WWE has made four new match announcements for this week’s episode of NXT.
Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida in a non-title match, NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER vs. Drake Maverick in a non-title match, and Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight have all been added to the card for this Wednesday’s NXT.
Kross vs. Lorcan and Reed vs. Knight were both set up by messages that were sent to NXT general manager William Regal. After Regal announced that the NXT Tag Team titles have been declared vacant due to Burch suffering a separated shoulder, Lorcan sent out a tweet blaming Kross for Burch’s injury. Lorcan told Regal to give him a match against Kross.
Burch suffered the separated shoulder while he and Lorcan were defending their NXT Tag Team titles against Kross & NXT Champion Finn Balor last week. Lorcan & Burch retained after Kross attacked Balor during the match. Right before being attacked by Kross, Balor had hit a dropkick on Lorcan that knocked Scarlett down. Balor is defending his NXT Championship against Kross at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver night two on Thursday, April 8.
Knight posted a video on Tuesday night telling Regal that he wants a match against Reed. Reed then responded and said he wants the match as well. Reed said Knight stuck his nose in Reed’s business first by costing him a match against Cameron Grimes three weeks ago. This will be the second match that Knight (formerly known as Eli Drake) has had in NXT. On last week’s episode, Knight made his NXT in-ring debut by defeating August Grey.
Devlin vs. Kushida was announced after Kushida answered an open challenge that was issued by Devlin. At TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, NXT Cruiserweight Champions Devlin and Santos Escobar are facing off in a title unification match.
WWE uploaded video of an angle on Tuesday where Maverick was looking for Killian Dain and barged into Imperium’s locker room questioning them. WALTER took a weapon out of Maverick’s hands and asked him who he thinks he is. WALTER told Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner that he’ll take care of the problem with Maverick on Wednesday’s NXT.
Last week, WALTER returned to NXT for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. He laid out Tommaso Ciampa on the episode.
Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon defend against Aliyah & Jessi Kamea
NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai & Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai
Karrion Kross vs. Oney Lorcan
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin vs. Kushida in a non-title match
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER vs. Drake Maverick in a non-title match
Bronson Reed vs. LA Knight
NXT general manager William Regal will announce a solution for Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly’s issues and will declare the consequences for their recent attacks on each other
Regal will also give an update on the situation with the vacant NXT Tag Team titles
An undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion will be crowned at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
WWE has confirmed that NXT Cruiserweight Champions Jordan Devlin and Santos Escobar will face off in a title unification match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The announcement of the match was made on this week’s episode of 205 Live.
Devlin won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship at Worlds Collide in January of last year. But with Devlin unable to travel and defend his title due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a tournament to crown an interim champion was announced. WWE later dropped the interim branding from the tournament. Escobar won his version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Drake Maverick in the tournament finals.
On this week’s NXT, Devlin returned and confronted Escobar. Devlin told Escobar to take his “replica title” and throw it in the trash — because the real NXT Cruiserweight Champion is back. Escobar responded by saying he’s redefined what it means to be a cruiserweight and has made history as NXT Cruiserweight Champion. Escobar said Devlin only has his version of the title because everyone forgot about it. Escobar then challenged Devlin to face him at TakeOver: Stand & Deliver.
Devlin and Escobar’s confrontation ended with Devlin laying out Escobar with a headbutt.
In the main event of this week’s NXT UK, Devlin retained his NXT Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Trent Seven. Devlin has defended his title against Amir Jordan, Oliver Carter, Ben Carter, and Seven since NXT UK returned with new episodes last September.
TakeOver: Stand & Deliver is a two-night event that’s taking place on Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8. Night one will air live on the USA Network. Night two will be live on Peacock in the United States and live on the WWE Network everywhere else.
Devlin vs. Escobar is the second match that’s been officially announced for TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. Finn Balor defending his NXT Championship against Karrion Kross is also set for the show.
The episode had some nice storyline progressions, finished one long-building feud (Jordan Devlin vs. Trent Seven), and built up an intriguing challenge (WALTER vs. Rampage Brown). Nathan Frazer, the former Ben Carter, looked good in his match and Meiko Satomura picked up a win over newcomer Dani Luna.
The Devlin vs. Seven NXT Cruiserweight Championship main event was very good and told a good story of the aging underdog looking to score one final victory, which — in the end — he didn’t get.
Full Rundown —
The show opened with the weigh-in between NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin and Trent Seven from this week’s episode of WWE’s The Bump. Devlin weighed in at 195 lbs, while Seven narrowly made weight at 204.25 lbs. This means their Cruiserweight title match is official for later tonight.
Nathan Frazer pinned Ashton Smith after a frog splash (7:03)
Frazer of course is the former Ben Carter. Smith waltzed him down with a shoulder block early, but Frazer then took Smith down with a headlock takedown off a suplex attempt. Frazer used his speed advantage to further dominate Smith. Smith came back by working the arm and hit a lariat on Frazer for a two count.
Frazer hit a springboard crossbody, but Smith rolled through, stood up with Frazer, and hoisted him up for a suplex for another near fall. Frazer came back with a running dropkick and a coast-to-coast dropkick from one turnbuckle to the other corner. He missed a senton and ate a sit-down powerbomb for another close near fall. Frazer finally came back with a quebrada and a top rope frog splash for the pinfall victory.
– Ilja Dragunov was joined by a camera crew backstage as he requested some time to make a statement. Dragunov said he wanted to apologize for his recent behavior during his matches and said that was just not the way he was. He said he did not know what overcame him there. Suddenly, Sam Gradwell walked up to Dragunov and told Dragunov that he is what happened. Gradwell said he beat Dragunov (well, he didn’t) and that he would beat him in any kind of match.
Gradwell started rattling various match types off. As he came to “no DQ match,” Dragunov calmly told him that he agreed to that one. For once, Gradwell was at a loss for words.
– Isla Dawn was back in her spooky room with her Ouija board and tarot cards. The first word that flashed across the screen was “anhoiy”and then she saw the card of “The Devil” as “diabolis” flashed on the screen. She finally encountered the card for “The Death.” For some reason, this made her happy.
– WWE announced a special event called NXT UK: Prelude for WrestleMania week. It will air on Thursday, April 8 at 3 p.m. EST/8 p.m. BST. It was said there would be some matches with NXT UK superstars that would be some of the most talked about in NXT UK history.
– NXT UK general manager Johnny Saint announced one match for the NXT UK: Prelude special: Noam Dar vs. Tyler Bate in a Heritage Cup rules match, with the winner becoming the number one contender to A-Kid’s Heritage Cup Championship. Dar originally requested a match with A-Kid, but Saint said he would have to earn a title shot.
– A video recapped Seven’s preparation for tonight’s Cruiserweight title match.
Meiko Satomura pinned Dani Luna after Scorpio Rising (6:03)
Satomura started with leg kicks, but Luna quickly overpowered her. They traded holds on the mat, then Satomura took back over with kicks. Satomura used a judo throw off a test of strength and threw more kicks off an extended headlock.
Luna hit a superplex off the top, but she ate some head kicks afterwards. Luna hit a lariat for a near fall and then went for a German suplex, but Satomura blocked and hit a Pele kick. Satomura then hit Scorpio Rising for the win.
Satomura shook Luna’s hand after the match.
– Jinny and Joseph Conners cut a promo. They complained that Piper Niven & Jack Starz only won their mixed tag team match last week because of an illegal move (Niven hitting a Piper Driver on Conners, which is against mixed tag rules). Jinny considered the loss null and void and Conners said he’d face Jack Starz in a singles match next.
– A video recapped Devlin’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship reign, from winning the title at Worlds Collide to issuing and winning all his open challenge matches thus far.
– Dani Luna was interviewed backstage and said she lost, but Satomura is the best in the world. Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster came up to Luna to talk as she left.
WALTER speaks
WALTER said he was standing here before us as the longest reigning NXT United Kingdom Champion in history. He said he’s dominated ever since his arrival and ran down the list of the wrestlers he’s defeated: British Strong Style, Joe Coffey, Dave Mastiff, Ilja Dragunov, and the list goes on and on. But WALTER said he’s still here for competition. WALTER told Johnny Saint to look the world over and find the next challenger for him. WALTER said he wants someone who is worthy.
At that point, the Ring General’s address was interrupted by the music of Rampage Brown, who walked down to ringside with a microphone in hand. Brown entered the ring and told WALTER that Mr. Saint didn’t have to search the world over — he just had to look into his own backyard. Brown told WALTER that he was a dominant champion, but he’s never faced Rampage Brown. Brown told WALTER to let him know when he was ready. WALTER smirked and turned away, but Brown shoved him.
WALTER told Brown not to touch him in German as he shoved back, but Brown shoved the big man down and told him that when they face off, his reign will come to an end. WALTER rolled out of the ring and backed down the ramp while staring Brown down and telling Brown (in German) that he wasn’t a champion.
– Xia Brookside and Nina Samuels were at the gym. Brookside made Samuels do all kinds of chores, then told her to get a chalk bucket and fill up her water bottle. Brookside told her the bottle was very wet and when Samuels mocked her, Brookside kicked over the chalk bucket. Brookside told Samuels to clean up and not to forget to work out herself.
– A graphic once more plugged tonight’s main event.
– Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams were at the UK Performance Center working out. Jordan still complained about Williams cheating, but Williams told him it was a knee-jerk reaction, which Jordan didn’t buy. Williams told him they’d face Pretty Deadly for the NXT UK Tag Team titles in two weeks. Jordan was overjoyed, but told Williams they would not have to cheat to win that match.
– Ilja Dragunov faces Sam Gradwell in a no disqualification match next week.
– At NXT UK: Prelude in three weeks, WALTER defends his NXT United Kingdom Championship against Rampage Brown.
NXT Cruiserweight Championship match: Jordan Devlin retained against Trent Seven after a 450 splash to the lower back (17:37)
Devlin attacked right away, but Seven blocked his attack, hit a number of chops, and threw Devlin to ringside. Seven then followed and threw Devlin on top of the barricade. Devlin briefly got the upper hand, but he quickly was overpowered again. Seven hit a snap dragon suplex on the outside and threw Devlin into the ring, but his cover only got a two count.
Seven was a house of fire, using a hip toss and leg drop. He went for a snap DDT, but Devlin escaped and hit the uranage/standing moonsault combo. Devlin then hit a Saito suplex-style backbreaker over the shoulder. He kept working over Seven’s back, bending it around the ring post from the outside. Devlin was in control for a few more minutes, grinding Seven down.
Devlin went for his Four Leaf Cloverleaf, but Seven slapped his way out of it. Seven then hit a DDT that had Devlin rattled. Seven hit a somersault stunner from the turnbuckle, then hit the Emerald Frosion for a two count.
Seven sent Devlin to the outside and then hit a dive that bent Devlin backwards over the barricade. Seven went for a twisting somersault senton from the top, but Devlin moved and locked in the Four Leaf Cloverleaf. Seven fought and grabbed the ropes, then rolled Devlin up in a small package for a near fall.
Seven went for a single-leg Boston Crab, but Devlin made the ropes quickly. Seven went for the Seven Star Lariat, but Devlin hit a vicious headbutt and held onto Seven’s arm, looking to hit the Devlin Side, but Seven grabbed the ropes. Seven hit a number of slaps and chops, but Devlin never released the wrist. Devlin hit some Kawada-style kicks and then went for Devlin Side, but Seven countered into the Seven Star Lariat for a near fall. Seven went for the Burning Hammer, but Devlin escaped and hit a suplex for a near fall of his own.
Seven stopped Devlin on the top rope and then hit a top rope dragon suplex. Seven hit a Burning Hammer, but Devlin got his foot under the rope at 2.5. Seven looked spent but forced himself up. He went for a Seven Star Lariat once more as Devlin was in the ropes, but Devlin thumbed his eye as the referee was out of position. Devlin hit Devlin Side, but Seven very narrowly kicked out.
Devlin then hit a 450 splash off the top onto Seven’s injured lower back for the pinfall victory and successful title defense.
Final Thoughts —
This was a fun show with a great main event. it will be interesting to see where Seven goes from here and if there maybe is a heel turn in his future to make things interesting for him again. Devlin seems to be on a collision course with Santos Escobar over at NXT to unify the Cruiserweight titles.
Nathan Frazer, the former Ben Carter, looked good against Ashton Smith and Meiko Satomura started her path of redemption after losing to NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray two weeks ago.
Next Week —
No DQ match: Ilja Dragunov vs. Sam Gradwell
In Two Weeks —
NXT UK Tag Team Champions Pretty Deadly defend against Kenny Williams & Amir Jordan
In Three Weeks (NXT UK: Prelude) —
NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER defends against Rampage Brown
Heritage Cup rules match: Noam Dar vs. Tyler Bate (winner becomes the number one contender to A-Kid’s Heritage Cup Championship)
Trent Seven is officially getting a shot at Jordan Devlin’s version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
WWE has announced that Devlin will defend his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Seven on this Thursday’s episode of NXT UK. The match was made official following a weigh-in that aired on this morning’s edition of WWE’s The Bump.
In January, there was an angle on NXT UK where Seven declared that he was going to trim down to under 205 pounds and challenge for Devlin’s title. Devlin mocked Seven but agreed to give him a title shot if he was able to lose enough weight.
Seven weighed in at 204 and one-quarter pounds for the title match. Devlin weighed in at 195 pounds.
Devlin is also set to appear on NXT tonight. A video aired on NXT last Wednesday where Devlin announced that he’s flying to the United States to appear on this week’s episode. Devlin mentioned next month’s two-night NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver event and said it would be a shame if the biggest TakeOver in history didn’t have the real NXT Cruiserweight Champion on the card.
Devlin and Santos Escobar are both considered NXT Cruiserweight Champions by WWE. With Devlin unable to travel and defend his title due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a tournament to crown an interim champion was announced last year. WWE later dropped the interim branding for the tournament. Escobar won his version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship by defeating Drake Maverick in the tournament finals.
Due to the start of daylight savings time, this Thursday’s NXT UK has a special start time in the United States. It will premiere at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The show, which will air at its usual time in the United Kingdom, will also feature an appearance by NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER and a segment where Ilja Dragunov will speak. It was said that WALTER has requested the time to make a statement on the episode.
A match to determine an Undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion looks to be on the horizon.
On NXT tonight, a video aired with Jordan Devlin announcing that he’s coming to NXT next Wednesday. WWE lists Devlin and Santos Escobar as both being NXT Cruiserweight Champions.
Devlin mentioned in tonight’s video that April’s two-night NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver event is coming soon. Devlin said it would be a shame if the biggest TakeOver in history didn’t have the real NXT Cruiserweight Champion on the card. Devlin said his travel ban got lifted today and he’s coming to NXT next week.
Escobar spoke to NXT general manager William Regal later on tonight’s show and asked who the hell Devlin thinks he is. Escobar said everyone knows Escobar is the real NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
Devlin won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship in a fatal four-way match at Worlds Collide in January 2020. But with Devlin unable to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a tournament was held to crown an interim champion. The interim label was later dropped from the tournament. Escobar defeated Drake Maverick in the tournament finals.
Devlin has defended his version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship three times since NXT UK returned with new episodes last September.
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher vs. Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner), Dexter Lumis vs. Austin Theory, Leon Ruff vs. Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and the NXT in-ring debut of LA Knight (formerly known as Eli Drake) have also been announced for next Wednesday’s NXT.
Jordan Devlin defeated 322-pound Dave Mastiff in an “open challenge,” as seemingly nobody under 205 pounds wants to face Devlin and/or Sid Scala is totally inept at his job. The rest of the matches were used to either shine a spotlight on talent (Jinny & Joseph Conners), build up future matches (Ilja Dragunov vs. Sam Gradwell and Joe Coffey vs. Rampage Brown), or enhance existing feuds (Xia Brookside vs. Nina Samuels).
Full Rundown —
Nina Samuels pinned Xia Brookside after a shot with her purse (4:54)
Samuels came out with a crew member who carried her bags again. That same thing distracted Brookside a few weeks ago and Samuels told her that Brooksides were only good enough to carry her bags.
Brookside was in control early until Samuels managed to lock in a number of subsequent submission attempts. Brookside came back with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors and double knees to the back in the corner. They brawled on the outside, with Samuels grabbing one of her suitcases and throwing it into the ring. As the referee got the item out of the ring, Samuels hit Brookside with a (presumably loaded) purse and folded her up for the pin.
– As Sid Scala was being interviewed about when we might see Gallus defend their NXT UK Tag Team titles against Pretty Deadly, Jordan Devlin walked in. Devlin asked Scala who he would be facing tonight and Scala didn’t have an answer yet. Devlin ridiculed Scala and told him to find somebody.
– Jack Starz was being interviewed when Scala came into the room and asked to speak with him. They were shown talking through a door, but it wasn’t clear what the conversation was about. Scala looked concerned in the end.
Joseph Conners (w/ Jinny) pinned Josh Morrell after hitting a neckbreaker (5:40)
Conners had new, straight hair and a nice new outfit, so the story here was that Jinny was a big influence on him now.
Conners dominated early until Morrell threw him out of the ring. Jinny told Conners at ringside that he “was worthy and that little boy is nothing.” Back in the ring, Conners violently smashed Morrell’s head into the turnbuckles, then viciously beat him down.
Morrell came back and showed off his athletic prowess, including a number of aerial maneuvers. Conners eventually stopped him with a snap DDT and hit a Rude-Awakening-style neckbreaker for the pinfall victory.
– A video on Sha Samuels aired where he talked about being a legitimate butcher from the East End, like his father and grandfather before him. Samuels was shown wrestling in PROGRESS, wXw, and ICW and talked about being in the business for 19 years. Samuels discussed his NXT UK debut match against Joe Coffey. He said he didn’t want things to be easy.
Ilja Dragunov defeated Tyson T-Bone by referee stoppage (6:46)
T-Bone cut a promo on a split screen as he walked to the ring like this was WWF Superstars in 1991. He said he was not afraid of Dragunov.
T-Bone started out strong, beating down Dragunov with kicks and punches until Dragunov managed to block his offense and grind him down. As he had T-Bone in a submission, Sam Gradwell walked out and started talking trash to Dragunov.
T-Bone staged a comeback as Gradwell continued to provide running commentary on the outside and brought up Dragunov’s match against Jack Starz, where the Russian briefly snapped. Gradwell kept distracting Dragunov and told him to keep his composure. Dragunov finally came back with a flying head kick, but T-Bone hit a half-and-half suplex and sent him to the outside. Gradwell walked up to Dragunov and kept trash-talking him as T-Bone attacked.
Dragunov finally snapped and attacked T-Bone, then locked him up on the ground and rained down elbows to the head until the referee stopped the match, just as he had done to Starz.
Gradwell was all giddy but then berated Dragunov, telling him that he threw a tantrum like a three year old. Gradwell told Dragunov he was letting his family and his son down and that he needed to be in control of his emotions. Dragunov finally kicked Gradwell in the head through the ropes and went after Gradwell but couldn’t get to him. The announcers questioned Dragunov’s issues.
– Joe Coffey was shown backstage walking to the ring.
– Scala spoke to Amir Jordan backstage, seemingly still looking for an opponent for Devlin.
– A highlight video of Meiko Satomura aired, with Gallus, Dave Mastiff, Ashton Smith, and Jinny talking about her accolades. Satomura arrives in NXT UK next week.
– Brookside was livid and demanded that Scala give her a rematch against Samuels.
Joe Coffey pinned Danny Jones after hitting All the Best for the Bells (2:51)
Coffey dominated early with strikes, but Jones hit a flurry of offense and even locked in a sleeper hold that had Coffey struggling to escape. Coffey eventually managed to shake the taller man off and hit the Glasgow Sendoff, followed by All the Best for the Bells for the quick victory.
After the match, Coffey talked about crossing paths with Rampage Brown last week and how it got his wheels turning. Coffey said that on this brand, you need to knock someone down so hard that they don’t want to get up again. Coffey called himself the last man standing in NXT UK. Brown then came out and told Coffey he just needed to ask and he’d face him at any time, anywhere.
– A video aired highlighting Gallus and Pretty Deadly, who are the number one contenders to Gallus’ NXT UK Tag Team titles. Gallus said that they have been on top a long time and that will not change any time soon. Pretty Deadly promised it would be PDOT — Pretty Deadly On Top.
– A video highlighted the rivalry between The Hunt and Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster. Their feud will culminate in a street fight next week.
– Also, Noam Dar’s Supernova Sessions talk show will return with special guest Sha Samuels next week.
Non-title match: NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin defeated Dave Mastiff after hitting a 450 splash (12:07)
Devlin talked about how “Skid Sala” was looking for a contender but couldn’t find anyone. Devlin said if you want to have something done right, you have to do it yourself. He called out anybody under 205 pounds to face him.
Out came Dave Mastiff, much to Devlin’s disbelief. Devlin told Mastiff he wouldn’t even be allowed on 305 Live. Mastiff called him Captain Obvious and was glad Devlin was still sharp. Mastiff said Devlin is just keeping the NXT Cruiserweight Championship warm for Trent Seven. Mastiff said the only thing he was here for was to kick Devlin’s ass. Mastiff shoved Devlin to the mat, a referee entered, and the match was on.
Devlin managed to keep Mastiff at bay until Mastiff used a cartwheel to avoid Devlin and flattened him with a senton. Mastiff hit a German suplex for a near fall. Devlin flipped out of another attempt and went for the uranage, but he couldn’t get Mastiff up. He instead took out Mastiff’s knee and continued working over the much larger man’s leg. Devlin got Mastiff up on the turnbuckles and looked to go for Devlin Side (he defeated Mastiff this way in the past), but Mastiff blocked and hit a shoulder block instead.
Mastiff attacked Devlin in the corner, then violently whipped him to the outside over the turnbuckle. Mastiff stalked Devlin and followed him back into the ring, but Devlin managed to get on Mastiff’s shoulders and hit a victory roll over the top. Mastiff caught Devlin off a dive and slammed him to the mats. Mastiff made it back into the ring by eight but then broke the count and looked to hit the cannonball senton, but Devlin moved and Mastiff crashed through the barricades.
Mastiff made it back into the ring by nine and headbutted Devlin on the way. Mastiff went to the top and actually hit a diving headbutt for a two count. Devlin escaped a Finlay Roll attempt, then hit a dropkick to the knee, a rolling slingshot cutter, and a 450 splash off the top rope for the win.
Final Thoughts —
This was a fun show with a rare five-match card. The main event was good but somewhat illogical. Devlin is supposed to be the heel but wants to be a deserving champion taking on all comers and even said that Sid Scala could choose anybody he wanted. Scala then was bad at his job and allowed Dave Mastiff, who outweighs Devlin by more than 100 pounds, to take the match. Also, Trent Seven attacked Devlin last week for merely pointing out that he is above the weight limit as well (and patted his belly — but more in a friendly way). So I hope Devlin comes out a big babyface in the end.
The Ilja Dragunov storyline where he snaps is kind of intriguing and Sam Gradwell is great as the loudmouth bully. It will be interesting if the Dragunov story leads to him getting another NXT UK Championship shot down the line.
Joe Coffey and Rampage Brown should be a slobberknocker down the line, even though it will probably not be a technical masterpiece.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Meiko Satomura on the show and hope she will be able to bring out the best in all the women she works with.
Also, I greatly enjoy how everything in NXT UK makes sense and matches mostly have a reason for happening (even if it’s just some 30-second backstage segment setting them up). The booking is both linear and logical, something dearly missing from the other WWE brands.
Next Week —
Meiko Satomura debuts, Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster face The Hunt in a street fight,and Noam Dar interviews Sha Samuels on Supernova Sessions.
WWE has announced a pair of matches that will be taking place on next week’s episode of NXT UK.
Jordan Devlin will issue another open challenge for his version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship on NXT UK next Thursday. WWE hasn’t announced who his opponent will be.
Xia Brookside will also face off with Nina Samuels on next Thursday’s NXT UK..
Devlin has been calling himself the real NXT Cruiserweight Champion since returning to WWE television in October. WWE lists both Devlin and Santos Escobar as being NXT Cruiserweight Champions.
Devlin announced in December that he’ll be defending his Cruiserweight title in open challenges every time he steps in the ring. He’s retained in matches against Oliver Carter and Ben Carter since then.
In a promo on this week’s NXT UK episode, Devlin said he wants to go down in history as the greatest wrestler under 205 pounds that WWE has ever seen. He was then interrupted by Trent Seven. Seven said he’s going to trim down to under 205 pounds and wants to challenge Devlin when he does. Devlin said Seven must have to drop at least 30 pounds but agreed to give Seven a title shot if he does.
After Devlin mocked him by patting him on the stomach, Seven grabbed Devlin’s arm and dropped him with a punch. Seven said he’s coming to Devlin’s division and will take his title.
This was the first time Seven has appeared in person on NXT UK since losing to A-Kid in the Heritage Cup tournament finals in November. While addressing that loss in an interview three weeks later, Seven said there were things he knew he needed to fix and work that needed to be done.
Brookside defeated Samuels on NXT UK in November but was attacked by Samuels after the match. Samuels then cost Brookside a match against Isla Dawn in December. Suitcases were brought out to ringside during that match, then Samuels appeared on the video screen and said she told Brookside that Brooksides are only worthy of carrying her bags.
Last week, Brookside said soon enough Samuels will see what Brooksides are truly capable of.
Jinny defeated Piper Niven to become the number one contender to Kay Lee Ray’s NXT UK Women’s Championship. Jinny got help from Joseph Conners, who first took a somersault senton for Jinny and then pulled Niven’s legs away from under her, allowing Jinny to roll her up.
Ben Carter was interviewed by Noam Dar on his Supernova Sessions talk show. After some shenanigans, Jordan Devlin interrupted and was eventually challenged by Carter
Pretty Deadly cut a promo on Gallus.
Tyler Bate cut a spiritual promo that was mocked by Sam Gradwell. Bate vs. Gradwell is set for next week.
Dave Mastiff defeated Saxon Huxley in a quick match.
In a tremendous main event, Jordan Devlin retained his version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Ben Carter. Carter looked like a million bucks here in a star-making performance in losing and should have a great future on the brand, if not on NXT or even the main roster down the line.
Full rundown —
NXT UK Women’s Championship number one contender’s match: Jinny defeated Piper Niven with a roll-up after getting assistance from Joseph Conners (6:49)
They traded vicious strikes right away and ended up at ringside. Back in the ring, Jinny kept viciously attacking Niven and gained the upper hand, locking in the Iron Octopus. Niven eventually managed to power out. Joseph Conners walked down the aisle and started watching the match on the ramp.
Jinny went to ringside and Niven went for a somersault plancha, but Conners stepped in front of Jinny and got wiped out. Jinny went to the top rope, but Niven caught her. As Niven got ready to slam Jinny, Conners grabbed Niven’s legs from the outside, allowing Jinny to roll through and get the win.
– Pretty Deadly cut a promo on NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus and said they knew Gallus didn’t like them. Pretty Deadly said they had Gallus paint a target on their back — almost as if that was what they wanted Gallus to do.
– A mysterious video narrated by Aoife Valkyrie aired. Valkyrie talked about birds having to be ready when they leave the nest. She said birds don’t try to be perfect when they soar, they just are.
– Tyler Bate cut a very spiritual promo about losing to A-Kid. He quoted Bruce Lee, who said that you had to become like water and who inspired martial artists to change their style. Bate said he wanted to do that to professional wrestling. Sam Gradwell was then shown watching this video on his phone. Gradwell asked if that was supposed to be inspirational. Gradwell said the only Yogi he respects is the one running around stealing picnic baskets. Gradwell said being like water is terrible advice.
Supernova Sessions with Ben Carter
Noam Dar said this was New Year’s resolution sessions and proceeded to read off his list. Dar’s resolutions were:
NXT Cruiserweight Champion
NXT World Champion
NXT UK Champion
Superstar of the Year Award
Most Handsome Award
Most Funny Award
The Most Humble Award
The Lead Role in The Marine 475
To be an absolute legend (which he proceeded to tick off the list)
Trish Stratus’ phone number (which he said was a joke, since he already got it)
Dar then introduced his guest, Ben “Carpenter,” who will make his NXT UK debut next week. Dar proceeded to ask him about woodwork and if it had always been a passion. Carter took it in stride and told Dar his name was Carter, but that he knew all about Dar and knew he would pull off something like this. Dar pretended this was a mistake made by “his people” and said that he had prepared seven questions on shelf design.
Dar then asked Carter why he decided to join NXT UK and Carter said that he wanted to face the very best this industry has to offer. Dar said that’s cool because he had the best in front of him and maybe they could have a match. At that point, NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin’s music interrupted their talk and he walked onto the set.
Devlin asked Dar how he could have Carter on the show before him. Devlin was respectful to Carter, saying he had been in his place, being called a prodigy with unlimited potential. Devlin also said he has a standing open challenge every time he steps into the ring and since Dar shared a roster with him, he should have had him on the show first. Dar replied by saying that once Devlin becomes the “real” NXT Cruiserweight Champion and not just a substitute, his people would talk to Devlin’s people and he could be on the show.
Carter interjected and said Dar had been surprisingly nice to him, but he sided with Devlin on this. Carter called Devlin the true, legitimate, undisputed NXT Cruiserweight Champion, the ace of this division, one of the gatekeepers of this entire brand — and because of all these things, Devlin should have no problem defending the title against him. Dar got all giddy and Devlin said that he knows Carter was supposed to debut next week, but he should face the Irish Ace tonight instead.
Sid Scala then entered and said he would call Johnny Saint, but he was confident that they could move something around and make the match official as the main event for tonight.
– A graphic for next week’s WALTER vs. A-Kid NXT UK Championship match was shown.
– Kay Lee Ray cut a promo, talking about Jinny becoming the number one contender to her title. KLR said usually Jinny’s daddy would reach into his pocket and buy her what she wanted, but the NXT UK Women’s Championship requires talent and could not be bought.
– A video recapped Dave Mastiff recently saving Jack Starz & Levi Muir from a post-match attack by Saxon Huxley.
Dave Mastiff pinned Saxon Huxley after hitting Into the Void (4:43)
Mastiff had the upper hand early, but Huxley came back and ran wild. Mastiff came back and after some more offense hit his Into the Void cannonball senton into the corner for the victory.
– A great video that included promos and match highlights of both men previewed WALTER vs. A-Kid for next week.
– Tyler Bate vs. Sam Gradwell was also announced for next week.
NXT Cruiserweight Championship match: Jordan Devlin retained against Ben Carter after hitting Devlin Side (12:44)
This was a star-making performance for Carter, who had probably the most impressive NXT UK debut in the brand’s history.
Carter started out strong and controlled Devlin, showing off his speed, agility, and athletic prowess. Devlin eventually stopped him off a whip-in and hit the uranage/standing moonsault combo, then proceeded to beat the hell out of Carter.
Carter came back once more and got a near fall off a beautiful sunset flip that he seemingly hit from high up in the sky. Carter avoided a dropkick by Devlin as he paused mid-move on a springboard move, then hit a springboard dropkick of his own. Devlin regrouped and threw carter to ringside and then into the ring steps.
Devlin scored a near fall back in the ring. A welt formed on Carter’s shoulder from the impact into the steel steps. Seconds later, they collided in mid-air off flying crossbodies, which grounded both competitors. Devlin then slid to ringside and Carter hit a moonsault reverse DDT off the apron. Carter followed up with a spinning neckbreaker in the ring for a very close near fall.
Carter missed a Phoenix Splash but rolled through, then got wiped out by a standing Spanish Fly from Devlin. Carter hit a Code Red for another near fall but then got his legs caught coming off the ropes. Devlin locked in the Four-Leaf Clover, but Carter would not tap, making the ropes twice and eventually forcing a break.
Carter was on his knees, with his back in bad shape. Devlin capitalized, hit a number of Kawada-style kicks, and then hit Devlin Side to get the win. This was a great match.
Next week —
WALTER defends the NXT UK Championship against Heritage Cup Champion A-Kid
Jordan Devlin successfully defended his NXT Cruiserweight championship against Oliver Carter in week 1 of his open challenge series
Noam Dar debuted his Supernova 11 Series talk show; his guests were NXT UK Heritage Cup winner A-Kid and, unexpectedly, a returning Tyler Bate. Dar stirred things up and they ended up agreeing to a Heritage Cup match later tonight
Eddie Dennis and The Hunt pressured Sid Scala into a tag team title match for next week
Isla Dawn beat Xia Brookside after Nina Samuels distracted Xia from the big screen
Saxon Huxley attacked Jack Starz and Levi Muir af the UK Performance Center
A-Kid successfully defended his Heritage Cup championship against Tyler Bate, winning 2-1; Bate scored the first fall with a rollup, A-Kid scored the second fall from a moonsault implant DDT and then turned over a jackknife cover in round 6 for the final pin
Report —
The show opened with Jordan Devlin in the ring as he welcomed us to NXT UK, the show with the real NXT Cruiserweight champion. He kicked off week 1 of the Jordan Devlin’s Cruiserweight Championship Open Challenge. He said every time you saw Jordan Devlin in the ring, the championship was on the line.
Backstage, Ashton Smith was pumping up Oliver Carter and told him to go out there and win for Switzerland (his native country) and Ghana (the country he has his roots in). They came out together but Smith went to the back before the match.
NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Jordan Devlin pinned Oliver Carter to retain the title (06:30)
Devlin beat Carter down, but the challenger came back, showing his athletic prowess with a back flip kick into the corner and arm drags.
Devlin caught Carter’s foot and he went to back flip, but Carter bounced into the ropes and landed right on his neck, which either was a brutal accident or an intricately planned spot. He sold the neck the rest of the match and Devlin worked it over.
Carter came back and even hit a hurricanrana on Devlin, who was on the top rope. Carter hit a uranage, but once more sold his neck and couldn’t follow up on it. He hit an enzuigiri into the corner, but Devlin hit a poison rana, which once more spiked Carter on the neck.
Devlin followed up with Devlinside for the pinfall victory.
**********
Jinny was interviewed at the UK Performance Center. She was asked about Piper Niven and said that she would deal with Niven on her own time and Niven would not see her coming. But for now, she does not concern herself with Niven and said she tamed wild animals in the past and would do so again.
**********
Supernova 11 Sessions
Noam Dar hosted the first episode of his new talk segment. The setup was a lounge, complete with a couch and snacks. Dar put himself over, then introduced his guest, the first-ever NXT UK Heritage Cup champion, A-Kid. Dar laid on the couch while A-Kid had to sit on a folding chair.
Dar greeted A-Kid in French, then asked if he spoke English in Spanish. A-Kid said that Dar knew full well he spoke English and in fact, he may speak it better than Dar himself.
A-Kid said after beating Dar in the tournament, he was happy to be here. Dar said he was looking to clear up the misconception that they were rivals and that when A-Kid came to NXT UK, Dar took him under his wing, nurtured him and became his mentor and sensei. A-Kid looked like this was news to him.
Dar even gave him a new name and said after winning the Heritage Cup, he was no longer A-Kid but A-Man. A-Kid told him to stop, that he was in fact not his mentor, sensei or friend. He said a lot of people helped him out, but Dar was not one of them. A-Kid said that no one helped him more than Tyler Bate. Dar ran down Bate and called him a has-been, asking who he ever beat.
At that point, Bate’s music played and he made his return to NXT UK after more than 9 months. Dar played all nice and clapped, but Bate blew him off and congratulated A-Kid on winning the Heritage Cup. He said he wished he could have been in the tournament and Dar immediately picked up on it, asking if what Bate meant to say was that he would have beaten A-Kid. Bate said that’s not what he said and not to put words in his mouth.
Dar said they should have the match tonight and he even would go to Johnny Saint to request it, so that they could find out who was the student and who was the master. Bate and A-Kid agreed to have the match and shook hands on it.
**********
Eddie Dennis and The Hunt walked into Sid Scala’s office. The Hunt positioned themselves on either side of Scala and growled at him menacingly, then began to throw things off his desk.
Dennis asked about who were the previous tag team champions (Mark Andrews & Fash Morgan Webster) and who beat them last week (The Hunt). He demanded that the Hunt get a title match against Gallus.
Scala, clearly scared, stammered that he had to talk to Johnny Saint about that. Dennis told him to go and do that, then snapped his fingers and left with The Hunt.
**********
A graphic announced the A-Kid vs. Tyler Bate Heritage Cup match for tonight’s main event
**********
Isla Dawn pinned Xia Brookside (05:24)
Both women were more aggressive than in the past and had a back and forth match.
They brawled on the outside after a dive by Brookside when a stagehand set down a number of bags and suitcases by the ringside area. Nina Samuels appeared on the screen and told Xia (who beat her a few weeks ago) that “Brooksides are only good for carrying my bags.”
This distracted Xia, who walked right into a head kick by Isla. Dawn followed with a Saito suplex for the win.
**********
Sid Scala was being interviewed about how things were going at the NXT UK Performance Center when Saxon Huxley came crashing out of a room, screaming “Better luck next time!” and smashing some trash cans.
Scala and the camera ran into the room, where Levi Muir and Jack Starz where on the floor after having been attacked by Huxley. They had told Huxley after his last match week that he may have “better luck next time.”
**********
A graphic announced Gallus defending the NXT UK Tag Team Championships against The Hunt for next week.
**********
A quick reminder about the Heritage Cup rules:
All matches consist of six three-minute rounds with 20-second breaks between each round.
All matches are 2 out of 3 falls.
Falls can be won by pinfall, submission, or countout.
Once a fall occurs, the round ends.
The match ends once a wrestler has won two falls.
In the event of a disqualification or knockout, the match instantly ends without the need for two falls.
If all six rounds are completed, whoever is ahead on falls wins the match.
If there is a draw on falls, the match continues under sudden death rules with no time limit.
NXT UK Heritage Cup Championship: A-Kid beat Tyler Bate two falls to one to retain the Cup (16:56)
Bate looked phenomenal and in even better shape then before his pandemic induced break from the ring.
Round 1
The stared out with mat work and traded holds and counters for most of the round. They were locked in a knuckle lock as the round ended.
Round 2
They traded straightjacket holds for half of the round, A-Kid then transitioned into some BJJ in the final minute. luring Bate into his guard. They grappled some more as the round drew to a close.
Round 3
Bate went for an airplane spin early, but A-Kid escaped and hit a snap German. They traded more counters and Bate eventually rolled up A-Kid with an O’Connor roll for the pin at 1:47. (Bate 1-0)
Round 4
A-Kid was more aggressive now and had Bate locked in a triangle, which Bate power-bombed out of right as the round ended.
Round 5
A-Kid hit a springboard moonsault on DDT on Bate to score a pinfall in 1:00 of the round (Tied 1-1)
Round 6
They traded strikes and kicks early. Bate threw A-Kid through the ropes but held on to his leg, then went for a deadlift vertical suplex but A-Kid escaped. Bate went for his springboard lariat but A-Kid caught him and turned it into an armbar and went for a Jim Breaks Special, but Bate eventually escaped. Bate went for a jackknife pin, but A-Kid flipped him over and scored the deciding fall at 2:04 of the round. (A-Kid 2-1)
**********
Bate shook A-Kid’s hand after the match and raised his hand.
**********
Next week —
Gallus defend the NXT UK tag team championship against The Hunt.
Jordan Devlin’s version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship will be on the line in an open challenge on NXT UK next week.
On today’s NXT UK episode, video of a promo aired where Devlin announced that he’ll be defending his Cruiserweight title in open challenges starting on NXT UK next Thursday. Devlin said that whenever you see him in the ring, his title will be on the line against any man under 205 pounds. He challenged anyone to test themselves against the Irish Ace.
Devlin said people have asked him why he went to Sid Scala and told him to find challengers for his title. Devlin quoted Ric Flair by saying that to be the man — you’ve got to beat the man. Devlin said as long as he has the title over his shoulder, you’re looking at the man.
During the promo, Devlin called his title the one real version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. Devlin and Santos Escobar are both listed as Cruiserweight Champions by WWE.
Devlin won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship at Worlds Collide this January. With him unable to defend the title due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE announced a tournament to crown an interim champion. The interim branding was dropped during the tournament, which was won by Escobar this June.
Devlin returned to WWE television on NXT UK in October still claiming to be the real NXT Cruiserweight Champion. Last month, it was announced that Scala and NXT UK general manager Johnny Saint have sanctioned defenses of Devlin’s title. Devlin retained against Amir Jordan on NXT UK last week.
Next Thursday’s NXT UK episode will also feature the debut of Noam Dar’s Supernova Sessions talk show segment.
For the first time since returning to WWE television, Jordan Devlin will defend his version of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship next week.
WWE has announced that Devlin will defend his NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Amir Jordan on next Thursday’s episode of NXT UK. The match was set up by a backstage segment that aired on NXT UK this week.
In the backstage segment, NXT UK assistant general manager Sid Scala announced that he and NXT UK general manager Johnny Saint have sanctioned defenses of Devlin’s title. Devlin interrupted Scala and asked if he should be thankful for that. Devlin said they should be thanking him for winning the Cruiserweight Championship and all he’s done for NXT UK.
Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams then walked up to Devlin and Scala. Williams said he picked up a little injury last week but will be happy to challenge Devlin once he’s better. Jordan said Williams might be injured, but he’s good to go. Jordan asked Williams if he was okay with Jordan challenging for the title. Devlin mocked Jordan for asking for permission. Devlin said he gets that Jordan is an ambitious guy and doesn’t want to be in a tag team. Devlin said that whenever Jordan and Williams sort out their little odd couple pairing, whoever it is should come and challenge him.
WWE lists Santos Escobar and Devlin as both being NXT Cruiserweight Champions. Escobar’s version of the title was introduced this spring when Devlin was unable to defend the championship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Escobar’s title was originally called the interim NXT Cruiserweight Championship, but WWE dropped the interim branding for the title during the tournament where Escobar was crowned champion.
Devlin returned to NXT UK TV last month for the first time since an allegation was made against him during the #SpeakingOut movement this June. NXT UK was on hiatus from March to September due to the pandemic.
Next Thursday’s NXT UK will also feature A-Kid vs. Trent Seven in the finals of the Heritage Cup tournament.
Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster got attacked by The Hunt, who aligned with Eddie Dennis
Still billed as the NXT Cruiserweight champion, Jordan Devlin made his return, making quick work of newcomer Levi Muir
Sam Gradwell is back on NXT UK and will team with Pretty Deadly to take on Gallus next week
Rampage Brown is coming
in a match of the year candidate, WALTER successfully defended his NXT UK championship against Ilja Dragunov in a brutal war
Report —
A video highlighted today’s NXT UK title match of WALTER defending against Ilja Dragunov
Aoife Valkyrie pinned Dani Luna after a top rope legdrop (06:06)
Valkyrie is still undefeated in NXT UK while Luna is looking to prove herself.
Valkyrie showed her quickness and agility while Luna used power moves. Luna at one point hit a wheelbarrow slam on the outside, slamming Valkyrie face-first onto the apron. She also hit a number of impressive suplexes.
Valkyrie eventually won with her legdrop off the top rope.
**********
— A split-screen showed WALTER and Ilja Dragunov warming up for their match
— A video recapped the four first-round matches of the Heritage Cup;
— A video introduced Rampage Brown, a veteran of the UK scene, who will make his NXT UK debut soon
**********
Mark Andrews/Flash Morgan Webster/Eddie Dennis in-ring segment
A segment recapped previous attacks on Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster.
They were in the ring talking about the attacks when Eddie Dennis came out. Dennis accused Andrews of being a narcissist and using him on the independent scene.
Dennis suggested that Andrews had been the one attacking Webster, because he was afraid of what would happen in Webster broke out as a singles star. He said Andrews would profit if Webster was out and said “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”
Webster looked unsure, but they told Dennis that they knew he would play this card. Pretty Deadly came out to stand by Dennis’ side. Webster said that they also had friends and The Hunt appeared in the ring by their side.
Dennis laughed and repeated his quote from earlier, when The Hunt suddenly turned on Webster and Andrews and viciously beat them down.
Pretty Deadly looked confused and left as Dennis joined The Hunt in the ring.
**********
— Piper Niven was asked about her future plans in NXT UK. She reiterated that Kay Lee Ray was still her main priority.
— Jordan Devlin returns tonight
— Sid Scala was asked about Eddie Dennis when Pretty Deadly walked up and he asked them about the situation.
Suddenly, Sam Gradwell walked up and said he was back in NXT UK.
Gallus also appeared and asked Scala if he planned to do something about the situation with Pretty Deadly or if they needed to do something about it. He said they would be in the ring next week
**********
— A segment hyped WALTER and Ilja Dragunov
**********
Jordan Devlin submitted Levi Muir with a Texas Cloverleaf (04:49)
Muir is a recent NXT UK signee and former powerlifter who has also competed in PROGRESS before. Devlin was still announced as the NXT Cruiserweight champion. Devlin also looked physically bigger and more bulky than before.
This was basically a squash and a Jordan Devlin showcase. Muir only got one small package in and at one point caught Devlin and lifted him up for a military press, which Devlin turned into a crucifix attempt.
Devlin hit all his signature moves, including the uranage/moonsault combo and Devlinside. He won by submission with a Texas Cloverleaf.
Devlin cut a short promo afterwards, talking about how he was the champion and would take on all comers.
**********
— Next week, Gallus, including the returning Joe Coffey will take on Pretty Deadly & Sam Gradwell
— Also next week, Noam Dar takes on A-Kid in the Heritage Cup semifinals
**********
— A video recapped last week’s contract signing and subsequent brawl between WALTER and Ilja Dragunov. Clips of both competitors talking about each other were interspersed between highlights from the brawl
NXT UK Championship: WALTER (c) beat Ilja Dragunov by referee stoppage when Dragunov passed out in a rear naked choke (25:10)
Those two had a number of brutal and legendary matches in wXw and PROGRESS over the past few years and this match more than kept up the promise of those previous encounters. This was an absolute war, the best match in the history of the NXT UK television show and on par or even better than the WALTER vs. Tyler Bate NXT UK TakeOver match from last year in Cardiff.
Words cannot do this match justice and you should go out of your way to see it. They showed a level of physicality almost never seen in WWE matches these days and this was something you would usually see in NJPW in an Ishii, Ibushi or Suzuki match.
They started out at full speed right away and brutalized each other. Dragunov went for Torpedo Moscow less than 90 seconds into the match, but WALTER caught him with a sleeper and hit a sleeper suplex. Dragunov got his neck whiplashed into the ropes seconds later and was stunned at ringside. This neck injury would play into the rest of the match.
They slapped and chopped the hell out of one another. Dragunov later hit three impressive German suplexes on WALTER before they killed each other some more. Dragunov hit a Gotch-style suplex on the champion. Dragunov hit the Konstantin Special for a very close near fall, then went for Torpedo Moscow once more but got slapped out of mid-air.
WALTER took Dragunov’s head off with a lariat, then hit the power bomb for a close near fall of his own. WALTER transitioned from a sleeper into a dragon sleeper, but Dragunov made the ropes. Dragunov hit a big top-rope shotgun dropkick for another near fall. Dragunov hit Torpedo Moscow to the back of WALTER’s neck as the champion was on his knees, but was unable to make the pin because of his neck. He tried another one, but collapsed as basically his neck gave out.
WALTER threw him to the outside and hit a sleeper suplex at ringside, followed by a power bomb on the apron. After a powerbomb in the ring and a big splash off the top. Dragunov somehow still kicked out at 2.99.
WALTER finally hit some stiff elbows and forearms from the mount, then pulled Dragunov up by then neck in a rear naked choke and locked in the body scissors. Dragunov gurgled and moaned, blood dripping from his mouth as he passed out and the referee stopped the match.
This was unreal and it’s a shame NXT UK basically flies under the radar, as this was one of the best matches of the year.
**********
Dragunov lay on the mat without moving for a long time and WALTER lay next to him, exhausted and even looked a bit concerned.
A ton of referees and other officials, among them John Moss came out and checked on Ilja, finally helping him to his feet as the show went off the air.
**********
Next week —
Noam Dar vs. A-Kid in a Heritage Cup semifinals match
Jordan Devlin is returning to the ring on next week’s episode of NXT UK.
It was announced during this week’s NXT UK that Devlin will be in action on NXT UK next Thursday (October 29). His opponent for the show wasn’t revealed.
For the first time since an allegation that was made against him during the #SpeakingOut movement this June, Devlin returned to WWE television in a video that aired on NXT UK last week. Devlin called his NXT Cruiserweight Championship the real version of the title and said Santos Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship is just a replica that doesn’t mean a thing.
Devlin won the NXT Cruiserweight Championship at Worlds Collide this January. With him unable to travel and defend the title due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a tournament was held to crown an interim champion. WWE dropped the interim branding by the end of the tournament and has listed Escobar and Devlin as both being NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
During the #SpeakingOut movement, a woman named Hannah alleged that Devlin had physically abused her. She tweeted photos of bruises on her lower body and wrote: “This is scary. I’m really scared. Jordan Devlin did this to me. And this is just the physical damage. Not including my arse and back bruises….because I don’t fancy posting that online.”
Following the accusation, WWE issued a statement saying that they take any allegation of this nature very seriously and were looking into the matter. Devlin posted a statement on Twitter denying the allegation: “I didn’t even want to address the hurtful allegation made against me, but for the sake of my followers and friends on this platform that may for whatever reason be unsure, I’m going to address this once. The recent allegation made against me is completely and utterly false and I deny it entirely. This is a case of a malicious personal agenda being executed against me on the back of a very brave telling of true experiences by other women. I completely denounce it. This is all I will say on the matter, and I am now working with a legal team to help decide how to proceed from here.”
NXT UK returned with new in-ring action last month after being on hiatus since March due to the pandemic.
Next Thursday’s NXT UK is airing at 4 p.m. EST/8 p.m. GMT. The show will be headlined by WALTER defending his NXT United Kingdom Championship against Ilja Dragunov. Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster will also confront Eddie Dennis on the episode.
For the first time since an allegation was made against him during the #SpeakingOut movement this June, Jordan Devlin returned to WWE television on NXT UK this week.
Devlin appeared in a video that aired on Thursday’s episode of NXT UK. Devlin called his NXT Cruiserweight Championship the one real version of the title and said Santos Escobar’s NXT Cruiserweight Championship is just a replica that doesn’t mean a thing.
With Devlin unable to travel to the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a tournament to crown an interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion was announced this April. The interim label was dropped by the end of the tournament and WWE has listed both Devlin and Escobar as being NXT Cruiserweight Champion.
Escobar responded to Devlin’s video on Twitter by quoting a tweet that Triple H posted after Escobar’s title defense against Isaiah “Swerve” Scott at NXT TakeOver 31 earlier this month: “Ok… since we’re quoting… lemme quote a more credited source: ‘Every bit of that #WWENXT Cruiserweight Championship was about seizing opportunity. Congratulations to @EscobarWWE… a division changing talent and it’s STILL ALL his. #NXTTakeOver’ – @TripleH”
Following the allegation that was made against Devlin during the #SpeakingOut movement, WWE issued a statement saying that they take any allegation of this nature very seriously and were looking into the matter. The allegation was made by a woman named Hannah who claimed that Devlin had physically abused her. She tweeted photos of bruises on her lower body and wrote: “This is scary. I’m really scared. Jordan Devlin did this to me. And this is just the physical damage. Not including my arse and back bruises….because I don’t fancy posting that online.”
Devlin posted a statement on Twitter denying the allegation: “I didn’t even want to address the hurtful allegation made against me, but for the sake of my followers and friends on this platform that may for whatever reason be unsure, I’m going to address this once. The recent allegation made against me is completely and utterly false and I deny it entirely. This is a case of a malicious personal agenda being executed against me on the back of a very brave telling of true experiences by other women. I completely denounce it. This is all I will say on the matter, and I am now working with a legal team to help decide how to proceed from here.”
Jack Gallagher, Travis Banks, Ligero, and referees Joel Allen and Chris Roberts were released by WWE following #SpeakingOut allegations that were made against them. Joe Coffey was also suspended by WWE.
After being on hiatus since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NXT UK returned to airing new episodes last month.
Three matches have been made official for next week’s episode of NXT.
– Dakota Kai and Rhea Ripley will face off in a number one contender’s match on NXT next Wednesday. The winner will challenge for Io Shirai’s NXT Women’s Championship at TakeOver XXX on Saturday, August 22.
Shirai retained her title against Tegan Nox in the main event of NXT two weeks ago but was then laid out by a kick to the face from Kai. On tonight’s NXT, Shirai teamed up with Nox and defeated Candice LeRae & Kai after Kai forced LeRae to tag back in.
Kai did a backstage interview later on tonight’s NXT and said she isn’t a team player anymore. Kai declared that she’s the number one contender to Shirai’s title, but Ripley then confronted Kai. Ripley said the next shot at Shirai’s title is hers and she doesn’t mind going through anyone who thinks otherwise.
– In another match with TakeOver implications, Damian Priest vs. Ridge Holland vs. Oney Lorcan is set for next week’s NXT. The winner will qualify for the ladder match for the vacant North American Championship at TakeOver XXX.
Holland, a former rugby player whose real name is Luke Menzies, is part of the NXT UK brand.
Bronson Reed and Dexter Lumis have already qualified for the ladder match. It will feature five wrestlers in total.
– The NXT Tag Team titles will be on the line next Wednesday as Imperium (Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner) defend against the Undisputed Era (Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish). Imperium defeated Ever-Rise on NXT tonight but were then attacked by all four members of Undisputed Era after.
