What a great evening of British wrestling! UK wrestling is going through quite the resurgence at the moment. We’ve recently seen the return of ‘World of Sport’ on British television channel ITV, which featured the commentary of Jim Ross and we’re now seeing WWE take advantage of the massive fan base across the pond by giving the collection of countries their very own title to wrestle over.
16 competitors fought it out tonight to show what they could do on the biggest stage. A big advantage of this is that it introduces a new style of wrestling to a broader audience and it acts as another developmental area for the WWE.
We started off with a great promo highlighting the special relationship the WWE has had with the UK over the years including The British Bulldog at SummerSlam ’92 and Finn Balor winning the inaugural WWE Universal Championship. It was a nostalgic way to start what is certainly going to be a new era in British wrestling.
There has only ever been the odd wrestler to represent the United Kingdom in the past, but this provides an opportunity to include many more of the talented UK roster.
Triple H kicked us off, saying we’re going to start an empire. I love that. As an Englishman myself I feel great pride in the competitors that were here tonight and what the UK set out to accomplish. Triple H really does understand wrestling and has transformed the business more than we can appreciate. If it continues this way, the WWE will be a worldwide force the likes of which we never could have imagined.
The UK Championship was shown on a wooden stand that looked like a tree stump. It added a great bit of character to the presentation. Red ropes were used for the ring and it looked really good against the simple backdrop and the highly lit Empress Ballroom in Blackpool. Having been there myself for the WWE NXT tour at the back end of 2015 I know what a special place it is for wrestling, it truly is amazing.
Michael Cole and Nigel McGuinness kick things off in front of the raucous WWE UK crowd akin to when WWE Raw first started in 1993. And we were ready to get things started in the first round!
#1 Trent Seven vs H.C. Dyer
The first match pitted Trent Seven vs. H.C. Dyer. Trent carries the British strong style to the ring and has a fantastic moustache and beard combo. He’s like a more manly Jack Gallagher. He’s also the Progress Wrestling tag team champion currently so has that going for him! H.C. Dyer is an extremely hard striker.
It was nice to see we had a British ring announcer too.
Chants of Moustache Mountain rang through the Empress ballroom as the two men went at each other hard to begin with. Really hard slaps and striking from Trent started things off but H.C Dyer gained the advantage with a spinebuster.
Tye Dillinger is really over by the way, as the predominantly NXT crowd, used the ever-familiar chants of ’10!’ on the count out.
There was an extremely close two count after the hard punch from H.C Dyer. I liked what I was seeing from both men but it wasn’t particularly special. It struck me as a great opening match but it didn’t have that excitement that would come from other matches in the evening.
A Ripcord Blue Thunderbomb from Dyer resulted in a two count. Trent Severn surviving. An amazing frog splash was missed by Dyer and thus began his downfall. Seven Stars was executed by the man from Moustache Mountain and the match was over. Trent Severn, considered a big favorite for the tournament knocked off H.C Dyer in a good opening match to the tournament.
Result: Winner by pinfall - Trent Severn
#2 Danny Burch vs. Jordan Devlin
The next match saw a former NXT superstar, Danny Burch, go up against Jordan Devlin. Danny is like the stereotypical English ‘hardman’. He has a great physique and is from East London, so he fits the bill quite nicely.
The Finn Balor wannabe, Jordan Devlin is catch as catch can wrestler. Could there be a case of copyright infringement here? Would make a great tag team with Finn Balor but is just too similar. It was like looking at a tribute act.
Jordan began with a very quick start, firing off moves as per his wrestling style. It was more of a technical match already as the two men tried to outwrestle each other. Devlin went for a knee and Burch caught the leg forcing Devlin face first into the mat.
I’d never seen something like that before so it certainly got my attention. There was no clear advantage, to begin with. Devlin showed his athletic ability with a picture perfect dropkick. The pace then slowed down. There was a mighty kip-up from Birch and let’s face it, the crowd loves a kip up! The boxer was really showing his skills. He then followed it up with a headbutt then the Crippler Cross face. That ain’t PG!
Unfortunately, the ending turned into a bit of a botch fest as Danny Birch ended up busted open and despite kicking out, was counted down for three. This prompted chants of bulls*it from the raucous UK crowd.
Result: Winner by pinfall - Jordan Devlin
There was a handshake then a superkick from Balor…I mean Devlin, right to the teeth! It was a brilliant way to gain heat, especially if that was decided on in the heat of the moment.
The interview with Devlin on the ramp allowed him to show off his cocky attitude as he used words such as ‘cleanly’ and ‘decisively’ to describe his win. It was anything but. He used the controversial victory to his advantage.
#3 Saxon Huxley vs Sam Gradwell
Saxon Huxley, the Musclecat was up next pitted against Sam Gradwell, a mean looking son of a gun. He had a great look and a great accent to carry it off. He was nice and clear during his promo and it really made me invest into his character.
Saxon was described as cerebral and he proved to be during the match. He was showing great ring awareness and taking advantage of Gradwell’s mistakes. Collar and elbow tie up started things off, trying to prove strength to each other. It was good to see and something different to the previous matches.
Gradwell then took control over powering ‘Jesus’ as he escapes the ring. One could argue this match had the best reaction of the night so far as Saxon’s resemblance to Jesus prompted the crowd to adapt many chants including “HEYYYYYY HEYYY JESUS OHHH AHH I WANNA KNOOWWWWW IF YOU’LL BE MY GOD!” They were a brilliant crowd that was absolutely rocking.
Gradwell toppled the Lord and Saviour with a flying headbutt, it was turning into a bit of a Chris Benoit tribute show at this point!
Result: Winner by pinfall - Sam Bradwell
Thank you, Jesus…
#4 Pete Dunne vs. Roy Johnson
Pete Dunne – The Bruiserweight, had classic attire, dodgy hair and a Shinsuke Nakamura gumshield. He was pitted against Roy Johnson in his first round match.
Roy Johnson has stupid strength. He is a powerlifter but it’s a shame he can’t do his top button up. Not very English of you Roy. He came out looking like a cross between an Uso and Shield member. He’s only been wrestling for 2 years.
There was a great slap from Pete Dunne that echoed around the ballroom. Johnson countered a dragon sleeper into a vertical suplex which was an amazing show of power and strength. The action then ended up outside the ring where Dunne picked up the advantage, using the steps to damage the arm of Johnson.
It was refreshing to see someone focusing on a limb as it is not really something we’d seen all night. I liked the work on the wrist. It just looks so technical. It’s so simple, but you can imagine the pain it must cause to manipulate the joints in such a manner.
Dunne went for a surfboard, but just used the position to bend the fingers back. It was a very smart move because it took away the two limbs you need for the powerlifting Johnson is known for. Johnson mounted a comeback but there were a couple of close falls traded as the match came to a close.
One Pumphandle Flatliner later and it was all over. It was a pretty impressive finishing move. One that I hope we will see more often.
Result: Winner by pinfall - Pete Dunne
#5 Wolfgang vs. Tyson T-Bone
Wolfgang is from Glasgow, Scotland and known as The Last King of Scotland. Tyson T-Bone, on the other hand, wants to be known as King of the Travellers. He’s a lot like Tyson Fury in his attitude and it’s certainly a fresh gimmick for the WWE. He cut a promo before the match and I couldn’t quite work out his accent. It was like an English / Irish hybrid.
Tyson went for the headbutt in the handshake before the bell. The attack continued as the bell was rung. Wolfgang came back and we had a fight on our hands! This was one of the more exciting contests that we’d seen as the two men were of a completely different physique to the other 16 competitors.
This is like watching two people that have been dragged from a pub: “hey do you wanna wrestle tonight?”, and they both said yes. Obviously, this was not the case, the two men have much experience between them and have been waiting for an opportunity like this.
Wolfgang hit the Wasteland followed by a second rope moonsault. Really nice stuff. This was followed by a great German Suplex from Tyson. Tyson took advantage on the outside by pushing Wolfgang into the post. This was a rough style that they were quite limited by as there was not much to interact with on the outside. If anything, there was a little too much wrestling in this match and Wolfgang advanced with a Swanton bomb. Jeff Hardy return confirmed.
Result: Winner by pinfall – Wolfgang
Wolfgang was interviewed on the ramp. What a fantastic Scottish talent, he reeled off the promo like it was second nature.
#6 James Drake vs. Joseph Conners
Michael Cole hyped this match as the one that would steal the show.
James Drake is extremely experienced despite only being 23 years old. He was facing Joseph Conners, a hard-hitting, physical wrestler. He has lost half an ear, Mick Foley style.
Drake targeted the ear as the two men trade blows and collar and elbow tie ups. Conners has one of the best physiques of the tournament and I feel he could have one of the more interesting characters if only for his physicality and the fact he is missing an ear.
Drake is an extremely hard hitter and seemed the more violent of the two. His biker style reminded me a bit of Baron Corbin but on a much smaller scale of course. At one point, Conners just unloaded punches onto Drake’s back.
It was certainly one of the most aggressive matches in the tournament if not the most. These two are good enough to be in NXT on a week to week basis and that’s a feeling that I’d not got from the other matches. That’s not to take away from the talent in these matches, but it just seemed more natural and their chemistry stood out.
Michael Cole…was right?
Don’t Look Down was executed out of nowhere to finish the match and it was disappointing because I could have watched that match for a lot longer than it went on.
Result: Winner by pinfall – Joseph Connners
#7 Mark Andrews vs. Dan Maloney
Mark Andrews from Cardiff in Wales was the only Welshman in the tournament. He was also the biggest fan favorite of the night. Dan Moloney though had a great promo in his VT, whether he meant it or not. He’s seen things he shouldn’t have seen, done things that he shouldn’t have done.
The interviewer is heard on camera asking him what he has done and he retorted with ‘he probably shouldn’t say’. You talk about a guy making a good impression as soon as he walks through the curtain, that’s the man right there.
Considering Dan is only 19, he is one of the biggest underdogs in the tournament but as I said, this was brilliant.
Mark Andrews is great to watch. His movements were extremely fluid as he transitioned from hip lock takeovers to the over-zealous flips. The way he used his light frame to float around the ring like it was nothing was extremely impressive.
There was a 619 to the midsection from Andrews. He’s like the Yoda of wrestling and he is certainly exciting to watch and brought something different to the tournament. A northern lights suplex with a roll through followed by a standing moonsault was executed by the Welsh Yoda, but a kick out saved the underdog.
A Hurricanrana to the outside set up a moonsault off the apron from Andrews. It was an absolutely fantastic display from these two guys. Dan kicked him right to the face after a modified facebuster and a real close pinfall nearly decided the match.
Andrews set the finish of the match up with a Stand Up Millionaire and put his opponent away with a Shooting Star Press. This was definitely the show stealer. Match of the night for me.
Result: Winner by pinfall – Mark Andrews
#8 Tyler Bate vs. Tucker
Tucker is from Belfast and describes himself as a technical wrestler. Tyler Bate was the guy from Dudley taking on the old style gimmick. He had the older boots, the old fashioned tache with the short back and sides hairdo.
The was an exhibit of fantastic athleticism from both men. Lots of kip-ups, flips and fast catch as catch can action wowed the crowd as we ended the night. Bate sucker-punched Tucker with a left hand that looked like a knock-out punch. It was a fantastic sell. Dolph Ziggler would be proud. The crowd was firmly behind Tyler Bate. It was an extremely unorthodox style from the man from Dudley.
The match slowed down into headlocks as the crowd began to entertain themselves with “Woo’s”. They sensed it and an impactful spinning kick from Tucker sent Tyler to la-la land. Tucker took advantage from here and controlled that match with a fast pace, using his agility, however, Bate came back and regained control. Momentum switched back and forth more often than the other matches earlier in the night.
A suicide dive from Tucker was caught with an uppercut and it was another fantastic sell as he hung from the ropes on the apron. Tucker then executed a head scissors from the stairs to the ramp after recovering quickly.
An airplane spin from Tyler Bate signaled the end. He teased the crowd as he slowed down and went again the other way! It was a brilliant bit of old fashioned wrestling akin to the giant swing from Cesaro.
Tucker kicked Bate all the way out of the ring and prompted ‘Holy Sh*t’ chants from the crowd. A near fall followed. There was a failed Swanton Bomb by Tucker then a wheelhouse kick from Tyler Bate. This allowed him to execute the Tyler driver ’97 and he picked up the win. Fantastic display from both to end the night and send the crowd home happy!
Result: Winner by pinfall – Tyler Bate
Special presentation
A quick presentation followed with William Regal and Nigel McGuinness to announce the participants in the Quarter Finals of the tournament. They were as follows:
Tyler Bate vs. Jordan Devlin
Trent Seven vs. Wolfgang
Pete Dunne vs. Sam Gradwell
Mark Andrews vs. Joseph Conners
Pete Dunne attacked Gradwell to end things and Regal went mental. I thought he was going to lamp Dunne! It’s fantastic that they’re adding little one night only storylines and building heel characters. There is a fine art to getting someone over in a matter of two nights and the WWE has come so far in the past 3 years, that they are adept once again at appealing to the niche audiences.
I look forward to seeing what happens tomorrow in the finals! Did you enjoy the first night? Let us know in the comment section!
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