By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
NXT UK Television Series
Taped February 22-23 in Coventry, England at SkyDome Arena
Aired on March 6, 2019 on WWE Network
Footage aired from a past Jordan Devlin vs. Travis Banks match that resulted in a double count-out and a big post-match brawl. Devlin also delivered a promo from a beach, and additional footage of the show was shown… The NXT UK opening aired… The broadcast team was Vic Joseph and Nigel McGuinness…
Powell’s POV: I’m filling in for Haydn Gleed and Darren Gutteridge this week due to both having scheduling conflicts. I will also be filling in for them with an audio review of this show, which should be available for Dot Net Members on Thursday morning.
1. Ligero vs. Joseph Conners. Both men were shown delivering brief pre-taped promos discussing their previous match that resulted in a Ligero win. Conners performed a shoulder block from the middle rope for a two count. Conners taunted Ligero and told him that he’s better than him. Conners picked up more two counts. Conners worked a submission hold and asked Ligero what he had to say. Ligero yelled no.
Ligero came back with a series of strikes and a leg lariat. Ligero slid through the ropes and performed a stunner for a two count. Connors came back with a DDT for a two count. Conners performed a facebuster for another two count and then showed frustration over not getting the pin. Conners barked at Ligero, who caught him in an inside cradle for a two count. Ligero rolled Conners into a pin a short time later and got the three count.
Ligero defeated Joseph Conners.
After the match, Ligero offered a handshake. Conners approached him, but then walked past him and left the ring to some boos from the crowd…
Powell’s POV: I don’t keep close tabs on NXT UK aside from watching the live special and listening to Haydn and Darren’s audio reviews. With that in mind, I really don’t understand Ligero’s gimmick as a British luchador. I just kept waiting for Conners to rip the obnoxious horns off the mask. Anyway, it was a well worked opening match. It was competitive and Conners lost again, but I didn’t get the sense that this was the end of the feud.
The broadcast team hyped the main event…
Toni Storm was interviewed and asked how she felt about putting her feud with Rhea Ripley to bed. She said it’s now a question of what’s next for Toni Storm. After Storm walked away, Jinny was shown watching her… [C]
The Gallus trio of Mark Coffey, Joe Coffey, and Wolfgang delivered a backstage promo. Wolfgang said they will not be disrespected. Mark recalled saying “there’s them and us.” He said Flash Morgan Webster and Mark Andrews found out what it’s like to be “them”. Joe spoke about how Pete Dunne and Walter are on their menu…
Radzi Chinyanganya tried to ask Walter about Gallus, but he simply walked away without saying a word…
2. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel vs. Sam Stoker and Lewis Howley. Stoker and Howley came out wearing unbuttoned shirts with leather style pants. They stood on the ropes and put their hands in their pockets when they were introduced. Aichner and Barthel dominated. Barthel threw Howley from the ropes to Aichner, who impressively hoisted him up in suplex position. The previously booing fans chanted “one more time.” Aichner tagged in Barthel. Aichner held up Howley, and then Barthel performed a flying uppercut from the ropes for the win. Joseph said they will eventually have a showdown with the Grizzled Young Veterans…
Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel defeated Sam Stoker and Lewis Howley.
A teaser aired for Nina Samuels… [C]
Powell’s POV: An all out squash win for Aichner and Barthel. They are an impressive duo, but the finishing move felt a little underwhelming compared to a lot of their physical moves. I suspect Aichner will eventually have a breakout singles run.
A Kay Lee Ray teaser video aired. McGuinness said he can’t wait to see her in NXT UK next week…
3. Nina Samuels vs. Charlie Morgan. Morgan got a brief run of offense that started with a kick. She also performed a step-up enzuigiri. Morgan went for a springboard move. Samuels caught her, performed a neckbreaker onto her knee, and then pinned her…
Nina Samuels defeated Charlie Morgan.
Powell’s POV: A simple showcase win for Samuels, who didn’t get much of a reaction from the crowd.
Footage aired from a Pete Dunne “press conference” at the WWE UK Performance Center. A “reporter” asked if Dunne could coexist with Walter in a match against the Coffeys. Dunne said the next time the Coffeys step foot in the ring with him he will make sure it’s the last time… [C]
An NXT UK general manager Johnny Saint tweet was featured in a graphic. He announced Dunne and Walter vs. Joe Coffey and Mark Coffey as next week’s main event…
Jeff Jarrett was shown in the crowd. Jarrett shook some hands and waved to other fans…
4. Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin in a falls count anywhere match. Banks made his entrance first and then brawled on the entrance ramp when Devlin made his entrance. They brawled around the main floor and then into the second level of fans. Devlin walked through the first row of fans, and Banks followed. Banks ended up hanging from the side wall until Banks knocked him to the floor. Banks dove from that section onto Devlin on the floor, which drew holy shit chants. The wrestlers fought their way back to ringside and into the ring for the first time.
Banks sent Devlin to ringside and set up for a dive of some kind, but Devlin pulled a chair and held it up when Banks dove at him. Devlin went on the offensive and got some minor heat while Joseph spoke about Banks’s left shoulder injury. Banks slowed the pace by working a hold. Banks showed signs of life, but Devlin caught him with a uranage and a standing moonsault for a two count. Devlin set up for a Spanish Fly from the apron, but Banks held the ropes and Devlin’s knees slammed onto a chair at ringside.
Banks pulled a table out from underneath the ring and set it up on the floor. The wrestlers returned to the ring where Banks dropkicked Devlin into the referee. REF BUMP!!! Banks hit a series of strikes and a fisherman’s buster suplex and had a visual pinfall while the referee was down at ringside. Devlin came back with a headbutt. Devlin performed a top rope moonsault and made the cover. The referee returned and counted a good near fall.
Devlin and Banks fought on the top rope. Devlin performed a superplex, but Banks came right back with a falcon arrow for another good near fall. Both men exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring. Banks got the better of the exchange. Both men ran the ropes, and Banks caught Devlin with a knee from the corner. Devlin rolled to ringside, and Banks reached out and showed frustration over not being able to get the pin. Banks followed to the floor. Devlin took him down and went for a pin while using the ring for leverage, but Banks kicked out.
Devlin tried to clip the knee of Banks, who leapt onto the ring steps, which led to Devlin crashing into the steps. Banks placed Devlin’s leg on the second step and stomped his knee repeatedly. Banks performed a double stomp from the steps onto Devlin’s knee. Banks applied an ankle lock, which Devlin rolled out of, propelling Banks into the ringside barrier. Both men returned to the apron and fought. Devlin performed a Spanish Fly from the apron and through the table and got the pin…
Jordan Devlin defeated Travis Banks in a falls count anywhere match.
Jordan got back to his feet and gloated on the stage to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A good match that started as an intense brawl before working to the ring where it became more of a traditional match. I had a hard time buying into any of the late finish teases if only because of the lingering presence of the table on the floor. But it was a well worked match and I like that the heel went over to keep the feud alive. Overall, a solid show with a decent opener, a couple of showcase matches, and a quality main event. I will be by tomorrow morning with my audio review of this episode, and hopefully Haydn and Darren will return next week.
Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and Davey Boy Smith Jr. discussing what led to the Hart Foundation vs. Lucha Brothers match at MLW SuperFight getting physical, training at a young age, and much more.
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