By Ross Casey
We kick off this episode with a recap of the Toni Storm v Rhea Ripley feud, ahead of their rematch tonight, it's an excellent package that sets up the title rematch with Storm as the fighting champ and the Rhea as the belligerent bully.
MARK ANDREWS & MORGAN WEBSTER v GALLUS
- I really enjoy hearing Nigel McGuinness wearily explaining to non UK viewers what Boxing Day is as he tells us that Webster and Andrews hang out on that day. For someone who has been a US citizen for a while, he sure enjoys belittling them!
- Mark and Joe dominate Webster to begin, with their power too much for the smaller Welshman.
- Webster gets the tag and Andrews lands a lovely spinning headscissors on Joe.
- Andrews seems to have the upper hand but a blind tag by Joe results in the double team pop up uppercut! The crowd OOOOH to that one...
- The Coffeys use quick tags to wear down Andrews with their slow, methodical beatdowns.
- Many would argue this is boring, but I think The Coffey's have enough impressive power moves and a snug style, that makes their moveset look genuinely painful, and gets the crowd willing the faces to make a comeback - which they do, wear hold after wear hold.
- Joe attempts a powerbomb, but Andrews rolls through and gets the tag!
- Within one minute, he hits a moonsault, a head scissors around the post to the outside and a jumping knee. NICE HOT TAG!
- Andrews tags in and hits an assisted flip on the horizontal Mark Coffey. He almost hit three revolutions with that!
- Double somersault entons to the outside by Andrews & Webster!
- Stundog Millionaire (You don't suplex Andrews)
- Andrews attempts a tope on Mark, but he gets caught and ends up being suplexed on the apron! (You do suplex Andrews?)
- Joe Coffey gets his knees up on the Pinball wizard and follows up with a spear into the corner.
- ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!
- GALLUS WIN!
- Nigel McGuinness says with that win, Gallus have silenced their critics.
- That was an excellent opener. The faces are so much fun to watch, sell brilliantly and get the crowd going, whilst Gallus are unlikable, gritty heels. It was an excellent combination and made for a great match.
JORDAN DEVLIN HANDHELD PROMO
Devlin is walking across the beautiful beaches of Bray, Ireland and bigs himself up for his excellent performance at the World Collide event, where he won the battle royal and made the semi-finals. He says at that same weekend, Travis Banks got in his business against Noam Dar, and for that he better have eyes in the back of bis head, because he will pay.
KAY LEE RAY PROMO
Kay Lee Ray seems to be a heel in NXT UK. She talks about her arrogance and her awesome Scottishness. Perhaps she will wind up as part of Gallus? Either way, she is a welcome addition to the brand, what a wrestler.
TRENT SEVEN v SHANE THORNE
Trent is said to have travelled for a combined 71 hours to be at this show, whilst Thorne has tweeted 'Don't work to be the best, when it's more fun to be the worst.' Love that.
- Both men grapple until they end up in the ropes to start.
- Both men trade some vicious sounding chops, which wakes the crowd up.
- Trent hits the crossbody! Only gets two... what?!!
- Trent misses a clothesline in the corner - and pays the price with his shoulder snapped over the ropes by Thorne!
- Thorne continues to work on the shoulder both inside and outside of the ring.
- Stunner by Seven! Who isn't using that these days?!
- Seven uses the left arm to hit chops and a DDT as his right has been hurt. LOVE YOU TRENT,
- Dragon suplex for 2 by Trent!
- Trent locks in the figure four but they both roll to the apron. Thorne rolls them both off - and Trent sells the ongoing knee injury he has.
- Superplex for 2 by Seven!
- Inside cradle for 2 by Thorne!
- Thorne hits an awesome deadlift catch german suplex for 2.9!!!
- Trent Seven reverses a clothesline and hits the...
- SEVEN STAR LARIAT!
- TRENT SEVEN WINS!
- That was an excellent match, Thorne is one hell of a wrestler, who needs a bit more exposure and wins to get himself over as a singles star, he is yet to put across a clear character or moveset as yet. He is halfway there with the being the worst character - just needs to flesh that out in promos and through his in ring. Trent is the man and continues to perform in whatever role he is given. I don't know if I like he won with the lariat using his bad arm as that shows he was willing to go through pain to win or he should have used his left. I think I like it. Top stuff.
JACK GALLAGHER INTERVIEW
Gentleman Jack Gallagher is interviewed by Glen Joseph, where he is asked if he will be back on NXT UK anytime soon. Jack says that as he and Johnny Saint had the same trainer in Billy Robinson, perhaps they should sit down for a cup of tea and discuss it. Yes Jack, come on home!
JOSEPH CONNERS INTERVIEW
Conners says that Ligero caught him on an off day and since that defeat, he has been more focused than ever is looking forward to proving he is the better wrestler and the better man, next time they meet.
GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS IN RING PROMO
The Grizzled Young Veterans come out for a promo. They’re pissed that they had to fly to Phoenix to defend their tag team titles. If people want the titles, they should have to fly to the UK to get them. Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan come out and say they see no reason why they should wait until next week to fight - but the champs make a run for it. Wise guys.
NXT UK WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP - TONI STORM (C) v RHEA RIPLEY
- Rhea doesn't even wait for the bell to ring as she attacks Toni from behind. What a bitch!
- Ripley is absolutely rabid with her attacks and screams at the ref for attempting to intervene...
- Storm fights back with equal measure, but does not scream at the ref for intervening. Class.
- Ripley chokes Storm on the ropes, drags her outside and rams her into the apron. A wonderful callback to what she did when injuring Storm's back in the original match, which she won.
- Storm is back in the ring now screaming in pain, so Ripley toys with her a bit more by pulling her hair.
- Leg scissors applied around the lower back and ribs of Storm - but she refuses to quit.
- Toni wriggles out and lands a few forearms but gets downed again by a big dropkick from Ripley.
- Storm again gets some forearms in but again, she gets shut down by Ripley.
- Ripley stands on Storm's hair and flexes her huge arms. BOO.
- Standing inverted cloverleaf from Ripley! Love that move...
- Storm breaks free, sends Ripley outside and lands a tope!
- Two german suplexes and a corner hip attack by Toni!
- Toni tries for Storm Zero, but cannot lift Ripley - who lands a devastating lariat!
- She maintains wrist control and lands another!
- Ripley goes for a third but misses and eats a backstabber!
- Both have a forearm battle on their knees... and then on their feet!
- HEADBUTT by Storm! That looked evil!
- Ripley kicks out at two...
- Storm goes up top but Ripley lands an enziguri!
- SUPERPLEX! Storm kicks out at two!
- Bodyslam followed by some SAVAGE stomps in the corner by Ripley - who again screams at the ref...
- Ripley charges Storm but gets POSTED!
- STORM ZERO!
- TONI STORM WINS!
- That was probably the best of the three matches between these two. Ripley was made to look absolutely dominant, before making a mistake and Storm showed true grit and heart to come out on top. Loved it. I especially enjoyed that Ripley didn't hit her finisher and Storm kick out. Keep that move strong, please.
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