WWE NXT UK
Episode 17
#NXTUK
Original Air Date: December 19, 2018
Event Date: October 14, 2018
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Plymouth, Devon, England, UK
Venue: Plymouth Pavilions
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Andy Shepherd
Video
Tonight, Isla Dawn challenges Rhea Ripley for the NXT UK Women’s Title in the championship’s first-ever defense.
Intro Video
“Dusted” by Astroid Boys
Match 1
Jordan Devlin vs Wild Boar Mike Hitchman
(referee: Joel Allen)
Result: Jordan Devlin wins via pinfall after Ireland’s Call
Time: 4:58
Match Thoughts
Good match. Hitchman got some good offense and frustrated Devlin at times. Hitchman had me believing that this was more than just an exhibition for Devlin. Still, Devlin looked good again, and the adversoty brought by Hitchman helped Devlin’s character.
Ring Area
After the match, Jordan Devlin wonders when everyone is going to learn that betting on Devlin is not a gamble, because “the ace trumps all.”
Outside the Venue
Moustache Mountain aren’t too worries about Gallus.
Backstage
Radzi welcomes Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster. Andrews and Webster want a win over Gibson and Drake on their way to winning the tag titles.
Match 2
Fabian Aichner vs Eddie Ryan
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Fabian Aichner wins via pinfall after a spinning sit-out powerbomb
Time: 5:04
Match Thoughts
Eddie Ryan was the hometown favorite, and he started the match strong. Aichner’s strength and agility would overcome the early offense from Ryan though, and Aichner would go on to dominate the match. I really like how they’re building up Aichner. First he beats up Andrews after playing nice, and now he’s beating up a hometown guy. They’re building him up to be a good jerk who likes to hurt people. Plus, he’s fun to watch.
Backstage
Isla Dawn gets ready for her match later tonight.
Video
Travis Banks will not be squashed by Joe Coffey or anyone else.
Match 3
Moustache Mountain vs Tyson T-Bone & Saxon Huxley
(referee: Chris Sharpe)
Result: Trent Seven pins Saxon Huxley after a tandem rebound lariat (Bate) and dragon suplex (Seven)
Time: 7:03
Match Thoughts
Good match. T-Bone started things well for his team when he began to get the better of Trent Seven early in the match. Seven was in trouble, but a tag to Bate late in the match opened things up. Bate was all over the ring, and he forced a finish that was fun to watch.
Backstage
Radzi welcomes Dave Mastiff. Mastiff says he brings brutality to NXT UK. Mastiff says he’s looking toward the WWE UK Title when Eddie Dennis attacks him from behind. Dennis floors Mastiff and says that things aren’t finished between them.
Backstage
Rhea Ripley heads toward the ring area for her first title defense.
Video
Back in May of 2017, Pete Dunne became the WWE UK champ. Since then, he has defeated many men with brutality and dominance.
Match 4
NXT UK Women’s Title Match
Isla Dawn vs Rhea Ripley (NXT UK Women’s Champ)
(referee: Eddie Orengo)
Result: Rhea Ripley wins via pinfall after Riptide
Time: 9:00
Match Thoughts
Good match. I never really thought Isla Dawn had a chance, but she gave Ripley a good fight. This match and the buildup to it helped elevate Dawn in my eyes. Also, this was a good first defense for Ripley. I think this whole thing was good all around.
Show Impressions
All the matches tonight were good. Even though I don’t think any particular match stood out too far above the others, they all averaged out to make a very fine show.
Match of the Night
Isla Dawn vs Rhea Ripley
Part of me choosing this match is because it is the first defense for the NXT UK Women’s Title, part is because it surprised me a little in that it was better than I thought it might be, and part is because it was just a good match.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxtuk/2018-12-19-ep-01