By Ross Casey
The open to this show is the build for Travis Banks v Jordan Devlin in the main event. For a new brand, the UK branch of NXT has had some excellent wrestling, but little in the way of long term storytelling. This feud however, has been a big success for me.
It has been a slow build from Devlin questioning Banks' love for his home country, to then keeping his rival off the Takeover before a BRILLIANT double count-out draw a few weeks back. Since then, these two have been attacking each other and now we settle it with a falls count anywhere in Coventry match. HYPE.
LIGERO v JOSEPH CONNERS
As someone who is currently working their way through Superstars from 1992, I loved the screen on screen promos during the entrances here. It gives context to the wrestlers and builds the match we are about to watch. Simple and effective.
Conners feels that Ligero's win was a fluke and Ligero is going to prove he took his eye off the ball and will beat him again.
A quick paced start to this one, ending with Conners avoiding Ligero's springboard DDT finisher. The more I see of Conners on this brand, the more I am impressed with his improved pacing and moveset. Let's hope it continues...
Ligero continues to run rings round Conners, before the heels dumps him over the top rope and to the floor with a bang. Back in the ring, Conners trash talks to Ligero 'I AM BETTER THAN YOU' whilst landing some good strikes, including a shoulder tackle off the top rope. This Conners moveset ain't bad, ya know!
Short arm clothesline damned near kills Ligs for two! We then get the Conners submissions, that he used to use too often and for too long, but amongst his new style, fits perfectly. Ligero fights out to the delight of the crowd and lands a springboard stunner for two!
Both men attempt creative roll up pins but only managed two. Conners then hits a float over DDT using the ring ropes for two. This is a ding dong! More moves and strikes are exchanged before Conners lands a SICK floatover facebuster for a very close three!
Conners follows up with slaps to the face and reiterates 'I AM BETTER THAN YOU'. From nowhere though, Ligero pulls off a roll up with a twist and scores a second straight victory over Conners!
I really enjoyed this match. It was fast paced, told a simple face v heel story and advanced the angle of Ligero scoring a pin over Conners - who once again took his eye off the ball. Great stuff. Post match, Ligs offers his hand but Conners refuses. This feud must continue...
WINNER - LIGERO
TONI STORM INTERVIEW
Glen Joseph congratulates Toni Storm on her victory over Rhea Ripley putting that feud to bed. What now for her? She says that Rhea wanted to step up but couldn't get the job done, so now she awaits the next wrestler to do the same.
Jinny arrives in the background and looks on... ooh foreshadowing! (One for you there, Dom).
GALLUS PROMO
Another excellent promo from Gallus. They explain that it has been us and them from the start and last time out Flash and Andrews felt what it was like to be 'them'. They are tired of being disrespected by WALTER - they command respect and will beat it into him.
I like that Wolfgang now grimaces full time, being his resting face is too jolly to be with the Coffeys. He fits in better with a scowl. The presentation, lighting and scripting here were spot on. Love Gallus. My favourite firm.
THE EUROPEAN UNION v STOKER & HOWLEY
Stoker & Howley come out looking like they are big into The 1975. Their music is a knock off version of them too. Ace. The Union come out looking cool as fuck. What a team.
Aichner starts off and toys with Howley, slapping the back of his head while applying an arm submission. He then shows off his ridiculous strength with a deadlift powerslam. Aichner throws Howley to Stoker and says he wants him now.
He tags in and gets CHOPPED to shit. Barthel gets tagged in and immediately the tide turns as he fails to continue the destruction, until he screams NEIN and lands a throat thrust. Magical. He then gets destroyed by a spinebuster and penalty kick combination. NAH MATE.
I then witnessed one of the maddest feats of strength in a wrestling ring... Aichner was to catch Stoker in a suplex position off the ropes, but Stoker landed in the wrong place entirely. Aichner managed to haul him up regardless. WOW. The crowd popped big for it, 'one more time' they chant. Not the desired intention, but you could tell Aichner was loving it.
European uppercut doomsday device and another win for The European Union. An extended squash and a very enjoyable one at that.
WINNER - THE EUROPEAN UNION
CHARLIE MORGAN v NINA SAMUELS
Little bit sad that Nina Samuels is just announced from Hampshire on this show. No Fleet banter from the WSBF crew.
The commentators mention that Samuels has had a slow start to her NXT UK career. I like that disclosure, sometimes it is OK to tell the truth in order to tell the bigger story. They also state that Morgan is a proud member of the LGBTQ community - don't recall them mentioning that on air before. Thumbs up.
The match itself starts with some nice grappling exchanges between the two, with Samuels gaining the upper hand. Nina then uses Morgan's hair to gain the upper hand. Such a heel. BOOO.
Samuels lays in a submission whilst barking THIS IS NOT THE CHARLIE MORGAN SHOW - IT'S THE NINA SAMUELS SHOW. Morgan fights out and lands a big kick to the temple of Samuels.
She then attempts a springboard crossbody, but Samuels cuts her off and finishes it with the ushigoroshi.
A very quick match that does little for Morgan, but pushes Samuels on.
WINNER - NINA SAMUELS
TRAVIS BANKS v JORDAN DEVLIN - FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE
Travis Banks goes straight to Devlin during his entrance and the pair exchange strikes in the entranceway. Love that. It's a pet peeve of mine when grudge matches begin with a lock up. They brawl their way into the crowd and Devlin attempts to escape off the balcony.
Banks hits one hand off his grip, then the other, so Devlin falls! Banks HITS A CROSSBODY OFF THE BALCONY! That was actually really high up... jeez! It only gets a two count!
Banks hits a flurry of kicks back in the ring, sending Devlin to the outside. He follows up with a tope but Devlin throws a chair in the way! From there, Devlin takes control as the crowd chant he has a massive head and his head is too big for him. APPLAUSE.
Devlin attempts a Spanish Fly off the apron to the floor, but Banks has the intelligence to hold onto the rope. Devlin lands hard on the chair outside! Banks goes to the other side of the ring and pulls out a table, setting it up by the apron to huge cheers from the crowd.
Missile dropkick lands hard on Devlin - to the point where the impact takes out the ref too! REF BUMP. Banks lands the Kiwi Crusher but the ref is down and can't make the count. Devlin hits a MASSIVE headbutt and a top rope moonsault for two. Where was the ref earlier... bloody Roberts!
Devlin lands a superplex off the top, rolls through, but Banks reverses into a Kiwi Crusher. BUT DEVLIN KICKS OUT AT TWO!
Both men take a while to get back to their feet in a nice nod to their previous match before swinging for the fences at each other! This has been bloody ace.
Banks then lands Slice of Heaven but Devlin rolls out of the ring. Banks looks exasperated and McGuinness explains he has possibly lost his wherewithal and forgotten it is falls count anywhere. Good save, Nige!
Another nod to their previous stuff here as Devlin misses trying to land Banks into the ring steps - Banks leapfrogged him, making Devlin crash into the metal. This time, it is Banks that stamps on the leg of Devlin on the steps. KARMA IS A BITCH.
On one leg, Devlin reverses a move off the apron through the table and hits a SPANISH FLY THROUGH THE TABLE for the win. Devlin is spent, his back is bleeding and he has a limp. But the bugger has won the match. What a match, lads. SEEK THIS ONE OUT.
WINNER - JORDAN DEVLIN
This was an excellent episode. My only disappointment is Vic Joseph's pronunciation of Coventry. CUVENTREE? KEVINTREE? Have a word with him, Nigel!
Thanks for reading. Ross.
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