The WWE Global Expansion continued as NXT UK would present Takeover: Blackpool. So we recap NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool. And go check out The Laracuente Ledger Podcast for more detailed thoughts on each contest.
NXT UK Tag Team Championships: Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven/Tyler Bate) vs. James Drake & Zack Gibson
Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Winner: The First Ever NXT UK Tag Team Champions: James Drake & Zack Gibson
A perfect contest to begin the night as the crowd in Blackpool was red hot. The gentlemen in the tag team duel would put on a display of athletic ability. Tyler Bate would show the prowess that netted him the first ever NXT UK Championship. The story the four men would tell was classic tag team wrestling. The Heels kept their babyface from tagging their partner. And once the “Hot Tag” was made the crowd erupted. And just to put the information out their Tyler Bate is incredibly strong and a gifted high-flyer. The incredibly close near falls by both teams popped the Blackpool crowd.
Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin
Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 .5
Winner: No Contest
Travis Banks would hit a suicide dive on the Devlin before the match even began. Devlin would, however, take the quick upper hand. A video package before the match played of an attack by Devlin on Banks earlier in the day weakening the knee of Banks. The assault would Devlin without a match, or so he thought. And his name was Finn Balor. And even though Banks vs. Devlin did not take place it set up something just as fantastic.
Jordan Devlin vs. Finn Balor
Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 .5
Winner: Finn Balor
The red hot crowd did not get a moment to simmer as Finn Balor made his entrance. And another classic pro-wrestling story began to unfold. As the Teacher vs. the Student motif began. Balor had a hand in training Jordan Devlin, and that history was referenced throughout an incredible match. Both of the Irishmen put on an impressive display of hard-hitting strikes. And they mixed them well with the aerial expertise we know from both men. It was a delightful and almost quietly show-stealing caliber contest.
No DQ: Eddie Dennis vs. Dave Mastiff
Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 .5
Winner: Dave Mastiff
These two men would not waste any time turning this match into a brawl. Dennis would have the height advantage, but Mastiff would have the weight advantage. As hard a hitting contest as I’ve seen in WWE in a long time. Eddie Dennis would impress with his power display. And the while being a hardcore bout, these two men told a story of wanting to prove they were the toughest.
NXT UK Women’s Championship: Toni Storm vs. Rhea Ripley
Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Winner: Toni Storm
The crowd as it was the entire event was red hot for this match as well. Toni Storm would have the crowd on her side and urging her on throughout the contest. Rhea Ripley’s aggressive nature would control much of the match. Rhea Ripley would focus on the back which is the injury that initially dethroned Storms’ chances to win the NXT UK Women’s Championship. This match showed that the Women’s Evolution isn’t just in the US, but it has traveled across the Atlantic to the United Kingdom.
NXT UK Championship: Joe Coffey vs. Pete Dunne
Laracuente Ledger Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Winner: Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne versus Joe Coffey would main event the first ever NXT UK Takeover Special. Coffey and Dunne would both deliver some of the hardest hitting strikes. Both men would also show their technical prowess. This match was one of the best fights I’ve seen from the WWE. The mixture of strikes and technical mastery. And then when paired with the brilliant story-telling by both Champion and challenger you have a perfect pro-wrestling match.
Walter Has Arrived in NXT UK
NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool Review
Overall Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 .59
The first NXT UK Takeover special set an extremely high bar to follow. Each match was well booked. And delivered something unique from the other contest. From start to finish the UK crowd was red hot and it made for an incredible viewing experience. If you did not watch NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool you did yourself a massive disservice and you should immediately
