NXT UK 20.03.2019
The Coventry crowd is electric as Johnny Saint and Sid Scala stand in the ring to deliver important news.
“We have been given permission for the ‘Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne, to defend the WWE United Kingdom Championship as a part of Wrestlemania weekend at NXT Takeover: New York” The question is, who will he defend the title against? The obvious answer being Walter. The match is now official and will take place at Takeover. I’m proud of the UK brand being represented in New York at the biggest weekend of the wrestling year.
Toni Storm conducts a backstage interview, where she addresses Jinny’s comments and makes remarks to further ignite their upcoming feud. Rhea Ripley tags onto the end of the segment, delivering a solid promo concerning Xia Brookside. We’ll see how these rivalries build in the coming weeks.
The main event advertised for the evening is James Drake v Tyler Bate
Ligero v Eddie Dennis
In the early going Ligero lands his beautiful Springboard Stunner which sets the tone for the match. Dennis is methodical and aggressive a sharp contrast to the aerial acrobatics of Ligero. Yes, it’s an interesting clash of styles but these guys have such great chemistry and some similarities, it’s hard not to lose yourself in it. They both have this great ability to dictate pace and because their chemistry is so tangible, the ebb and flow is seamless and natural. Ligero sells a tweaked ankle well but still manages a near fall with an impressive Sunset Flip. Dennis’ stature gives him the upper hand, as a good-looking Vertical Suplex, followed up with a Next Stop Driver secures him the victory.
Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams cut a hilarious promo, which involves a possible look towards a tag team match but they get there through a brilliant and lighthearted pull-up challenge.
Sam Stoker & Lewis Howley v Wild Board & Primate aka The Hunt
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this match as much as I did. I wasn’t expecting to like the team of Wild Boar and Primate, but I do. My initial reaction was that of a purely gimmick driven tag team with no depth, it’ll be a flash in the pan and not work but I could not have been more wrong. I think the brand needs a gimmick like this and their style reflects their persona. It’s primal, reactive and animialistic. They are solid power houses who have agility and use their entire body as a weapon. I’ve said previously that Stoker and Howley have great look and it’s clear they have been working on their entrance and chemistry. Howley sells really REALLY well. Both teams look strong but ultimately The Hunt pick up the win.
Kassius Ohno v Ashton Smith
I’m already not a fan of this match. I feel Smith to be too green and Ohno to be overly arrogant and bordering on washed-up. Smith did show some improvements during this match. It’s encouraging to see him using his size to his advantage. His Superkicks are the most improved aspect of his arsenal.
There is a moment during this match which really p***ed me off. Smith lands a pretty decent Superkick right up Ohno’s chin and he just stood there with a nonchalant expression. He made no effort to sell it or even acknowledge that it had happened. Is he that arrogant he can’t be bothered to put someone over? Someone who is trying his hardest and making every effort to improve his performance. This match is jiggered, awkward and dull. Ohno picks up the victory with a sloppy Rip-chord elbow. Meh! Ohno attempts to display some sportsmanship when instigating a fist bump with Smith but before he even has chance to respond, Ohno flattens him. Have I mentioned how much I dislike Kassius Ohno?!
Tyler Bate comes out to assist Smith, setting up a potential future feud with Ohno. Oh no!
Gallus having a nice pint reflect on their current form and how they intend to get back to true dominance in the future.
Main event – Tyler Bate v James Drake
This match is nothing short of a grappling masterclass and will absolutely make my ‘Match of the Month’ list. The standard of wrestling in this promotion, at times, is off the scale and I sit here is disbelief that once again, they’ve pulled off a match of this quality.
There’s no wonder they have Bate working across two WWE brands, he is clearly on a steady and sustained rise and needs to be given a larger audience and platform.
Drake is equally as impressive as he executes a Gut-Wrench Powerbomb with poise and conviction.
This Coventry crowd is raucous and vocal, making fun of Drake’s attire. This crowd makes the show lively and interactive and both competitors are feeding off the audience.
In the early going, Drake is in control of the offence, Bate selling well and then the tide is turns and it’s Bate in control, making it difficult to determine who’ll emerge victorious. Bate gains the control with a flurry of sharp jabs, a Hurricanrana and a high Back Body Drop, the crowd even more fired up as he soars off the top rope with a Flying Elbow. Another wonderful sequence evolves as Bate delivers an Exploder Suplex, then s standing Shooting Star Press, which Drake dodges in the first attempt but gets nailed with on the second.
The ring awareness, chemistry, fluidity and pace is undeniable between the two but it’s Bate and his Corkscrew Spiral Senton that ultimately secures him the victory.
What a match!! 0fffffffffff
