Fresh off NXT TakeOver: New York, the well-received NXT live event that took place this past Friday, the action continues on this week’s edition of NXT UK. For those that have been keeping up with women’s division action, you know that tonight’s show will be highlighted by NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm defending the title against Jinny. Let’s get underway from Coventry, England!
Travis Banks vs. Kassius Ohno
The match begins with a lackadaisical Ohno staring down a focused Banks. The two men lock up, with the larger Ohno taking control early on. Banks starts to assume control, but Ohno cuts him off with a headlock. Banks executes a shoulder block, but Ohno doesn’t stagger, with Ohno exclaiming that he didn’t see him. Ohno looks to run the ropes, but quickly stomps at Banks’ foot. Ohno runs the ropes, but is quickly caught with a flurry of kicks to the legs by Banks. Ohno narrowly avoids a kick to the head as he rolls to the apron.
Banks hits a suicide dive, but Ohno catches him on the outside. Banks runs across the ring apron and hits a kick to Ohno, sending him crashing to the mat. Ohno catches Banks once again and sends him into the steel steps! Back in the ring, Ohno executes a series of mudhole stomps on Banks in the corner. Ohno hits a leg drop on a seated Banks! 1… 2… Banks kicks out! Ohno sends Banks down to the mat with a stiff forearm. Banks tries to fight back, but Ohno digs his thumb into his opponent’s eye, followed by a scoop slam. Ohno goes for a moonsault from the top, but Banks evades! Banks hits a series of kicks to Ohno’s chest, but Ohno catches his foot, following up with a big knee to the shoulder!
On the outside, Ohno continues to focus on Banks’ shoulder. Ohno reenters the ring and continues to focus on the aforementioned body part, even stomping away at his fallen opponent. Ohno hits a series of clubbing blows to the back of Banks’ shoulder, but Banks starts to fight back, only to be met with a big boot! Ohno follows up with a forearm to the back! 1… 2… Banks kicks out! Ohno continues to wear down Banks, who finally catches a second wind by sending Ohno to the outside! Banks hit a dive to the outside on Ohno! Banks charges and hits a running knee to Ohno’s jaw before following his opponent back into the ring. Banks hits a double stomp to the corner on Ohno! 1… 2… Ohno kicks out!
Ohno catches Banks on his shoulders, but Bank reverses it into a pin attempt, but Ohno kicks out at 2! Banks hits a Kiwi Crusher on Ohno! 1… 2… Ohno kicks out once again! Ohno hits the Rubik’s Cube! 1… 2… Banks kicks out! Ohno goes for the ripcord elbow, but Banks evades it with a series of pin attempts. Finally, Banks covers Ohno’s shoulders to the mat for the 1… 2… 3!
Winner: Travis Banks
Following the match, we are treated to a recap video detailing the arrival of NXT UK women’s Superstar, Piper Niven. She makes her in-ring debut next!
After the commercial, a video package plays of the United Kingdom Championship match between Pete Dunne and Walter at NXT TakeOver: New York. Following a grueling contest, complete with stiff strikes, snapped digits, and everything in between, Walter defeats Dunne to become the third UK Champion!
We then cut to a backstage interview with Jordan Devlin, who says that while Dunne lost at TakeOver: New York, Devlin has done nothing but win. He makes it clear that he wants to become UK Champion as well.
Killer Kelly vs. Piper Niven
The two competitors lock up to begin, Niven, shoving Kelly down to the mat in a show of power. Niven helps Kelly up with a handshake in a show of sportsmanship. The two lock up in a test of strength, but Kelly takes control, cranking Niven’s neck. Niven takes down Kelly with a shoulder block, followed by a big scoop slam, a running senton, and a seated splash! 1… 2… Kelly kicks out! Niven keeps Kelly grounded with a submission. Kelly narrowly avoids a splash in the corner and goes for a suplex. Niven reverses it, but Kelly counters with a sleeper hold! Niven drives Kelly back into the corner to shake her off.
Niven hits a cannonball on Kelly in the corner before following up with a Michinoku Driver! 1… 2… 3!
Winner: Piper Niven
After the match, Rhea Ripley storms the ring to attack Niven. However, Niven catches Ripley in the act, causing her to stop in her tracks. Slowly, Ripley backs up the ramp, with Niven inviting her in the ring to square off. It’s apparent that business is far from over for these two.
After the commercial, we cut to a backstage interview with NXT UK Tag Team Champions Grizzled Young Veterans, Zack Gibson and James Drake. Gibson says that they are prepared to offer a non-title open challenge, urging anyone to step up to their level.
Jack Starz vs. Joseph Connors
Both men lock up, with Connors quickly shoving the smaller Starz to the mat. Connors wrenches at Starz’s arm. Starz executes a series of flips and locks in an armbar of his own. He sits down in the move, but is quickly lifted up by Connors. Starz rolls up Connors for a pin attempt, but Connors quickly kicks out. Connors hits a shoulder tackle off the top rope. Connors follows up with a forearm on the back, proceeded by an elbow drop. Connors wrenches at the neck of Starz, taunting the less experienced NXT UK Superstar in the process. Connors hits a headbutt to Starz’s midsection. Connors escapes another pin attempt from Starz and follows up with an elbow drop, telling the official to ask Starz if he’s okay.
Connors tosses Starz across the ring in a show of power. Connors hits a short-arm clothesline on Starz. Starz starts to regain control with a series of strikes, followed by a dropkick. Starz goes up to the top rope and hits a big crossbody. Connors rolls through the attack and hits the Don’t Look Down! 1… 2… 3!
Winner: Joseph Connors
We cut to a video package featuring Dave Mastiff, showcasing the NXT UK Superstar’s sheer strength and unmoving presence. He will be coming “soon.” We also learn that Grizzled Young Veterans will be in action next week!
Jinny vs. Toni Storm (c) (NXT UK Women’s Championship)
At the onset, Storm and Jinny exchange lefts and rights! Storm hits a low running dropkick on Jinny, going for the cover, only for Jinny to kick out at two. Storm executes a single leg Boston crab, transitioning into a modified STF. Jinny crawls to, and eventually grabs, the bottom rope. Storm goes for the Storm Driver, but Jinny reverses with a dragon screw followed by a stretch. Jinny breaks the hold and cinches in the camel clutch, targeting Storm’s lower back. Storm reverses the move with a stretch of her own. Once again, Jinny grabs the bottom rope.
Jinny executes a running hurricanrana and sends Storm, face first, into the middle turnbuckle. 1… 2… Storm kicks out! Jinny continues to focus on Storm’s back, finishing up with a backbreaker. 1… 2… Storm kicks out once more! Jinny hits an ax kick to Storm’s back and goes for another pin. However, the championship is able to kick out again! Jinny evades a cannonball attempt from Storm, but it’s only good for another two-count. Jinny cinches in a rear sleeper hold, keeping Storm from the ropes.
Jinny exclaims, “This is my NXT UK!” Storm retorts with a series of three German suplexes! Storm executes a hip attack on Jinny in the corner. She goes for the Storm Zero, but Storm is forced into the corner by Jinny. Back in control, Jinny hits the Facelift on Storm! 1… 2… Storm gets her leg on the bottom rope! Jinny goes for her own version of the Storm Zero, but Storm hits a headbutt! 1… 2… Jinny kicks out! Both competitors begin to exchange strikes. Jinny catches Storm’s leg and sends her crashing onto her knee face first. Storm catches Jinny with a powerbomb, followed by the Storm Zero! 1… 2… 3!
Winner: Toni Storm
Storm celebrates in the ring as we close out another edition of NXT UK.
