Tucker is easily dominated in the opening minutes of the match, overpowered by Dennis using the Cravat hold that he utilises so often. Tucker tries to fight back, managing some decent offense of his own but Eddie Dennis proves far too much for him. He is laid out by the signature Severn Bridge Buckle Bomb and pinned to the mat following the Neck Stop Driver.
Result: Eddie Dennis wins via pinfall
Another short match here that cements Eddie Dennis as a truly fearsome competitor. His unique in-ring style makes him a force to be reckoned with and I’m unsure who will be able to break his undefeated streak. I hope they are shaping him up for a title shot as I honestly think him and Pete Dunne would have an unbelievable match.
Before tonight’s main event, we are informed of the main event for next week. Johnny Saint makes the announcement that Travis Banks will be able to get his hands on one member of Gallus. So next week’s main event will be Travis Banks vs Wolfgang.
Main Event: Jordan Devlin vs Flash Morgan Webster
Tonight’s main event features the Modfather Flash Gordon Webster and the Irish Ace Jordan Devlin. Devlin is no doubt looking for redemption following his unsuccessful attempt at the UK Championship last week.
Both these men are evenly matched in size and strength. They both have a solid foundation of technical skill and athleticism. I would say that Webster maybe has a slight edge when it comes to speed, but Devlin makes up for that with his aggressive streak. In the early part of the match both men go back and forth, showing some really beautiful grappling and reversals.
Jordan Devlin causes the first real damage, injuring Webster’s mid-section with a Backstabber off the ropes. Seeing that his opponent is hurt, he focuses his attacks on the ribs with some well placed stomps. Using his elbows and knuckles he grinds into the ribcage, causing Webster some noticeable pain. In spite of this pain, Webster shows real fighting spirit with a flurry of strikes and headbutts, trying to regain some control. Devlin taunts him mercilessly and stoops to dirty tactics to try and beat him back down.
Flash manages to build some momentum later in the match with a series of precision drop-kicks. Taking to the top rope, he nails Devlin with a Frankensteiner and goes for the pin but can’t put him away. Webster is visibly wincing by this point, holding his ribs and gasping for breath. Devlin takes full advantage of this hitting a Ripchord Backdrop Driver, but he still cannot pin Webster for a three count. The action spills out of the ring leaving both men laid out on the floor, Webster is clutching his back and screaming in pain. The ref begins a ten count but both men manage to roll back into the ring. Webster tries one last gasp, climbing to the top rope for a Swanton Bomb, but he lands on the raised knees of Devlin. This proves to be the nail in the coffin as Devlin finally gets the win with his Ireland’s Call finisher.
Result: Jordan Devlin wins via pinfall
Another excellent main event from NXTUK. Jordan Devlin is redeemed following his recent loss and Flash Morgan Webster put up such a spirited fight. Both these men represent the pinnacle of British wrestling and make me proud to be a fan.
