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NXT UK is back after the show took a two-week break for the holidays. Its first show of 2021 offered fans an action-packed episode.
Jinny and Piper Niven clashed a heated and intense battle to become Kay Lee Ray's next challenger. Ben Carter made his debut on Noam Dar's Supernova Sessions, and he competed in his debut match against the Cruiserweight champion, Jordan Devlin. These were just a few highlights of a stacked show.
Piper Niven vs. Jinny in a #1 contender match for the NXT UK Women's Championship
The first bout of the night was a grudge match between Jinny and Piper Niven. The winner would earn the chance to become Kay Lee Ray's next challenger for the NXT UK Women's Championship.
Niven stormed to the ring, and after the bell rang, she floored "The Fashionista" with a flurry of punches.
Jinny answered back with her own barrage of offense, but Niven took Jinny out with a huge clothesline. The action spilled out to the floor, but Jinny used the ring post to gain the advantage.
Back in the ring, Jinny maintained the upper hand by targeting Niven's right arm. She tried to lock in an octopus stretch, but Niven powered out. Niven managed to drop Jinny with a big slam when she locked in another submission hold. Joseph Conners then appeared at ringside, but his intentions were unclear.
Niven hit Jinny with a huge suplex, and she sent her opponent out of the ring. But Conners jumped into harm's way and saved "The Fashionista" from a cannonball. His heroic actions allowed Jinny to drive Niven back-first into the ring.
Niven countered a cross body, but Conners once again interfered. He grabbed Niven’s feet and helped Jinny roll up Niven for the victory.
Result: Jinny pins Piper Niven on NXT UK
Grade: B
Backstage, Pretty Deadly called Gallus scared. The challengers declared that they're coming for the NXT UK Tag Team Championship.
In an Aoifye Valkyrie vignette, she said she's chasing perfection so she can soar as high as the birds.
Next, a Tyler Bate vignette recapped his excellent match with A-Kid. Bate stated that he realized that wrestling is an art. In his mind, he said that if he is authentic and real, he will accomplish great things in NXT UK.
Noam Darr interviewed Ben Carter on NXT UK
Next up, Noam Dar interviewed NXT UK's hottest signing, Ben Carter on Supernova Sessions. Dar introduced Carter, but he called him "Carpenter." Dar asked him about woodwork and shelf designs. Carter corrected him, so the show got back on track.
Carter stated that he wants to face the best competition in wrestling, and NXT UK is the perfect place to do that. NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin interrupted the segment and asked Dar why he's not the guest on this show.
Carter complimented Devlin and his accomplishments. The newcomer challenged Devlin to a match for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship next week. Devlin offered to face Carter tonight, and the two competitors agreed to the bout. Sid Scala entered the scene and made the match official.
The show's new main event was set, as Ben Carter would challenge Jordan Devlin for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Another exciting announcement followed this development. Next week's main event was confirmed, as NXT UK Champion WALTER will defend his title against the Heritage Cup Champion, A-Kid.
Backstage, Kay Lee Ray issued a warning to Jinny, and she said her title isn't going anywhere.
Dave Mastiff vs. Saxon Huxley on NXT UK
The second match of the night was a clash of the super heavyweights. "The Bomber" Dave Mastiff faced NXT UK's answer to Bruiser Brody, Saxon Huxley.
Huxley and Mastiff exchanged nasty blows until "The Bomber" dropped Huxley and hit a senton. A Lou Thesz press from Huxley changed the direction of the match. He rocked Mastiff with three gigantic boots. The big man then went to the top rope, and he hit a diving clothesline. Huxley went after Mastiff's left arm and took control of the match.
Mastiff rallied with a backdrop and he planted Huxley with a big suplex. A giant running cannonball in the corner secured the win for Mastiff.
Result: Dave Mastiff defeats Saxon Huxley on NXT UK
Grade: B
A vignette for WALTER's match with A-Kid hypes up next week's main event. The video showed A-Kid's remarkable journey to becoming the first-ever NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion.
Another match was confirmed for next week. Tyler Bate will take on Sam Gradwell.
Ben Carter vs. Jordan Devlin for the NXT UK Cruiserweight Championship
In his first match on NXT UK, Ben Carter faced Jordan Devlin for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Devlin started the match as the aggressor, as he threw Carter to the ground. The competitors executed a beautiful wrist-lock sequence. Carter took the champion down with a snap headlock takedown, but Devlin slipped out. He whipped the challenger into the ropes in order to gain some breathing room.
Carter’s agility was on full display, but Devlin stopped his momentum with a colossal uranage. Devlin slowed the pace of the match down by grounding the high-flying Carter.
But the challenger broke free and caught Devlin with a roll-up for a two count. He hit a quick sunset flip for another near fall. A massive top rope missile dropkick gave Carter the upper hand.
Devlin smashed Carter off the top rope and sent him tumbling to the outside. The champion drove Carter’s shoulder into the steps, and he continued to the target the newly injured joint.
The match picked up speed, but a double crossbody took both fighters down. Carter hit a moonsault/reverse DDT combination. The challenger planted Devlin with a spinning brainbuster for a near fall.
Devlin then hit a Spanish fly for a breath-taking near fall. Carter fired back with an incredible Code Red for another near fall.
Carter then missed a dropkick, and the champion locked in the Four Leaf Clover. Carter managed to reach the ropes, but Devlin took a decisive advantage with several stiff Kawada kicks to the side of the head. The Devlin Side kept Carter down for the three count, so "The Irish Ace" successfully retained the NXT Cruiserweight Championship.
Result: Jordan Devlin retains the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Ben Carter on NXT UK
Grade: A+
