WWE NXT UK
Episode 44
#NXTUK
Original Air Date: May 22, 2019
Event Date: April 19, 2019
(available on the WWE Network)
City: Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK (announced as Glasgow)
Venue: Braehead Arena
Commentary: Vic Joseph, Nigel McGuinness
Ring Announcer: Andy Shepherd
Intro Video
“Dusted” by Astroid Boys
Match 1
Qualifying Match for the UK Title #1 Contender Fatal Four Way
Travis Banks vs Joseph Conners
(referee: Joel Allen)
Result: Travis Banks wins via pinfall after the Kiwi Crusher
Time: 8:22
Match Thoughts
Good match. Both men started strong, but Conners took over in the middle of the match. Conners was methodical with his attack, but Banks pushed the pace back up late in the match. This was nice, and I was happy with the outcome.
Ring Area
After the match, Radzi asks Banks how he fancies his chances at becoming the number one contender. Banks says it doesn’t matter who he faces in the fatal four way, the Kiwi Buzzsaw will be the next number one contender.
Backstage
Nina Samuels says that Toni Storm was the easiest puppet to manipulate in her latest masterpiece. Samuels didn’t even have to ask for a title shot, Storm just gave one to her willingly. Samuels claims to be a great director, and she says that Storm has lost control.
Match 2
Mark Andrews vs Noam Dar
(referee: Joel Allen)
Result: Noam Dar wins via pinfall after the Nova Roller
Time: 5:50
Match Thoughts
Good match. Andrews and Dar were having a very fun match with lots of technical and agile chains of moves and counters, but Dar saw an opportunity to bust the stalemate they were having. It’s not surprising that Dar would try some sneaky style in this match, but it was still fun to watch. Plus, the way this match ended leaves it wide open for another match between these two men. I’m all for that.
Backstage
Radzi asks James Drake and Zack Gibson to respond to Moustache Mountain’s challenge. Gibson says no one makes matches for the champs, the champs get to decide when, where, and against whom they will fight.
Ring Area
Rhea Ripley heads to the ring. Ripley says she knows the crowd wants to see her in action tonight, but that’s too bad. It’s not going to happen. Ripley also knows that Piper Niven is some sort of a big deal in Scotland. To Ripley though, Niven is nothing. Niven is scared. All Niven does is talk about Ripley, so obviously Niven wants to BE Ripley. The reality is, whenever someone steps into the ring with Ripley, nightmares become reality.
Backstage
Kassius Ohno walks into Johnny Saint and Sid Scala’s office. Saint isn’t there, but Scala is. Scala tells Ohno that he will get an opportunity to prove himself next week when he faces Gentleman Jack Gallagher. Ohno seems happy with that.
Match 3
WWE United Kingdom Title Match
Pete Dunne vs Walter (UK Champ)
(referee: Darryl Sharma)
Result: Walter wins via pinfall after a powerbomb (as well as a distraction from Fabian Aichner and an attack from Marcel Barthel)
Time: 16:33
Match Thoughts
Very good match. It wasn’t as good as their first title match, but it was very good regardless. The point of the match seemed to be that Pete Dunne’s training was paying off, and Walter knew that Dunne would be a stronger opponent this time. That meant that Walter might need some help, so he got some help from a couple of friends.
The action was very good throughout. It was a hard hitting match as we all expected. Both men threw big, impactful moves at each other, and Dunne started to work on submissions as the match went along. The end of the match was marred by some shenanigans, but it didn’t really hurt the match too much. They’ve already had a great match, so this one propels their story into its next phase.
Show Impressions
This was a very good and entertaining show. Except for the opening match, the bad guys had their way on tonight’s show. I think this is a good setup show for at least the next few weeks, and probably heading into and beyond the next Takeover event.
Match of the Night
Pete Dunne vs Walter
Sure, their first match was better, but that’s mostly because of the story-based shenanigans at the end of tonight’s match. This still had some great action and an interesting story.
Official Results: https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxtuk/2019-5-22