WWE NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool Highlights, Grades, and Analysis
NXT UK hosts their first WWE Network special today with NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool. After premiering back in October 2018, the NXT UK brand has grown and given us some of Europe’s best competition fighting for a chance to shine. Can NXT UK live up to the bar set by previous NXT TakeOver specials?
NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool comes to us today at 2PM ET, 1PM CT, and of course 7PM UK time where it will be emanating from. We’ve got two highly personal grudge matches and three huge championship matches on the card, including one to crown the first ever NXT UK Tag Team Champions.
While Pete Dunne has been the WWE United Kingdom Champion for over 600 days, the NXT UK brand has only truly existed since first airing on the WWE Network on October 17, 2018. Since that first airing, fans have been treated to two episodes a week which has given them 24 episodes and a literal 24 hours of content to build towards this inaugural special.
NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool Full Match Card
Grudge Match: Travis Banks vs. Jordan Devlin
After weeks of personal jabs by “The Irish Ace” Jordan Devlin to “The Kiwi Buzzsaw” Travis Banks about the New Zealand native’s lack of time spent visiting home, things will finally hit a boiling point at TakeOver. Things are very personal, but don’t forget that these are two of the best in-ring competitors in the UK.
No Disqualification Match: Dave Mastiff vs. Eddie Dennis
In the early weeks of NXT UK, two stars went on an impressive undefeated streak. When “Bomber” Dave Mastiff and Eddie Dennis faced off for the first time, it was the 17-year veteran Mastiff who picked up the win, but Dennis attacked him after the match. These two clearly have unfinished business, and they look to settle it in a No Disqualification Match at TakeOver.
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NXT UK Tag Team Championship Match: Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven & Tyler Bate) vs. Zack Gibson & James Drake
The NXT UK Tag Team Championships were first revealed in October 2018. After teams had the chance to impress NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint, a tournament was organized.
Moustache Mountain and the team of Gibson and Drake have both qualified for the finals and will face each other to determine the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions.
NXT UK Women’s Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Toni Storm
The NXT UK Women’s Championship was also announced before NXT UK first aired and became the focal point of a tournament to crown the inaugural champion. The eight woman tournament concluded with Rhea Ripley defeating Toni Storm in the finals to become champion.
Since losing to Ripley, Toni Storm went on to win the Mae Young Classic at WWE Evolution, and now believes it’s “Toni Time” and hopes to leave TakeOver as a champion.
WWE United Kingdom Championship Match: Pete Dunne (c) vs. Joe Coffey
While NXT UK is only beginning to write its history, Pete Dunne has been the WWE United Kingdom Champion since May 20, 2017. For over 600 days he’s represented this burgeoning brand, but “The Iron King” Joe Coffey is looking to end that reign.
Coffey leads the group known as Gallus which has been running wild over the NXT UK brand since its inception. “The Iron King” has the opportunity to start a new era, but “The Bruiserweight” intends to keep his reign going well past 600 days.
As a reminder, NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool goes live on the WWE Network at 2PM ET, so check back here for live results, highlights, and analysis of the show.