The first sight of the evening is an extended video package featuring vintage clips from the World of Sport wrestling promotion, to more recent footage from other companies, and gradually leading into various scenes from both WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournaments. A description throughout the history of old school British wrestling all the way up to current day is also given by the legend himself, NXTUK General Manager Johnny Saint. As it reaches the WWE portion, multiple standout moments from the 2017 tournament are shown. The likes of Jordan Devlin's brutality, ending his first match with NXT's Danny Burch doused in blood; Mark Andrews with his unmatched speed and high-risk maneuvers throughout the tournament; and lastly, 2/3 of British Strong Style in Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate battling it out to be crowned the inaugural champion. Following the historical event, some of the competitors would stick around to compete within the WWE. Whether it was in the Cruiserweight division on 205 Live, NXT television, or Takeover events, they left fans begging for more. Over a year later, the WWE would answer that call by once again returning to the UK for another championship tournament. Like the first, even more of the region's best talent was introduced to the enormous WWE Universe in another impressive showing. This time by catering to nearly every kind of wrestling fan with brutes, high-flyers, technical masterminds, and even a women's division. 2018 tournament winner Zack Gibson was certainly shown to be one of the toughest by forcing all of his opposition to give up via submission and winning a chance to face current United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne for the title. Following the tournament, NXT would then be brought into the picture the next night by defending, and even losing some of the gold to the newly announced NXTUK talent. Though Toni Storm and Wolfgang would fall short in their respective title bouts, Moustache Mountain would dethrone The Undisputed Era to win the NXT Tag Team Championship for the first time. After an exhausting, yet entertaining night, the main event saw Gibson give his all in an attempt to win the United Kingdom Championship from the "Bruiserweight". After a long, drawn out battle, he would ultimately just fall short and lose the match. Dunne stands victorious in the ring alongside the rest of British Strong Style as the footage ends.
The cameras cut to inside the Corn Exchange in Cambridge, where a sold out crowd is on their feet, echoing "NXT!" chants throughout the building. As we go ringside to the commentary team of Nigel McGuinness and Mauro Ranallo, they welcome us to the show and remind us that this is certainly something you do not want to miss as a wrestling fanatic. There's a ton of action ahead, and they can't wait to see the new brand show exactly what they're all about. In the main event we will see the reigning UK Champion in the "Bruiserweight" Pete Dunne defend his title against a new contender that he's yet to face off with in the WWE. That man being the "Scottish Supernova" Noam Dar, who bested three other men in a Fatal Four Way for this opportunity. But before we can get to that, there's also women's action still to come, and a Triple Threat to match to kick off the show, which starts right now! TRIPLE THREAT MATCH | Jordan Devlin def. Mark Andrews & Kenny Williams The opening bout was off to an enticing start with Andrews and Williams pulling off some quick acrobatics which seemed to throw Devlin a little off his game. He took some time to reassess the situation from the outside, while the other two were left to go at it in the ring. Kenny took advantage for a bit until hitting the ropes with an attempt at a Running Springboard Back Elbow. Devlin, ever the opportunist, yanked the rope down and sent his foe to the floor mat. He slides back in the ring and initiates some chain wrestling with Andrews. Mark drives Jordan to the canvas and plants him with an Imploding 450 Splash! Williams finds his way back into the fight, working with Andrews to eliminate the third man from the equation. They both simultaneously climb up to adjacent posts for what looked to be their signature maneuvers, but both are crotched when Devlin hops up just in time to hit the ropes. He leaps up to both men, cracking them with Enziguris to the head, and sending Andrews to the apron. Devlin goes high risk as well with for a devastating Frankensteiner to Williams, but it's reversed as Kenny somehow manages to land on his feet. Jordan goes for the kill once again, but Kenny ducks a Clothesline, pops up to the second rope and checks him with a Flying Clothesline of his own! Williams goes for the victory, but Devlin gets his shoulder up at two and three quarters. Kenny can't seem to believe it, and changes his sights to Andrews who's just recovering. The crowd cheers Mark back into the fight, giving him the momentum. He retaliates with a flurry of shots and a sudden Yellow Spot STO from out of nowhere. Andrews with the lateral press anticipates the three count until Jordan Devlin surprises him with a handful of tights, and a toss out under the bottom rope! He covers the still motionless Williams in the center of the ring ring to steal the victory!
Back to ringside, the team praises all three men for what we just witnessed. Regardless of the outcome, Jordan Devlin just picked up a huge win and garnered himself a great lot of momentum going forward. They segue to an introductory video to give some insight on Noam Dar. The package follows from even back to before to his debut in the WWE as the youngest competitor in the Cruiserweight Classic, to RAW and 205 Live, his injury, and subsequent return at the last show broadcast from the UK. He looks to leave all his setbacks in the past, and marks his Fatal Four Way win as a new beginning for himself. He's back and better than ever before. Now it's finally his time to show what he's truly capable of, with his first task being to take that coveted championship home with him. SINGLES MATCH | Killer Kelly def. Charlie Morgan In a bout much different than the last, Killer Kelly gives no time for Morgan to get any sort of offense in, quickly taking her to the mat with some ground and pound. The ref finally has to pull Kelly off at a four count to avoid any disqualification. As the two reset from the corners, Charlie attempts to fight back but seems to have already had a lot taken out of her. Killer Kelly soon doubles Morgan over against the turnbuckles, leading to the referee to once again separate the two to see if Charlie can continue. Killer Kelly points to her prey, releases a haunting scream, and smashes Morgan in the face with a Hesitation Dropkick! Though nearly ragdolled, Kelly lifts her back up and ruthlessly locks in a Rolling Guillotine DDT Chokehold that forces Morgan to tap. Ringside EMT's rush the ring to check on her, while Kelly fiercely paces the ring with seemingly no regrets and celebrates her win.
McGuinness assures that Killer Kelly is clearly not one to mess with, and Charlie Morgan could be seriously hurt. Kelly's previous loss may as well be erased from the books, in his opinion. Ranallo echoes that Killer Kelly is putting the entire division on watch, and living up to her name. Up next, the inform us that already set for the next show, we will see another rematch from weeks prior. The tournament finalists Zack Gibson and Travis Banks will go head to head once again in the main event.
Moustache Mountain head to the ring for the loudest pop of the night. They wave and shake hands with some fans, thanking them for all their support. Upon entering the ring with microphones in hand, Bate and Seven proceed to tell the fans how grateful they are for them, their success so far, and what's still to come in their future. Though they lost the tag titles in their final battle with Undisputed Era, they look to become the first NXTUK Tag Team Champions when that chance comes. They take a moment to pause as the crowd chants for both men. Seven raises the mic to speak once again, but is cut off when the lights go out and a siren blares, when former RAW Tag Team Champions Sheamus and Cesaro head out to the stage. Sheamus claims the role as the premiere Superstar to come from the United Kingdom, and no one on this roster or any other even comes close. That is, other than his tag team partner Cesaro, who is the most elite professional wrestler worldwide. Sheamus goes down the list of both of their achievements and championship accolades, which is more than enough proof that they are better than the best. By not only setting the bar, but being The Bar! Bate challenges them to put their money where their mouths are, waving for them to come down to the ring. The Bar take a moment to decide, and slowly begin to step to them. As they approach the lower part of the ramp, the crowd begins to stir in attempts to warn Moustache Mountain of what's to come. The hard camera zooms out to show Joe and Mark Coffey hopping the barricades and rolling in the ring. They pounce from behind, catching Bate and Seven off guard with a brutal beat down. Sheamus and Cesaro watch from ringside before soon taking off to the back, not wanting any of that fight. The crowd continuously lets out a sea of boos at Coffey Brothers as they finish both men off with Assisted Very European Uppercuts. This being the second time since both brothers have arrived, that they've laid waste to whoever was in the ring when they appeared.
Back at ringside, commentary mention the amount of sheer brutality that we've seen tonight from some of the competitors as everyone is trying to make a name for themselves. As well as what Bate and Seven were alluding to before the interruption, tag team gold for the brand. Next week, General Manager Johnny Saint will be in attendance to make a huge announcement regarding the Tag Team division. The final video package of the night is up next to highlight the UK Champion Pete Dunne. Though coming into the first tournament with a bad attitude, and ultimately losing his initial championship match in the finals, Dunne would soon win over the fans with his pure wrestling skill and hard-knock style. He defeated an ally in Tyler Bate at Takeover: Chicago, and would go on to defend the title at various shows and promotions around the globe, improving his craft even more along the way. He tore through the competition everywhere he went, managing to never lose his title, or a step. With the fans now on his side, the popular trio of British Strong Style would reform in NXT and have a classic rivalry with another top team in the Undisputed Era. Dunne claims he's open to any challenger, no matter what shape or size. If you step to him, he will eat you alive. The "Bruiserweight" looks to successfully defend once again in the main event, next!
UNITED KINGDOM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH | Pete Dunne (c) def. Noam Dar Both men left it all in the ring in this one, with Dunne adding yet another 5 star match to his already impressive resume. In what was one of the more stiffer matches of the night, both sought out to knock each other's blocks off with forearm blows and vicious head kicks, as well as slamming one another down with Saito Suplexes and Powerbomb variations to the cranium. Dunne eventually eats a stunning Bicycle Kick that sends him through the middle rope and down to ringside. Dar jumps at the chance and bounces off the ropes, throwing caution to the wind with a Suicide Dive! Dunne is able to side-step him, and looks to mimic Noam with a Suicide Dive of his own. He manages to fully connect and rolls Dar back in the ring. The "Bruiserweight" lifts the challenger for the X-Plex, but Dar flips out of it at the apex. They turn around with the same thought in mind once again, dropping one another with simultaneous Roundhouse Kicks! Both wrestlers look to be nearly spent by this point. They match each other once again with back and forth head shots, bringing the match down to a much slower pace. Just as one man seems to take control, the other is able to match them, making it a very even bout. As the end of the match approaches, Dar would get take advantage when he took Dunne's unprotected knee out from under him with a Low Dropkick to the kneecap. After working the leg for a few moments, Dar would send Pete to the ropes and roll through into the Champagne Superkneebar! It seemed Noam was on the cusp of becoming the next United Kingdom Champion, but Dunne finally got within fingertips distance of the rope for the break. As Dunne uses the ropes and turnbuckles to get back to his feet, Noam meets him with a Running European Uppercut. He connects once again, and goes for a third but Pete rolls past him. Dunne hits the ropes, goes between the leapfrogs, and finds rebounding as well! Noam hops up to hit the Running Enziguri, but Dunne predicted it, ducked and drops him with the Bitter End! 1...2...3! Pete Dunne retains!
It takes a few moments for either man to recover to their feet, following that brawl. But when they do, they're met with a standing ovation. After a respectful handshake, Dar gives the ring over to Dunne to celebrate his title retention. As Noam reaches the stage curtain, Tyler Bate and Trent Seven pass him, still showing signs of their pain from prior attack. About halfway down the ramp, they are surprised once again by an attack from the Coffey boys. Dunne catches sight out of his periphery from among the middle turnbuckle. He jumps down, setting his title aside when he too is grabbed by a third man from out of focus, and dropped on the top of his skull with an Inverted Hurricanrana. Joe and Mark leave Moustache Mountain out cold between the stage and crowd area, then join the long-haired man in the ring. He grabs the title, stands between the Coffeys, and flips his hair back to reveal his face. Neville stares into the hard cam with a sinister grin on his face and holds the strap high in the air. He commands Joe and Mark to end them, and they proceed by sending Dunne crashing down with a Double Chokeslam. Neville stands atop the highest rope and connects with a Red Arrow! Afterwards, Neville runs up the middle rope, UK title in hand proclaiming "King of the Bruiserweight!" as the show fades out. |