NXT UK 27/03/2019
We’re still in Coventry and the crowd is already wild
Advertised for tonight – Pete Dunne and Walter Contract signing for their upcoming Championship Match at NXT Takeover: New York
Jordan Devlin v Dan Moloney
Devlin looks intense, dare I say, pissed off. I wonder what’s wrong with him this week? I haven’t seen Moloney before, so let’s see what he can do. He takes chops like a boss and has clear size advantage over Devlin, which he uses to his advantage. His momentum is short-lived as Devlin unleashes his signature Standing Moonsault. Moloney’s move-set is basic but what he delivers, he delivers well and with conviction. Devlin’s Springboard Cutter lands well and a High Angle Brain Buster sees Devlin’s momentum continue. He certainly knows how to work a crowd and is really growing into his heel character.
Upcoming later tonight Mark Andrews v Noam Dar
Kassius Ohno takes the mic. I feel it prudent to note that I have done a little more research into Ohno and I feel perhaps my thoughts around him were incorrect. Ohno has been a huge player on the Indie wrestling scene for many many years. I have previously said he made some poor career choices, but I have in fact come to realize that his career choices have set in motion a lot of what we see today. It takes a strong person to say, I’m not right for this (ie being part of The Shield) and to recognize that his strength is that he will make anyone look good. Perhaps it’s time to recognize that his legacy is in the things he consciously didn’t do, not the things he failed to do. And why is he in NXT UK? Because he’s sharing his knowledge and expertise with the roster who will benefit the most from it.
What a promo! Go check it out!
NXT UK Women’s Championship Match – Toni Storm v Jinny in 2 weeks.
Xia Brookside v Rhea Ripley
I have to be honest, I’m not expecting anything spectacular here. How on earth is Brookside going to give Ripley anything close to legitimate competition?
The crowd cheer for Brookside in the early going, to which Ripley replies ‘Shut your mouth you peasant’, shades of Chris Jericho here. It’s a power game and this is a game Brookside won’t win. She tries on a couple of occasions to use her speed and agility but, as predicted, Ripley’s force and strength win. Ripley plays this character so well and I am at the point where I think she’s outgrown this brand. Brookside tries really hard and there’s no questioning her heart and work ethic. This is definitely her strongest showing to date. Her Body Press off the top rope and her Code Breaker style drop, which Ripley sells like a boss, has us almost think she might win this. The Riptide ultimately secures Ripley the victory, but this was a surprisingly strong showing from Brookside. I like being surprised.
Ripley takes the mic to reconfirm her status as the most dominant woman in NXT UK, only to be interrupted by Piper Niven. Ripley wants no part of this and Niven is greeted warmly by the Coventry crowd.
Backstage segment between Isla Dawn and Kay Lee Ray, setting up a future feud for these fellow Scots.
Spotlight on Walter video package
Trent Seven interview, calling out Joe Coffey
Aichner and Barthel backstage segment. Their promos are as impressive as their in-ring ability. I absolutely love these guys.
Mark Andrews v Noam Dar
These chaps are very evenly matched in terms of size and stature and this will be a test of who can emerge victorious through quickness, craftiness and technicality. I love the pace, the aerial style, the Backflips and the ingenuity as they ground their offence into the mat. Dar is slightly more vicious in his style, hanging Andrews up on the top rope. The crowd are taunting him at various points throughout this match.
The match is back and forth convincingly, and the crowd quickly cheer for both competitors. Andrews takes a moment too long to showboat, allowing Dar time to roll out the ring. I love Andrew’s Suicide Dive though the middle ropes because he uses the rope to push himself through. His offence continues with a Corkscrew Moonsault and a frustrating near fall. The pace and fluidity is second to none and the crowd are lapping it up. Dar’s intuition allows him to counter Andrews at various points and the match almost ends with a double count out after Dar throws him into the steel steps. Capitalizing on the injury to Andrews legs, Dar locks in an Ankle Lock and the suspense builds as Andrews claws his way to the bottom rope.
Andrews attempts to climb the turnbuckle but as he can’t climb, executes a beautiful Springboard Moonsault off the rope, resulting in another near fall and then another. The anticipation builds with a Stundog Millionaire, which again, Dar kicks out of. Andrews goes for an Inverted Hurricanrana but Andrews lands awkwardly into Dar’s knee/leg and falls to the mat. Ref throws up the X and the match is stopped. Both are stretchered out of the arena.
Kay Lee Ray v Isla Dawn and Trent Seven v Joe Coffey advertised for next week
NXT UK Championship contract signing takes place to close the show. The intensity is too much!
