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Going into this week's episode of NXT UK, only two matches had been announced beforehand — Rampage Brown vs Joe Coffey, and Sha Samuels going head-to-head with A-Kid for the NXT UK Heritage Cup. Additionally, NXT UK upstart and Seth Rollins mentee Ben Carter were announced to appear.
Adding to the previously announced matches on NXT UK, newcomers to the women's division Dani Luna and Aleah James faced one another in the BT Sport Studio.
The next championship defense for long-time NXT UK Champion Kay Lee Ray was also announced in a press conference during the show.
NXT UK Heritage Cup match - A Kid (c) vs Sha Samuels
Sha Samuels came down to the ring first, sporting his signature swagger, followed by A-Kid, who was clutching his prized NXT UK Heritage Cup. During the first round of the match, A-Kid confidently put his technical skills on display, but Sha Samuels matched him well, keeping him in a headlock at one point. A-Kid seemed desperate to get a submission win out of Samuels, but Samuels reversed this, making A-Kid tap out quickly to win Round 1.
Sha Samuels came out guns blazing for Round 2 and focused on the previously injured shoulder of A-Kid. Halfway through Round 2, A-Kid appeared to find his footing again and came back at Samuels with a series of chops to the chest. Round 2 ended in disqualification as Samuels slid out of the ring, and A-Kid followed him out with a dive but didn't manage to climb back in time.
In Round 3, Sha Samuels attempted to target the shoulder of A-Kid once more, but this backfired grabbed his foot and took him to the floor with it, but landing a superkick, which helped him get the cover on Samuels, leveling the playing field between the two men.
NXT UK Heritage Cup match - A Kid (c) vs Sha Samuels (continued)
As Round 4 of the NXT UK Heritage Cup match began, the two men fired quickly at one another. A-Kid jumped from the top ropes to Sha Samuels, but was caught by his challenger, and was dumped in the middle of the ring. Fortunately for the Cup holder, he managed to kick out of the pin. The bell rang to signal the end of the round without a winner being crowned, much to the fury of Samuels.
Round 5 started with A-Kid instantly snaring Samuels into an armbar, which the challenger rolled out of and turned into a Butchers Hook. A-Kid forced Sha Samuels into another armbar, forcing his challenger to tap out, and enabling him to retain the NXT UK Heritage Cup.
Winner: A-Kid
Grade: C+
A video package then played, promoting the upcoming match between Rampage Brown and Joe Coffey. Various WWE Superstars are seen in the presentation, including WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Sheamus.
Another video package follows this, celebrating the NXT UK championship reign of WALTER, who today tied Pete Dunne for the longest time with the belt.
Ben Carter takes on Josh Morell on NXT UK
Ben Carter hasn't been with NXT UK for long, but the star has had much hype, as a former student of SmackDown Superstar Seth Rollins. Ben Carter focused on the right arm of Morrell through the match, and showed off his technical abilities.
In the fast-paced match, both Ben Carter and Josh Morrell hit back quickly at one another. At one point, it seemed as though Carter was going to get the pinfall on Morrell following a suplex, but Morrell kicked out at two.
Morrell then caught Ben Carter in a bow and arrow, and Carter then returned the favor on Morrell. It seemed as though Morrell may have had the match won when he turned a hip toss into a pin, but Carter kicked out. Ben Carter eventually defeated John Morrell following a perfectly-executed Frog Splash with a pin.
Winner: Ben Carter
Grade: B +
The action then left the BT Sport Studio, and moved to a press conference between NXT UK Women's Champion Kay Lee Ray and Meiko Satomura. In the conference, Meiko Satomura had strong words for Ray, claiming, "I will teach her the real meaning of a true champion".
Kay Lee Ray claimed that Meiko Satomura was the best, and that to be the best, she needed to beat the best.
It was then officially announced that Kay Lee Ray and Meiko Satomura will go head-to-head for the NXT UK Women's Championship in two weeks' time.
Another promo package was shown, chronicling the rivalry between Nina Samuels and Xia Brookside ahead of their rematch.
Aleah James and Dani Luna go head-to-head on NXT UK
Two up-and-coming talents in the NXT UK women's division then came to the ring. As the match began, the two women circled one another before locking up in the center of the ring. Dani Luna used her strength to hoist Aleah James in the air and dump her onto the ring mat.
James attempted numerous times to get in offense on Dani Luna but was often overpowered. Luna then hit James with a clothesline, flooring her in the ring. James eventually took down Luna and attempted to pin her, but Luna quickly kicked out.
The two women then exchanged strikes in the center of the ring, before James clambered to the top rope and targeted Dani Luna with a springboard. Luna, however, managed to catch her rival in mid-air and turned this into a powerbomb followed by the cover, securing her first singles win in NXT UK.
Winner: Dani Luna
Grade: C+
Jinny and Joseph Conners then appeared on screen to call out their ongoing NXT UK rival Piper Niven, who Jinny faced last week.
Ahead of the upcoming NXT Tag Team Championship match between current champions Gallus and No. 1 contenders Pretty Deadly, a brief video package was shown, showcasing the two pairs.
NXT UK Main Event - Rampage Brown vs Joe Coffey
Joe Coffey of Gallus was the first to enter tonight's NXT UK main event match. Rampage Brown then entered the ring, with the commentary noting his momentum coming into tonight's match, and the height advantage that he holds over Joe Coffey.
The technical skills of both men were on show at the start of the match, and Rampage Brown quickly drove his opponent into the mat. Brown dominated the start of the bout, continuously knocking Coffey down.
Coffey then came back fighting strong with a backbreaker, and then worked on the ears of Rampage Brown, before Brown made a comeback, striking his rival with his fists. Coffey then downed Brown with a clothesline, and attempted to pin him, but Rampage Brown kicked out.
Despite continued strikes from Joe Coffey, Rampage Brown fought back fiercely, and floored him with a lariat. The action continued, with another near-fall for Coffey. Rampage Brown then took down the NXT UK Tag Team Champion from the middle rope, and almost scored another pinfall, but Joe Coffey kicked out at the very last second.
Joe Coffey then hit a belly-to-belly suplex on Brown, but despite this, Brown still battled on.
Rampage Brown fell out of the ring, and Joe Coffey followed. He attempted a Glasgow Send-off on Brown, but missed and drove his own hand into the steel steps. The action then moved back into the NXT UK ring. This is when Rampage Brown once again gained more momentum against his rival, and hit Coffey with a Doctor Bomb to pin him and secure the win.
Winner: Rampage Brown
Grade: A-
