Coming into 2019, WWE’s newest brand had less than two weeks until their first ever live Network special, and only one match officially announced. But NXT UK still had four episodes of television to run through, and they aired their usual Wednesday double-feature on Jan. 2. That got us more than halfway to the standard allotment of five bouts for Sat., Jan. 12’s TakeOver: Blackpool... and with another that is already half-set.
Joining the already booked Toni Storm vs. Rhea Ripley (c) Women’s title match are:
Joe Coffey vs. Pete Dunne (c) for the WWE United Kingdom championship
“The Iron King” fronts Gallus, a faction consisting of his brother Mark and Wolfgang. The Coffey Brothers have been pushed consistently since the brand’s launch and that’s drawn them into conflict with Moustache Mountain. Messing with Trent Seven & Tyler Bate drew the attention of their British Strong Style mate Dunne, and here we are. It feels like the primary reason for Coffey’s elevation is this match, and it seems unlikely he’ll be tabbed as the man to end the Bruiserweight’s more than year-and-a-half run with the strap. But we’ll find out next Saturday.
Dave Mastiff vs. Eddie Dennis in a No Disqualification match
Hoss fight, UK style! At least according to NXT UK announcers Nigel McGuinness & Vic Joseph. Bomber Dave definitely fits the mold, but the lanky Dennis doesn’t quite read “giant” in the way WWE wants him to. No matter, these two have escalated their feud over the past several weeks to merit a No DQ stip. After Mastiff won their first showdown, Eddie attacked him backstage. Weeks of interfering in each other’s bookings (in one way or another) followed, and when they rematched on this week’s shows, they both manhandled the referee as he tried to establish order to their brawling. That left General Manager Johnny Saint with no choice but to book the brand’s first extreme match.
Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven & Tyler Bate) vs. the winner of next week’s Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews/Zack Gibson & James Drake semi-final for the NXT UK Tag Team titles
Having already advanced to the final of the tourney to crown the first ever tag champs of the brand, former NXT Tag titlelists Seven & Bate will team with Dunne next week for a six-man against Gallus. They already beat Mark Coffey & Wolfgang to win their side of the bracket, and need something to do while waiting for the winner of Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Mandrews & Flash in the other semi.
You can find out who wins that a right now, and get our guess as to the fifth match, by clicking here.
Thoughts on the card? Will you be tuning in next Saturday?