‘NXT: UK’ Review (Dec 19th 2018)
Welcome to this week’s NXT: UK review, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have European brand of the WWE that is actually done well each week. Let’s see how this goes.
Match #1: Toni Storm def. Charlie Morgan
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Though Toni Storm failed to overcome Rhea Ripley in the match to crown the first-ever NXT UK Women’s Champion several weeks ago, she returned to NXT UK triumphant as the winner of the 2018 Mae Young Classic, ready to take on Charlie Morgan in her opponent’s first singles match on the show. In the final moments of a hard-fought matchup, Strom overcame her plenty-tough adversary, finishing off Morgan with a German suplex and Storm Zero.
My Take: 3 out of 5 – This was good for the time they were given, but it’s hard to go the distance in an hour with three other matches to get to. The wrestling itself was excellent, but they were robbed of the time they should have been booked to have.
Match #2: Zack Gibson & James Drake def. Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Zack Gibson & James Drake battled Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster in a contest between two elite combinations looking to impress General Manager Johnny Saint in their pursuit of the forthcoming NXT UK Tag Team Title. In an explosive contest, Andrews turned the tables on a 2-on-1 assault with a double Stun Dog Millionaire on his opponents. Before he could follow-up, however, Fabian Aichner suddenly emerged to take out the war-torn Modfather outside the ring. When Andrews turned his attention to helping his partner, he failed to see Drake tag in Gibson. Although he managed to hit Fall to Pieces on Drake, he was completely caught off-guard when Liverpool’s No. 1 grabbed him and locked in the Shankly Gates to make him tap out. When Aichner came after the still-stunned Andrews after the match, Webster joined his partner in expelling the aggressive Superstar from the ring for a small moniker of redemption.
My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – This was a lot of fun, due to the offense from Andrews and Webster. This was nothing special, but it was exciting and that made this fly by.
Match #3: Nina Samuels def. Killer Kelly
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
Nina Samuels went to war against Killer Kelly, with both athletes looking to stand out in the highly competitive NXT UK Women’s division. Although Killer Kelly hit a beautiful basement dropkick on Samuels, The Pink Devil countered Kelly’s follow-up fisherman buster attempt by grabbing her foe’s pigtails and ramming her face into the turnbuckle. Samuels then hoisted up Kelly on her shoulders and brought her down hard on her knee to score her first victory on NXT UK!
My Take: 2.5 out of 5 – This was a bit clumsy in a few spots, but it was perfectly fine action that made both women look good.
Match #4: (Main Event) Joe Coffey def. Travis Banks
The following is courtesy of WWE.com:
In NXT UK’s main event, Joe Coffey emerged without the other members of Gallus in order to go one-on-one with one of the victims of the dangerous trio’s many assaults, Travis Banks. Banks heroically battled through an injured right shoulder to take Coffey to his limits in a knockdown, drag-out match, but The Kiwi Buzzsaw fell to The Iron King after getting leveled with All the Best for the Bells. Once again, Coffey supported Gallus’ claims that NXT UK was indeed their kingdom while showing why he is a true threat to WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne.
My Take: 3 out of 5 – This was a good main event, but it felt more like the next match, rather than the finale of the card. When it isn’t a title match, NXT: UK has a problem with making the match feel important. Over-all, this was a fun match, but not enough to be one you’ll remember.
Final Verdict: 3/5
You wouldn’t be wrong to not feel like this show was very necessary, but I’d still give this a chance, if only as a way of detoxing from any-thing Vince does on Raw.
