Irish Ace, El Nino Anonimo, for 30 minutes! Who you got?

Jordan Devlin’s ego doubled after he thought he broke A-Kid’s leg. And A-Kid took advantage of that by drawing him into NXT UK’s first-ever Ironman match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Xia Brookside VS Blair Davenport; Davenport wins.
• Jack Starz & Dave Mastiff VS Danny Jones & Josh Morrell; Starz & Mastiff win.
• 30 Minute Ironman Match: Jordan Devlin VS A-Kid; A-Kid wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Shawn Michaels narrates, “The Ironman Match.”

“Few endeavors compare to the sheer will necessary to endure its punishment. But a decision only gets you so far. You must withstand your opponent until the very, last, second. Thirty minutes might as well be an eternity. But for those who are able to push through the pain, to endure the challenge, they will establish an ongoing legacy.” HBK himself won his first WWE Championship through such a match, and that moment lives to this day. That moment inspired A-Kid to inspire others. But when there are those like Jordan Devlin, who purposefully intend to injure someone, “that’s when it gets personal.” Devlin says this was AK’s choice, so he must’ve lost his mind.

HBK continues to say that tonight, NXT UK holds its first-ever Ironman Match. Thirty minutes of “a wrestler’s wrestler match,” and Devlin claims it was tailor made for him. This is a chance to establish legacy, but that means outlasting the other man, and making it to that final second intact. Devlin says AK has ended his own career, but AK vows he’ll be the one breaking Devlin. “Because it’s not over until the clock, hits, zero.” Who joins the pantheon of iron clad wills in wrestling history?

Xia Brookside VS Blair Davenport!

Though NXT UK Women’s Champion, Meiko Satomura, riled up the roster last week, the second generation superstar and beastly BD have been ready to fight each other from the start. Will Xia prove her last name is just a last name? Or will all of NXT UK learn to beware of Blair?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, end up in a deadlock, but Blair uses her height for leverage to get Xia into a corner. The ref counts, Blair lets off and keeps clear of Xia as she rushes out. They circle again, tie back up, and Xia gets a quick arm-drag! Blair fights up but Xia wrenches, YANKS and YANKS the arm, then grinds it down to the mat. Blair rolls, Xia wristlocks but Blair slips through. Blair has the wristlock and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Blair wrenches the arm again, YANKS on it in return, and stomps the arm down! Xia scrambles away, Blair gets her up and wrenches the arm over an dover, to YANK it again!

Xia fights up, gets the ropes, and flips through to knee low! Xia goes up to RANA, then roll Blair up! TWO, and Xia gets space to dropkick Blair down! And then runs in again, MONKEY FLIP! Xia fires up as she gets to a corner. Blair goes to another, Xia runs in but Blair blocks the flip this time to put Xia on the apron and ROCK her! Xia drops to her knees, Blair WRECKS her with a dropkick! Blair goes out to get Xia up, and THROW her into barriers! A ring count climbs, Blair gets Xia up and into the ring at 6 of 10. Blair storms after Xia but Xia hits low! Blair CLUBS Xia, clamps onto the arm and then a chinbar.

BT Sports Studio rallies as Xia endures. Xia fights up, fights back and gets free, but Blair CLUBS her! Xia hits back, then blocks a clubbing forearm to fire off forearms over and over! Xia dodges Blair, comes back and tilt-o-whirl headscissors Blair away! Blair staggers up into Xia’s rally of flying forearms! Blair ends up in a corner, Xia runs in, METEORA to the back! Xia keeps going, RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! BT Sports Studio is fired up as Xia grabs at Blair. Blair hits back but Xia CLUBS her now! Blair hits back with forearms, then whips Xia to a corner. Xia goes up, under, comes back but into a ROUNDHOUSE!

Blair goes up and up and LEAPS for a brutal missile dropkick! Xia is on the ropes, Blair V-TRIGGERS! Blair calls for it, she gets the hands, KAMIGOYE!! Cover, Blair wins!

Winner: Blair Davenport, by pinfall

Whether you agree with her or not, Blair did prove that she is better than Xia! Will she look to rename the building the BD Sports Studio? Wait, she isn’t done with Xia yet! She drags Xia up, suplex to MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Will there be no mercy from Blair Davenport?

NXT UK shares footage from after last week’s main event.

Moustache Mountain is backstage, and Tyler Bate still has energy enough to jump off the wall and swing his nun-chucks. NXT UK Media is there waiting to congratulate them on the win, but then Pretty Deadly walks in to continue their sarcastic applause. Lewis Howley sarcastically compliments them, too, saying that was an impressive match with Symbiosis, and that Pretty Deadly would love to embarrass the “fans’ best team.” Sam Stoker says, “Let’s kick down the cabin and introduce you boys to the Pretty Deadly Penthouse.” Bate says that does sound great, he’s kinda “spinning plates” here. Oh, right, Bate’s Heritage Cup Champion! Pretty Deadly forgot that.

But Seven says in his own sarcastic tone, “I think we can find the time for this.” Bate says alright, and so they’ll do it! Moustache Mountain VS “The Godwinns 2K20 edition.” (Because of those overalls Pretty Deadly are wearing…) Pretty Deadly says fine, but they do this on their time. Right, okay. See you in a minute. Oh and nice side plates. And so, it is happening! In two weeks, Stoker & Howley defend their titles against Seven & Bate! Will the best team in NXT UK finally reign over NXT UK?

Sid Scala responds to this encounter.

“Moustache Mountain VS Pretty Deadly for the NXT UK Tag Team Championships is impending. But Tyler Bate is a fighting Heritage Cup Champion, and he has asked for competition. So starting from next week, eight men will compete in a tournament to find our new #1 contender to the Heritage Cup Championship.” Mark Andrews VS Noam Dar, Kenny Williams VS Oliver Carter, Nathan Frazer VS Teoman, and Sam Gradwell VS Wolfgang is the opening round in this newest British Rules tournament! Who rises up above the others to take on the Big Strong Boy for the cup?

Isla Dawn walks alone in the woods.

She finds ruins of an old castle. Or perhaps, a temple. She uncovers a box and opens it up. There’s a watch inside, and it’s still ticking. It’s the same kind of watch Emilia McKenzie wears…? Isla reburies the box and smiles as she leaves. A not so subtle threat to #SuplexMillie, but just how will the Wicked Witch of Scotland bewitch her?

NXT UK Media catches up with Subculture.

While Mark Andrews was just announced for the Heritage Cup Contenders Tournament, they ask Andrews, Flash Morgan Webster and Dani Luna what’s next for the group. Well, hold on, FMW spots somebody walking by. FMW says hey to Wolfgang and Wolfgang says hey back. FMW says the friendly rivalry between the Gallus boys is absolute genius. Mark Coffey getting a title shot by going up to Tyler and giving him a smack? Brilliant. Oh yeah? Maybe Webster should try something like that- FMW SLAPS Wolfgang across the face!! And then runs for it! Wolfie isn’t necessarily mad, but he does want Flash to get back here! Will The Modfather end up being a warm-up for Wolfgang’s tournament opener?

Jack Starz & Dave Mastiff VS Danny Jones & Josh Morrell!

The gatekeeper of NXT UK and The Bomber are combining their forces to see just how much they can shake up the Tag Division! Will they more than establish themselves against “Dragonheart” Danny Jones and #TurboTerry in this tag debut?

The teams sort out, Starz and Jones start and they tie up right away. They go around, Starz wrenches and goes after the shoulder, then gest the wristlock. Jones rolls, spins, gets the wrench and wristlock in his favor, but Starz spins through to spinning drop toehold! Starz floats to a facelock but Jones fights up. Jones powers Starz to ropes then throws him, but Starz holds on! Starz cravats and wrenches the neck, but Jones spins through to get a headlock. Starz fights the hold, Jones grinds and hits a headlock takeover. Starz gets the headscissor but Jones kips free. Starz headlocks, grinds, but Jones throws body shots. Jones powers out but Starz rams shoulders!

Starz keeps going, rams Jones again, runs more, and runs Jones over! Things speed up, Starz fakes out Jones’ dropkick, Jones crashes down! Starz gets a SUPERMAN CLUTCH! Cover, TWO, but Starz is right on Jones’ arm! Jones endures, Starz gets him up and tags in Mastiff. Mastiff takes the handoff but Jones jawbreakers free! Tag to Morrell and he dropkicks! Mastiff stays up, Morrell goes to whip, but Mastiff blocks it! Mastiff shakes his head, whips Morrell to a corner, but Morrell goes up and over with a twist! Morrell throws forearms, facelocks, but Mastiff suplexes Morrell OUT of the ring! Starz hurries to get Morrell in and Mastiff bumps him off buckles!

Tag to Starz, he and Mastiff double whip and double back drop high and hard! Starz covers, TWO!! Turbo Terry’s proving his toughness, but Starz hoists him up. Morrell blocks being put on the top rope and spins it to a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Morrell kicks low, tags in Jones, and Jones fires off forearms. Starz gives EuroUppers, they brawl but Jones catches Starz’ uppercut to backslide hooks! Starz resists so Jones wrenches and ripcords to an ENZIGURI! Jones gets Starz up to throw him into buckles, then brings him corner to corner to throw him into more buckles. Jones runs and BOOTS Starz down, then fires up as Starz flounders.

Starz ends up in the corner, Jones runs in and KNEES Starz in the chest while making the tag to Morrell! Jones has Starz up, Morrell joins in to whip, and Morrell SHOTGUN dropkicks Starz! Cover, TWO!! Morrell puts on a half nelson chinbar but Mastiff coaches Starz. Starz fires off body shots, clubbing forearms, but Morrell scoops and SLAMS Starz down! Morrell puts Starz in a drop zone and goes to the corner. Morrel pushes himself up to the top rope, for STARSHIP PAIN!? But it FLOPS as Starz moves! Johnny Drip Drip won’t like seeing that. Starz fires off EuroUppers, Morrell wobbles into an EXPLODER suplex! Hot tag to Mastiff!

Mastiff rallies on Morrell, blocks a kick, and FLIPS Morrell around! Mastiff keeps moving and CLOBBERS Morrell! Mastiff gets Morrell back up and waistlocks, then Starz tags in. Mastiff rolls back for CHAOS THEORY! Starz runs in to get Morrell up, and this time he gets Morrell on the top rope. Starz puts Morrell in the Tree of Woe, runs corner to corner and FLYING HEADBUTTS!! Then he CLOBBERS Jones, tags in Mastiff, and Mastiff leaps INTO THE VOID!! Cover, Mastiff & Starz!

Winners: Jack Starz & Dave Mastiff, by pinfall

What a way to start their tag journey! Between Jack’s speed and agility, Mastiff’s size and strength, and both men’s fiery aggression, is challenging for the tag titles simply inevitable?

Amale is backstage in the make-up department.

The French Hope is getting ready for a photoshoot later today. But then Nina Samuels storms in and shouts, “You’re still here?” Nina can’t believe Amale is hogging the cameras, riding this wave of self-importance just from her one title shot. And, that title shot should’ve been Nina’s! Amale gets out of her chair to yell back in French, and surely she’s telling Nina, “You’re one to talk!” Referees rush in to keep this from getting further aggressive, and while they drag Amale away, Nina sits in Amale’s chair to get her make-up touched up. But just how ugly will things get if Nina and Amale meet in the ring?

NXT UK has decided the opening match of the Heritage Cup Contenders Tournament.

It’ll be Mark Andrews VS Noam Dar! The Scottish Supernova speaks first, “What does the Heritage Cup mean to me? Mine. It means, ‘It’s mine.'” Dar wants the cup and the British Rules match to become synonymous with Supernova 11, and it is “offensive” to him that Mark Andrews can just step up and win in Dar’s ring, in Dar’s match type. But Andrews says that he and Dar go way back. All through their teenage years, they’d crossed paths, butted heads, went back and forth in matches. But their first match in both WWE and on NXT UK, they both left on stretchers. But the truth is, it doesn’t matter how many times they’ve faced off, this time will be different.

Dar says Andrews has too many other things going on. Subculture, his band, skateboarding, bouncy castles, the list goes on and on. But after what Dar does to Andrews, maybe Andrews will focus on his “other endeavors.” Andrews says this tournament is just like back in the indies: fighting from the bottom. He vows to beat Dar, win the whole tournament, challenge Tyler Bate, and bring the Heritage Cup home to the Subculture. This first match of the tournament might already be the more competitive and compelling, but who comes out of it as the first of the final four?

Aoife Valkyrie speaks.

“Jinny. You had the chance to take me on one-on-one. But now, I’m gonna make sure it’s one-on-one. We’re gonna have your little canary, Joseph Conners, giving you early signs of danger before it has the chance to strike.” Jinny started this by saying Aoife wouldn’t survive. “But eventually, everyone feeds the birds.” Aoife reveals her plan: A SHARK CAGE!! Will the Spoiled Princess be helpless when her Righteous Knight is imprisoned?

Stevie Turner gets NXT UK Media’s attention.

She wants us all to see something, and she hurries over to where Aleah James and Emilia McKenzie are training with Meiko Satomura. Stevie pounds on the apron while calling Meiko, and so the NXT UK Women’s Champion looks over. Stevie says, “This is all so, so lovely, but… There’s nothing you can teach her or her that will help them beat me. In fact, I don’t reckon you can beat-” Meiko grabs the exact finger Stevie’s pointing and bends it! Stevie gets her finger free, but she still says Meiko should be the one afraid of her, because she’s “wired differently.” Meiko lunges at smug Stevie and Stevie gets away again. But this is the stepping-up that the champion wanted. Will not even the fourth dimension faze the Final Boss?

30 Minute Ironman Match: Jordan Devlin VS A-Kid!

The Irish Ace still had so much self-importance despite returning to NXT UK without the Cruiserweight Championship. The Spanish Sensation, on the other hand, was humbled by losing the NXT UK Heritage Cup. Such opposites clashed in the ring, Devlin went after A-Kid’s leg with violent disregard, and naturally everyone thought that was the end of it. But while Devlin may be the ace, AK was playing chess! The leg is fine, this match IS happening, and after a half hour, there can only be one winner! Will Devlin finally be the one humbled by losing? Or will A-Kid fail to make his second mark on NXT UK history?

The bell rings and the 30 minutes start ticking away as the two circle. BT Sports Studio rallies up as the two feel things out. AK gives testing kicks but Devlin stays away. They approach, knuckle lock, and AK rolls to go for a leg. Devlin blocks, goes for a leg, but AK trips him up to have a toehold. Devlin spins but AK cartwheels through and the two stand off. They circle again, Devlin giving a testing kick. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Devlin gets around to a waistlock and slam, but AK turns around to get the facelock. Devlin rolls again but AK holds on! AK gator rolls, Devlin wrenches out but AK kips up! AK wrings the arm but Devlin rolls through, and it’s another standoff!

BT Sports Studio cheers more as the two reset again. AK and Devlin approach, knuckle lock, but AK spins, only for Devlin to clinch. AK wrangles Devlin down, twists the arm, but Devlin fights up. Devlin rolls, AK uses a chinbar to block but Devlin fights through to wrench and wristlock. AK gets up, rolls, hooks a leg, but Devlin wrangles him now. Devlin has a knee on AK’s head but AK pushes free. AK wants a leg but Devlin keeps his feet back. AK rolls, bridges, rolls and breaks free to dropkick Devlin down! Devlin bails out and AK grins as only two and a half minutes have ticked by! Devlin paces, takes his time returning, and has AK stay back as he steps in.

Devlin and AK tie up, AK headlocks and hits a takeover. Devlin tries to headscissor but AK fights it off. Devlin gets the headscissor the second time but AK kips right out of it. Devlin is getting annoyed as he and AK go again. AK knuckle locks, both men use kicks. They tie up, AK wrangles Devlin with the arm, Devlin rolls but AK facelocks. Devlin slips through but AK gest his arm. Devlin scrambles to avoid the omoplata and gets the ropebreak! AK lets go, gives Devlin space, and Devlin takes his time getting back up. They circle, knuckle lock again, and go around in the test of strength. Devlin bends AK back, sweeps the legs to make it a cover, TWO as AK gets an arm up!

Devlin pushes that arm down, AK tries to use his head to keep it from touching the mat, but Devlin powers through. Cover, TWO as AK gets the other arm up. Devlin is annoyed again as he pushes that arm down, TWO as AK bridges! Devlin jumps up, AK is ready and blocks with boots. AK then leaps up, but Devlin lets him go up and over! Devlin reels AK into a GORY ESPECIAL! AK endures the stretch plum as Devlin bends him way back! Devlin leans over and turns it into a modified backslide! TWO as AK gets one shoulder up! Devlin forces it down, TWO, the other shoulder is up! Again the shoulders are down, TWO as AK again finds a way to bridge!

AK does an ab curl?! And he goes up and over to sunset flip! But Devlin rolls through to jackknife, only for AK to sit up and go for the ARM! Devlin flails and reaches, ROPEBREAK with a foot! AK lets Devlin go and Devlin bails out to vent his frustration. AK stays calm, though, even as Devlin again wants AK to stay back. Devlin takes his time returning again, keeping the left arm behind his back. Devlin and AK knuckle lock with one arm, both using those kicks again. Devlin wrenches the arm and pulls AK down. AK spins through, only to end up in a clinch, and Devlin knees AK hard and low! Devin ROCKS AK with a forearm! AK comes back, Devlin catches him with a facelock.

BT Sports Studio rallies as AK kicks and moves around, and he pops out to get the arm again. Devlin resists the Fujiwara, AK facelocks again, but Devlin spins out to wrench AK’s arm. Devlin has the hammerlock, cranks back on it, then pushes up with his feet to get leverage. AK rolls but Devlin makes it a cover, TWO as AK bridges again. So Devlin CLUBS AK in the chest! AK still goes for a leg, trips Devlin up, then floats to a headlock. Devlin headscissors and holds tight as AK tries to kip free. AK kicks Devlin from that position, moves around, turns Devlin over, and bridges out to then have the legs tied up. AK chinbars Devlin to complete the Bow ‘n’ Arrow!

But Devlin pops right out to a cover! TWO, Devlin headlocks for the takeover. AK pushes back but Devlin traps his arm. Devlin headlocks, AK pops out the back and gets the headlock in one motion! Devlin powers out, sending AK to a corner, but AK goes up and around to arm-drag and dropkick! Cover, TWO!! AK stays on Devlin with a facelock and we’ve passed 8 minutes. AK forces Devlin to a cover, ONE but the facelock returns. Devlin endures, fights up, and puts AK on ropes. The ref counts, Devlin lets off but SLAPS AK! Then clinches, wrenches, wristlocks, but AK headlocks back for another takeover. Cover, ONE, but AK holds onto the headlock.

Devlin powers out, AK jumps up to the ropes but Devlin CLUBS him! Devlin has AK’s recovered leg in the ropes! Devlin kicks away at it, then springboard STOMPS it! AK flops out of the ropes and Devlin drops elbows over and over! Devlin yanks the leg, and gets the CLOVERLEAF! AK taps and Devlin gets the first fall!!

Devlin: 1; A-Kid: 0

The ref has Devlin let go for a momentary rest between the two. We’re at the 10 minute mark, a third of the way to the end, and the ref asks if AK wants to continue. Of course AK does, and the match resumes. AK hobbles but he avoids Devlin going after the leg. They tie up but Devlin kicks the leg, CLUBS AK down, then grabs the leg, KNEE- NO! AK uses Devlin’s knee smash attempt to get back on his feet! AK ROCKS Devlin with forearms and CHOPS, then reels him. But Devlin scoops AK before he can suplex, and SLAMS him down! Cover, TWO! Devlin wants a better count but the ref says that was fair. AK quickly hobbles away to the far corner.

Devlin stalks AK to CHOP BLOCK the bad leg! AK staggers around, Devlin KICKS the leg out and AK flips through the air!! Devlin gets the leg again, and hits the KNEE SMASH after all! AK clutches the leg, hobbles to a corner, but he senses Devlin rushing up behind him! AK goes up, ARABIAN PRESS just to get behind Devlin for a SLEEPER!! Devlin flails and reaches, and gets a ROPEBREAK! AK lets go in frustration and Devlin slips out of the ring. Devlin drags AK to the apron and SLAMS the leg on the edge again and again! Then he drags AK to a corner to SLAM the leg into the post! Devlin ties up the legs for a DRAPING FIGURE FOUR!!

The ref counts and AK shouts in pain as Devlin holds on! Devlin lets go at 4.5 and narrowly avoids giving AK a fall by disqualification! The ref reprimands him but Devlin pats himself on the back. A ring count starts on Devlin but he takes his time returning. Devlin avoids AK’s desperate swipes and gets him up, wrench and leg lift, SHIN BREAKER! Devlin gets the leg again and turns AK. AK resists the Crab, kicks with the good leg, but Devlin gets that leg, too! BOSTON CRAB! But AK reaches out to ROPEBREAK! Devlin lets go fast, not wanting to waste energy. AK snarls but Devlin DECKS him! “Is that all you got?” AK gets up to CHOP! That got Devlin good!

Devlin gets AK up to KICK him in the chest! Devlin eggs AK on, AK throws a forearm, but Devlin gives it back! AK gets around to SNAP GERMAN! AK holds onto the waistlock, Devlin switches, GERMAN SUPLEX from Devlin! Devlin holds on now, but AK switches back! ANOTHER GERMAN! BT Sports Studio is fired up as AK gets Devlin back up. Devlin switches but AK switches right back, GERMAN SUPLEX! AK holds on, and we’re at 15 minutes! AK gets Devlin up, Devlin uses ropes to buck him off, but AK handsprings back up. More instinct than anything as the bad leg hurts AK for that. AK still gets up and under Devlin but Devlin holds ropes to resist.

The ref calls for the break, AK still tries to suplex, but Devlin suplexes and they tumble out of the ring!! A rough landing for both men and the ref hurries to check them. They’re both somehow okay, so the ref goes back into the ring to start a count. AK and Devlin stir at 3 of 10, and somehow AK gets up at 5. AK is in at 7, Devlin gets up at 8, and Devlin leaps into the ring at 9.5! But AK is there to catch him in an omoplata! Devlin resists to keep AK from getting the other arm, and gets another ropebreak! AK again lets go in frustration, but he watches like a hawk as Devlin staggers away. BT Sports Studio rallies, AK runs in but Devlin BOOTS him!

Devlin goes to the apron, slingshots back in, but AK blocks the cutter to a SLEEPER!! AK is on top and wraps it on tight! Devlin is turning red as AK has wild eyes! AK lets go to run and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! AK is frustrated again, but he drags Devlin back up with a facelock. Devlin gets free to ROCK AK with a forearm! Devlin gets AK up to DECK him again! AK sits up and gets to his feet, Devlin fires off body shots, but AK uses the ropes for a SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO!? But into the FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Devlin refuses to quit but AK shifts to hammerlock the arm. AK then uses that to FLIP Devlin into the CROSS ARMBREAKER! Devlin taps, we’re tied!!

Devlin: 1; A-Kid: 1

We’re back to square one with just over 11 minutes left! Devlin clutches his arm and AK waits on him. Devlin sits up and AK is after him, but Devlin bails out. BT Sports Studio boos as Devlin plays cat ‘n’ mouse with AK. Devlin goes around the ring, into the ring, then back out of the ring, all to avoid AK. AK doesn’t let him stop, though, but he is getting frustrated again. Did Devlin pops his elbow back in?! The Irish Ace finally gets back in and he grits his teeth, letting pain turn to anger. He and AK tie up, end up on ropes, and the ref counts the break. AK lets off, blocks the cheap shot to then TOSS Devlin up and out! Devlin hurries back up, but AK DECKS him!

Devlin staggers, gets back in, but AK baits him into dumping him out the other side! Devlin gets up again, GAMANGIRI from AK! Devlin is getting mad now, and he rushes back in, only for AK to CHOP him, ROCK him, and whip him to a corner HARD! Devlin goes up and over the corner, out of the ring and to the floor! Devlin is furious and he gets a chair! Only to turn around into a SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the ref checks on Devlin after that shot. AK drags Devlin up and in as the clock is down to 9 minutes. AK climbs up, Devlin stands, and AK CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! AK can’t believe it, but he won’t let this stop him!

Devlin staggers up, AK runs from a corner, but Devlin blocks the dynamic dropkick! Devlin wants the Cloverleaf but AK SLAPS him! And ROCKS him! And gets his legs free, only for Devlin to DEAD LIFT him, for a POWER- RANA!?! AK spikes Devlin and has a cover, TWO!!! PENALTY KICK!! Cover, TWO!?!? Devlin survives so much but both are still so far from a win! BT Sports Studio is chanting “UK! *clap clap* UK!” for this historic and epic match! AK drags himself over to Devlin, grabs an arm, but Devlin immediately gets a ropebreak! AK is getting frustrated again, so he kicks Devlin at the ropes. Then KICKS Devlin out of the ring!

Devlin flounders up, AK lets him get back in, and Devlin sits up into a BIG forearm! Devlin shakes his head, gets up and ROCKS AK right back! AK ROCKS Devlin, cravats, but Devlin powers out to swing haymakers. AK stays just out of reach, then SUPERMAN PUNCHES Devlin again! Devlin staggers back, rebounds off ropes, and gives one last push to HEADBUTT AK as he falls!! Cover, TWO!?!? AK survives and BT Sports Studio is loving this! AK pushes past Devlin to get himself to ropes. Devlin crawls to those same ropes, and AK sits Devlin up to CHOP him! Devlin forearms, AK hits back, and the two stand. Devlin DOUBLE KNEES AK, but AK KICKS Devlin again!

Devlin flops to the apron, AK goes out after him. Devlin is grabbing at the rope, but AK pulls on Devlin’s arm while digging his boot in Devlin’s face! AK lets go as the ref reprimands, and he drags Devlin up on the apron. AK has Devlin up but Devlin hits low. JAB, and AK wobbles! Devlin lines up the shot, gets AK’s wrist, RIPCOR- NO! AK stopped the ripcord to KANGAROO BOOT! We’re under 5 minutes left as Devlin slumps down. Devlin uses apron skirt to keep himself up, and it “inadvertently?” trips AK up! Devlin gets the arm, ripcord to DEVLINSIDE to the floor!! Both men are down as the ref checks on them, are they both conscious?

Somehow, someway, Devlin and AK are okay to keep going, so the ref goes back to the ring to start a count. We’re at 5 of 10 as Devlin starts to get up. Devlin drags himself up at 7, is in at 8, and AK finally stands at 9! And gets in at 9.9!! But Devlin PUNTS AK down! Devlin is fuming as he stands over AK. Devlin gets the arm again and wants it again! Ripcord, DESTROYER?!!? AK turns Devlinside into devastation for Devlin! AK goes to a corner, powers up and aims as Devlin rises, DYNAMIC DROPKICK!! But the bad leg! AK has to crawl to the cover… TWO!?!?!? But AK doesn’t even hesitate, he goes right to the ARMBAR!!!

Devlin clasps, fights, they roll around, Devlin wants a cover, but AK shifts right through to turn Devlin back over! Devlin almost lost his grip but he gets it back! Devlin fights to get the cover again but AK shifts to an omoplata! AK has the other arm and pulls at it! We’re at the two minute warning! AK BENDS the arm back, and headbutts away on it! But AK’s own bad leg can’t keep the leverage! Devlin starts moving around again, but AK keeps Devlin from getting a ropebreak! AK fights through the pain to put the leg AROUND Devlin’s arm! DEVLIN VERBALLY SUBMITS!!

A-Kid: 2; Devlin: 1

But Devlin jackknifes outta nowhere, TWO!! Devlin ROCKS AK, AK hits back, they fire off forearms! Last minute as Devlin ROCKS AK again! Devlin flounders to the cover, TWO! Devlin hurries, rolls AK up, ONE, OMOPLATA! AK is ready to repeat what we just saw, but Devlin scrambles out, jackknife, but AK rolls through to punch away! They get up, Devlin DECKS AK again, but AK BOOTS from below! Devlin is desperate as we have 30 seconds! Devlin CLOBBERS AK, covers, TWO!! AK snarls and shakes his head. Devlin SLAPS AK down, but we’re under 10! The fists keep flying, Devlin CLOBBERS AK, but TIME IS UP!!! A-KID WINS!!

Winner: A-Kid, 2 to 1 Falls

AK may have been “saved by the bell,” but he also came back with two straight falls after Devlin got the early lead! That fire, that heart, that resilience, THAT is how you make history! Will the Spanish Sensation move on from the Irish Ace? Or will Devlin have something up his sleeve to get another match with A-Kid?

My Thoughts:

It’s obvious, isn’t it? This episode was AMAZING. And they did a great job of putting a lot of other really fun, really good things on an episode that was going to have an awesome main event by default. Like, honestly, what bad things are there to even say about that Ironman match? Only those strongly against the WWE could ever complain about this. It had great pacing, from starting with exceptional technical exchanges, then moved to aggressive strikes, and it was just a scrum at the end! Keeping it to three falls total was also an awesome move, because then each moment mattered, as it should. The vignette at the start of the show was great, too, even if a single still of Seth Rollins VS Dolph Ziggler, the utter fiasco of an Ironman match, was included.

A-Kid winning was also the perfect choice given the story, and now A-Kid is invigorated to do almost anything right now. The irony is that there is a tournament to find a Heritage Cup Contender so AK can’t go back for that yet. But perhaps that means AK is standing ready for when the NXT UK Champion returns, regardless if it’s Walter or Dragunov. To that point, I feel like this is the time for someone to take the title off Walter, ushering in a new era for NXT UK. Then Dragunov VS A-Kid, a match between two guys who would have all this momentum, it’s making my heartrate go up just thinking about it. Or the adrenaline of tonight’s main event is still pumping…

But to calm down just a tiny bit, we also got a great match from Xia VS Blair, and it makes sense that Blair wins since she just got here. I do hope NXT UK figures out signature and finisher names, because even though those were the V-Trigger and Kamigoye, even I know it can’t keep being those things in these articles. Also, what is commentary supposed to shout when she hits them? Stevie Turner had a hilarious segment trying to call out Meiko only to get it all turned around on her. Surely Stevie will continue to poke at the champ, get her title opportunity, and then lose. The confrontation between Amale and Nina was great, because this is exactly the feud for them both. They’re both self-absorbed, so it’s like mirror images fighting each other.

Isla Dawn’s vignette wasn’t creepy but it was ominous, and it seems she isn’t done with Millie McKenzie. They can have another great match, and I feel like Isla wins to get her title match with Meiko. And as I said before, with Millie being the one to leave the locker room when Meiko got everyone riled up, a teacher VS student match is happening, it’s just good story. And it’s even better story if they save that for much later down the line, such as Meiko clearing out the Heels. Aoife calling Jinny out and then calling for a “Conners in a Shark Cage” match was a great surprise, and is a great idea because clearly, NXT and NXT UK book even overdone match types in fresh, innovative ways.

Speaking of, NXT UK doesn’t do traditional “squash” matches for debuts, because I think they realize they don’t actually do all that much for the debuting superstar(s). That’s why Starz & Mastiff VS Jones & Morrell was such a great match for Starz & Mastiff to start their tag career. Naturally, Starz & Mastiff still win, but Jones & Morrell still got another impressive showing. The Heritage Cup Contenders Tournament has a great field, Dar and Andrews both had strong parts of the vignette to hype their match, and of course they reference their first NXT UK match, that was a memorably scary moment. And in a slightly related moment, I truly laughed out loud when FMW slapped Wolfgang! Wolfgang’s reaction to it was perfectly done, too, and their match is going to be great stuff.

Then, while learning that we are getting Pretty Deadly VS Moustache Mountain for the NXT UK Tag Team Championships, the way we got to it was a bit off when you include how last week ended. Pretty Deadly went out to mock Moustache Mountain, we fade out, and we’re supposed to believe that right after, they all went backstage and just started fresh with all that. It just seems clunky to me, but I did laugh when Tyler Bate came jumping in like that. He is having a whole lot of fun right now, and I think teaming up with his best friend and mentor again is helping that.

Now, no offense to Pretty Deadly, because those boys have been rolling, but I am leaning towards Moustache Mountain winning. They’ll be the first team to have held both NXT and NXT UK Tag titles in their careers, and Tyler Bate will become an NXT UK Triple Crown Winner and (I would think) the third NXT Grand Slam Champion behind Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano. And we can continue to say that if it can’t happen in front of fans, it won’t happen, but again we can lean on tonight’s Ironman match. It was an absolute Match of the Year contender and it happened in BT Sports Studio. Moustache Mountain making their own history should still happen, because we can all still see it online.

My Score: 8.7/10