WWE NXT UK
Episode 9
#NXTUK
Original Air Date: November 21, 2018
Event Date: August 25, 2018
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Birmingham, England, UK
Venue: National Exhibition Centre
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Andy Shepherd
Intro Video
“Dusted” by Astroid Boys
Match 1
NXT UK Women’s Title Tournament Quarter Final Match
Xia Brookside vs Rhea Ripley
(referee: Joel Allen)
Result: Rhea Ripley wins via pinfall after Riptide (sit-out pumphandle slam)
Time: 5:13
Match Thoughts
Good match. Ripley was dominant. Brookside did her best to use her speed and agility, but she was caught and tossed at almost every turn. Brookside is fun to watch though, and I’m looking forward to seeing her grow in the ring.
Backstage
Radzi welcomes James Drake and Zack Gibson. Gibson says that he and Drake are the best team in NXT UK, and they are looking to take the upcoming NXT UK Tag Titles.
Match 2
Jack Starz vs Eddie Dennis
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Eddie Dennis wins via pinfall after the Neck Stop Driver
Time: 3:19
Match Thoughts
This was basically a sqaush, though Starz lasted longer than I expected. I can’t say that I’m a fan of Dennis right now. He does a lot of walking around, hitting one move, then walking around some more. He seems more concerned with twisting his face in a grimace than putting on a great performance. And he’s constantly positioning so he can look into the main camera. Like, all the time.
Video
Last week, Tyson T-Bone and Dave Mastiff had to be separated by Johnny Saint backstage.
Match 3
Mark Andrews vs “Wild Boar” Mike Hitchman
(referee: Chris Sharpe)
Result: Mark Andrews wins via pinfall after a shooting star press
Time: 5:27
Match Thoughts
Good match. Hitchman had a surprising amount of offense. He’s short and wide, and a lot of his moves look strong and tough to defend against. Andrews absorbed a lot of punishment, but he seems to always be just a few quick moves away from a victory. That was the case here, and it was entertaining to watch.
Backstage
Radzi welcomes Eddie Dennis. Dennis looks down on Radzi as he talks, but Ashton Smith walks up and interrupts. Smith says Dennis is good, but he’s nothing Smith can’t handle. Dennis takes offense and yells at Smith.
Match 4
NXT UK Women’s Title Tournament Quarter Final Match
Isla Dawn vs Toni Storm
(referee: Joel Allen)
Result: Toni Storm wins via pinfall after Storm Zero
Time: 4:06
Match Thoughts
Good match. Isla Dawn started quickly and surprised Storm with a barrage of offense. Dawn dominated most of the match, but it went on long enough for Storm to mount a comeback. Storm hit a few strong moves to dash Dawn’s hopes of moving on in the tournament. It was no real surprise, but it was a fine (although brief) quarter final match.
Match 5
Ligero vs Jordan Devlin
(referee: Chris Sharpe)
Result: Jordan Devlin wins via pinfall after a fireman’s carry into a modified emerald flowsion
Time: 11:45
Match Thoughts
Very good match. These two match up well together. Both are quick and agile, and they were both able to pull off some strong moves and throws. The match got really good towards the end, and it caught me off guard with a few of the near falls close to the actual finish.
Show Impressions
A good show. I hope the next few women’s tournament matches will be a bit longer and more involved, but these were fine to close out the quarter finals. Also, the main event surprised with how much I enjoyed it. I’d like to see more of both Devlin and Ligero.
Match of the Night
Jordan Devlin vs Ligero
A fine main event.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxtuk/2018-11-21-ep-01