NXT UK Power Rankings: Ace & Clubs

There was so much happening this week that I barely have room for an opening. So instead I’ll give an honorable mention for the honorable mention list to Emilia McKenzie & Stevie Turner who both got back in the win column by defeating Angel Hayez and Myla Grace respectively. So let’s get to this week’s rankings! 

Honorable Mention: Sam Gradwell. The Thunderstorm continued one of my favorite redemption stories in wrestling as he finally got his hand on Kenny Williams. They got me here. Williams came out in street clothes on crutches and said he wasn’t cleared tonight because of a knee injury and had a doctor’s note. Sid Scala, being hands down the most professional, responsible GM in WWE showed up on screen in the trainer’s room. He said the medical team has no record of any injuries just a couple of missing crutches and the match starts now! Williams swung the crutches but Gradwell avoided them. The match was short with Gradwell getting the win after Williams leapfrogged him sending him into the ropes and tried a roll through but Gradwell sat down and caught the legs for the pin. After the match Williams reminded us of why he is truly the “Scum of the Earth” as he nailed Gradwell in the back of the head with a crutch. He followed up by taking out scissors and cutting off Gradwell’s mohawk. But later in the show Gradwell was on a tear backstage looking for him so we know revenge is coming. 

5. Dave Mastiff & Jack Starz. After fearing their break-up a few weeks ago I was rewarded with some solid comedy from these guys as Jack tried to earn Dave’s “cut” (the motorcycle club like vest Mastiff wears) throughva series of challenges. First was “Bomber Physicality” where Starz was supposed to do squats for 1 hour straight. 2 hours later we saw Mastiff eating in the lunch room when Andy Shepherd asked if he saw Starz? Mastiff gave an “Oh sh-” look but then we saw him finally stop Starz “another hour later” Starz asked “Is it an hours yet?” Challenge 2 was the weakest, “Bomber Appetite” where Starz had to eat an entire sleeve of some sort of snack crackers/bars. He did but needless to say he didn’t feel great after that. The final challenge was “Bomber Guts” where Mastiff said he earned his cut being fearless and wanted Starz to streak through the UK facility. Starz chickened out and ran off nude holding himself. 

4. Charlie Dempsey. We saw Die Famile in a luxury apartment in yet another of NXT UK’s gorgeously produced segments. There was a bed of dramatic music as well which only added to the film feel. Teoman was dejected after the loss to Frazer and said he let the family down. But he will “never be a loser as long as the family wins” Dempsey said “Maybe the eye forsaw all of this. Maybe that loss is what’s going to bring this family closer together.” Teoman made a new promise that nobody will stop the family. I appreciate that while Teoman is still treated like the leader of the group it’s becoming apparent they know Dempsey is the star here. I look forward to seeing what comes next. 

3. Nathan Frazer. After getting his first win in a half a year Frazer wasted no time calling his shot. While being interviewed sitting on the edge of the ring apron (which made for a nice visual change) he challenged Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Championship. If this match happens, as I assume it will, I wish he had some more wins and felt like a more credible threat heading in but Frazer and Dragunov are 2 of my 3 favorite bell to bell guys on this brand so I cannot wait for this clash! 

2. Wolfgang. At first glance Wolfgang looks like so many “weekend warrior” types toiling away on your local indy scene. He looks like a guy with a day job and a dream. But then when he gets in that ring I’m like “That’s right! He can GO!” This match was no different. Without those goons The Coffey brothers at ringside weighing him down Wolfie held his own in a fair fight with The Irish Ace. He caught Devlin on the ropes going for his twisting cutter and countered it into a stalling vertical suplex. Then he literally caught Devlin again on the floor when Jordan attempted a moonsault off the apron but Devlin sent him into the post shoulder first and it was the beginning of the end. After having his shoulder worked over by Devlin he dropped him on a gorilla press attempt when his arm gave out but he still followed up with a moonsault of his own which Devlin countered by getting his knees up. Wolfgang nailed his up and over corner splash followed by a 1 handed axe handle and his sliding turning back senton but it wasn’t enough. A last ditch spear attempt was his ultimate undoing as he hit the move but further damaged his shoulder in the process. The Scot is so good on his own and I wish he wasn’t saddled with the Coffey brothers. It’s a shame that we hadn’t had a singles match from him since October. 

1. Jordan Devlin. The Irish Ace proved once again that he is the cream of the crop on NXT UK by taking out the most talented member of Gallus. He spent the match going to town on Wolfgang’s arm but also hit some high flying moves as well. He hit a corkscrew crossbody from the apron inside and his twisting cutter over the course of the match. After a Spanish Fly and 450 Devlin finally came away from the hard fought battle victorious. I was so happy to see Devlin use some of his more high flying moves in the win because The Devlin Side feels so deflating to me. But it does make some sense that he can use the suplex to finish smaller guys but needs to fly to take out the big boys like Wolfgang. This match was a hoot despite very little hype coming it. Seek it out!