Will KLR end Tegan Nox’s comeback already?

Upset by being upstaged, the NXT UK Women’s Champion, Kay Lee Ray, looks to show Tegan Nox what it takes to hang with this brand! Will the Shiniest Wizard not work on the Lethal Lass?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Piper Niven VS Isla Dawn; Niven wins.
• Ilja Dragunov Alexander Wolfe VS Saxon Huxley; Wolfe wins.
• Jack Starz VS Mike Bird; No Contest.
• Kay Lee Ray VS Tegan Nox; KLR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Piper Niven VS Isla Dawn!

The Scottish Viper and the White Witch both want to be contenders, but they have a long way to go. Who takes the first step towards taking on the Lethal Lass for the title?

The bell rings and Piper circles with Isla. The fans rally up and cheer Isla on as she ties up with Piper. Piper gets the arm but fans rally as Piper wrenches to a wristlock. Isla rolls and bridges to spin and slip under. She pump handles Piper but can’t flip her over. Piper reaches back for a headlock and a takeover. Isla works her legs around but Piper rejects the headscissors. Isla rolls Piper to a cover, ONE and Piper holds on tight. The two stand and Isla brings Piper to a knee and very low, to then pop out of the headlock! Isla has Piper’s arm now but fans rally up. Piper stands but Isla hooks a leg and reaches for a chinbar. Piper endures and powers out to scoop Isla! Isla slips out and waistlocks, but Piper reaches for ropes to deny the suplex. Piper also bucks Isla off, but Isla rolls through to the splits. Things speed up and Isla elbows Piper. Isla whips Piper to ropes then dropkicks, but Piper stays up. Isla runs but into Piper’s arms! Piper slams Isla down, then basement splashes! Cover, TWO!

Piper keeps her focus as she wraps Isla up in a cobra clutch. Fans rally as Isla endures. Isla works against the hold and works her way up, even as Piper leans on her. Isla stands, pries at the hold, but elbows out. Piper ripcords Isla for a big shoulder tackle! Piper wraps Isla back up but Isla fights. Piper swings Isla back for a backbreaker, then reels her out for a lariat! Cover, TWO! Piper grows frustrated but she wraps Isla up again. Now Piper gets a full straitjacket and sits her up. Fans rally as Isla endures. Isla works up so Piper shifts to the cobra clutch again. Isla stands and throws forearms and elbows. Piper reels her out again but Isla boots! Then saido suplexes! Fans fire up with Isla as she runs to knee Piper down! Cover, TWO! Isla and Piper go to opposite corners, but Piper runs in. Isla sweeps the legs and Piper hits buckles!

Isla basement dropkicks then runs for a meteora! Cover, TWO! Piper still has so much power and it shocks Isla. Isla hurries to keep on Piper with a facelock. Isla grinds Piper down as fans rally up. Piper endures as Isla squeezes tight. Piper powers up and gets to her feet to push Isla off. Piper headbutts isla! Then suplexes for a Michinoku Driver! Cover, Piper wins!

Winner: Piper Niven, by pinfall

And the Scottish Viper is back on a winning track! Will she fight her way back up the ranks? And what of Isla’s standings in the UK Women’s Division?

NXT UK Media catches up with Ilja Dragonov.

The Moscow Madman is working on his shoulder after meeting with the trainer. What is the situation? The situation is that unfortunately, he’s not medically cleared to compete tonight. Ilja is frustrated that he can’t fight. Alexander Wolfe walks over and says that’s a shame. Wolfe says Imperium respects Ilja, so Wolfe will take his place against Saxon Huxley tonight. And Ilja should really think hard about his future in NXT UK. Is that a veiled threat or a subtle offer from the Ax Man?

The Hunt will run wild again!

Primate and Wild Boar have recovered from the roughing-up Gallus gave them, and they’re ready for the ring next week!

Backstage interview with Piper Niven.

Congrats are in order for her win, but where is her head at? Well she’s feeling up. She and all the others are thinking about the NXT UK Women’s Champion. But Jinny walks in and says if she’s said it before, she’ll say it again. Jinny is the next #1 contender. And then Jazzy Gabert attacks from behind! Security gets brains and brawn off Piper, but the damage is done. Will the Spoiled Princess get her way by any means necessary?

Alexander Wolfe VS Saxon Huxley!

As he said, the Ax Man takes Ilja’s place in this match against the Divine Beast, who is far more focused than usual. Will the “mythical journey” end here for Huxley? Or can he prove himself a hero of legend against the absolute power of Imperium?

The bell rings and Wolfe circles with “Tarzan Jesus!” They tie up and Wolfe spins Huxley for a trip and a turn. Wolfe headlocks but Huxley powers out. Wolfe and Huxley collide but neither falls. Huxley fires up and ties up with Wolfe again. Wolfe headlocks but Huxley slips out the back to headlock in return. Wolfe pulls hair to power out, then things speed up. Huxley comes back for a headlock takeover! Wolfe flails and pulls hair but Huxley holds on. They stand up and Wolfe tries to power out, but Huxley holds on to wrench and hip toss Wolfe down! Wolfe scrambles but Huxley gets the arm! Huxley grinds but Wolfe stands up. Wolfe powers Huxley to ropes and the ref calls for the ropebreak. Wolfe pulls Huxley’s knee pad down before backing off, and Huxley isn’t sure what to do. Huxley brings the pad back up, but gets a kick right to his face!

Wolfe rains down right hands but the ref backs him off. The ref checks on Huxley but Huxley glares at Wolfe. Wolfe stomps Huxley down then drags him up as fans rally. Wolfe suplexes but Huxley blocks. Huxley body shots but Wolfe clamps onto an arm for a Fujiwara armbar! Wolfe pulls back hard but Huxley endures. Fans still rally and Huxley fights his way up. Huxley rolls through but turns into a European Uppercut! Wolfe finally gets Huxley for a suplex! Wolfe takes his time catching his breath before stomping Huxley. Wolfe toys with Huxley before he stomps the arm. Wolfe grabs a leg to yank on it, then he shifts to a chinbar. Wolfe hooks the nose and eyes! The ref reprimands Wolfe but he just grins. Huxley fights back from the mat but Wolfe clamps onto the arm again. Wolfe grinds his forearm into Huxley’s face then wrenches the wrist.

Wolfe drags Huxley up but Huxley throws haymakers. Wolfe grabs a leg, trips Huxley and then twists with a grounded Dragon Screw! Wolfe scrapes his boots on Huxley’s face, then wraps on a chinlock. Huxley endures as Wolfe cranks on the neck, and works around. Fans sing for Huxley but Wolfe tells them to shut up. Huxley flails and gets up, and pries the hold off! But Wolfe knees low to wrap on a new chinlock. But Huxley arm-drags him off, only for Wolfe to come back with an enziguri! Wolfe runs, but into Huxley’s BIG Thesz Press! Both men are down but Cardiff fires up for Huxley. Huxley gets up and throws uppercuts and haymakers on Wolfe! Huxley rocks Wolfe, but Wolfe comes back to grab the leg again. But Huxley dropkicks Wolfe away! Cardiff is fired up for “Jesus! Jesus!” and Huxley runs corner to corner for another big dropkick! Wolfe staggers into a boot!

Huxley gets in and runs but gets hung up on ropes! Wolfe BOOTS Huxley down to a corner! Then runs in for a big forearm smash! Wolfe spins Huxley for a German Suplex! Wolfe drags Huxley up, powerbomb lift for a BIG Sit-Out Bomb! Cover, Wolfe wins!

Winner: Alexander Wolfe, by pinfall

Imperium is strong on all four fronts! If Wolfe did this without much notice, what can he do when prepared? What will Imperium do to all of NXT UK in time?

NXT UK Media catches up with Ashton Smith.

How is he going to bounce back from his recent defeat to Jordan Devlin? Well, all of these setbacks are really tough, but this is his dream. He knows he’s getting better, and getting closer to a win. But the Grizzled Young Veterans come by to have a laugh. How bad is this outlet that they’re resorting to Ashton Smith? Are they some kind of start-up podcast? When was the last time- Uuugh! Do you ever shut up? The GYV won’t let Smith make jokes about them when he has an abysmal win-loss record. Yeah but GYV lost their NXT UK Tag Team Championships.

Don’t you dare talk like that! They might not be champions, but they’re still the best team on NXT UK, and anywhere in the world! They still run the locker room. So unless Smith wants to be in the corridor, address them with respect. How are they leaders when they have no followers? No one likes them! But Smith will go find one of his friends, and we’ll see what happens. Oh will we? The interview is done, go away, “jog on.” Who will Smith find to help shut up Mr. Mayhem and Liverpool’s Number One?

Jack Starz VS Mike Bird!

A big opportunity for both men, especially the hometown hero from Wales in Mike “Fire” Bird. But wait, before Starz even gets on stage, Gallus appears. They’re dragging Starz around by his arm! Mark Coffey and Wolfgang have already destroyed Starz, and says that Starz is too busy seeing stars. He will not be competing, but look who that is, Wolfie! Who is that, Marcus? Mark knows the man in the ring. That is the Godfather of Welsh Wrestling, THE LEGENDARY Mike Bird! The man responsible for training Flash Morgan Webster, for training Mark Andrews, the current NXT UK Tag Team Champions! Gallus goes to the ring and joins Bird. “Mike, I just want one thing from you.” Mark wants to shake his hand! Fans don’t trust that, but Mike reaches. Mark takes his hand away and tells Mike to pass on the message to his boys. Wolfgang attacks Bird and so does Mark!

But here come the Welsh rockstars! Andrews and Webster hurry, but Joe Coffey catches up to them! This is 3v2 now! Wolfgang snapmares and splashes Andrews down while Joe beats up FMW! Joe throws FMW in and throws big haymakers! Joe feeds FMW to Mark’s CHOKE SLAM! Fans rally for “WALES~! WALES~!” but Joe shouts, “Gallus boys on top!” Gallus stands tall and vows to still make this their kingdom! Will they start by taking those NXT UK Tag Team Championships?

NXT UK General Manager, Johnny Saint, tweets an announcement!

After the attack Jinny and Jazzy orchestrated on Piper Niven, the Alpha Female will go 1v1 with Piper next week! Will Piper prove to be more than just a stepping stone on the way to the top? Or will she be made an example of by the combination of brains and brawn?

Kay Lee Ray VS Tegan Nox!

The new NXT UK Women’s Champion didn’t appreciate being overshadowed by the return of the girl with the Shiniest Wizard. But Tegan didn’t appreciate KLR trying to get an attitude, so now they’ll face of 1v1 here tonight! Will the comeback of Team Kick’s Cardiff kid come to an end? Or will she score big on the new champion?

The bell rings and KLR circles with Tegan. Fans rally for the hometown hero and Tegan smiles because she knows it annoys KLR. They tie up and go around, but KLR pulls hair! KLR pulls Tegan to a corner like that, then SLAPS Tegan as she lets up. KLR eggs Tegan on, Tegan SLAPS back! Tegan trips KLR and rains down rights, but KLR slips away. Tegan dares KLR to get back in but the ref keeps her from rushing out. KLR slips in but runs into an arm-drag, and then a hip toss. Tegan choke grips but KLR breaks free. Tegan ducks the punch to shove and CHOP KLR down! Tegan puts KLR in a corner for another CHOP! Tegan snapmares KLR then goes up top. Fans cheer as Tegan crossbodies! Cover, TWO! KLR bails out again, and wants to leave! Tegan hurries after her, and runs KLR down on the ramp!

Tegan drags KLR up and brings her back to ringside with a headlock. Tegan puts KLR in but KLR swings. Tegan dodges to rock her with a right. Tegan fireman’s carries but KLR slips out and chop blocks the bad legs! KLR stomps away but the ref backs her off. KLR puts Tegan against ropes to CHOP her! Cardiff rallies up for Tegan and Tegan fights back. KLR SLAPS Tegan down, then snapmares her for a seated cobra twist. KLR adds a neck wrench but Tegan endures. Fans rally up and Tegan fights her way up. Tegan rolls KLR, TWO, and KLR stomps Tegan down for it. KLR stalks Tegan as she gets up and hobbles. KLR clubs Tegan down in a corner, then brings her back up. Rolling snapmare to kick from the mat! Cover, TWO! KLR grows frustrated, but she looms over Tegan. Cardiff still cheers for their own but KLR stands on the bad knee! Tegan shouts in pain but the ref backs KLR off. KLR comes back with a smirk, then she wraps Tegan’s leg around the rope! The ref counts but KLR lets up at 4.

Tegan hobbles up again but KLR is on her in a corner with toying kicks to the legs. KLR keeps kicking and Tegan can only clutch the knees. KLR drags Tegan up for a gourd buster! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer for Tegan’s toughness, but KLR grows frustrated. KLR puts Tegan in a drop zone before going up top. KLR aims at Tegan, leaps, but her swanton flops as Tegan moves! Tegan hobbles up while KLR slowly stands. KLR runs in but only gets post! KLR slumps down and both women are down, clutching some part of their body. Fans rally up and Tegan is getting mad. KLR and Tegan stand, but Tegan ROCKS KLR. KLR slaps Tegan, Tegan hits back. They brawl and Tegan gets the edge! Tegan roars, blocks KLR’s counters, and sweeps the legs! Tegan manages to rally with big elbows and forearms!

Fans cheer as Tegan goes to a corner. Tegan manages to run in for a big uppercut! KLR is dazed, Tegan kicks her down! Tegan climbs up top now, but slowly. KLR stands, Tegan leaps, cannonball senton! Cover, TWO! KLR survives Tegan’s take on the Molly-Go-Round! Tegan is furious but fans are rallying up behind her. Tegan is up, takes aim, and runs, but her Shiniest Wizard misses! SUPERKICK from KLR! KLR underhooks and picks Tegan up, but Tegan sunset flips! Cover, TWO!! KLR is relieved but she gets a SUPERKICK from Tegan! Tegan covers, TWO!! KLR survives and Tegan is losing her cool. Tegan gets her bad leg moving while KLR rolls to a corner. Tegan gets up and goes at KLR with a corner to corner whip. KLR reverses, and uses the corner for the tornado DDT! Cover, TWO, but into a GUILLOTINE! Tegan is caught, gasping, flailing, but rolling!

The two roll together towards ropes, but KLR rolls Tegan away! KLR squeezes tight and thrashes and clubs but Tegan endures. Tegan powers up, even with a bad leg, and SPINEBUSTERS KLR! KLR springs up to get it back on!! Tegan is caught again, flails and reaches, and gets a ropebreak with a foot! KLR clubs away but lets go at 4 in frustration. Fans are fired up for Tegan as KLR drags her up. KLR throws slapping palm strikes at the ropes, then whips Tegan across the way. Tegan reverses and CHOKE SLAMS outta nowhere! Cover, TWO!! Tegan is beside herself, but she won’t stop. Tegan hobbles over and up to the top, but KLR trips her up! KLR goes after the leg again! The ref cuonts but KLR lets up at 4. KLR boots Tegan off the top and Tegan hits the mat. KLR tags the time to brag and pose before dragging Tegan up. KLR underhooks, brings Tegan up, but Tegan slips out to hit a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!? KLR survives a Welsh Destroyer, but fans are fired up for Tegan even more!

Tegan aims, KLR sits up, Shiniest Wizard!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Positioning is all that saves KLR! Tegan stomps away in anger, then clubs away all the same. KLR shelters herself under the bottom rope, but Tegan joins her on the apron. Tegan runs in, but KLR dodges and the knee hits post! KLR clobbers Tegan in the ring, then drags her up. Underhooks, Gory lift, Gory Bomb! Cover, KLR wins!

Winner: Kay Lee Ray, by pinfall

The champion survives her return to the ring, but a win is still a win. Will Tegan be able to recover to get another chance? Or is KLR on to bigger and better opponents as NXT UK enters the Fall?

My Thoughts:

NXT UK is still hanging out in Cardiff, and it was still a lot of fun. And this time, we got some development for stories! Niven VS Dawn was a good opener and Niven wins to stay strong. Then Jazzy and Jinny go after her backstage, after already starting beef with Rhea Ripley. Will we get the reluctant but successful team-up of the dominant Rhea and Piper? I sure hope so, it will help Rhea’s Face turn between both US and UK brands. Plus, imagine that team up for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Division. There’s development for Imperium and new enemies now that they’ve all but disposed of British Strong Style. Wolfe talking some smack yet also some props to Ilja is interesting. Huxley had a great showing against Wolfe, and fans mostly love Huxley for being “Tarzan Jesus.” But imagine if Huxley could find that thing that sparks him, he’d be a lot of fun in the upper card. Ilja and Huxley could create a new rag tag group to counter Imperium with a few other unaffiliated superstar. Maybe continuity between the branches and have them team with Kushida?

No offense to Mike Bird, but I knew right away that his match with Jack Starz was going to be set-up for something else. Gallus wants the NXT UK Tag Team titles, and that means going after Team Wales. I bet we’ll get a Six Man of Gallus VS Andrews, Webster and Bird on the road to the actual tag title match. GYV look to start a new program with Ashton Smith, and that might make a new team for NXT UK to give more depth to their tag division. Then the KLR VS Tegan Nox, that was a really good match. It was almost a title match in itself, and they did a great job of teasing Tegan pulling it off. In the end, KLR wins so that she doesn’t immediately look weak. Perhaps Tegan will fight her way back up the ranks in time for the next UK TakeOver. As for KLR, she might coast for the same stretch, since I don’t see anyone else outright ready to face her for that title. Unless there’s a huge plan for Toni Storm’s sudden return, as they make a point of Toni not even showing up at the Performance Center or any arena since her loss.

My Score: 8.3/10