7 behind the scenes things WWE won't air from the NXT UK Plymouth tapings (Exclusive)

I recently had the joy of being able to attend WWE's recent NXT UK tapings which took place in Plymouth. I was able to see both sets of tapings over the weekend as WWE NXT UK recorded the episodes that the WWE Universe will see leading up to NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff, the brand's biggest show to date!

Not only did I get to see two huge matches being announced with an incredibly dominant NXT UK Champion WALTER finding himself an opponent for the show in the form of Tyler Bate and Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake and Zack Gibson) set to defend their NXT UK Tag Team titles against Gallus (Wolfgang and Mark Coffey) and the team of Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster.

NXT UK Plymouth spoilers - Night one results

NXT UK Plymouth spoilers - Night two results

Fans watching NXT UK on the WWE Network will be treated to the above match-builds for TakeOver as well as matches involving Noam Dar, Kassius Ohno, Toni Storm, Jordan Devlin and others. But those lucky enough to be in the live crowd were treated to several things that the cameras didn't capture.

Let's take a look at some of the amazing things that WWE won't air and you won't see on the WWE Network from the NXT UK Plymouth tapings.

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#7 The commentary team get their own introduction

Nigel McGuinness and Vic Joseph are the voices of NXT UK. McGuinness is a legendary figure in the UK and Joseph is learning the ropes incredibly quickly with their commentary being as integral to the show as any of the wrestlers.

It's true that there wouldn't be an NXT UK without their voices on the booth calling the matches which is why it's great that the pair of them get a proper introduction in front of the live crowd.

Joseph and McGuinness are introduced individually on both nights of the tapings and both men receive rapturous applause.

#6 The NXT UK Commentary desk is barely filmed

When I first attended an NXT UK taping in Cambridge last year there was no commentary desk in the arena with McGuinness and Joseph filming their match-calling from a backstage studio area.

That's changed now with Joseph and McGuinness having their very own NXT UK branded booth right in the thick of the action and right in the thick of the audience too. However, the commentary team aren't on camera for almost the entire time they're there, making the positioning of the desk prominently in the audience something for the live crowd only

Below you can see a photo (albeit from quite far away) of Joseph greeting fans and taking pictures whilst he's waiting for the show to begin. You'll also notice the two octagonal-shaped lights above the desk, these are on when they want to film a piece to camera or a piece of commentary and in the picture that's above you'll see a background that they also put up when they want to film something specifically on commentary.

The addition of the commentary team being visible to the audience even if it doesn't reflect onto the NXT UK episodes themselves is a nice little touch by WWE and kudos to Joseph for being so accommodating with the fans.

#5 Andy Shepherd is incredibly over with the NXT UK audience

As is the usually the case with all live WWE events there's a ring announcer introducing the competitors but also compering the evening and keeping the crowd engaged and loud to make the show as good as possible.

The person who does that for NXT UK is a man named Andy Shepherd and it's probably for the best he doesn't wrestle because the guy is incredibly charismatic and charming and as a result extremely over with the live crowd.

Over the course of both nights, there was a running gag in which the audience would slowly build up noise whenever Shepherd attempted to get in the ring and then would loudly cheer whenever he made it. Shepherd would play up to this every time and always act surprised whenever he received a huge pop for getting in the ring. It was hugely entertaining.

It's a shame this won't come across as the episodes air

#4 Isla Dawn and Nina Samuels was botched night one so re-shot night two

During night one Isla Dawn and Nina Samuels faced off in a one-on-one contest. It ended rather abruptly, however, when Samuels ate a big boot to the face and was then pinned by Dawn in what seemed like a clear upset.

Dawn then looked confused and had a lengthy chat with the referee who seemed to encourage her to celebrate. She then celebrated for an unnecessary amount of time which made me think something had gone awry.

Then, on night two the two ladies came out again and I initially thought it was a rematch following the upset loss from the night before, but Dawn and Samuels proceeded to wrestle the exact same match move-for-move but this time Samuels kicked out of the big boot spot and would go on to win the match.

It's clear now that the first match was botched leading to Dawn, who wasn't booked to win, accidentally winning the match, leading to the two ladies having to film it again on the second night.

#3 William Regal emotionally addresses the live crowd

William Regal is the General Manager of NXT so you don't usually expect to see him on the side of the pond that he's from but the British wrestling legend surprised everyone on both nights of the Plymouth tapings to make an appearance.

Regal said he was there to talk to NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint about a piece of business but thought he'd take the opportunity to thank the live crowd for supporting British Wrestling.

He, rather emotionally, went on to say that it had always been a dream of his to bring this level of wrestling in front of a live crowd in England because they have some of the best wrestlers in the world and have the best fans. He then says that NXT UK is for us!

Regal got quite choked up when delivering his speech so it's a shame that the emotional moment won't be seen in the episodes, but what a treat for the live crowd!

#2 NXT Superstars invade NXT UK

Several dark matches took place over the two days of tapings and the live crowd were surprised by a plethora of international Superstars crashing the party as Matt Riddle, The Street Profits and Shayna Baszler made appearances.

On night one Baszler attacked Xia Brookside after the latter had just lost a match, and Riddle teamed with the Street Profits to take on James Drake, Zack Gibson and Joseph Conners in the main event.

On night two Baszler and Xia Brookside fought one-on-one whilst Matt Riddle took on Ligero and the Street Profits faced off with Kassius Ohno and Saxton Huxley in a hilarious comedy style match.

On top of this fans in the live crowd also got to see the NXT Women's Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championships up close and personal! Montez Ford also made one disabled person in the crowd's year when he threw his top out to him.

#1 Pete Dunne sends the crowd home happy

There would be one more dark match and one more surprise which would receive the biggest cheer of the two-day tapings and that was Alexander Wolfe's opponent being revealed to be Pete Dunne in the night two main event.

The main event of NXT TakeOver: Cardiff is fuelled entirely by the ongoing feud between the beloved British Strong Style and NXT UK's newest dominant stable Imperium. Over the two days we saw Tyler Bate confront Walter, Trent Seven/Tyler Bate attack and layout Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner backstage and then Seven and Bate ambush Walter.

So naturally, the crowd went wild when they saw Dunne also get involved, albeit in a dark match that won't make the episode that airs on the WWE Network. However, the live crowd got treated to a brutal match between the two men and was sent home happy with Dunne picking up the win!