‘NXT: UK’ Review (Dec 12th 2018)
Welcome to this week’s NXT:UK review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have more from what has been a good show thus far, so let’s see if the good times can still roll.
Match #1: Mark Coffey & Wolfgang def. Ashton Smith & Ligero
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
One episode after the unveiling of the NXT UK Tag Team Titles, Gallus sent the message that they are the team to beat, as the ruthless Mark Coffey & Wolfgang worked together to pick up the victory over Ashton Smith & Ligero. Though Smith hit an earth-shattering crescent kick that looked to finish off Mark Coffey in the final moments of the match, Wolfgang prevented the pin by pulling his opponent off his partner at the last second. Ligero was ready with aerial retribution on The Last King of Scotland, but the dye was already cast, as Coffey decimated Smith with a powerful kick to the jaw for the convincing tag team victory.
My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – This was fine for what it was, but it felt like filler, which is a shame considering the talent involved here.
Match #2: Joseph Conners def. Jack Starz
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Robbie Brookside’s “star pupil” Jack Starz came to NXT UK for competition, only to suffer an all-out onslaught at the hands of “the manic obsessed” Joseph Connors. Though Starz launched a late-match rally, Conners shut him down with the bucklebomb into the corner and the devastating Don’t Look Down into the canvas.
My Take: 1.5 out of 5 – There wasn’t much in the way of wrestling here, but nobody died, so there’s that to consider. I would’ve liked to see these guys get a bit more time, but an hour only yields so much time.
Match #3: Jinny def. Xia Brookside
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
With each competitor looking to stake their claim to a WWE NXT UK Women’s Title Match, Xia Brookside battled Jinny. Though the athletic nature of Brookside was apparent throughout the match, Jinny’s ruthless assaults paid off when Brookside’s back gave out during a submission attempt, paving the way for The Fashionista to close the door on her opponent with A Touch of Couture.
My Take: 2 out of 5 – There’s nothing here that will make the heavens sing, but both women performed well and worked hard, even if the match was not made for them to do much else but show up live to tell about it.
Match #4: (Main Event) “The Bomber” Dave Mastiff def. Eddie Dennis
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Two undefeated forces of nature — Dave Mastiff and Eddie Dennis — waged war in an incredible main event. The human demolition derby of a contest lived up to the hype, as both daunting competitors unleashed their arsenals. Mastiff delivered an earth-shattering Superplex off the top rope, and Dennis displayed amazing strength by picking up “The Bomber” and swinging him around his body before sending him crashing to the canvas. Dennis again defied logic when he lifted all 322 pounds of his foe off the turnbuckle and nearly delivered his Severn Bridge before dropping Mastiff off his back at the last second. Though Dennis recovered with a fierce clothesline, Mastiff soon took charge with a headbutt/German suplex combination before finishing off Dennis with the Cannonball Senton to remain undefeated.
My Take: 3 out of 5 – This was a fine match that made up for a dull under-card. Dennis did really well with Mastiff, who has a very distinct way of fighting that makes him stand out next to just about any-one. This had a rough, rugged feel to it that felt very much like a European match, so that works out just fine for the main event of the only WWE program catered to Europe.
News Of The Night:
- Zach Gibson and James Drake are being pushed as a big team for the NXT UK Tag Team Division.
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
This was a fun show that needed a lot more depth and detail, but survived on the skills of its roster.
