Woven into NXT UK this week is a gentle buzz of pride as Pete Dunne prepares to defend his NXT UK Championship against Walter at NXT Takeover: New York.
The action this week is swift but with an eye towards the future, you can already see the new feuds building.
Kenny Williams & Amir Jordan v Aichner & Barthel
With a clear size difference, Williams and Jordan quickly recognize they must use their speed and agility to try and better these two beasts. Aichner and Barthel are cool, calm and calculated. The technicality from both teams throughout this match is spot on. Jordan lands some beautiful drop kicks in the early going and turns into the workhorse of the match, taking blow after blow. The action pours in and out of the ring, both teams reading each other well. Aichner and Barthel set up for their Vertical Suplex finisher but Williams reverse into a pin and picks up a cheeky victory, much to the dismay of their opponents.
Williams and Jordan are on a bit of a roll at the moment and you can’t help but think a tag team title match isn’t that far into the future for them.
A backstage interview with Rhea Ripley sees the beginning of her upcoming feud with Piper Niven take shape.
Jordan Devlin makes his intentions post Takeover very clear. Given his recent run of form, I don’t doubt his heart and work ethic and that he should be given a title opportunity in the future.
Isla Dawn v Kay Lee Ray
This match starts off with variations of arms twists and Hammerlocks and quickly becomes very dull as neither woman manages to build any sort of offence. Dawn bends herself about a bit and Ray struggles to get anything decent out of her. Dawn manages a Belly to Back Suplex, which actually looked pretty nice but the moment is soon forgotten as she massively oversells a chest chop. I really like Kay Lee Ray’s reverse Widows Peak drop, which she executes to pick up the win.
Backstage Toni Storm and Jinny have a scuffle, furthering their feud and a future title shot for Jinny.
Travis Banks cuts a promo where he talks about Kassius Ohno and a match for next week is confirmed later in the show.
NXT UK don’t mess around dwelling on storylines, in fact, some of them come out of nowhere and don’t always make a lot of sense. I assume they move on quickly as they understand who works well together and how long they keep a story going will depend on the chemistry in the early going. It’s actually rather clever.
James Drake & Zack Gibson, the Grizzled Young Veterans cut a fierce promo in the ring, and the Coventry crowd jumps all over them. James Drake has some of the bets mic skills in the company and had the whole crowd like putty in the palm of his hand.
Trent Seven v Joe Coffey (The only member of Gallus who appears to be doing anything right now)
This match was surprisingly faster paced than I was expecting. These two are big guys but boy can they move, and they can sell a move too. Coffey’s style is almost old school heel, at one point he drops Seven, back first onto the outside barricade. I’ve said previously that Coffey’s style is, at times, too intense but this time I felt he did reign it in a little. Another clinic from some of the best NXT UK has to offer. It’s total class all the way through, with instinctive and technically solid.
Seven almost got himself counted out when the ref got to 9 and a half as he threw Coffey back in the ring. But by the skin of his teeth, the match went on. Somehow, Coffey kicked out an absolutely brutal Seven Star Lariat. He then delivered two Powerbombs in quick succession and Seven eventually tapped to a Single leg Crab, which he had locked in for what felt like eternity. A great match!
NXT UK closes with a video package of Pete Dunne’s incredible 685 days title reign and the imposing presence of Walter since his arrival.
NXT Takeover: New York – the stage is set; the NXT UK Championship will be on the line. It’ll be one hell of a show. Enjoy!
