Another great episode of NXT, the show that never disappoints. We saw both Drew McIntyre and Aleister Black back in action tonight and the show was headlined by Tyler Bate defending his WWE UK Championship against Jack Gallagher.
As NXT kicked off, we saw Nikki Cross in the middle of the ring. She crawled out to ringside and spoke into the announcer’s mic, calling out Ruby Riot and saying that she wanted to be friends. Ruby Riot walked out and the two women entered the ring to chants of “Fight, fight, fight”.
Nikki Cross charged at Ruby Riot as the two women rolled out to ringside. Cross sent Ruby Riot face-first into the steel steps as referees came out to separate the two women. Cross got up on the steep steps and jumped onto Ruby Riot and the referees trying to separate them.
As the referees finally dragged them apart, a chant of “Let them fight” broke out.
We joined Kayla Braxton backstage with Bobby Roode. She asked Roode about Hideo Itami’s attack last week, which Roode called a “cowardly attack”. Roode then said that if Itami wanted a shot at his title, he would have to earn it.
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas vs Drew McIntyre
Andrade came out first. It’s been interesting how he’s more liked by the fans his heel turn. Don’t get me wrong, a big section of the fans boo him vehemently but he’s much more over as a heel.
He was followed out by the returning Drew McIntyre who got a massive pop from the fans in Full Sail. I’m sure he’s glad that he’s not with Impact anymore. He already looks like a bigger star here in NXT than he ever did at Impact Wrestling.
Andrade refused to lock up as the match began, instead choosing to dodge McIntyre and show off to the fans. He then slapped McIntyre across the chest. McIntyre replied by grabbing Almas across the neck and throwing him onto the ropes.
Almas caught hold of the ropes and transitioned into his trademark taunt. McIntyre wasn’t impressed and booted Almas across the face, sending him crashing to ringside. Almas rolled out of the ring after McIntyre had gotten him back inside but the Scotsman followed him out and slapped him across the chest.
As McIntyre tried to re-enter the ring, Almas grabbed his foot and sent him crashing into the steel steps. The action the went back inside the ring with Almas in control. He hit McIntyre with a modified backbreaker but only got a 1-count. He followed it up with the double stomp in the corner.
He followed it up by teasing the double knees and instead slapped McIntyre across the face. Big mistake. An enraged McIntyre pushed Almas into the corner and hit him with a flurry of right hands before heading to the top rope and hitting a back elbow.
The two men then traded knife-edged chops before McIntyre took Almas down with a Powerslam. Drew followed it up with a massive running boot to pin Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas.
Drew McIntyre def. Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
Kona Reeves vs Aleister Black
Reeves charged in at Aleister Black as soon as the bell rang but his strategy didn’t work. Black hit back with a flurry of punches and kicks. Reeves tried to fight back after a thumb to the eye but Black hit him with a number of kicks to the chest and head, taking him down.
After Reeves finally got to his feet, Black hit him with the Black mask to pin him. That was quick and impressive. As Nigel McGuinness put it, it was like Black was playing with an injured animal.
Aleister Black def. Kona Reeves
Christy St.Cloud was backstage with Ruby Riot. She asked Ruby Riot about their upcoming match later on in the night. Ruby says that SAnitY claims to rebel against the norm, which she could get behind. However, SAnitY wanted everyone to conform to their ways, something Ruby Riot wouldn’t let her do.
Ruby Riot vs Nikki Cross
Nikki Cross attacked Ruby Riot from behind during her entrance, completely blindsiding her. She sent Ruby back-first into the entrance ramp before Ruby Riot fought back and hit Nikki with a vertical suplex on the entrance ramp.
The two continued to brawl next to the entrance ramp as Nikki Irish Whipped Ruby Riot into the stage. More officials came out at this point to try and separate the two women. Chants of “Let them fight” started again as Ruby Riot pushed away officials and dived off the stage and onto Nikki Cross before officials finally dragged her away.
We also saw 4 referees physically lift Nikki Cross and drag her backstage to try and restore order.
Asuka was backstage with William Regal. He told Asuka that her next challenger would be determined next week on NXT with a Battle Royal.
Tyler Bate (C) vs jack Gallagher (for the WWE UK Championship)
This was the second ever defence of the WWE UK Championship.
Jack Gallagher got a massive ovation from the fans at Full Sail as he entered the ring. It just goes to show that 205 Live should probably have been a taped show taking place in Full Sail.
Gallagher was followed out by Tyler Bate who’s now sporting a beard.
The two gentlemen shook hands as the bell rang. The two men traded wristlocks to begin the match showing off their catch wrestling skills early on. Bate locked in a side-headlock and Gallagher maneuvered out of it with his trademark handstand.
The two men continued trading holds and pinning combinations before Gallagher looked for a running crossbody. Bate caught him in midair but Gallagher managed to get back on his feet as we headed to a commercial.
We came back from commercial to see Gallagher working in Tyler Bate’s left arm. Bate tried to break free but Gallagher just wouldn’t let go. Gallagher then locked in a modified arm lever before going for a cover, only getting a 2-count.
Gallagher flipped Bate over and hit him with a dropkick but Bate replied with a headbutt. Seizing the chance, Bate hit Gallagher with a stalling German Suplex. Bate then hit a vertical suplex for a 2-count. Gallagher rolled out to ringside and Bate went for a suicide dive. As Bate was about to launch himself, Gallagher hit him with a headbutt to the chest. Bate crumpled in the corner as Gallagher got back into the ring and knocked Bate loopy with another headbutt. Another 2-count.
Gallagher continued to capitalize on his momentum with a series of European Uppercuts followed by another wrist lever. Bate bounced off the ropes and hit a rolling kick out of nowhere. He then hit the Tyler Driver 97 to pick up the win out of nowhere.
Tyler Bate def. Jack Gallagher
Teddy Long snaps when Swerve Strickland's race is brought up HERE
