‘NXT: UK – Takeover Blackpool’ PPV Review
Welcome to this review of NXT: UK’s Takeover from Blackpool. I’m Nathan Favel and Nerdly has all of the big news coming out of this major event, so take a look below and see what happened.
James Drake & Zack Gibson defeated Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) – NXT UK Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals Match
My Take: 4.5 out of 5 – This was a big match that delivered every-thing it needed to be a success, from great action to taut suspense that led to a fantastic result. Both teams were made to look formidable at every turn, which is how all title matches should be. This bout was given the proper amount of time to make an impact and will stand the test of time as one of the best matches produced by this league.
Jordan Devlin versus Travis Banks
My Take: 0 out of 5 – The match was an injury angle, which never makes the crowd happy.
Finn Balor defeated Jordan Devlin
My Take: 3.5 out of 5 – While a bit too short for its own good, this was fine stuff all the way through. The idea here was that Devlin was punished for attacking his former opponent, Travis Banks, by being booked to wrestle his former teacher, Finn Balor. The match was an even contest that favored the teacher in Balor a bit more than Devlin, despite Devlin being booked to look equal to the one-time Universal Champion. They both pushed each other to make the most of their brief time in the ring and it showed in the wrestling itself.
Dave Mastiff defeated Eddie Dennis – No Disqualification Match
My Take: 3 out of 5 – This was too short for a hardcore match, but the action was strong for what they were able to do. This felt a bit more like a bash and slash, rather than a true grudge match, but it worked and they fulfilled the requirements of the No DQ stipulation, which is the first major goal of this match type. Over-all, this turned out to be pretty good, but it was more like a TV match than the spectacle it needed to be.
Toni Storm defeated Rhea Ripley – NXT UK Women’s Championship Match
My Take: 4 out of 5 – The length here was much better, but the action is what made this a hit. These two ripped each other to pieces while smashing each other into a dent in the ring’s canvas, if you get my drift. Both wrestlers came across as the real deal, which is what you’re looking for from this kind of match. At this point, I would think this is going to be the match that establishes the standard of what the women can do on PPV for the year, which means the women have a high bar to reach each time they go to PPV.
Pete Dunne defeated Joe Coffey – WWE UK Championship Match
My Take: 4.5 out of 5 – This was some great stuff. Dunne continues his streak of performing beyond the normal assumption of what a modern wrestler can do. Dunne’s method of fighting is far too original to be summarized, so I can just say that he still fights like a guy who already knows you don’t want to run into him in a dark alley. Coffey came across as a worthy opponent to the champion and really made the most of his chance to compete with top star of NXT: UK. This was one of the best WWE matches in some time and it will be another in a long line of great bouts from Pete Dunne if history keeps repeating itself.
News Of The Night:
- WALTER debuted after the main event to make it clear to Pete Dunne that he wants the NXT UK Title.
- Jordan Devlin attacked Travis Banks and cost him the chance to compete on PPV.
Final Verdict: 4/5
If it wasn’t for the 0 out of 5 match and the majority of matches being too short, this would have been an even better event. That being said, what we did have was still worth watching and will prove to be one of the best WWE cards this year.
