It’s the very First title defence of the UK Championship! Did you not know? It’s been advertised everywhere. Before we get to that match, which I’m definitely not biased towards (#TylerBateIstheBest), we’ve still got a Women’s Division match to see and the NXT Tag champs are in action. So without any more delay let’s get right into it!
First up was the Authors of Pain vs Jobbers of the week- I mean Garriston Spears & Lance Anoa’i. As you can tell the AOP destroyed them and defeated them with their finisher, The Last Chapter. Winning the match wasn’t enough for them as they hit the Super Collider just to add insult to injury… now they’re done.
We got a quick update on the condition of Shinsuke Nakamura. He is making progress on his (kayfabe) injury so we should see him soon. Probably before the next PPV.
The Second match of the night was Billie Kay & Peyton Royce vs Liv Morgan & the partner of her choice. Who was she? It was Ember Moon (What a twist). Ember was on form as usual with an impressive reversal of hers transitioned into a head-scissors. Yet again we saw the strong teamwork between Billie and Peyton as they managed to keep Ember down. I appreciate the effort put in to make these guys seem like an actual threat, especially when it would be easy to have them just be cowardly heels. After Ember was thrown and kicked to the outside, it left Liv Morgan on her own who couldn’t handle the final kick delivered by Royce. Billie Kay got the final pin and rejoiced. They make strong claims to power and then back it up with their actions. Thanks Billie and Peyton (never thought I’d ever write that).
We got a recap of last week’s incident where Sanity ambushed Tye Dillinger but was saved by Rodrick Strong and No Way Jose. This week, the latter pair were both interviewed and stated they wanted to defend him and stand up to Sanity’s “numbers game” and stop them from trying to attack anybody else. Be a Star, right WWE? I mean it would be hypocritical for a company that promotes anti-bullying to have people actively portray bullying to people without repercussions, right? That whole James Ellsworth thing doesn’t count? Nor does the bullying to Neville because he’s a heel? Right?
Anyways DIY came out to the ring. They thanked the audience and were humbled for their match at NXT Takeover Toronto as best of the year (You’re welcome Gargano and Ciampa. I got your back). They acknowledged how threatening and destructive AOP are but they openly refused to step away from a challenge and demanded their rematch for the NXT Tag Team titles. Paul Ellering and his giant mutated potato men (Akam and Rezar) accepted their challenge and will face them in 2 weeks time so they had better make their peace. “I love you, Johnny,” said Ciampa. “I love you too, man” Gargano replied. “We just made our peace!” I love these guys, but writing this made me feel like I was almost writing erotic fan fiction about DIY. Does that exist? hang on… Yep, it exists. Just as DIY were about to challenge AOP right then and there the Revival slipped into the ring behind the backs of DIY and ambushed them. AOP chased after the Revival but they left as quickly as they came.
We got a promo for Kassius OhNo/Chris Hero’s return to NXT. Apparently, he’s done breaking other people’s rings and wants to head back home.
William Regal announced next week there will be a triple threat between Peyton Royce, Liv Morgan, and Ember Moon. The winner will go on to face Asuka for the NXT women’s championship. Could Ember win? would it be too early? Peyton Royce could end up winning?! Get hype people!
The main event of the evening, that I had definitely been looking forward to, was Trent Seven vs Tyler Bate for the UK championship (Tyler is 19 years old, bloody hell). “Moustache Mountain” chants fill the room so the audience may already be aware that these two are a tag team. There was a nice touch to start with after they break up a hold Trent readjusts Tyler’s moustache, then later Tyler does the same favour for Trent. A lovely little moment that shows they respect each other going into the fight. The match was fun to enjoy as it felt very natural and didn’t drag at all, with enjoyable spots throughout, such as Trent giving Tyler the opportunity to knock him down – it took three times before he was able to knock Trent off balance but ended up with Trent using his momentum to knock Tyler down. Trent seized control throughout the middle of the match using his strength but Tyler’s quick agility got him back in the lead. Tyler’s attempt to hold Trent down didn’t go well as he was able to fight out of it. Shot after shot, Trent wanted more from Tyler. He attempted to roll Tyler up but it was only a 2 count.
As the match was building to its climax, Trent hit the Seven Star Lariat but it didn’t put Tyler away, stunning Trent. Trent was impressive in his style during the fight as you never knew when he was going to stop playing possum and pounce on the opportunity to win. Trent again caught Tyler by surprise, hit him with a powerbomb, then transitioned into a single leg lock. Tyler almost defeated Trent with an exploder suplex from the top rope but surprisingly he kicked out as well. Finally, Tyler got the Tyler Driver, got the 3 count, and retained his title.
Trent seized control of throughout the middle of the match using his strength but Tyler’s quick agility got him back in the lead. Tyler’s attempt to hold Trent down doesn’t go well as he was able to fight out of it, shot after shot Trent wants more from Tyler, he attempted to roll Tyler up but it was only a 2 count. As the match was building to its climax, Trent hit the Seven Star Lariat but it didn’t put Tyler away, stunning Trent. Trent was impressive in his style during the fight as you never knew when he was going to stop playing possum and pounce on the opportunity to win. Trent again caught Tyler by surprise, hit him with a powerbomb, then transitioned into a single leg lock. Tyler almost defeated Trent with an exploder suplex from the top rope but surprisingly he kicked out as well. Finally, Tyler got the Tyler Driver, got the 3 count, and retained his title.
It ended the only way all of us classy British types know how to, Tyler and Trent shook hands and then hugged it out. A fitting end to a brilliantly entertaining match.