WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament Day Two Coverage: Bate Wins WWE UK Championship

If you thought the first night of the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament was mediocre and decided not to tune in, you missed a wonderful two hours of wrestling action. While the tournament itself was special, the Tommy End/Neville match before the final was one of the best matches of 2017 so fa. Add in the Finn Balor promo and there was enough to put an exclamation mark on the two-day event.

Matches:

Quarterfinals:

Pete Dunne vs. Sam Gradwell: Dunne was his cocky self to start, but Gradwell was physical and got the early advantage with a Suicide Dive and a Suplex on the ramp. After a Missile Dropkick on Dunne, Gradwell has the advantage, but his already injured back from the night before was starting to act up. Although Dunne hit the Snap German Suplex, Gradwell fought back with a Michinoku Driver and then a Cross Body from the top to Dunne, who was outside the ring. Rather unceremoniously, however, Dunne pushed Gradwell off the top rope to the outside and then Scoop-Slammed him on the turnbuckle for the win. After the match, Dunne hit the Pumphandle Flatliner, AKA the Bitter End on Gradwell to make a statement.

Mark Andrews vs. Joseph Connors: Andrews hit some spots, but Connors was tough as hell and nearly won on several occasions. However, Mandrews countered a Vertical Suplex into the Stundog Millionaire, before nailing the Shooting Star Press for the win.

Trent Seven vs: Wolfgang: This was a war as Wolfgang wasn’t scared to be the high-flyer and Seven countered with strikes and a Suicide Dive of his own early to keep things even. Although Wolfgang hit the Wasteland, Seven countered later with a Dragon Suplex. After Seven countered the Wasteland again, Seven hit the Seven-Star Lariat, but Wolfgang kicked out. Seven then went for the Piledriver from the top, but Wolfgang countered and then hit the Senton Bomb on Seven’s back for the win.

Tyler Bate vs. Jordan Devlin: Bate entertained the crowd with the Airplane Spin, but Devlin was in the match thanks to quick strikes and counters. However, Devlin ran out of counters after a missed Moonsault and Bate hit him with Bang and then the Tyler Driver ’97 for the win.

Semifinals:

Mark Andrews vs. Pete Dunne: This was the best match of the tournament up until that point. Andrews was something special here as he hit a Standing 640 and a Standing Shooting Star on Dunne, but the Bruiserweight hit an X-Plex on the apron and on the ramp to give himself an advantage. Andrews hit a version of the Stunner to get back in the match, but at that point, anything could have happened. Andrews then went for the Shooting Star, but Dunne stuck out his knees and went for the Bitter End. Although Mandrews countered and nearly won with a Hurricanrana, he went for another Shooting Star, but Dunne hit the German Suplex in the corner and followed it up with another X-Plex and the Bitter End for the win.

Wolfgang vs. Tyler Bate: Wolfgang was the aggressor early and even a missed The Howling Senton Bomb didn’t stop his attack as he nearly won with a massive Spear. However, as Wolfgang went for the Wasteland, Bate hit the Tiger Driver 97 to get the surprise win. After the match, Dunne hit the ring and beat on Bate until William Regal grabbed him and brought him to the back.

Special Non-Tournament Contest: Neville vs. Tommy End: A match that could have meant nothing turned out to be something magical. Both competitors hit all of their signature maneuvers, while End’s striking ability lit the crowd on fire. Although End was dominant at times, Neville got the win with the Red Arrow.

Finals:

Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate: Dunne worked on Bate’s injured shoulder throughout, but Bate was tough. Fighting hard on the outside, he was never out of the match. After a Springboard Elbow and an Exploder Suplex, Bate was in the driver’s seat for the first time but Dunne hit him with a punch before  Bate nearly won with a Rollup. Bate then hit a trio of Airplane Spins, but Dunne kicked out. Dunno then locked in the Triangle Submission, but Bate countered into a Spinebuster to ignite the crowd. Bate then nailed Dunne on the outside with the Fozzberry Flop and then a 450 but couldn’t get the win. Dunno then hit the Bitter End out of nowhere, but Bate kicked out. Dunno wasted no time and locked in the Kimura, but Bate countered with a Brainbuster for a near-fall. After they traded strikes, Bate hit a pair of Wheel Kicks and went for the Tyler Driver 97 for the win.