We saw the best of the British wrestling scene last night as the 16 hand-picked competitors from around the United Kingdom fought to win their way into the quarter-finals of the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament.
Yesterday, we saw Pete Dunne attack Sam Gradwell as the show came to a close. A rookie trying to make a name for himself, Dunne felt the wrath of William Regal who furiously pushed him away and berated him in a couple of backstage videos following the event. Interestingly, Triple H seemed impressed that he had made an impact on the biggest stage of his career and reluctant to punish the young competitor.
However, it certainly had me wondering what would happen in terms of the consequences Pete Dunne would face.
We began as expected, with a recap of last night’s explosive action. The energy of the crowd, the unique finishers and of course, special attention was given to the controversial victory for Jordan Devlin as he split Danny Burch’s head open. Pete Dunne was then made out to be the biggest hell of the tournament, the attack giving him special treatment during the opening promo.
We also saw glimpses of an extra attack that occurred that could possibly have caused a few back problems. Michael Cole and our very own Nigel McGuinness were our presenters and commentators once again and we kicked off with the man who tried to put the WWE Universe on notice.
Quarter Final #1
Pete Dunne vs. Sam Gradwell
Pete Dunne has a face you love to hate. The guy is just perfect as a heel and this was a great way to open the show. Sam Gradwell came out with his back taped up due to the suplex on the ramp from the night before. Pete Dunne remained in his same attire that is a tribute to Daniel Bryan.
Gradwell refused to shake the hand of Dunne before the match and started off extremely aggressively, failing to keep his emotions in check. He nearly took Dunne’s head off with two vicious clotheslines JBL would be proud of! The action went to the outside as Gradwell executed a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ suicide dive.
The crowd never fails to make me smile as the Tye Dillinger ’10!’ chants continued during the count out.
Gradwell returned the favor of a suplex on the ramp to Dunne and followed it up with a front-facing missile dropkick a la Daniel Bryan, almost ironically as his opponent was paying tribute via the attire.
Dunne regained the advantage with a vicious German Suplex. This match really did get the crowd on their feet and it already felt like such a better show than our introduction last night. I felt so much more invested in the characters these people were trying to play.
Dunne attempted to win via count out but failed, however, he picked up the 1,2,3 a moment later as the damage had been done after pushing Gradwell viciously outside, injuring his back even further.
Winner by pinfall – Pete Dunne
The Pumphandle Flatliner, otherwise known as The Bitter End followed the bell in another attack by the extraordinary talent with an extraordinarily bad haircut, Pete Dunne. He was then interviewed at the top of the ramp where he alluded to Triple H being impressed with his heinous attack from last night. And into the second quarter final we went…
Quarter-final #2
Mark Andrews vs. Joseph Conners
The only Welshman in the tournament would face one of the favorites in the tournament next. I loved his match last night, but man Andrews is one corny competitor. And I couldn’t help but think that he would not be advancing to the semi-finals as the guy with half a left ear Joseph Conners stood in his way.
A nice handshake preceded the match with was good to see after the viciousness and aggressiveness of the last match. The two men got drawn into a technical battle to begin with, but Conners gained the advantage with strikes. Andrews once again got a chance to show off his unbelievable athleticism. I named him the Welsh Yoda yesterday and he was no different tonight. Flippin’, nipping and whippin’ across the ring until an attempted moonsault to the outside failed as he was forced to land on his feet.
This was where Conners got a chance to gain control of the match as he introduced Andrews into the steel steps. Conners seems extremely methodical and really slowed things down as he stalked the ring in a way that was reminiscent of the way Randy Orton does. He really seemed like one of the more natural wrestlers last night and this was certainly the case as he tried to book his ticket to the semi-finals.
The action spilled to the outside again, but this time, Conners wasn’t so lucky as he booted the steps instead of Andrews’ face. Andrews then did a total Jeff Hardy (Jeff Hardy return confirmed two nights in a row) as he ran the barricade and landed with a front flip on the English veteran. Andrews found himself on the wrong end of ‘Don’t Look Down’, Conners finishing move but managed to kick out! This prompted ‘This is Wrestling’ chants from the crowd.
I could feel the match coming to a close as Andrews hit the Stundog Millionaire out of a reversal to a suplex followed by his patented Shooting Star Press and picked up the win!
Winner by pinfall – Mark Andrews
It was a fantastic match that impressed on all levels and as I said last night, I could watch these two guys on a weekly basis. It wouldn’t surprise me if, after this tournament, WWE offered NXT contracts to these guys.
Jack Gallagher’s Dad (not really) would face Wolfgang next.
Fit Finlay appearance! I hoped at this point we would not see Hornswoggle…
Quarter-final #3
Trent Seven vs. Wolfgang
The man from moustache mountain shows that WWE is more interested in wrestling skill than physique nowadays because let’s face it, he’s hardly a male model. However, with the recent signing of Chris Hero, Kevin Owens heading up Raw’s roster, we could see many more wrestlers of more natural body shapes competing in the WWE.
Wolfgang is one of my favorite talents in this tournament and I was backing him during this match. The way he owned his interview on the ramp last night really impressed me. It was only 30 seconds of airtime but what a brilliant Scottish talent. He also impressed me greatly in the ring. This was sure to be a brilliant match.
This had the feel of two big bulls locking horns as the two got involved in a collar and elbow tie up and a head to head too. We went to the outside for the third match in a row and Wolfgang executed a picture perfect moonsault off the barricade! Unbelievable stuff!
He seemed to injure his knee but thankfully it looked to be kayfabe in the end as the hard-hitting action continued. Trent Seven, following an extremely impactful suicide dive that nearly ended up in the third row, threatened a suplex off the top rope into the crowd. Luckily, Wolfgang reversed. A battle of chops followed but Wolfgang put a stop to that with Wade Barrett’s Wasteland.
Seven turned Wolfgang inside out with a huge clothesline. I mean, it was stupid power. Wolfgang still kicked out! It was at this point I realized every match had been extremely unique and exciting in its own way, as opposed to last night where we were getting through a few talents who didn’t have the know-how to put matches of this caliber on.
Wolfgang won the match with a Swanton bomb to the back. He calls it The Howling. He got a clean three count with it too!
Winner by pinfall – Wolfgang
Following the win, I noticed he had a bloody nose. I mean, so would you if you took a clothesline like Seven delivered. I was very happy to see the Scotsman advance. WWE, make Wolfgang merchandise and take my money!
Ha! Michal Cole and Nigel McGuinness showed off their Blue Peter badges. Absolutely brilliant. I’ve always wanted one of them…
Quarter-final #4
Tyler Bate vs. Jordan Devlin
The charismatic 19-year-old Tyler Bate would face Jordan Devlin in the final quarter-final match of the night. I like the style of this young gentleman and he waved to the crowd better than our Queen ever could. However, Finn Balor and Edge’s love child, Jordan Devlin, was standing in his way of a semi-final spot. This was the hardest match to call for me.
This match started with a cross of aggressiveness, power, and athleticism too as we saw the 1000th suicide dive of the competition. As the action returned to the ring we saw some great mat wrestling as Devlin tried to nail Bate’s shoulders to the crowd. Devlin gained heat as he put a halt, although temporarily, to the airplane spin from Bate.
I love how Nigel McGuinness compared the move to having ‘about 17 pints’. I’ve only ever managed 12 pints and I was dead for about 7 days after, so I’d hate to know how that feels.
Devlin nearly ruined the lighting in the Empress Ballroom as he went for a humongous moonsault that failed to meet its mark, though he did land on his feet. Not much later, in what seemed like a much shorter match to the first three, Tyler Bate executed the Tyler Driver 97 to pick up the win, despite the first attempt being reversed.
Winner by pinfall – Tyler Bate
It was a great decision to have Tyler Bate advance and at this point, the semi-finals were now impossible to call. A short break in the form of a promo for the new championship gave us a well-needed breather before the semi-finals would commence.
Semi-final #1
Mark Andrews vs. Pete Dunne
Mark Andrews came out in a fetching purple version of his attire. He was showing the effects of the last match as he was holding his neck and his entrance was not nearly as energetic as it had been for his first two matches. No respect shown from Pete Dunne as the two competitors stared at each other across the squared circle.
Dunne targeted the neck immediately. I’m no rocket scientist but it was probably because he saw Andrews grab it on the way out. However, Andrews used his high-flying style to gain the advantage once again.
Pete regained control for a few moments with more joint manipulation as we saw last night but Andrews managed to pull off a hurricanrana from the stairs. Not one match had not made it to the outside up to this point. It was starting to annoy me. I love outside action as much as the next person, but there’s only so much you can do. Keep it to the ring for once! You’re British, have some couth!
No-one really had control for too long as momentum switched back and forth. However, Andrews looked like he was going for a standing moonsault but managed an extra rotation which rightfully impressed the crowd. A running shooting star almost sent Andrews to the semi-final but Dunne rolled to the outside. In a match with a high-flyer. Smart.
Dunne caught the apron moonsault and drove Andrews’ into the apron he had just sprung from. He really did start to show a horrendously aggressive side once again as Dunne executed the X-Plex on the ramp where he’d caused so much damage to Gradwell. Andrews made it back into the ring just before the tenth ‘10!’.
Another X-Plex was reversed into the Stundog and Dunne kicked out! I was starting to wonder what it would take to put either of them away. I would be left in further shock as Andrews went for a shooting star press and was met with Dunne’s knees. He kicked out too!
Kick out after kick out caused the crowd to explode and this was really starting to feel like a pay-per-view quality production. Dunne finally caught the Bitter End after a third attempted X-Plex and advanced to the finals!!
Winner by pinfall – Pete Dunne
That match was absolutely amazing. It would take a lot to beat that for the rest of the night. I had no idea that match would steal the show at this point. Both men had amazing chemistry in the ring and told a story that any WWE Superstar would have been proud to have been involved in. It was true NXT quality. I did not expect to be this impressed!
Semi-final #2
Tyler Bate vs. Wolfgang
We were told by Michael Cole that Wolfgang may well have broken his nose in the previous match and this added a whole new dimension to the semi-final. Bate tried to out-muscle the big man to begin with and I’m sure you can imagine how that ended up. After a quick flurry from the 19-year-old, Wolfgang managed to use his size and weight advantage to take control of the match.
Such was the support for Tyler Bate, it turned Wolfgang into a heel. I mean, you’ve got to be as over as they come to turn someone heel in a matter of seconds.
It was refreshing to see Wolfgang in the ring again as his raw power added something more to the match. At this point, as much as I respected Tyler’s talent, I wanted Wolfgang to advance if only to give Dunne a different test and ensure an entertaining final. Wolfgang, despite being beaten up, still went for the high-flying moves you wouldn’t expect. Both men began to show fatigue from the matches they had had earlier in the night.
The crowd remained extremely raucous in their unwavering support for Tyler Bate and in an even shorter match than his quarter-final, he hit the Tyler Driver 97 to pick up the win.
Winner by pinfall – Tyler Bate
It was disappointing that this match did not last longer and I can’t help but think it’s because of the injuries that Wolfgang received in his first match.
Following the final bell, Pete Dunne came down to the ring and attacked Tyler Bate viciously – firing him into the turnbuckles. He was trying to ensure his victory in the impending final. William Regal came out like a Father that had just seen his son bullying another kid and went ballistic as he admonished Pete Dunne, shoving him into the backstage area.
Surprise filler match
Adrian Neville vs. Tommy End
The King of the Cruiserweights arrived, Neville! He spoke about being left out of the Cruiserweight Classic, 205 Live and now the United Kingdom Championship. I was hoping for the final to be made a triple threat. He screamed at the crowd about how he was the greatest talent the UK had produced. The crowd completely agreed. Don’t show a heel in his home country. Poor move WWE.
Tommy End appeared to challenge the Man that Gravity forgot in this filler match before the final. Tommy End looks to be a really interesting talent. He could be the next star to fill the large shoes that CM Punk left. As he exited the hip toss from Neville he sat cross-legged. Talk about channelling the straight-edge superstar. He is able to stand on his own though, it’s merely a complimentary comparison. His anti-hero character is a refreshing gimmick and there are not many like him in the WWE at the moment.
(As Charley updated the entire arena (by accident) on Tyler’s condition, I couldn’t help but think the Blackpool crowd would be looking forward to ending up on Botchamania)
Neville managed to keep the man down though as he had control of the match for a long period, it wasn’t until Tommy End executed a high flying move from the steel steps that our anti-hero gained the advantage. If End has anything going for him, it is his superkicks. He could superkick a fly, that’s how accurate he is. For a filler match, this was a fairly entertaining break and the crowd were still into the action.
After a top-rope hurracanrana, Neville hit the Red Arrow (Nigel, you should have known the name of that…tut, tut.) to pick up the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall – Neville
Now it was time to crown a new United Kingdom champion…but first...
Balor, give us a wave, Balor, Balor give us a wave!! Wheyyyyyy!
Anyway, Balor came out to address the crowd before the final to thank the crowd for their attendance and their passion. This prompted a chant of ‘we deserve it!’. And yes. Yes we do.
Preceding this short address, Tyler Bate was announced to have separated his AC joint, but cleared to compete! Let’s get it on!
Final
Tyler Bate vs. Pete Dunne
As Nigel McGuinness put it, “if looks could kill”. William Regal, holding the championship looked menacingly at Pete Dunne. Probably hoping he wouldn’t win it, which meant to me he probably would.
Atmospheric lighting was employed as the competitors were announced. I thought the production looked weird throughout this tournament. They should have kept the lights down for every match, never mind the introductions.
Anywho, the match kicked off and Dunne went right for the injured shoulder. The beginning of the match felt a lot more controlled. I felt this was to emphasize the fact that there was no time limit for the final match, the championship match. We saw an impressive display of mat wrestling, to begin with and a picture perfect dropkick from Tyler Bate. Joints were worked, shoulders stretched, ankles bent and limbs smashed. As they grappled to the outside, things slowly descended into a street fight.
I do believe that makes a full house for matches that ended up outside the ring too!
The strikes were vicious, though. I think they agreed to throw potatoes before the match because there’s no way to fake the real sound (not the slapping sound) of a forearm smashing into someone’s chin.
Dunne went to fire Bate into the corner again to do more damage to the shoulder but got a taste of his own medicine as Bate countered. An exploder suplex from Bate soon after resulted in a near fall as he had complete control of the match, but his shoulder failed on the Tyler Driver and Dunne got a short flurry in.
This was short lived as Bate pulled out the old crowd favorite! Aeroplane spin!! Not once, not twice, but three times a lady. Dunne managed to catch a triangle choke to put pressure on the shoulder put in an amazing show of strength, Bate lifted Dunne up and out of the hold and we were denied the first submission victory of the competition.
Bate executed a flying maneuver I don’t even want to attempt to name (Nigel called it a Frosby Flop so we’ll go with that) and followed it up with a 450 splash but he landed with his feet. Despite this, Dunne managed to complete his finishing move but Bate kicked out!! Absolutely amazing and this sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Dunne put a wrist/arm lock on Bate that looked like a reverse Kimura lock, but Bate managed to escape from the floor and somehow managed a brainbuster, taking us all back to 1998. It looks like a devastating move, but he still could not make it a three-count!
A slap off ensued, which Bate lost, but he then managed two wheelhouse kicks and hit the Tyler Driver. Ladies and Gentlemen, your new WWE United Kingdom Champion – Tyler Bate! And just like that, he became the youngest champion in WWE history, breaking Rene Dupree’s record as the youngest WWE Superstar to have won a championship.
Winner by pinfall – Tyler Bate and the first UK Champion!
What a match. It was a close call between this and the semi-final that involved Dunne for match of the night but this was an amazing way to end the tournament nonetheless. And I have no doubt that Dunne will probably be the first contender for a shot at this championship. WWE, you did the United Kingdom proud, as did all 16 competitors.
