This week’s NXT UK saw the return of the best match on the brand so let’s jump right into it!
Honorable Mention: Sam Gradwell, Fallon Henley and Wolfgang. Gradwell said Seven is “The dirt worst” before Bad Grandpa got the jump on him. Henley no sold Isla Dawn’s “creepy shtick” and told her to go away. And Wolfgang told Dragunov he has to be careful with what he wishes for because somebody has to take the title so why not Wolfie?
5. Josh Morrell. After finally getting his first big win last week Morrell was congratulated by “The Bomber” Dave Mastiff. He told Morrell he’s riding the crest of a wave but next week he crashes because he has to go against him. Mastiff is great and it looks like we’re going to see Morrell get yet another major upset win which would be a fantastic start to building one of their most talented bell to bell people they have.
4. Emilia McKenzie. Once again her slow build continued this week. In a flashback from last week she congratulated Meiko and Sarry as they came through the doors. Sarray said it was an honor to team with Meiko but next time she’ll be facing Meiko and they both walked off leaving McKenzie alone. Nina Samules then came up and tried to have McKenzie on The Nina Samuels Show but when she asked what those 2 were talking about Emilia responded “Nothing to do with you” Short term this should set up Samuels v. McKenzie but it was just another penny in the bank of an eventual Satomura v. McKenzie match as Emilia is once again glossed over for another new contender. I love this slow burn happening here.
3. Amale. The French Hope made relatively quick work of The Girl from the Future when she beat Stevie Turner with a running corner pump kick followed by a Hope Breaker. The interesting thing here was Blair Davenport on commentary who reminded us that had she not obliterated her ankle in the 2nd Satomura match she’d be Women’s Champion. I’m assuming Amale v. Davenport is coming next and that should be a solid clash.
2. Oliver Carter. Carter was able to get the win over Teoman even with Die Famile ringside. Carter hit a springboard moonsault but it wasn’t enough. Teoman grabbed a handful of tights for a roll-up but Carter kicked out. Carter escaped an Evil Eye attempt and hit a rolling wheel kick. On the apron Carter kicked Charlie Dempsey who was standing on the floor and followed up with a springboard dropkick inside. He then hit a running spinning wheel kick to Teoman in the corner and got the upset win but was beaten down by all of Die Famile after the bell and hit with an Evil Eye. I was surprised that Teoman was first on the docket for Carter but even more surprised he won. Commentary said something to the effect of “1 down” which leads me to believe Raja will be next and Dempsey will be the final opponent for Carter from Die Famile which is great because Teoman has been positioned as the leader but I’ve been beating the drum for Dempsey as “the guy” since his debut. This should help elevate both Dempsey and Carter if that’s the 3rd match.
1. Mark Coffey. I might be in more pain having to rank Mark here than Sha Samuels is in having to pay out all the bets placed on Coffey to win the match but if I’m fair if nothing else. With their usual seconds banned from ringside Dar did his best to find a replacement for the East End Bookie by wrapping Sha’s scarf around the neck of a generic cornerman and placing his newsboy cap on his head. Round 1 was mostly a feeling out process though Dar tried to get in a cheap shot slap after the bell only for Mark Coffey to flatten him with a slap of his own. Coffey got the quick lead in round 2 when he ducked a Nova Roller attempt as soon as the round started and snatched Dar in a Gator Lock for the 1-0 lead. In round 3 Joe tried to seal the win with a quick roll-up but only got a 2. He followed up with a back splash into Dar in the corner and a middle rope bulldog but it still couldn’t score a 3. Dar rolled to the apron as Coffey looked for the sliding forearm and was able to catch Coffey with a back elbow of his own. Dar started laying in strikes all over Coffey and went for a Nova Roller but Coffey was saved by the bell. In round 4 Dar feigned a Nova Roller but when Coffey blocked it Dar instead picked the leg and tried for a kneebar. Coffey got out but a few seconds later Dar fully locked in the Champagne Super Kneebar to even things up at 1 apiece. Round 5 had more back and forth action. Dar fired out with a corner dropkick for 2. Coffey went for a lariat but Dar collapsed. Dar landed a running pump kick to Coffey in the corner followed by a guillotine but Coffey powered out and turned it into a suplex of Dar. They fought to the top and Mark landed a big superplex as the bell rang. All Dar had to do in round 6 was survive and he’d retain on a draw and he tried his best to do that. He begged on Coffey as the round started before dipping out of the ring, coming right back in and trying for another kneebar that he couldn’t lock in. He kicked an incoming Coffey in the corner and in typical cheap Dar fashion got his feet all the way to the top rope for leverage but despite the ref not seeing it Coffey kicked out at 2. Coffey got another Gator Lock on Dar but he got to the ropes and rolled outside. On the floor Dar ducked a charging Joe and Coffey chopped the ring post allowing Dar to hit a Nova Roller on the floor. Dar tried to win via countout but Coffey made it in at 9. Dar hit a back elbow for 2. Coffey then hit a forearm, massive lariat, half-nelson slam and the sliding forearm for the win to become the new Heritage Cup Champion! Heritage Cup Rules matches are my favorite thing NXT UK does and it really does make for such easy, drama filled TV. I wish stateside TV would steal the concept since they’re taking almost everything else I like from this brand. After the match Sha Samuels ran out and dropped to his knees screaming in agony as he tossed up all the betting slips he has to pay out. The locker room, lead by Wolfgang poured out to both celebrate and chase Sha off by trying to cash in their slips. Finally Joe Coffey returned and while this could have easily been another Seven like turn I’m glad they didn’t go that route and instead he and Mark hugged and celebrated. He told Mark when he left he could do it without him and he did. This was the most endearing moment these hooligans have had in my time watching and for at least one night Gallus Boys were finally On Top!
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