January 15, 2017
(aired live)
#WWEUKCT
City: Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Venue: Empress Ballroom
Commentary: Michael Cole, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Andy Shepherd
Theme Song: “Dusted” by Astroid Boys
<< Read the Recap & Review for night one of the tournament. <<
Video
Clips from night one of the UK Title Tournament, including more footage of Pete Dunne’s attack on Sam Gradwell that happened after night one’s show went off the air.
Ring Area
Michael Cole and Nigel McGuinness talk about night one and take a look at the bracket for night two.
Match 1
WWE UK Title Tournament Quarter Final Match
Pete Dunne vs Sam Gradwell
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Pete Dunne wins via pinfall after a body slam into the corner
Time: 4:50
Match Thoughts
This was a quick match, but it was good. Gradwell was fighting angry and injured because of Dunne’s attack last night. Gradwell seemed to be fueled by adrenaline and got the best of Dunne for the first part of the match, but a missile dropkick performed by Gradwell reminded him of his hurt back. From that point on Dunne was able to take his time and pick apart Gradwell. I really like how Dunne’s attack played into the match and how Dunne’s game plan is clear and well executed.
Ring Area
After the match, Dunne hits Gradwell with the Bitter End just because he can.
Ring Area
Charly Caruso begins to ask Dunne about his “controversial actions,” but Dunne doesn’t see what he did as controversial. Neither did Triple H.
Match 2
WWE UK Title Tournament Quarter Final Match
Mark Andrews vs Joseph Conners
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Mark Andrews wins via pinfall after a Shooting Star Press
Time: 8:13
Match Thoughts
Good match. I think these two matched up well. Andrews brought a significant amount of high flying, but Conners was able to shut him down for segments of the match. I like the finish, especially because of how McGuinness pointed out that there was a moment of poor judgment that led to the setup for the finishing move. It helped to show how the match could have gone either way.
Ring Area
Fit Finlay is in the crowd.
Match 3
WWE UK Title Tournament Quarter Final Match
Trent Seven vs Wolfgang
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Wolfgang wins via pinfall after The Howling (swanton bomb)
Time: 6:44
Match Thoughts
Very good match. It’s crazy how well Wolfgang can fly at his size. When most guys that big do the flying he does, they look awkward. Wolfgang looks good doing it. This match had some hard hitting moves, but it was peppered with Wolfgang’s flying and Trent Seven’s personality. It was a great, interesting combination which made for a very fun match.
Ring Area
Radzi is in the crowd.
Match 4
WWE UK Title Tournament Quarter Final Match
Tyler Bate vs Jordan Devlin
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Tyler Bate wins via pinfall after a Tyler Driver 97
Time: 6:07
Match Thoughts
Good match. Bate is only 19 (as the commentators keep reminding us), but Devlin really seemed like the inexperienced one here. He kept letting the crowd get to him, and he made poor decisions in the match which cost him. It made for an interesting match.
Video
A look at the final four of the UK Title Tournament.
Ring Area
Robbie Brookside is in the crowd.
Match 5
WWE UK Title Tournament Semi Final Match
Mark Andrews vs Pete Dunne
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Pete Dunne wins via pinfall after a Bitter End
Time: 10:39
Match Thoughts
Great match. Easily the best of the tournament so far. They’ve built both of these guys up very well over these two nights, so the personalities of both really helped to get people invested in the outcome of this match. Dunne wrestled mean and violently, but Andrews was able to survive and even get the better of Dunne for the first time in the tournament. There were some nice chains and reversals here, and the finish was convincing and well done.
Match 6
WWE UK Title Tournament Semi Final Match
Tyler Bate vs Wolfgang
(referee: Danilo Anfibio)
Result: Tyler Bate wins via pinfall after a Tyler Driver 97
Time: 6:00
Match Thoughts
Good match. The commentators put over how Wolfgang was coming into the match with a banged up knee and a possibly broken nose. He also went into this match no longer the fan favorite. The crowd seemed to get to him and affect how he wrestled the match. The match itself was good, and Bate really felt like the underdog (mostly because of his size). The match was an entertaining big man/little man match.
Ring Area
After the match, Pete Dunne runs into the ring and attacks Tyler Bate. He runs Bate into the posts before walking away. As Dunne gets to the stage, William Regal shoves Dunne to the backstage area. Regal is furious.
Ring Area
Eorl Crabtree and Darren Fletcher are in the crowd.
Match 7
Neville vs Tommy End
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Neville wins via pinfall after a Red Arrow
Time: 8:43
Match Thoughts
Good match. End got a ton of offense in this one, but Neville was able to survive and get big moves when it counted. Neville looked better to me, but thats not to say that End looked bad.
Backstage
Charly Caruso says that Bate has been cleared to continue in the tournament, but he’s suffered a partially separated AC joint.
Ring Area
Finn Balor heads to the ring. Balor is happy to be a small part of the tournament and says that this is all happening because of the fans.
Match 8
WWE UK Title Tournament Final Match
Pete Dunne vs Tyler Bate
(referee: Danilo Anfibio; title presenter: William Regal)
Result: Tyler Bate wins via pinfall after a Tyler Driver 97 and becomes the first WWE UK Champ
Time: 15:12
Match Thoughts
Great match! The injury that Dunne inflicted on Bate worked extremely well, and this was a great culmination of everything that’s happened over the past two nights. This was a great match between a mean and dirty bad guy and a hopeful and inspiring good guy. The match built very well from a feeling out period all the way to a finale with a series of big moves.
Ring Area
Finn Balor, Fit Finlay, and William Regal stand in the ring as Triple H hands Tyler Bate his new title belt.
Show Impressions
Night two was a lot better than night one, which is perfectly understandable. The story lines they built worked very well to make the final match of the tournament feel very intriguing and important.
Match of the Night
Pete Dunne vs Tyler Bate
This was a star-making match (at least in the WWE) for both guys.