NXT UK continues it’s run at the Download Festival with a different type of opening, a dramatic recap of last week’s main event and the assault from Imperium. We also see Trent Seven carrying Tyler bate to the back. We go straight into the fans chanting with no intro package, giving the episode a different feel. Aiden English and Vic Joseph are our commentary team and they talk up the brutality of the attack, saying we’ll hear from Seven later in the night.
Ashton Smith vs Ilja Dragunov
At first it doesn’t looks like anything Smith does has much effect on Dragunov, who lights up Smith’s chest with a series of chops. Smith does manage to ground him for a while, targeting and twisting the left leg. Dragunov manages to fight himself out and hit a Gotch-style Powerbomb. Smith kicks the leg out, giving the opening to hit a Fisherman Buster that doesn’t keep Dragunov down for more than a 1. Dragunov hits a leaping kick and a Spinning Lariat, before following up with Torpedo Moscow for the win.
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
For much of the match it seemed like Smith didn’t know how to face Dragunov as he just absorbed punishment. He’s quickly moved from jobbers to established members of the roster, which is good to see because you can only beat jobbers for so long before it doesn’t mean anything.
I almost forgot Smith was part of the brand as it’s been some time since we’ve seen him. In ICW, he’s been part of a top heel team and recently challenged for the World title, but here he’s just a wandering babyface with little character. Hopefully he gets more of a role and maybe turning heel is what he needs.
Nina Samuels: Show on the Road
Samuels stands near the line of fans waiting to get into see the show, saying that they were all there to see her. She says fans still adore her after her performance against Toni Storm. She goes up to fans to see who their favourite NXT UK superstar is and trying to avoid the mud. I’m not a big fan of Nina Samuels but this suits her.
Candy Floss vs Toni Storm
They start out very technical as they exchange wrist locks. Floss gets Storm in a headscissors, but Storm manages to headstand out of it. Floss ducks and does her pose, only for Storm to do it back. Floss tries to use this to get an Armbar, which Storm counters into a roll up. Storm smiles when Floss gets a few roll up attempts on her, but her tone quickly changes as she hits a hard forearm.
Floss goes after the arm of Toni, hitting it with the double knees and manipulating the joint. She catches Storm with a Small Package for a two count, but followed up with a series of forearms. Storm hits a hard clothesline and immediately follows up with Storm Zero for the win.
Winner: Toni Storm
I think this match plays into what I’ve been saying recently about Storm being overconfident. She didn’t really take Floss seriously at first, and you could see a change in attitude when it looked like she was getting the better of her. A good showcase for Candy Floss as she was able to hold her own with the Champ, which when you look at her gimmick, you wouldn’t assume that.
Ligero Promo
Ligero cuts a promo from the Performance Centre, talking about his win-loss record and how standing out because of the mask hasn’t always helped him gain victories. He talks about how he has to rediscover something within himself to get back that drive. He says the mask allows him to do things he wouldn’t have the confidence to do otherwise. He says he believes there is always a way back.
I like these promos as we get more of an insight into Ligero. My only issue is while it’s true he’s not picked up as many wins as some other members of the roster, he is just coming off a win.
Trent Seven Promo
Seven comes down to the ring and admits he doesn’t always do this by himself. He said Pete Dunne is elsewhere and he can’t be called upon all the time. He talks about being part of the brand since Day One, and he points out to the crowd saying “it’s our mat”. He says Imperium just use the idea of it being sacred as an excuse to bend the rules how they see fit. He tells Walter he’s coming for him, and he’s doing it for Pete, Tyler and the Trent Seven Army.
A great promo from Trent. He’s always been the talker of British Strong Style and there is clearly a reason for that. I think this could lead to Seven vs Walter at Takeover. Seven I think has always been the overlooked member of BSS, but he showed here he can be a believable UK title contender.
Mark Andrews Promo
Andrews cuts a selfie promo, talking about being a wrestling fan since he was young and like all fans, he had his favourites. However, he didn’t like that one of his favourites Kassius Ohno is now saying he doesn’t deserve to be there. He promises to prove Ohno wrong before we see that these two will face off next week.
I’m surprised we’re getting this so soon. Despite his long history of losing in NXT, Ohno is still considered a big name by diehard fans from his years on the indies. Since he’s started winning more often, he’s got more momentum so it would mean more if Andrew beat him. I hope this isn’t like Ohno vs Banks which I thought could have been a lot more than a one and done.
The Hunt & Dave Mastiff vs Gallus
The match started the only way it could, with all six men brawling, leading to Gallus being forced to the outside. Once things settle down, Mark can take down Primate with a double axe handle. Gallus uses quick tags with Wolfgang, delivering clubbing blows before tagging in Joe, who grinds him down to the mat. Primate hits Mark with a Clothesline, giving him the opportunity to tag in Wild Boar. Boar takes out Mark’s legs and hits a Senton to the back.
Boar takes the time to snarl at Gallus, allowing Mark to plant him with a Chokeslam. Wolfgang hits a Senton and Gallus regains control. Boar fights out of a bearhug from Joe, but he’s taken down with a shoulder tackle. Mark taunts Mastiff on the apron, giving Boar the opportunity to hit a Suplex and make the tag. Mastiff takes it to Gallus, picking up Mark and hitting a rolling Senton onto Wolfgang.
Joe does manage to get the big man with a scoop slam. Both Coffey brothers are in position for a cannonball, but Wolfgang is able to move Joe out the way. The Hunt hit double suicide dives to the outside, before rolling Joe back in the ring to be hit by a Senton from Mastiff. The Hunt go for a double headbutt, Primate hits it, but Mastiff is knocked into Boar sending him flying. Wolfgang takes out Primate, and Joe finishes Boar with All The Best For The Bells.
Winners: Gallus
The match seemed to be a case of both teams trying to wrestle their type of match, because that would give them the advantage. This was a very promo heavy edition of NXT UK this week with there being only three matches. Each match seemed to have a clear winner going into it, as each needed to maintain momentum. Dragunov has recently debuted, Storm is a champion and Gallus have been sort of aimless if they aren’t challenging for titles and now that Imperium have shown up. Some of the promos did set interesting possibilities, with the interesting match of Andrews vs Ohno next week and possibly Seven vs Walter at Takeover.
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