Will the Thunderstorm rain on NXT UK’s day?

Finally, after all the mouthing off and acting tough, Sam Gradwell looks to back up all that talk against Trent Seven in an NXT UK Founding Father showdown!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Nathan Frazer VS Sha Samuels w/ Noam Dar; Frazer wins.
• Ashton Smith VS Teoman; Teoman wins.
• Kenny Williams VS Andy Wild; Williams wins.
• Trent Seven VS Sam Gradwell; Seven wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nathan Frazer VS Sha Samuels w/ Noam Dar!

After Sha helped Dar screw over the British prodigy, Frazer wants to show the East End Butcher personally that not only does Frazer belong on NXT UK, he is a true British wrestler! But will the Scottish Supernova just return the favor in this standard singles showdown?

The bell rings and Sha circles with Frazer. Frazer dodges Sha’s rush and CHOPS him! Sha says that stung. He rushes Frazer again but gets another CHOP! Sha corners Frazer, but Frazer gets around to CHOP again! Sha grabs Frazer by the ears and puts him in the corner for haymakers! The ref counts, Sha whips Frazer corner to corner but Frazer goes up and over and handsprings away! Dar says big deal, but Sha runs into a BUCKLE SHOT! Frazer hops up to missile dropkick Sha down, and then kip up! Frazer goes to another corner, Dar barks at him, and Sha ROCKS Frazer! Dar’s already doing the dirty work, and Sha TOSSES Frazer off the top! Cover, TWO!

Sha takes off the suspender straps, drags Frazer up by his hair and drives elbows into his shoulders! The ref reprimands about the hair pulling, but Sha stands on Frazer, then KICKS him in the back! Cover, TWO! Sha keeps clamped onto Frazer with a chinlock and he grinds Frazer down. Frazer fights up, Sha throws body shots then throws Frazer down by his hair! The ref reprimands again but Sha drops elbows on Frazer over and over! Cover, TWO! Sha sits Frazer up to KICK him in the back again, then drags him up and around. Frazer breaks free to knee low, CHOP hard and whip to ropes. Sha reverses, Frazer dodges but Sha CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Cover, TWO!

Sha grows frustrated but Dar says to use the “Butcher slam.” Sha scoops Frazer and SLAMS Frazer, and then he covers, TWO! Sha keeps on Frazer with a fish hook! The ref reprimands, Sha lets off and chuckles while Dar taunts Frazer. Sha drags Frazer up but Frazer throws off body shots and forearms! Frazer runs, but into Sha’s body block! Cover, TWO! Sha sits Frazer up , wraps on a chinlock, but also gets the hooks in! The ref reprimands, Sha rains down fists, then paces around as Frazer crawls. Sha taunts “the mug,” then chokes Frazer on the ropes! The ref counts, Sha lets off and kicks Frazer, then gets him up for a KNEE!

Frazer slowly gets up, throws body shots, but Sha CLUBS him! Frazer still hits back, Sha CLUBS him more, and then CLUBS Frazer down! Sha RAMS Frazer’s head into buckles, then he stalks Frazer to a corner. Sha gets Frazer up for a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Dar says it’s time for the hook. Sha gets Frazer up, says Frazer’s a one trick pony, but Frazer throws hands! Frazer DECKS Sha, lets him get back up so he can throw more hands and DECK him again! Sha reverses the whip but Frazer hits FLYING FOREARMS! Frazer runs to CHOP Sha in a corner! Frazer unloads Machine Gun CHOPS! Frazer reels Sha into a SIDESLAM!

Dar talks trash to Frazer but Frazer goes to the apron. Sha runs in but into a haymaker! Sha distracts the ref with talk of a bad eye, and Dar yanks Frazer off the apron! Frazer DECKS Dar first! Frazer tells Dar to stay there, but then Dar chases Frazer into the ring! The ref EJECTS Dar! But Sha rolls Frazer up and has tights! TWO!! Frazer CLOBBERS Sha out of the ring! And then FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! BT Sports Studio fires up with Frazer as he gets Sha back up and into the ring. Frazer aims from the apron, springboards in, but Sha catches the crossbody! Sha hits a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives and frustrates Sha!

Sha gets Frazer up, wants the Butcher’s Hook, but Frazer drops, slides and rolls Sha up, TWO!! Frazer kicks but Sha blocks. Sha swings but Frazer dodges, QUEBRADA to ELBOW DROP DDT! Frazer goes right up top, and hits a FROG SPLASH! Cover, Frazer wins!

Winner: Nathan Frazer, by pinfall

The young legend just showed Sha that he does belong! But will Dar need more convincing in a fair and square fight?

NXT UK shares footage from after last week’s Gauntlet match.

Dani Luna didn’t win her chance at the NXT UK Women’s Championship, but neither did Jinny. Yet it was Jinny and Joseph Conners who found Dani backstage to mockingly applaud her efforts. But then Subculture’s Flash Morgan Webster stepped up to back Dani up, making Jinny ‘n’ Joseph back down.

NXT UK now hears from Jinny & Joseph Conners.

“Flash Morgan Webster. We’ve heard the stories about how and where you grew up, and what the Mod culture means to you. But when we look at you, Flash, all we see is a clueless, classless individual who likes to surround himself with other likeminded fools.” What is it he says? In Mod We Trust? Well trust Conners when he says that everyone in NXT UK will learn that you do not mess with him and Jinny. Subculture, aka the lower class, is about to meet the higher class. But remember that the higher class always wins. In that, Joseph & Jinny trust.

NXT UK Media catches up with Noam Dar backstage.

What’s his reaction to that match out there? “Is this any way to treat the star of the WWE Universe?” Dar is asking legitimately. Is it not three strikes and you’re out? As far as Dar knows, that was two strikes and he gets thrown out. Can anyone tell Dar the rules? But he’s cool, calm and collected. Dar knows Ilja Dragunov thinks he’s all fun and games, so Dar tells him back that he is going to make him pay for this. Thank you, bye-bye. Is the Supernova just lashing out over getting shown up? Will he be humbled in his match with #UNBESIEGBAR?

Ashton Smith VS Teoman!

The Prestige didn’t take kindly to “The Babo” implying he and tag partner, Oliver Carter, aren’t taking this seriously. But Teoman is dangerous, having injured Rohan Raja’s arm just because Rohan didn’t give in. Will Smith be able to WOOP Teoman in their first encounter? Or will the evil eye be looking right into Smith’s soul?

The bell rings, the two tie up right away, and Smith shoves Teoman away. Teoman comes back, they tie up again, and Smith gets under him to back drop! Teoman gets up to CHOP Smith, goes for a leg, but Smith THROWS Teoman away! Smith CLOBBERS Teoman in a corner, then is after him on the ropes. Smith throws big forearms, CLUBS Teoman on the back, and then throws EuroUppers. Smith reels Teoman in for a judo throw, then covers, TWO! Teoman bails out to the apron but Smith storms over. Teoman swings but Smith blocks and DECKS him! Teoman flounders up but he baits Smith into an apron skirt trap!

Teoman fires off fists and kicks, the ref counts, and Teoman lets off. Teoman puts Smith in the ring, wrenches an arm and YANKS it! Smith headlocks, Teoman powers out but Smith CLOBBERS him with forearms! Smith keeps going but Teoman kicks legs out! Teoman KICKS an arm, stomps away on it, then knuckle locks to STOMP the arm down! Smith gets up but Teoman throws shots at the ropes! Teoman stomps a mudhole, then goes out to pull Smith into the post and SLAM the arm against it! Smith scrambles away but Teoman goes around the world to dropkick the arm! Teoman wants the crossface but Smith powers up!

Smith reels Teoman into a scoop, and pops him to a SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Smith grits his teeth, drags Teoman up, and wraps on a head ‘n’ arm clutch! but Teoman fights with elbows but Smith holds on tight! Teoman gets the ropebreka, Smith lets off, and Teoman elbows Smith! Smith gets the clinch again but Teoman rolls back and pops free to STOMP the arms! Teoman CHOPS and CHOPS and runs to CLOBBER Smith! Cover, TWO!! Smith survives but his right arm is in bad shape. Smith gets to a corner, Teoman runs in but blocks a boot to a DRAGON SCREW! Smith hobbles up, Teoman is after the arm again, and wrenches, only for Smith to ROCK him!

Teoman wobbles but he rebounds, but Smith avoids the dropkick to the leg! Smith comes back around to rally with shoulder tackles! Smith whips Teoman to ropes and hits a JUMPING BOOT! Teoman is back up, Smith blocks his boot to throw him down! Smith gut wrench suplexes Teoman! Smith throws more uppercuts but the bad arm hurts. Smith whips Teoman into a corner, but Teoman switches to shove Smith into buckles. Smith switches back to send Teoman into buckles and then CLOBBERS him with a clothesline! Cover, TWO!! Smith grits his teeth, clutches his arm, and gets Teoman up to a fireman’s carry! Teoman elbows free, CLUBS the bad arm, then drags Smith down!

Teoman and Smith struggle, the CROSSFACE is on!! Smith endures, Teoman pulls him back, Smith taps! Teoman wins!

Winner: Teoman, by submission

Smith couldn’t risk his arm being snapped, and he had to give in! But Teoman isn’t satisfied! He STOMPS the bad arm, then puts the CROSSFACE back on! Oliver Carter is here and he runs Teoman off! Carter dares Teoman to do something, but Teoman leaves. Will Teoman make NXT UK admire, respect and fear him by any means necessary?

NXT UK Media catches up with Ilja Dragunov.

They want a quick word with him about next week’s match with Dar. Well it isn’t a problem. We saw Supernova Sessions. Dar invited Dragunov, talked about a lot of things and all of it true. Dragunov has been completely honest about his emotional situation ever since losing to Walter. About the nightmares and everything else. Dar told the truth about what he expects. But that’s not Dragunov’s truth. Dragunov has changed, and so if someone tries to trigger and manipulate him, he will bring what he told he’d bring to Dar: violence. That is his truth. Will we see the truth when Dar and Dargunov face off?

Jack Starz finishes a phone conversation with Amir Jordan.

He thanks them and says he’ll talk soon. NXT UK Media wants to ask him about the call but Pretty Deadly come by to say he’s looking a little down. They bet their NXT UK Tag Team Championships will cheer him up. Starz says he’s not in the mood for this. Oh not in the mood~? He misses his friend~? Aww~! Oh shut up!! Starz is sick of seeing these two talking around, dOiNg StUpId VoIcEs~, and all that stuff like it’s a joke. The joke is these two! Starz ain’t got a problem smashing both their faces in! Well he can’t, because Johnny Saint hands out those decisions. If Starz wants a shot at them, and their tag titles, he has to earn that. Yeah, earn it!

Is that all? Starz accepts that challenge. Well Pretty Deadly will talk to Saint, but Starz has to go find a friend first. Will Starz find a partner to take on Sam Stoker & Lewis Howley?

Kenny Williams VS Andy Wild!

The Chancer, the Scum of the Earth, burned the bridge between him and the Bhangra Badboy, and then BANISHED him from NXT UK in their No Disqualifications grudge match. Not only that, he’s shaved his beard and changed his gear! Will “the new” Kenny Williams start winning by himself and for himself?

The bell rings, Williams and Wild approach, tie up, and Williams gets around to a headlock. Wild powers up but Williams holds on to wrench an arm and chinbar Wild. Williams wrenches, elbow breakers, but Wild breaks free to DECK Williams! Williams gets up to shove Wild, but Wild TOSSES Williams! Wild dares Williams to come back, and Williams rushes in to get a leg. Wild CLUBS Williams away, then pops Williams up to the top rope! Wild throws hands but the ref counts the ropebreak. Williams rakes Wild’s eyes! Then CLUBS Wilds down and fires off! Williams uses a straddle attack, covers, TWO!

Williams keeps on Wild with claws into the shoulders! Wild grabs at Williams’ hands but ends up in a straitjacket! Williams stretches Wild back, digging a knee into him. Wild fights up, powers out, but Williams chop blocks a leg! Williams KICKS the leg, and again, and has Wild in a corner. Williams puts the leg on the ropes and KICKS it! Then Williams climbs up to STOMP away on Wild’s head and back from above! The ref counts and reprimands, Williams hops down to SHOTGUN the leg! Williams gets the leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Cover, TWO! Wild tries to get his bad leg going but Williams just stomps and drops a leg on it!

Williams has a standing toehold, slaps Wild around, but Wild kicks at him. Williams kicks the bad leg, drops a leg but misses! Wild gets up and ROCKS Williams with heavy right hands! Williams kicks the bad leg out! Williams whips but Wild blocks to whip Williams to the corner! Wild runs in but only gets buckles! Wild still BOOTS Williams away and clinches for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO!! Williams survives but Wild fires up! Wild gets the bad leg going, calls for his shot, and waistlocks but Williams elbows free! Williams mule kicks the leg out! Williams runs to CHOP BLOCK the knee, then hits the HEADLOCK DRIVER!! Cover, Williams wins!

Winner: Kenny Williams, by pinfall

The aggression of the “new” Williams, or perhaps the “real” Williams, won it for him today! Will the Scottish Judas be undeniable going forward?

BREAKING NEWS!

In two weeks, Meiko Satomura has her second chance at Kay Lee Ray! Will the Final Boss beat the “Forever Champion” in their epic rematch? Speaking of the NXT UK Women’s Championship match…

NXT UK hears from Kay Lee Ray and Meiko Satomura.

“I spent my entire teaching others that we should help each other, treat each other with respect. And I can say with confidence, that that got me nowhere.” The longest reigning female champion in WWE today has beaten everyone put in front of her, and she wanted the Best in the World. She got the best, beat her, but the mission isn’t over. Meiko vows to become NXT UK Women’s Champion. Everyone who saw their first knew it wasn’t the end. KLR was very proud of that match, but she didn’t become champion by holding hands and making friends. She lost her friends for this title, and it was worth it.

Meiko came out as the substitute in the Women’s Gauntlet, won that gauntlet as the third entry, and has another shot. She’s been here for over a quarter of a century, but she’s neve beaten KLR. Meiko vows that KLR’s reign as “forever champion” will be stopped. KLR can’t believe the audacity of Meiko. Meiko was trying to have a legitimate rematch, but KLR had to go and kick her. Any respect she had for KLR is now gone. KLR says Meiko can call herself the Final Boss, the Best in the World and whatever else she wants, but she is NOT the champion! No one will take this title from her! But Meiko tells KLR to be prepared, because it’s happening! What happens when these two have one more round?

Trent Seven VS Sam Gradwell!

The Man from Moustache Mountain and the Thunderstorm were both part of the inaugural WWE UK Championship tournament. Gradwell got injured and had a long road back, meaning he was not part of the early days of the NXT UK brand, and did not share in the adulation from the fans. But that does not make him any less a Founding Father! Will Gradwell prove he’s every bit as worthy as Seven? Or will none of that matter, and only the one who wants it most will win?

The bell rings, they tie up and go around, and Seven powers Gradwell to ropes. The ref counts, Seven lets off with a shove so Gradwell shoves back. They tie  up again., Gradwell wrenches an arm, clamps onto the shoulder and drags Seven down. Gradwell mounts the arm, uses his leg to hook Seven, and drags him around. Seven get sup, Gradwell headlocks, but Seven throws body shots., Seven powers out but Gradwell runs him over! Gradwell rains down hands, things speed up and Seven CROSSBODIES! Seven scoops and SLAMS Gradwell, then runs to drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Gradwell isn’t that easy to beat but Seven keeps his cool.

Seven waistlocks, Gradwell elbows free and wrenches the arm. Grawell fireman’s carries to a takeover, then hits a STO! Cover, TWO! Gradwell is furious and he stomps Seven around! Gradwell chokes Seven, lets off as the ref counts, and scowls as he talks trash. “Founding Father, eh?!” Gradwell stomps Seven, CLUBS him on the back, then wraps on a chinlock. Seven fights up, arm-drags free, and goes to chop, but Gradwell blocks! Seven kicks low, but Gradwell wrenches out of the facelock to ROCK Seven with a right! Gradwell ROCKS Seven again, and again, and again! Seven falls to his knees, but Gradwell gets him up for a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Seven checks his face but Gradwell looms over him. Gradwell SLAPS Seven, rains down rights, but lets off as the ref counts. Gradwell’s closed fists aren’t allowed, but he CLUBS Seven on the back! Gradwell grinds his fist into Seven’s head, then stomps him down more! Gradwell dares the Founding Father to show him what he’s got. Seven throws body shots, but Gradwell scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Gradwell clamps right back onto Seven with a chinlock! Gradwell bridges to add leverage. Seven endures, fights up, but Gradwell wrangles him back down. Seven looks to be fading, but he gets a second wind! Seven throws elbows, fights back up again, and throws body shots!

Gradwell choke grips Seven, or rather has the beard! Seven breaks free and CHOPS! Gradwell just grimaces, but he misses the clothesline, and Seven fakes him out to the DDT! Cover, TWO!! Gradwell survives but Seven is just fired up more! Seven CHOPS Gradewell in a corner, but Gradwell gets mad. He swings, into Seven’s HALF ‘N’ HALF! Seven scoops to an EMERALD FLOWSION! Cover, TWO!! Gradwell survives again but both men are down. Seven gets up to CLOBBER Gradwell out of the ring! And then DIVES! Direct hit into the barriers! Seven hobbles up, having a rough landing of his own. Seven gets Gradwell up and into the ring, but takes a moment to breathe.

Seven gets in, drags himself up in a corner, and grits his teeth as he stands back up. He climbs up, and CORKSCREWS, but FLOPS as Gradwell moves! Gradwell gets the banged up leg and has a HALF CRAB! Seven shouts, reaches for ropes, and Gradwell shouts at him to give up! Seven manages to turn, roll, and SLAPS away on Gradwell’s face! Seven turns things around into a HALF CRAB! Now Gradwell endures, claws and crawls for ropes, but Seven sits deep! Gradwell turns, avoids a cover and BOOTS Seven out of the ring! Gradwell hobbles up, and DECKS Seven off the apron! Seven falls hard, Gradwell goes to the apron and LEAPS for a FLYING FOREARM!

Both men are down on the outside and a ring count starts! Both men check their legs as they stir, and we’re already at 5 of 10! Gradwell kicks at Seven on the floor, gets him up and in the ring at 8! Gradwell climbs up a corner, Seven storms over. Gradwell grabs Seven but Seven CHOPS him first! Seven climbs to join Gradwell now, but Gradwell CLUBS him back! And again, and again! Gradwell wants to toss Seven but Seven holds the corner! Seven throws elbows, Gradwell knocks Seven to the mat! Seven BACK HANDS back! Seven climbs back up, CLUBS away on Gradwell and brings him up, for a SUPERPLEX!! Seven covers, TWO!! Gradwell survives again!

Both men slowly rise, and Gradwell crawls to ropes. He drags himself up, but Seven gets the waistock! Then wristlock! Ripcord but Gradwell holds ropes to hold it off! Seven swings, Gradwell wristlocks and ripcords for a DISCUS FOREARM!! Cover, TWO?!? Seven survives and infuriates Gradwell! Gradwell drags Seven up, Seven elbows free, and tries to lift! Gradwell fights the lift off with elbows of his own and hammers away on Seven’s head! Gradwell takes a moment to breath and Seven CHOPS him! Gradwell CLUBS Seven, fireman’s carries, and SAMOAN DRIVERS! Cover, TWO!! Seven escapes and no one can believe it!

Gradwell still talks trash and goes to a corner. FLYING SPLASH into boots! Wristlock, SEVEN STAR LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Gradwell survives Seven’s best?!? Seven thinks on what he must do, and says, “You want to be a Founding Father?” Gradwell says he was there, too! Seven CHOPS and CHOPS and eggs Gradwell on! Gradwell hits back, Seven CHOPS and torture racks! BIRMINGHAMMER!! Cover, Seven wins!!

Winner: Trent Seven, by pinfall

What a battle! The Artful Dodger shuts Gradwell up if only for now! Will Seven continue to prove NXT UK is his brand? Or will Gradwell find his way to getting the respect he wants?

My Thoughts:

A very good episode for four singles matches. Frazer VS Sha went about as expected, with Dar trying to help cheat Frazer but Frazer still winning. Frazer stays balanced out in this thing with Dar and Sha, and I’m sure we could get a rematch of Frazer and Dar down the line. Dar calling out Dragunov and Dragunov responding was good to hype up their match next week. With the bit from Jinny, Joseph, Luna and Flash, I figured we’d get another mixed tag feud and here we are. If it follows the formula with Starz ‘n’ Pipes, Subculture wins the tag match, but then we’ll get singles matches between the individuals.

Speaking of Starz, nice bit to show his reaction to Amir Jordan leaving. We didn’t get much of that so it’s good to get it now. Pretty Deadly picking a fight of course meant we’d get a tag match, and I wonder who Starz chooses. He and Levi Muir had that match against Huxley, that could make a good combo. Smith VS Teoman was very good, and I do like that they made a point of Teoman “injuring” Rohan Raja and how that could happen to Smith. Carter making the save was natural, and pretty sure his match with Teoman will go the same way. Not sure where this is going, as I don’t see Teoman getting a tag partner to face both Smith & Carter together.

Williams VS Wild was also very good, Wild got a good showing but it also helped Williams bring out his new style as a Heel. I feel like if he’s ditching the Back to the Future gear, he should change up his song to get rid of the futuristic opening and go harder on the rock. And maybe this form of Williams gets in on the Heritage Cup British Rounds Division, using his way of bending the rules to get early falls. We got a good vignette to hype up the KLR VS Meiko rematch, and I still feel this is when KLR loses to move on to NXT prime and have Meiko carry the title.

Seven VS Gradwell was a great match, both with Gradwell’s trash talk and the competitive back and forth. With Gradwell talking all the trash leading up to this, Seven winning was the natural move. I don’t think either will get to the UK Championship just yet, and I’d be pleasantly surprised if we got Bate VS Seven for the Heritage Cup, but I can’t be sure what else they have in store next.

My Score: 8.4/10