Nerdly » ‘NXT: UK’ Review (Feb 6th 2019)

08th Feb2019

‘NXT: UK’ Review (Feb 6th 2019)

by Nathan Favel

Welcome to this week’s NXT:UK review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have a great night of wrestling to get to, so let’s do so before Paul Hollywood realizes that sports car he drives might be compensating for some-thing.

Match #1: El Ligero beat Mark Andrews

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

In an explosive opening matchup between two of NXT UK’s elite high-flyers, Ligero and Mark Andrews each unleashed a barrage of high-impact offense that took both competitors to the limit. The Leodensian Luchador claimed the huge victory when he lifted his knees to block his opponent’s Shooting Star Press attempt and quickly followed up with the C4L off the ropes.

My Take: 3.5 out of 5 – This was some wild stuff and it is a great spectacle. I’m giving a lot of matches great reviews this week, but that might have some-thing to do with every-body having a good week. I bet folks are getting excited that competition is returning to wrestling and that they’re not just wrestling to impress one guy any more. Ligero and Andrews attacked each other like The Rocketeer…I had a joke for that, but I forgot. If you’re looking for relentless fighting fought at the most exhilarating pace possible, then this match might just do the trick for you.

Match #2: Xia Brookside beat Candy Floss

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

In a hard-fought contest between two incredible athletes, second-generation grappler Xia Brookside overcame the aggressive efforts of Candy Floss to score her very first NXT UK singles victory with the Brooksy Bomb, a variation of the Iconoclasm finishing maneuver used by her legendary father Robbie Brookside. However, the post-match display of good sportsmanship between the two opponents was quickly cut short by an irate Rhea Ripley, who took out Brookside and Floss with a vicious assault. Then, when NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm entered the fray, The Mosh Pit Kidd used Brookside to get the drop on the titleholder as well, taking Storm out with a fierce kick before driving her into the canvas. Having already petitioned NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint for a rematch against Storm, Ripley made a definitive statement that she is coming for “her” title.

My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – Candy Floss…it sounds like a dentist’s worst nightmare. Xia and Candy did well here in a match that wasn’t the most ambitious you’ll ever see, but it did get the job done and made both of them look like they knew what they were doing.

Match #3: Joseph Conners beat Mike Hitchman

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

Frustrated over not being a part of NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Joseph Connors brought the full weight of his dark attitude against a very game Mike Hitchman, powerbombing his opponent off the top turnbuckle and hitting Don’t Look Down for the three-count.

My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – This was a good, solid match that looked believable, but might not have been as good as the opener.

Match #4: Joe Coffey beat Ashton Smith

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

Looking to reaffirm that NXT UK is still “his kingdom,” Gallus’ Joe Coffey rebounded from his NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool defeat to WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne with a win over Ashton Smith. After stopping Smith in his tracks by catching his opponent in mid-air to hit the German suplex, Coffey finished him off with All the Best for the Bells.

My Take: 3 out of 5 – This was a good match that came and went before it could make a big mark, especially with the opener still being the best thing so far.

Match #5: (Main Event) WALTER beat Mark Coffey

The following is courtesy of WWE.com:

With Joe Coffey’s victory over Ashton Smith still fresh in the books, Gallus’ retribution-minded Mark Coffey emerged for NXT UK’s main event looking to make WALTER pay for stealing his brother’s spotlight at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool. The Austrian Anomaly simply would not have it. Following in the footsteps of what Nigel McGuinness called “the most impressive ring debut in NXT UK” one week ago, WALTER unleashed one of his infamous chops right at the start of the match. When Coffey went on the attack, the intense competitor stood in front of his opponent and voluntarily absorbed every bit of the punishment the Gallus strongman could throw at him before lifting his foe with ease into a devastating German suplex. He went on dominant run, stomping and stretching his prey over the top rope and hurling him onto the ring apron like a ragdoll. WALTER picked up the victory when he countered Coffey’s efforts with a devastating dropkick before finishing the fight with an earth-shattering powerbomb.

My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – This was not bad in any way, but I was surprised that this get more time or a chance to be more than just a demonstration for WALTER. I get pushing WALTER, but if you want him to look good, then you need to show that the people he’s beating are the best of the best, not just the next on the hit list. Right now, WALTER is being used as a crutch, when some-one like Mark Coffey should be getting the same attention so he can look just as credible. Overall, this got the job done, but it did disappoint a little bit.