On this week’s episode of NXT UK, we will see Tyler Bate challenge James Drake to singles competition! Though they are known as tag team specialists, they will focus on each other in this one-on-one main event.
We start this episode off with NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint and Sid Scala, who are standing in the middle of the ring. According to Scala, Pete Dunne will defend the United Kingdom Championship, during WrestleMania weekend, at TakeOver: New York! This announcement is met with loud “Bruiserweight” chants from the crowd. The question remains: who will Dunne defend the title against? Dunne, with the UK Championship on his shoulder, makes his way to the ring. Scala passes the microphone to Dunne, with the crowd still firmly behind the champion. Dunne says just three words, “Give me Walter.” As Saint and Scala remain in the ring, Dunne makes his way back up the ramp.
We shift our focus to NXT UK Women’s Champion Toni Storm, who was interviewed earlier regarding Jinny. Storm said that while she and Jinny are different, they share a love for gold. Toni said that she earned her gold, while Jinny’s was given to her by her parents. Storm said that when Jinny is in the ring with her, she must actually work hard for something. Storm exited the scene, passing by Rhea Ripley along the way. Ripley tells the camera crew to stay put, as she addressed Xia Brookside and the comments she made. Ripley said that if they step in the ring again, the result will be the same as it was before.
Match 1: Eddie Dennis vs. Ligero
The match begins with Ligero going after the legs of Dennis with strikes. He then comes through with a springboard stunner through the ropes, but it’s only good for a two-count. Ligero follows up with a series of kicks to Dennis’ chest. Ligero hits Dennis with a superkick to send him out of the ring. He then goes for a cross body to the outside, but Dennis catches him in midair, slamming him against the ring apron with authority. Dennis drags his opponent back into the ring, keeping him in the corner. He then whips him into the opposite corner, sending him down to the mat.
With Dennis in control, he whips Ligero into the opposite corner. Dennis covers Ligero, but he quickly kicks out. Eddie hits a chop on Ligero and covers him, but the luchador kicks out once again. Dennis follows up with clubbing blows to weaken Ligero further. He slows down the pace of the match, stomping away at his fallen opponent and following up with a stiff forearm. Dennis attempts to whip Ligero into the comer, but Ligero reverses it with a facebuster. Ligero kicks Dennis in the face, sending him out of the ring. Ligero comes to his feet and comes off with a hurricanrana to the outside!
Ligero rolls Dennis back into the ring and climbs the ropes, coming off with a splash. He goes for the cover, 1… 2… Dennis kicks out! Ligero starts to favor the ankle, which he presumably injured off the aforementioned hurricanrana. Dennis hits a big clothesline on Ligero and goes for the Neck Stop Driver, but the luchador escapes, hitting an enziguri. Ligero goes for his springboard DDT, but Dennis catches him. Ligero counters with a Code Red! 1… 2… Dennis kicks out once more! Ligero advances to the top rope, but Dennis cuts him off. Eddie hoists Ligero up, hitting him with a big stalling superplex! Dennis executes the Neck Stop Driver! He goes for the cover, 1… 2… 3!
Winner: Eddie Dennis
We cut to a WWE.com exclusive featuring Amir Jordan and Kenny Williams. Jordan eagerly suggested that they go after the NXT UK Tag Team Championship. Williams countered by challenging Jordan to a series of pull-ups, which led to a comedic montage segment. Ultimately, Jordan’s efforts impressed Williams, though he wasn’t too keen on Jordan’s dancing request.
Match 2: Sam Stoker and Lewis Howley vs. The Hunt (Wild Boar and Primate)
The match begins with Primate and Stoker. Primate proceeds to physically dominate his opponent, bringing him over to his corner. Wild Boar is tagged in and he continues the assault. Primate tags himself back in and The Hunt execute a double slam followed by an assisted senton. Primate hits Stoker with a German suplex. Howley tags himself in, though hesitantly. Howley rains down on Primate with a series of blows, but Primate counters with a headbutt to the shoulder. Primate tags in Wild Boar, who hits his opponent with a cannonball in the corner. Primate is tagged back. The Hunt finish off Howley with a pop-up into a belly-to-back suplex for the 1… 2… 3!
Winners: The Hunt
Up next, making his official NXT UK debut, NXT Superstar Kassius Ohno challenges Ashton Smith!
Match 3: Ashton Smith vs. Kassius Ohno
The match begins with Ohno taking his time before advancing toward Smith. The two fist bump in a show of respect. The match itself officially begins with technical wrestling, both competitors feeling each other out. Ohno hits clubbing blows to Smith’s back before running the ropes, then Smith hits him with a dropkick! Smith goes for a dive but Ohno intercepts. Ohno hits a suplex and goes for the pin, but Smith kicks out at two! He grounds Smith with a stretch, then the younger star fights through. Ohno chops at Smith’s chest, but Smith catches him with a pump kick. It didn’t seem to have much of an impact, as did Smith’s following superkick, but Smith finally floors Ohno with a Samoan drop! Smith goes for the cover 1… 2… he kicks out!
Ohno catches Smith with a boot to the face, followed by two sentons. Kassius then executes a discus elbow smash, knocking out Smith! Ohno covers Smith for the 1… 2… 3!
Winner: Kassius Ohno
Following the match, Ohno checks on the fallen Smith. He then assists the young Superstar to his feet. Ohno extends his fist for another fist bump, but instead knocks out Smith with another discus elbow! He leaves the ring as a disapproving Travis Banks walks by to check on Smith. Ohno sneaks up on Banks to attack him, though the Kiwi Buzzsaw catches him before he can do so.
After the commercial break, we cut to Gallus, who are sitting in a diner. Joe Coffey tells Mark and Wolfgang that they must establish dominance in NXT UK and remain on top.
Match 4: Tyler Bate vs. NXT UK Tag Team Champion James Drake
The match begins with mat wrestling, both opponents attempting to best the other early on. “Tyler Bate” chants emit from the NXT UK Universe. The mat wrestling ends with a standoff. Drake traps Bate’s arm and lifts him in the air, bringing him back down to the mat. Bate rolls through multiple times and follows up with a dropkick. Tyler catches Drake on his shoulders and executes an airplane spin. Bate goes to the top rope, in a seated position, but Drake pushes him off, sending him to the mat outside!
Drake sends Bate into the barricade before rolling him back into the ring. Drake executes a nerve hold on Bate. Loud “Let’s Go Tyler” chants can be heard from the crowd. Drake hits a gutwrench suplex on Bate before going for the cover. 1… 2… Bate kicks out! Drake hits a backbreaker on Bate before going for another cover, but the inaugural UK Champion kicks out at two! The crowd direct “assface” chants at Drake, due to his trunks featuring a face design on them, who follows up with aggressive offense toward Bate. Bate is finally able to get some offense going, hitting a standing hurricanrana followed by a back drop. Bate goes to the middle rope and hits a flying back elbow on Drake. He then hits an exploder suplex on Drake. Bate follows up with a standing shooting star, but it’s only good for a two-count.
Outside of the ring, Bate is able to reverse Drake’s attempt to slam him into the barricade. The action returns to the ring, where Drake hits a big facebuster on Bate. Drake goes for the cover, 1… 2… Bate kicks out! They begin to exchange pin attempts but Drake hits an enziguri. Bate for the Tyler Driver ’97, but Drake counters with a big dropkick into the corner. 1… 2… Bate kicks out! Drake makes his way to the top rope for a 450 splash. Bate rolls out of the way and hits an exploder suplex in the corner. Tyler goes up top for a corkscrew splash and hits the maneuver on Drake! Bate covers Drake for the 1… 2… 3!
Winner: Tyler Bate
As Bate celebrates in the ring, we cut to the backstage area, where Walter is seen leaving the office of Saint. Scala says that they have confirmed with NXT General Manager William Regal that, as part of TakeOver: New York, Walter will challenge Dunne for the United Kingdom Championship!
