The NXT UK Tag Team Championship Tournament begins! And it already pits two top teams in Mustache Mountain VS Gallus’ Wolfgang and Mark Coffey!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Episode 21 – Travis Banks VS Jamie Ahmed; Banks wins.
• Episode 21 – Amir Jordan & Kenny Williams VS Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel; Aichner & Barthel win.
• Episode 21 – Jinny VS Candy Floss; Jinny wins.
• Episode 21 – NXT UK Tag Team Championship Tournament Semifinal: Mustache Mountain VS Gallus; Mustache Mountain wins and advances to the finals at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool.
• Episode 22 – Toni Storm VS Deonna Purrazzo; Storm wins.
• Episode 22 – Josh Morrell VS Mike Hitchman; Hitchman wins.
• Episode 22 – Eddie Dennis VS Dave Mastiff; Double Disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE mourns the loss of “Mean” Gene Okerlund.

Episode 21

Travis Banks VS Jamie Ahmed!

The Kiwi Buzzsaw continues his return to the ring and looks to snap back from the hard fought loss against Joe Coffey. How will he fair against “Screw Face” in his NXT UK debut?

Fans are on Travis’ side as the bell rings. They tie up and Banks rolls Ahmed in a waistlock takedown. Ahmed gets up and elbows out, but Banks whips him. Things speed up and Banks trips Ahmed to roll him for a sleeper hold! Ahmed scrambles and gets the ropebreak. Banks backs off but Ahmed gets a sucker punch in! Ahmed throws forearms and clubs Banks down. Ahmed gives a European Uppercut then some haymakers. Banks hits back and they brawl. Fans rally up as Ahmed snapmares and jumps on Banks! Cover, TWO! Ahmed looms over Banks but fans still rally for the Kiwi Buzzsaw. Ahmed throws forearms but Banks throws them back. They brawl as fans duel and Banks gets an edge.

Ahmed knees low and puts Banks in the corner, but Banks sweeps the legs! Banks then runs corner to corner to dropkick Ahmed in the back! Bridging German Suplex, TWO! Fans fire up for Banks as he keeps on Ahmed. Ahmed trips Banks and throws heavy hands. Ahmed rolls Banks then whips him to a corner. Banks boots back then blasts him with a dropkick! Banks jumps for double stomps! He keeps moving, Slice of Heaven enziguri! Cover, Banks wins!

Winner: Travis Banks, by pinfall

The Buzzsaw tears up Screw Face and starts the New Year off with a win! Will Banks keep on going and make 2019 his year?

But wait, out comes Jordan Devlin. The Irish Ace spoke of calling out a pretender, and he has a mic with him again. “Travis Banks, the Kiwi Buzzsaw. The wrestling journeyman that abandoned his home and never went back.” These two have faced each other all over the world and now it’s come to NXT UK. The difference between them is that Devlin doesn’t forget where he comes from. Does Banks’ mum even remember his voice? Does Banks want to shut Devlin up? Then let Devlin remind everyone, you never EVER bet against the Ace. Devlin’s target is clear, but will he regret angering the Buzzsaw?

A monstrous rematch is set for next episode!

The Bomber and the Headmaster will have a rematch to settle their score. Will Dave Mastiff crush Eddie Dennis’ ego? Or will Dennis teach Mastiff to step aside for his own good?

Amir Jordan & Kenny Williams VS Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel!

The Banghra Badboy and the Luckyan want that last spot in the NXT UK Tag Team Championship Tournament, but so does the European Union of the Italian Tank and German Commander. Who makes the bigger impression on GM Johnny Saint tonight?

The teams sort out and fans chant “NEIN! NEIN!” for Barthel. Williams and Barthel start with the bell and circle. They tie up and Barthel brings Williams down to a headlock. Williams reverses but Barthel reverses back, but Williams gets out to a hammerlock and chinlock. Barthel gets up and hooks Williams’s face to reverse to a wristlock. Williams rolls and reverses then arm-drags Barthel into an armlock. Williams tags Jordan and Jordan gives Barthel ax handles. Jordan keeps on the arm with a wristlock, but Barthel shouts “NEIN!” as he kicks and clubs Jordan down. Barthel wrenches Jordan’s wrist, but Jordan rolls and handsprings and even cartwheels to get free. Jordan dances and winds it up, but Barthel throat chops him!

Barthel bumps Jordan on buckles and throws fast hands. He stomps a mudhole in, then tags in Aichner. Aichner toys with Jordan, then clubs him to a corner. He chops Jordan but Jordan hits back. Aichner clubs Jordan down then whips him corner to corner. Jordan dodges and fires off hands! Aichner puts Jordan on the apron but gets a hotshot! Jordan climbs, leaps, but his crossbody is caught! Aichner scoops but Jordan slips out. Jordan elbows Aichner but Barthel gets a cheap shot in! Williams protests but Aichner clubs away on Jordan. Aichner rains down rights, then drags Jordan to his corner. He tags Barthel, and the EU mug Jordan in the corner. Fans shout “NEIN! NEIN!” with every mudhole stomp. But Barthel tells them, “NEIN!” Barthel tags Aichner and the EU toy with Jordan.

Jordan hits back with body shots and elbows! Jordan runs, but into Aichner’s SPINEBUSTER! Barthel adds the Penalty Kick, Aichner covers, but Williams saves Jordan! Aichner puts Jordan in a chinlock but fans rally up. Jordan endures and feeds off the fan energy. Jordan jawbreakers free! But Aichner catches him and powers him to the corner! Tag to Barthel and Aichner hits Williams. Barthel rocks Jordan with a EuroUpper then throws him with a big suplex! Cover, TWO! Jordan lives but Barthel is on him with another chinlock. Fans continue to rally and Jordan continues to endure. Jordan fights up again, but Barthel wrangles him back down. Jordan tries again, and fights out with elbows. Barthel suplexes but Jordan lands on his feet, tag to Williams!

Williams springboard elbows Barthel, then trips up Aichner! Williams shoulders and slingshots in, then Jordan tags in before Williams DIVES onto Aichner! Barthel is ready for Jordan and throws him to a corner. Barthel dropkicks Jordan, then throws him with the Landungsbrücken! Cover, but Williams breaks it! Barthel glares and Aichner drags Williams out, spinebuster into the barriers! Barthel drags Jordan up and tags in Aichner. The EU work together, powerbomb to back suplex! Cover, Aichner & Barthel win!

Winners: Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel, Aichner pinning

The heavy hitters make an impressive tag team debut, but there’s only so much time before the other semifinal match is made. Will this victory be the key to the EU taking on the Grizzled Young Veterans, Gibson & Drake?

NXT UK Media caught up with Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo.

The Virtuosa argues that she was still really close to beating Rhea Ripley. She wants to be part of TakeOver: Blackpool. Toni Storm does admit Deonna was good, but if she thinks she’s TakeOver good, then prove it in a match. The two shake on the challenge, and Deonna looks forward to breaking that arm. Toni smirks back, and now it’s up to Johnny Saint to make this official. Will the Storm and the Virtuosa collide before TakeOver: Blackpool? How will it affect the NXT UK Women’s Championship match?

Backstage interview with Johnny Saint & Sid Scala.

With TakeOver: Blackpool approaching, how are their plans for the match card going? Blackpool is going to be historic, as plans are well on the way. There are many matches, such as the NXT UK Women’s Championship of Rhea Ripley VS–

Oi! Joe Coffey barges in and says they should be the ones seeking him out. He told them that when he destroyed Ligero, this brand is about Coffey. It’s not even about deserving, there’s no one else. This is Coffey’s time. His opportunities, hsi kingdom, his WWE UK Championship. So therefore, TakeOver: Blackpool will have Pete Dunne VS Joe Coffey for that very title. And the Iron King vows to rip it from Dunne’s mouth. Sid says they’ll consider this and let him know when a decision is made. Saint says Coffey is dismissed, and then he and Sid enter their office to discuss this matter. Will Gallus’ leader get what he wants?

Jinny VS Candy Floss!

The Fierce Fashionista wants to prove she’s deserving of the NXT UK Women’s Championship, but she has to get more wins to point it out to Saint and Scala. Will Jinny unravel Candy Floss into nothing? Or will the sugary sweet superstar shock everyone tonight?

The bell rings and fans are on Candy’s side as they sing. She and Jinny tie up and Jinny gets the wristlock. Jinny gets double wristlocks but Candy breaks free, to hug? That might work on a superstar like Bayley but Jinny’s too sour for that. Jinny breaks free but Candy gets around for double hammerlocks. Jinny gets free of one but Candy brings her down with the other. Candy grabs the other arm again and pulls on the fingers. Jinny sits up and rolls around to headscissor Candy down. Candy endures as fans taunt the “Spoiled Princess!” Candy rolls Jinny over and to a modified deathlock. She shifts to a headlock but Jinny stands up. Jinny powers out and gets her own headlock. Candy powers out and trips Jinny up! Candy shrugs and smiles, but Jinny gets mad.

Jinny tries to trip Candy in return, but Candy simply hops over and waves hello. Jinny grabs Candy’s pink hair but Candy slips out to an arm-breaker DDT! Candy hops up on a corner but Jinny runs over to yank her off! Jinny rocks Candy with a right, covers, TWO! Jinny grabs Candy in a double wristlock but Candy fights back. Fans still sing for Candy as she and Jinny struggle. Jinny throws Candy and covers, TWO! Jinny gets the double wristlock again, but Candy endures. Candy stands but Jinny throws her to buckles. Jinny wrings the arm out and covers, TWO! Jinny rains rights down on Candy but stops at the ref’s count of 4. Candy gets to ropes but Jinny ax kicks her! Jinny whips and redirects Candy, but then runs into a boot. Candy runs and blasts Jinny with a dropkick!

Candy keeps on Jinny in a corner with stomps, then a side to side basement dropkick! She drags Jinny up, straitjacket but Jinny arm-drags out. Jinny runs but misses in the corner, only to arm-drag Candy into buckles! Jinny drags Candy up, reels her out for the Touch of Couture! Cover, Jinny wins!

Winner: Jinny, by pinfall

Candy Floss proved tougher than Jinny expected, but Jinny still smiles after getting the victory. With Toni Storm in the front running for a shot at Blackpool, what will it take for the Fashionista to be Rhea Ripley’s next challenger?

NXT UK Tag Team Championship Tournament Semifinal: Mustache Mountain VS Gallus!

Gallus took the first shot when they attacked Mustache Mountain’s Trent Seven after his grueling match with Zack Gibson. Then they took the next shot backstage when they attacked both members of Mustache Mountain together. With the NXT UK Tag Team Championships now waiting for champions, the war moves into the next phase! Who advances to NXT UK’s first major event in Blackpool?

The teams sort out as Mark keeps Wolfgang calm. Mark starts against Tyler Bate as fans chant “Big Strong Boys!” The bell rings and Bate throws hands on Mark! Mark shoves Bate but Bate dropkicks him back down. Bate yanks on Mark’s arm and tags in Trent Seven. Seven scoops and slams Mark, covers, ONE! Fans now sing for Seven as he hauls Mark up into a fireman’s carry. Tag to Bate and Seven throws Mark down with a wasteland slam. Bate hops up, and knee-boards off Seven for the senton! Cover, TWO! Mark gets to an open corner but Bate is on him with EuroUppers. Bate whips Mark corner to corner and then back drops Mark! Mark gets back to a corner but Bate is on him with punches.

Fans are fired up for Mustache Mountain as Bate whips Mark again. Mark slides out and fans boo as he takes a breather. Seven steps towards Mark but Wolfgang rushes at Bate. The ref keeps Wolfgang back, but this allows Mark to blindside Bate! Mark stomps Bate down then drags him over to Gallus’ corner. Wolfgang tags in and Gallus mugs Bate. Wolfgang reels Bate in for a clothesline! Cover, TWO! Wolfgang stomps Bate out then stands on his head at the ropes. The ref counts and Wolfgang backs off at 4. Bate kicks back but Wolfgang stomps Bate down. Wolfgang puts on a facelock and wrenches Bate’s neck. Bate endures as fans rally. Bate feeds off the energy and fights his way up. He powers Wolfgang back step by step, but Wolfgang knees low. Wolfgang swings at Seven, but gets a huricanrana from Bate!

Both men crawl, hot tags to Mark and Seven! Seven CHOPS Mark off his feet again and again. Mark covers up, but gets a DDT! Seven fires up and runs at Mark for a chop in the corner! Then a sit out scoop slam! Cover, TWO! Seven keeps on Mark with a wristlock, and reels him out. Wolfgang tags in, Mark dodges the lariat, and then drives Seven down with a suplex. Wolfgang adds a back senton! Cover, TWO, another back senton! Cover, TWO, but Wolfgang rains down rights. Wolfgang drags Seven up and over and mugs Seven in the corner. Tag to Mark and Gallus mugs Seven together. Mark throws Seven into the buckles then tags Wolfgang for them to stomp Seven down. Seven crawls but gets knees to the ribs. Wolfgang squeezes Seven with a grounded bearhug.

Fans rally for the “Big Strong Boys!” and Seven crawls for his corner. Wolfgang drags him back and tags Mark. Gallus continues to mug Seven, and Mark rocks Seven with a forearm! Cover, TWO! Seven survives but he’s back in a bearhug squeeze. Seven gets up as fans rally, and he elbows out of the hold. Mark elbows Seven back and puts the bearhug on again. Seven drags himself towards ropes, and hammers Mark’s legs. Mark hammers Seven and puts the squeeze back on. Fans sing and Seven stands, but ends up in Gallus’ corner again. Wolfgang tags in and mugs Seven more. Seven throws body shots but gets a kick to the face. Wolfgang mocks the Mustache Mountain fans, but Seven scrambles. Wolfgang whips him back into Gallus’ corner, and again. He gets Seven on the rebound for a waistlock slam!

Seven is grounded and back in the bearhug, but he refuses to quit. Seven forces himself back up, but Wolfgang thrashes him about. Bate reaches for Seven as Seven reaches for Bate. Seven powers his way over one step at a time, but Wolfgang keeps dragging Seven back. Seven starts to fade but fans keep rallying. The singing gives Seven a second wind and he ear claps Wolfgang! Seven is free but Wolfgang throws him out of the ring! Mark then goes after Seven, but Seven suplexes Mark! Wolfgang taunts Bate then fetches Seven, but Seven dodges him and gets back in! Tag to Bate! Bate kicks Wolfgang and then DIVES on him! Bate almost ends up in the front row, but he puts Wolfgang back in. Fans are thunderous as Bate throws hands from all sides.

Bate whips but Wolfgang reverses, only to get the knee! And flying uppercut! Bate keeps moving, to DIVE on Mark! Bate aims at Wolfgang in the ring, for a big running EuroUpper! And exploder! Bate kips up, proof he’s a Big Strong Boy. Standing shooting star, but Mark leaps in! Bate moves and sends that elbow drop onto Wolfgang! Bate dropkicks Mark away but Wolfgang is back up. Wolfgang swings but misses, and Bate lifts Wolfgang in the fireman’s carry. Bate starts up the airplane spin! Around and around Bate goes, but then he slows down, to go the other way! Bate dumps Wolfgang down and fans applaud Bate’s strength. Bate stands and waistlocks Wolfgang. Wolfgang resists and backs Bate down. Mark tags in and Mark puts on a clutch!

But Bate picks Mark up like a backpack, then waistlocks Wolfgang, backpack German Suplex combination!! Fans shout “MAMMA MIA!” for that one! Bate and Gallus are all down but Seven returns to the corner. Bate fires up and keeps on Mark. Seven dropkicks Wolfgang out, and then leaps from the apron for a crossbody! Wolfgang clutches his leg while Bate double underhooks Mark. Mark powers out with a back drop, but Bate keeps moving! Bate’s rebound runs into Mark’s forearm! And then enziguri! Cover, TWO!! Bate survives and Mark is shocked! Fans reach a fever pitch for this one, but Mark calls for his brother! Joe Coffey appears, but here comes PETE DUNNE!! The Bruiserweight won’t let the Iron King interfere, and these two brawl it out on the ramp!

Joe headbutts Dunne but Dunne forearms him back! X-Plex onto the apron! Bate slips away from Mark, Bop up, BANG hits! Seven tags in, and Mustache Mountain combine for the rebound lariat snap dragon! Cover, Mustache Mountain wins!!

Winners: Mustache Mountain, Trent Seven pinning; advances to the NXT UK Tag Team Championship Finals at UK TakeOver: Blackpool

But Joe is back for more on Dunne! And the rest of Gallus goes after Bate & Seven! Gallus beats down British Strong Style in three separate brawls. Joe puts Dunne away then goes after Seven with Wolfgang. Dunne returns and rocks Wolfgang! And then he tackles Joe Coffey! Mark helps his brother but Wolfgang is thrown out. Bate’s rolling kick rocks Mark and Dunne dumps Joe out! British Strong Style stands tall in Liverpool, and Dunne takes up the mic.

“Joe Coffey, I know you want a title shot so bad, so I had a chat with Johnny Saint in the back. I’ll be seeing you at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool!” There it is! Dunne VS Joe Coffey for THE United Kingdom Championship! Gallus rush back in and the brawl starts all over again! Will this war for UK supremacy end with the titles?

Episode 22

Toni Storm VS Deonna Purrazzo!

The Lightning Down Under has the match for Rhea Ripley’s NXT UK Women’s Championship, but The Virtuosa feels like she deserves a second chance. Toni will give Deonna a chance to prove herself tonight in this “friendly”. Will it be anything but by the time it’s all over?

The bell rings and fans are strongly behind Toni. Deonna doesn’t let that bug her as she and Toni shake hands. They circle and tie up as fans chant “Aussie Aussie Aussie! OI OI OI!” But just the once. Deonna reverses the wristlock to a wristlock, but Toni spins around to get a drop toehold. Toni gets a facelock but Deonna rolls around to pry at the hold. Toni keeps on and fans rally up, but Deonna gets a takedown. Deonna has the toehold but Toni tries a chinlock. Deonna shrugs her off to then shift to a standing toehold. Toni rolls and pries free to get the headlock takeover! Fans applaud this technical exchange as Deonna headscissors back. Deonna squeezes but Toni rolls around to pop out. Toni offers a hand to Deonna, but Deonna slaps it away.

The two circle again as fans rally up. They tie up and Deonna gets the waistlock. Toni dips low and reverses to a wristlock. Deonna reverses that back and then brings Toni to the mat. Toni reaches up to get the headscissors. Deonna rolls and headstands, then pops out. She gives a bow but Toni stands right up. Toni offers another handshake, but Deonna kicks it away now. Fans boo but Toni shrugs that off. They tie up and Deonna knees low. Deonna chops and chops but then Toni fires off strikes. Things speed up, Toni changes directions to dropkick Deonna down! Cover, TWO! Fans sing for Toni as she snap suplexes and floats over to a cover, TWO! Toni goes for the legs and builds up the energy into the modified STF!

Deonna endures and drags herself over to the ropebreak. Toni lets go but gets a little stomp. Toni runs in at Deonna but the hip attack misses! Deonna runs and blocks the boot to throw Toni down. Deonna stands on Toni to pull and yank that arm! Toni writhes but Deonna covers, TWO! Deonna keeps on the arm and bumps it and uppercuts it. Toni gets to a corner but Deonna wraps the arm in the ropes and pulls! Deonna lets off at 4, but drags Toni up for another wristlock. Deonna traps the arm between her feet for a tweak! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Toni and Toni throws forearms on Deonna. Deonna counters one into a complete shot, and Koji Klutch! Toni endures and fans rally up. Toni makes it a cover, TWO as Deonna lets go.

Deonna runs Toni over with a lariat, then drops a leg on the arm. Deonna scissors the arm, then wrenches the elbow. She sits Toni up for a boot, but Toni counters that into a backstabber! Fans fire up with Toni while Deonna gets to a corner. Toni runs in and hits the hip attack this time! Toni keeps moving, double underhook but Deonna blocks and boots. Deonna runs but into a headbutt! Cover, TWO! Toni keeps her arm and head moving, then drags Deonna back up. She wants the underhook, but Deonna blocks again. Deonna hip tosses, back flips and dropkicks! Cover, TWO, but into the Rings of Saturn! Toni is stuck but fans rally up. Toni gets one arm free but Deonna keeps on the other. Deonna gets both arms for a butterfly lock!

Deonna pulls back but Toni inches her way backwards. Toni gets a foot on the ropes, ropebreak! Deonna lets go at 4, and frustration grows. Fans cheer Toni on but Deonna is on her first. Deonna dares Toni to get up and she SLAPS Toni. “This is your town, huh!? Get up!” Toni does and now they brawl with forearm and chops! Deonna lifts but Toni fights out to boot Deonna! Deonna comes back and goes for the arm! Toni spins through to hit a snap German Suplex! Then, STORM ZERO! Cover, Toni wins!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall

The Lightning strikes and the Storm rolls on towards Blackpool! However, here comes the champ! Rhea Ripley stares Toni down as she walks down the ramp. From one Aussie to another, Rhea holds up the title and tells her she’ll never have it. Will Rhea stay the one and only NXT UK Women’s Champion? Or will Lightning strike in Blackpool to dethrone the Mosh Pit Queen?

Backstage interview with Johnny Saint & Sid Scala.

Last week, Mustache Mountain earned the first spot in the NXT UK Tag Team Championship Finals. But who will they be facing? After much discussion, the second semifinals will come next week. It will be the Grizzled Young Veterans VS Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster. Will Liverpool’s Number One and his friend in Mr. Mayhem ground the air force of Webster & Morgan? Or will Morgan & Webster fly high and high five all the way to Blackpool?

John Morrell VS Mike Hitchman!

Young “Turbo” Morrell was denied his debut match by an attack from Eddie Dennis. However, he gets another try, but will he enjoy his match with the Wild Boar of Wales any better?

The bell rings and Turbo circles with Boar. They tie up and Boar throws Turbo down with a hip toss. Boar eggs Turbo on and they tie up again. Boar throws Turbo again, then yanks on the arm. Turbo endures and gets up. Fans rally for “Boar! Boar!” but Turbo cartwheels and handsprings to a reversal. He fires off EuroUppers, but Boar shoves him away. Turbo comes back on the rebound to wheelbarrow, but Boar just throws him off! Boar stalks Turbo and drops a big back senton! Cover, TWO! Boar keeps on Turbo with a nerve hold in the shoulder. Fans rally up as Turbo endures elbows to the head. Boar clamps back on but Turbo refuses to give up.

Boar hooks the nose and then drives in another elbow before going back to the nerve hold. He throws Turbo to the mat, then drags him back up for more. Turbo endures as fans rally . Turbo feeds off the energy and handsprings through the throw, to then dropkick and PELE! Fans fire up with Turbo as he sentons onto Boar! Cover, TWO! Boar gets to a corner but Turbo runs in with a EuroUpper. Turbo goes corner to corner but Boar dodges, only for Turbo to go up, over and sunset flip! TWO, and Boar flounders. Turbo runs over but into a death valley driver that throws him into buckles! Boar runs for the cannon-boar! Boar hurries up top while Turbo is down, for a frog splash! Cover, Boar wins!

Winner: Wild Boar Mike Hitchman by pinfall

The gritty animal finally gets a win, but it’ll take more than this to gain some ground. Who else will feel the wrath of the Wild Boar?

Joseph Conners speaks.

“Two years ago, when I joined NXT UK, I was sold a lie. Just like when all these shiny new toys joined NXT UK, they were sold a lie.” They were told #WeAreNXTUK. But there is no “we”, it’s only yourself. And Conners is all about himself. If he has to break every single one of these new toys, then so be it. Who will the Righteous Killer seek to destroy first?

Travis Banks speaks.

“Jordan Devlin, you call me out for not loving my country.” He wears his country’s flag, and he’s the Kiwi Buzzsaw because he represents New Zealand. If Devlin wants to challenge Banks, then he’s ready. When and where will the Buzzsaw and the Ace lock horns over national pride?

Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel file a complaint with Sid Scala.

The European Union have each individually beaten Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster. Yet Andrews & Webster are getting the tournament spot? That doesn’t sit well with them. But Sid shouts down their protesting. Barthel and Aichner calm down, but everyone knows that the EU deserve a part of the Semifinals. Their team has only just formed, so the opportunity goes to Morgan & Webster. Plus, Saint has seen their behavior since arriving, so if they even think of interfering, they’ll be ejected out of NXT UK just as quickly! Barthel keeps Aichner calm, and the EU moves on. The line is drawn, will Aichner & Barthel keep from crossing it?

Eddie Dennis VS Dave Mastiff!

The Headmaster is no longer undefeated after his first encounter with the Bomber, but that doesn’t mean he’ll just sit back and accept it. Dennis wants to destroy Mastiff’s undefeated streak, along with Mastiff the man. Which monster makes good on this rematch this close to TakeOver: Blackpool?

The bell rings and Dennis runs right at Mastiff! Fans boo as he unloads on Mastiff. Dennis whips and redirects Mastiff into the corner, and then again, and then again! Dennis stomps a mudhole into Mastiff but lets up at 4. The ref reprimands him but Dennis wants to keep going. Dennis runs into Mastiff’s elbow! Mastiff fires off strikes but gets a knee to the gut. Dennis runs and rocks Mastiff with a right. But Mastiff dodges Dennis to whip, follow and tackle Dennis with a crossbody! Mastiff stalks Dennis and pulls him up with a waisltock. Dennis fights Mastiff off then grabs the rope. Dennis elbows Mastiff away but Mastiff dropkicks him!! Cover, TWO!

Mastiff keeps on Dennis with a grounded abdominal stretch. Mastiff rains elbows down on Dennis but Dennis scrambles away. Dennis holds the ropes again but Mastiff doesn’t care. Mastiff puts Dennis in a camel clutch with the ropes and rains more elbows down! The ref backs Mastiff off and Dennis flounders out of the ring. Mastiff pursues, but Dennis clubs him at the apron. Dennis manages to lift Mastiff in the crucifix, but Mastiff slips out. Mastiff fireman’s carries Dennis for the rolling senton! That proves a bit double edged on the outside but fans cheer for the effort. Mastiff aims at Dennis by the steel steps and runs in, but Dennis dodges! Mastiff collides with the steel!

Both men are down as the ring count passes 5. Dennis drags himself up and around the corner. The count reaches 7, then 9, both men make it in at 9.5! Fans applaud while both monsters glare at each other. Mastiff and Dennis brawl with forearms on their knees back and forth. They brawl as they stand up, and pick up speed! Things get fast and furious and the referee gets shoved! He calls for the bell!

Double Disqualification

But that doesn’t matter to Dennis and Mastiff, they keep brawling! They go around the ring, Dennis shoves but Mastiff comes back. Mastiff throws Dennis out and gives chase at the ramp! The ref tries to break them up again but they won’t be stopped! Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but more referees come out to hold them back. Dennis breaks free to leap onto Mastiff! So here comes Johnny Saint! The NXT UK GM tells these two that “if this is the way you two want it, you’ve got it.” NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Dennis VS Mastiff in a No Disqualification match! When anything goes, what won’t Dennis and Mastiff do to each other?

The war between British Strong Style and Gallus leads to only one option!

Next week, just days before TakeOver: Blackpool, Pete Dunne, Trent Seven & Tyler Bate will meet Wolfgang and the Coffey Brothers in a Six Man Tag Match! Which side earns major momentum for the coming WWE UK Championship match?

Johnny Saint and Sid Scala stand in the ring.

They will both preside over the contract signing for the WWE United Kingdom Championship as head and assistant General Managers. First out is the Iron King of Gallus, Joe Coffey. Fans boo and jeer the cocky Coffey then chant for the Bruiserweight. And yes, second out is the champion, Pete Dunne. Fans giving Dunne a standing ovation as he makes his way out, title in hand. Dunne and Coffey stare down in the ring, and Scala asks them to take their seats. Neither man sits, and Coffey takes up a mic.

“It’s like the first time when two heads of two farms come together to discuss business.” Fans troll with “What?” over Coffey’s accent. But Blackpool will be historic, because there will be a changing of the guard here in NXT UK. Coffey doesn’t like Saint and Scala breathing down his neck, and tells them to back up. Saint and Scala oblige and give Coffey his space. Coffey tells Dunne that “all of this”, from the ring to the country to the brand, is now his. “And soon, that WWE UK title is going to be mine, too.” Coffey asks Dunne how long he’s been champion. Too long, probably. And Dunne has to ask himself “Why? Why are you still the champion?” Coffey will let the fans in on a secret: it’s because Coffey hasn’t been around. The rest of the locker room are just pawns in this game.

“But now it’s time for the Iron King to stand and claim his throne!” Coffey takes the pen and signs the contract. And then Dunne grabs Coffey’s hand and pulls at the fingers! To snap them! Coffey crawls away as Dunne uses his personal pen to sign the contract. “You talk too much.” Dunne tells Coffey they’ll settle this at Blackpool. But then the rest of Gallus appears, and Coffey clubs Dunne in the back! Coffey clears the ring and drags Dunne up, to powerbomb him through the table! Fans boo and jeer while Coffey mocks Dunne’s pose. Coffey holds the WWE UK Championship up high over the fallen Bruiserweight, but will the Iron King truly have his crown? Or will Dunne’s reign only continue to grow to historic lengths?

My Thoughts:

Well I’m surprised we still got two episodes of NXT UK and that it sounds like there’s at least one more episode for the go home. The UK Tag Division is getting pretty good for having so many teams thrown in it. Aichner & Barthel VS Jordan & Williams was a good match, and it seems Williams & Jordan are becoming tag team jobbers to the stars. I appreciate the note where Aichner & Barthel are upset they’re being passed over in favor of Webster & Andrews. Sid Scala has a good counter point that Webster & Andrews have been a team longer, but it’s pretty clear that Grizzled Young Veterans, Gibson & Drake, will win to give us GYV VS Mustache Mountain at Blackpool. If Aichner & Barthel keep clear of the match, I’m betting on them VS Webster & Andrews in a tag team grudge match.

It seems Devlin VS Banks is in the works, if only by default as both men are above facing anyone else yet aren’t high enough it seems for a title opportunity. Devlin VS Banks will be a great match, and perhaps it can serve as a contender’s match for the WWE UK Championship. The same can be said for the possible Aichner-Barthel VS Andrews-Webster match. I am glad to see we’re getting the British Strong Style VS Gallus Six Man Tag after all, though I feel like the announcement it was happening should’ve been for after the contract signing. As contract signings go, Coffey and Dunne had a good one, and I know their match is going to be great. If Coffey finds a way to win against Dunne, new champions can face new challengers to freshen things up.

In fact, the Dennis VS Mastiff No DQ match could make for a contender’s scenario, too. Their match is going to be great, and just adds to how stacked this card already is. But all this stacked talent just emphasizes to me that the UK might need its own midcard title sooner rather than later. The WWE UK Championship can then be seen equal to the NXT Championship, and we can come up with new Champion VS Champion scenarios between the NXT North American Championship and whatever UK midcard title we get. At the same time, with only five midcard singles standouts, Joseph Conners being the fifth, some of the tag teams need to break up to give us an actual micard.

The NXT UK Women’s Division is rolling along smoothly. I like the tease that maybe Deonna could’ve won her way into the title match, but naturally it turns more into a tuner for Toni. Toni VS Rhea II will be really good, and will be another hard match to call. It’d be great for Toni to have her time but I wonder if it’s just the double doses that make Rhea’s reign seem short. Jinny had a good match with Candy Floss, but there’s also Isla Dawn. Perhaps Jinny and Isla will have an unofficial contenders match of their own, winner takes on the champion at the next big event or during a taping. Maybe it’ll be Jinny so that she and Toni can bring their feud from Progress and the indies to NXT UK TV.

My Scores: Episode 21 – 8.5/10; Episode 22 – 8.4/10