WWE NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool Highlights, Grades, and Analysis

Credit: WWE.com

“The Kiwi Buzzsaw” Travis Banks vs. “The Irish Ace” Jordan Devlin

This highly personal contest has been building for weeks, and that build continued today before NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool was even on the air. Just as Banks arrived in the building, Devlin attacked him and managed to injure the knee of Banks.

It was confirmed during the pre-show that Banks was medically cleared to compete, but he’s clearly not competing at 100%. Before the bell even rang, Banks came flying over the top rope with a dive onto Devlin. Unfortunately he tweaked the knee, and Devlin is already doing work.

With a vicious carefree attitude at his disposal, Devlin assaulted the knee and slammed Banks into the steel stairs. Sid Scala and some referees made their way to the ring to check on the condition of Banks who could barely stand at this point.

With “The Kiwi Buzzsaw” being escorted backstage and unable to stand under his own power, it looked like the match wouldn’t be happening. Sid Scala and NXT UK General Manager then revealed they had a backup plan if Devlin tried something like this and announced his replacement opponent… Finn Balor!

Master vs. Apprentice: Finn Balor vs. Jordan Devlin

In a shocking turn of events, former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor is in the Empress Ballroom ready to take on his old student Jordan Devlin! The crowd has come unglued once again, and Devlin looks stunned.

Finn started things quick with a slingblade and an early attempt at the Coup de Grace, but Devlin slid out of harms way and tried to slow the pace down. This match is already special, and NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool is looking truly unforgettable!

Finally gaining his bearings, “The Irish Ace” took control and began to slowly wear down Finn Balor. These two men know each other incredibly well, but Balor flipped the script not long after with a string of deafening knife-edge chops.

Things hit a stalemate a few moments later with each man trying to get some momentum, but Balor was to his feet first with a big forearm and a double stomp to take control. Finn looked for 1916, which Devlin tried to slip out of, but Balor planted him to earn a count of two.

Devlin put up a great fight and almost picked up the win with a rope-assisted roll-up, but a well-timed Coup de Grace by Balor finished off “The Irish Ace.” While it’s a loss for Devlin, going toe to toe with a former champion and your former teacher in your TakeOver debut is certainly a respectable effort.

Grade: B, All in all, this is great storytelling. It’s preserved the Banks and Devlin rivalry moving forward, and showed Devlin could hang with a top-tier superstar. It loses a few points because while good, the Devlin vs. Balor match could have been much better if given more time.