WWE
NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool Final Results and Grading
NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool is the first WWE pay-per-view event of 2019. Did it kick off the new year right? Let’s find out with some grades.
NXT UK Tag Team Championships: James Drake & Zack Gibson def. Moustache Mountain to become the inaugural champions
Final Grade: A+
Moustache Mountain never seem to fail at putting on a great match. We’ve seen classics against The Undisputed Era a few times in the past. Though they lost against James Drake and Zack Gibson, they still put on a Match of the Night candidate.
The praise goes both ways as Drake and Gibson played the roles of the villains very well. Everyone watching thought Bate and Seven were going to win, but Drake and Gibson took home the win and the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Championships.
Finn Balor def. Jordan Devlin
Final Grade: A-
This was originally going to be Travis Banks facing off against Jordan Devlin. However, Devlin attacked Banks before the match and rendered him unable to compete. After Johnny Saint announced a replacement opponent, who else would come out other than Jordan Devlin’s father, Finn Balor.
No, they aren’t actually related, but they bear a strong resemblance to each other.
This match is well-paced and exciting throughout. The only crime I feel it does is its length; It felt it ended far too soon. No matter, it is still a very good match.
No Disqualifications: Dave Mastiff def. Eddie Dennis
Final Grade: A
I assume this is what it will look like when Otis Dozovich and Tucker Knight break up.
For a massive man, Dave Mastiff is very nimble and can pull of athletic moves like any smaller wrestler. The men traded chair shots, kendo stick shots, and forearms to the face. Mastiff won after a running cannonball senton sent Dennis through a table.
NXT UK Women’s Championship: Toni Storm def. Rhea Ripley to win the title
Final Grade: A
The feel-good moment of the night. Both women show they are very good wrestlers, especially while still relatively young (Rhea is 22 while Storm is 23). It was a slow build but the climax made up for it. Both women kicked out of each other’s finishers. They traded forearms in rapid succession in the center of the ring. But a quickly fired Storm Zero finally sealed the deal.
Toni pulls off the big win here after having a very rough few weeks thanks to a recent scandal. Hopefully, she is in better shape now and enjoys making it to the top of the NXT UK Women’s Division.
WWE United Kingdom Championship: Pete Dunne def. Joe Coffey to retain the Championship
TSJ101Sports Match of the Night Winner
Final Grade: A+
It’s no secret that Pete Dunne is a very talented wrestler. Despite being on the smaller side, he makes up for it with his brawling style and wrestling skill. Joe Coffey showed that he is also one of UK’s best in-ring wrestlers, as he kept the match exhilarating from his end as well.
Hard hitting moves. A powerbomb on the apron. Two spills from the top rope to the outside. Dunne hitting two Bitter Ends but Coffey kicking out of each. The finish came when Dunne broke Coffey’s fingers and made him submit. Classic bout all around.
But the talk of the night came after the end graphic flashed on-screen and it looked like the show was over.
One of the most recognized UK wrestlers in the world, WALTER made his NXT UK debut last night. He kicked Joe Coffey in the face, then stared down Dunne and his UK Championship. This is hopefully hinting at a future match between the two. And since we know how excellent both WALTER and Dunne are, it can only be an instant classic.
Overall NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool Final Grade: A
NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool kicks off the year right with an “A” grade. Royal Rumble and NXT TakeOver: Phoenix have a lot to live up to.
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