This week wasn’t the best in-ring offering from the brand but did do a lot to advance stories. So without any further adieu here’s the rankings for this week.
Honorable Mention: Damon Kemp. When Kemp’s name came up with Wagner, Legend and Nile last week I had no clue who he was. This week Sid Scala introduced him and touted all his greco roman wrestling accomplishments and mentioned him competing for the University of Minnesota (which would make him a teammate of Gable Steveson) and said he had somebody special to help teach him the British style. With that Johnny Saint walked in. Kemp instantly felt like 3 times the star Wagner has ever felt like. I almost feel bad for Wagner because he’s probably a really nice guy but as a wrestler on my TV…oof.
5. Charlie Dempsey. The heir to the throne of AEW’s Blackpool Combat Club king didn’t say a word this week but swung a large hammer and he swung it as well as anyone could. Dempsey was working out in the back when A-Kid approached him amd asked him for a rematch. Before Dempsey could even answer, Kid said he thinks something about his heritage will make him accept.
4. Jordan Devlin. This was possibly the first time in my nearly 10 months of reviewing this brand that we closed the show on a segment rather than a match. We ended the night with a contract signing for the NXT UK title match between Ilja Dragunov and Jordan Devlin in 2 weeks on the big 200th episode. During the signing Ilja said he wanted to be done with Devlin for good when he beats him this time and challenged him to a loser leaves NXT match. Devlin accepted and then tried to get the junp on Dragunov with a headbutt but Ilja avoided and hit one of his own. Dragunov than set up the table in the corner and as he teased putting Devlin through it Jordan grabbed Sid Scala. As Ilja closed in on him Devlin nailed a headbutt over Scala and followed up with a Devlin Side through the table before grabbing the title and standing tall to close the show.
3. Xia Brookside. Brookside beat Angel Hayze after a distraction from Eliza Alexander during a roll-up attempt let Brookside get a roll-up of her own. After the match Brookside & Alexander beat down Hayze and Amale runs out for the save.
2. Saxon Huxley. Huxley took a loss to Von Wagner, or the guy he dubbed “Big Stupid Man” last week. But he’s infinitely more entertaining and better in the ring than Wagner in the ring so he gets this spot this week. This was a fun, short match with these two guys mostly bouncing off the ropes and hitting each other. Huxley had a fun sequence where he hit 4 sequential alternating lariats to Wagner’s front and back as Wagner eventually fell to the mat and ate an elbow followed by a top rope diving axe handle from Huxley.
1. Wild Boar. Boar and Mark Andrews took down Symbiosis when Boar hit Primate with a corner spear and a back senton (maybe a back cannonball? I’m not sure what to call it) followed by a Shooting Star Press from Andrews for 3. As the ref was raising Andrews’ hand Boar saw an opporunity and hit a low-pe suicida a la Darby Allin on Eddie Dennis outside. Dennis then tucked tail and ran all around the ringside area, through the crowd and eventually, a few segments later, into Sid Scala in the back. Dennis demanded Scala do something and Scala said he’d make a match between Dennis and Boar. And not just any match, a dog collar match so Dennis can’t run with Symbiosis is banned from ringside. Boar then showed up and ran Dennis off as Scala tried to stop them. Like I’ve said before this just feels like such a fun 1980s territory era storyline and I am completely on board! On board for Boar!
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