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WWE UK PRELUDE |
ACT II ~ THE UK WOMEN'S WRESTLING REVOLUTION |
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Following the UK Showcase it appeared that many changes were taking place across WWE UK. From the breakup of Moustache Mountain to some new signings announced to be joining the promotion. Yet crucially one of the biggest changes would be an answer to the question of would we see a WWE UK Women's Division. This would be answered during the broadcast of the UK Showcase as Katarina Leigh during a segment would announce that a tournament would be taking place over the coming weeks building to the finals which would take place at the next UK Showcase. We'd also learn for the first time since its inception the UK Brand would be going on tour leading to its second Showcase taking place at the Royal Dublin Society. Yet with the 4 months between Showcases we'd have plenty of time to be introduced to the participants in the inaugural UK Women's Title Tournament. This would include a special Bracketology episode hosted by presenter Radzi Chinyanganya. Radzi would be joined by a group of UK Women's wrestling veterans "The Jezebel" Eden Black, Skye, Wesna, Klondyke Kate, The Blossom Twins and Saraya Knight. This group would very much share stories and tales of the competitors involved while offering valuable insights on the matches as well as some of the participants history.
As the tournament began it didn't take long for a few standouts to emerge and some favorites to be named. At the top of the list very much was Mae Young Classic winner Toni Storm. The charismatic Australian very much looked like a front runner in the early stages of the tournament as she proved herself to be one of its heaviest hitters. Also emerging as a standout would be Dakota Kai. The NXT veteran had her ups and downs on the Black and Gold Brand, but here she had an opportunity to prove just what she could do. She wouldn't be the only woman looking to show what she could do either, as Dakota Kai's longtime friend and occasional tag team partner Tegan Nox was also in this match. Nox would be returning from her severe knee injury as she looked to strike that bad memory from existence. These three wouldn't be the only individuals who stood out either as obviously the imposing "Alpha Female" Jazzy Gabbert would be up there as one to watch. As would the veteran and worldly travelled Shanna who was one of the most seasoned competitors in the tournament. The last two standouts albeit for a lot fewer positive reasons would be Rhea Ripley and "The Fashionista" Jinny. The Fashionista was shown to be a vain, conceited individual who was every bit vicious as she was arrogant. Ripley meanwhile had a chip on her shoulder and clearly something to prove as her antics would soon cause chaos.
Following an exciting opening round in which we'd see all the aforementioned names advance. We'd also see two more narratives begin to form in the tournament. The first of which was the sadistic shooter April Davids who appeared to take a warped delight in stretching and injuring the younger wrestlers in the tournament. This was shown in her first two tournament matches as she hooked both Zoe Lucas and then Xia Brookside for wins before she'd run afoul of Toni Storm who managed to bring an end to her reign of terror. The other would be the underdog story of Millie McKenzie, the youngest woman in the tournament Millie McKenzie very much had a lot to prove and she would do so making it all the way to the semifinals before she'd eventually have her Cinderella story brought to an end by Jinny thanks to some less than sportsmanlike techniques. As the tournament went on, we'd have a few surprises take place including an early elimination of Rhea Ripley at the hands of Toni Storm. Yet as we'd see this would come to bite Toni in the semifinals of the tournament. As Rhea Ripley would behind the referee and Tegan Nox's back cheap shot Toni Storm leaving her prime for a shining wizard from Nox which allowed Tegan to pick up the win. The other surprise would be the advancement of Shanna through the tournament. The veteran competitor would advance to the finals with wins over Erin Angel, Laura Di Matteo, Jazzy Gabbert and Jinny in succession. The finals of this tournament would take place at the Royal Dublin Society for the second ever UK Showcase. Yet as we'd see this show the women's division was quickly becoming the UK Brand's talking point. From Dakota Kai and Millie McKenzie picking up a preshow victory over Kasey Owens and Xia Brookside to a vignette airing of an April Davids' shoot faction called the Female Fight Factory which was comprised of Davids, Killer Kelly and Laura Di Matteo. To a backstage segment showing Jinny arriving at the building flanked by her House of Couture which was comprised of Melanie Price, Chakara and Gisele Shaw. Yet true to form one of the major talking points would be the immediate hijacking of the show by Rhea Ripley, in a fired up in ring promo Ripley demanded that she be added to the women's title match later in the evening. Yet her promo was soon interrupted by a pissed off Toni Storm leading to a wild brawl. This would draw out our general manager Katarina Leigh who having had enough of Ripley's antics would make her and Toni Storm official for Showcase right now. The match would be a wild, hard-hitting brawl which ended with Ripley hitting the Riptide to pick up the win.
Of Course, this wouldn't be the only match of the women for the night. As following a few video packages not just profiling the contestants but also their careers and backstories leading to the UK Women's title tournament. Adding to the ceremony of this match would be the addition of WWE diva Paige at ringside on commentary who would also be a key part of the title ceremony. The match between Shanna and Tegan Nox was a heated, respect filled battle of wills as both women did all they could to put one another away while in the process very much stealing the show. In an epic conclusion Tegan Nox very much lived up to her moniker of Lady Kane as she hit Shanna with a big chokeslam before finishing things off with a Shining Wizard. A tearful Nox's title coronation would then begin as not only would she be joined in the ring and be presented with her title by Paige. But various women's wrestlers from the tournament including Dakota Kai, Kasey Owens, Charlie Morgan, Xia Brookside, Toni Storm and Millie McKenzie would also be out to applaud her. Shanna then rose to her feet and would share an embrace with Tegan Nox before the champion would be left in the ring to bask in the adulation from the fans as the first ever UK Women's Champion. (Tournament Bracket)
Tegan Nox vs. Alex Windsor -- Rhea Ripley vs. Aleah James -- Dakota Kai vs. Sierra Loxton -- Jinny vs. Melanie Price
Kasey Owens vs. Charlie Morgan -- Laura Di Matteo vs. Skye Smitson -- Xia Brookside vs. Ayesha Raymond -- Jazzy Gabbert vs. Chardonnay
Isla Dawn vs. Jetta -- April Davids vs. Zoe Lucas -- Toni Storm vs. Gisele Shaw-- Nina Samuels vs. Little Miss Roxxy
Emersyn Jayne vs. Killer Kelly -- Nikki Cross vs. Rhia O'Reilly -- Millie McKenzie vs. Dahlia Black -- Shanna vs. Erin Angel
Tegan Nox vs. Kasey Owens -- Rhea Ripley vs. Toni Storm -- Dakota Kai vs. Killer Kelly -- Jinny vs. Isla Dawn
Xia Brookside vs. April Davids -- Jazzy Gabbert vs. Laura Di Matteo -- Millie McKenzie vs. Nina Samuels -- Shanna vs. Laura Di Matteo
Toni Storm vs. April Davids -- Shanna vs. Jazzy Gabbert -- Tegan Nox vs. Dakota Kai -- Millie McKenzie vs. Jinny
Tegan Nox vs. Toni Storm -- Shanna vs. Jinny
Tegan Nox vs. Shanna |
BEST FRIENDS.. BETTER ENEMIES |
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Following the previous UK Showcase, A lot of focus would of course be on the stunning conclusion to the event which saw a stunning betrayal when Trent Seven assaulted his friend, protege and tag team partner Tyler Bate with a steel chair. In the week that followed after the evening John Gooden would attempt to hold an exclusive interview with Seven and later Tyler Bate but both men would refuse to participate with Seven making it clear that he'll speak when it is on his terms and his terms alone. This would lead us to the first episode of WWE UK following the showcase in which Trent Seven took to the ring in the final segment of the show. The suited up Seven who stood before the audience was far removed from the usual humble, entertaining Moustache Mountain member. Instead, we got a cold, calculated figure. Shown to be an embittered, delusional individual Trent Seven demanded respect for what he did and an apology from the audience for vilifying him as well as an apology from Tyler Bate for forgetting everything, he did for him. Stating that he was the real reason for the UK Brand's inception because he was the man who created Tyler Bate and molded him in his image. Crediting himself as the man who helped develop Pete Dunne, Trent Seven says that he is the true pioneer of UK Wrestling and without him none of this would be possible. In the weeks that would follow this promo people would continue to try and hear from Tyler Bate in regard to what Seven had to say and his betrayal. Yet Bate remained quiet as instead we saw a spiritless Tyler Bate. Wrestling without his usual fire and seemingly filled with self-doubt as the specter of Trent Seven loomed over him. We'd see Tyler Bate suffer defeats in some uninspired efforts against Chris Ridgeway, Rampage Brown and Tyson T-Bone. With each loss it seemed that Bate was truly haunted by Seven as even when we saw flashes of the Bate of old all it would take is one memory of Seven or Moustache Mountain to cause him to freeze and suffer this defeat. This would only amuse Seven who in the meantime picked up a couple of victories over Omari, Sean Kustom and a couple of young prospects. During this time, we'd see Seven very much changed his in-ring style also as instead of his usual crowd-pleasing offense. Seven would begin finishing off his opponents with a piledriver while also liberally breaking the rules whenever he could. Over time it appeared that Seven himself couldn't resist in torturing Bate himself at points. As during some of Bate's flashes of life, Seven would appear and just his mere presence would distract Bate leading to Tyler losing to Nick Aldis or Jordan Devlin.
However, one week we'd see a shift from Bate as following a confrontation with Nathan Cruz. Bate snapped and not only attacked Cruz leading to a disqualification loss but also attacked the official. Yet it was the look in his eyes as he caught sight of Seven which appeared to shake Seven. With Bate in hot pursuit Seven would flee the building before the week that followed Tyler Bate finally spoke. Admitting that he had suffered a broken heart with his friendship with Seven coming to such a bitter end, Tyler Bate could only apologize to the fans in attendance for not being the man they all knew he could be. Promising from this point onwards he would be the man who was the first ever UK Champion, Tyler Bate pledged that on top of that he would also destroy Trent Seven. In the weeks that followed Bate very much showed himself to be the man of old as he picked up wins over Ridgeway, T-Bone and Brown in return bouts. But at the end of the last match, he would be attacked from behind with a low blow from Trent Seven who then proceeded to hit Bate with a piledriver on top of the announce table. A seething Seven then told Bate that if he didn't recognize history, he would be swallowed by it as he pledged to end Bate once and for all at Showcase. With both men's hatred for one another clear Katarina Leigh decided that a singles match definitely wouldn't work. Which is why she would make their match a table's match in the hopes that this could be settled once and for all. In what to some was a controversial decision it would be the tables match which was the main event of the second Showcase. The decision to end the show with this match over the UK Championship bout and UK Women's title match was one which did lead to some critiques who felt that a title should headline the event. While there was a lot of validity to this statement, there was no denying that this was a heated rivalry which had all eyes on it once it was in the ring. Despite what he said in the run up Seven would soon find himself out matched by his younger, stronger, faster and more athletic foe as Tyler Bate beat him from pillar to post. Yet in an unfortunate conclusion to the show Tyler Bate very much had the match won as he had Seven prone on a table in the ring. Yet unfortunately Bate just had to look to punish Seven more so rather than making the jump from the turnbuckle onto his foe, Bate would produce a ladder from under the ring. Following setting it up, Tyler would make the climb up it as the audience roared. Unfortunately, in this time Seven had enough to make a recovery and push the ladder over sending Bate toppling out the ring and through a table set up at ringside. This would bring the second Showcase to an unpopular end as Trent Seven would be on his knees grinning having picked up the win over his young rival. |
By Royal Decree |
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Continuing on from the previous Showcase would also be a story involving Kenny Williams. While for now it seemed that Kenny Williams was free of the attacks from Mark Haskins. He would still have to endure the rage of Gideon Grey, because it seemed that following the Showcase an amicable split had taken place between Haskins and Grey. As While Haskins would remain associated with Josh Bodom and his wife Vicky Haskins. Gideon Grey continued to focus on making Kenny Williams' life a misery and he'd do this at first with help from Chris Brookes who had chosen to step into the singles ranks following his partner Kid Lykos suffering an injury which led to his temporary retirement. As we'd see however Brookes was only a short-term investment when Brookes would fall to Williams. From here it seemed that Grey may have realized the error of his ways as he vanished for a couple of weeks. This allowed Kenny to finally start performing without distraction until Grey returned with his new charge Dave Mastiff.
The Bomber was a bruising figure and soon it become clear exactly what Grey was looking to achieve as we'd see Williams' friend Morgan Webster attacked backstage. All the while Gideon Grey would orchestrate tag matches against local competitors in which Mastiff would do all the work before Gideon Grey tagged himself in to pick up the victory. Knowing that Grey was responsible for what happened to Webster, Williams would attempt to get his hands on Grey several times but every time he did the numbers game would play into effect as Mastiff attacked him and this allowed Gideon Grey to get a few shots in on Williams. Despite this happening on several occasions Williams was adamant he'd get his hands on Gideon Grey and bring an end to this series once and for all. Unfortunately for him even in his one-on-one matches with Mastiff, an illegal assist by Gideon Grey would play into effect allowing Mastiff to put him away with a cannonball.
As the numbers game continued to play into things however it soon become apparent that Kenny Williams had more allies on his side then he was perhaps aware. As while Mark Andrews was limited in what help he could provide as he had to contend with Nick Aldis. Mark Andrews would be able to provide him with some surprising help from Eddie Dennis. For while in the past Eddie Dennis had elected to go it alone, he admitted that he couldn't sit back and watch Kenny continue to be a victim of the number's game. This is why he aligned himself with Kenny Williams in a tag team match against Gideon Grey and Dave Mastiff at the UK Show. During the match we'd see Grey and Mastiff dominate in the early going thanks to their work together as a team. The tide would soon turn and when it did Gideon Grey showed his true colors as he'd abandon Dave Mastiff leaving him at a 2 on 1 disadvantage allowing Kenny Williams to put down the Bomber with a Satellite DDT.
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Tag Team Turmoil |
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Following the first UK Showcase it was clear that the Coffey Brothers didn't have to look far for their first challengers for the Tag Team Titles. This of course would be the pair of Zack Gibson and James Drake aka the Grizzled Young Veterans. These two teams of course had some bad blood from the tag team title tournament where The Grizzled Young Veterans lost by disqualification to the Coffey Brothers following an attack with steel chairs. Which is why in the words of Zack Gibson following the tournament, the Coffey Brothers never beat the Grizzled Young Veterans they merely survived them. In the weeks following the Showcase it seemed whenever the Coffey Brothers had a match that the Grizzled Young Veterans wouldn't be far away from ringside. While James Drake would watch them stoically, Zack Gibson made a point of joining commentary as he looked to bad mouth and berate the champions. Meanwhile when they were in the ring themselves The Grizzled Young Veterans proved themselves to be quite the team with victories over Bt Gunn and Wolfgang as well as wins over Ashton Smith and Rampage Brown.
Sick of hearing all of Gibson's trash talk, the no nonsense Coffey Brothers simply told the Grizzled Young Veterans to name a time and place for this match to happen. Wanting to prove their superiority before the world the Zack Gibson declared that they would challenge for the titles at the second UK Showcase so that they could get the coronation they truly deserved. Never ones to back down from a challenge the Coffey Brothers soon accepted but the second they did they would be cheap shotted by the pair of Drake and Gibson which ended with the Grizzled Young Veterans standing tall over the champions. This only added fuel to the fire as at the second UK Showcase, we'd see The Coffey Brothers retain their titles by defeating the Grizzled Young Veterans following a discus lariat from Joe Coffey onto Zack Gibson.
However, this wouldn't be the only tag team match of note on the UK Showcase. For in the run up to the first showcase we'd see the pair of BT Gunn and Wolfgang attacked by a nameless duo of individuals who came through the crowd. After the Showcase, this pair would introduce themselves as Jimmy Havoc and Clint Margera. A violent duo of sociopaths who wanted nothing more than to cause hurt and suffering to those who they saw fit. Never one to back down from a fight the duo of BT Gunn and Wolfgang wouldn't be one to let things lie. Refusing to allow Margera and Havoc to think that they could get away with such acts of violence, Wolfgang and Gunn would instead take the fight to Havoc and Margera who as we'd soon learn from General Manager Katarina Leigh were not even signed members of the roster. This rogue pair of gate crashers would soon be brought in on temporary contracts as it become clear that Wolfgang and BT Gunn wanted to tear them limb from limb.
Similar to Seven and Bate this was a match which couldn't be contained under regular tag team rules. This was shown during the few matches Margera and Havoc did have before the second Showcase. They would quickly lose those matches as a result of a disqualification. This would be thanks the pair showing little issue with using weapons on their opponent. This is why their match with the duo of Gunn and Wolfgang would face the pair in a wild street fight. A match which took place all throughout the building and even outside the building at points. The bout would eventually culminate in the parking lot of the building where Clint Margera picked up the win for his team following the use of a bottle on the back of BT Gunn's head.
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Cruising for a Bruising |
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Still standing at the top of the UK Brand was its champion, Pete Dunne. Having been victorious over Tyler Bate at the UK Showcase to retain his title. The Champion was quick to assert that he had nothing to do with what Trent Seven did. Remarking that he's always been better than Tyler and doesn't need help to prove it, Dunne remarks that end of the day it doesn't matter because the title is still by his side. From here Pete Dunne would remark that he was very much looking for a new fresh face to be his opponent having grown sick of fighting blasts from the past. In response to this remark Katarina Leigh would book Dunne in a singles match against a surprising one-off appearance from Apollo Crews with the brand. Dunne would pick up the win in the back and forth contest all the while Katarina Leigh remained at ringside, with Dunne's victory he would be joined in the ring by the general manager as she began to speak to Dunne about his impressive reign and his next big challenger.
Talking about how the brand had gone from strength to strength with a wide variety of talent all worthy of contending for the championship. This is why Katarina elected to hold the first ever UK Rumble with the winner of the match being the man to challenge Pete Dunne for the UK Championship at the UK Showcase. Very much like the WWE's Royal Rumble match except for the fact that this rumble had just 25 men participating. The UK Rumble featured a who's who of talent with only the likes of Tyler Bate, Trent Seven, The Coffey Brothers, Grizzled Young Veterans, Jimmy Havoc and Clint Margera being absent from the field. The match itself would begin with quite the surprise as joining Rockstar Spud who had drawn number one would be former Cruiserweight Champion Adrian Neville who made his first appearance with the brand despite rumors of his WWE status in question. As the match went on Neville wouldn't be the only surprise in the match as both Jack Gallagher and Noam Dar from 205 Live would also be featured in the match. In the bout we'd see a few alliances formed including one between Chris Brookes, Charlie Sterling and Nathan Cruz who for a brief time looked to run the field until they were all eliminated in succession by the likes of Travis Banks and Jordan Devlin.
Following the entrance of the final entrant Nick Aldis at number 25 we were down to just 8 men left standing in this match. Collectively these 8 would be Nick Aldis, Rockstar Spud, Adrian Neville, Jordan Devlin, Travis Banks, Dave Mastiff, Mark Andrews and Mark Haskins. During Aldis entrance it appeared everyone began to see the threat of the monster Mastiff as a cumulative effort was then taken to eliminate The Bomber. Once Dave went however all bets soon were off as we'd see Banks and Haskins both topple to the floor in a brawl with one another while Jordan Devlin managed to eliminate Neville. True to form the big opportunist was Nick Aldis who took advantage of a lapse in concentration to eliminate Andrews much to the crowd's displeasure and he'd blindside Devlin to toss him out leaving him alone with a beaten and exhausted Rockstar Spud. In a stunning moment however Aldis in his over confidence set himself up to be counted with a head scissors from Spud which sent Aldis out of the ring to give Spud the victory and the match at the second Showcase!
With this career defining victory Rockstar Spud appeared on the next episode of WWE UK. In which he stripped back a lot of his flashier aspects. Calling himself by his true name of Drake Maverick, Maverick told the world of how he'd spent years looking to make it in wrestling and achieve his dreams. Yet he'd constantly beaten down in an attempt to run him off. Constantly told he wasn't good enough by the world and that he was too small to make it. Yet now he stands here as the winner of the UK Rumble with his name in history and his chance to finally prove everyone how good he is by beating Pete Dunne to become the UK Champion. While Drake's underdog story may have won the hearts of the fans in attendance and many of the wrestlers' backstage all of whom respected his time in the business and his story. One person who didn't respect what Drake had done was the champion, Pete Dunne. In fact, during a sit-down interview with Joanna Rose, Pete Dunne couldn't hide his disgust at having to lower himself by competing with in his words a caricature of UK Wrestling and someone who Pete Dunne felt lowered the stock of WWE UK and his reign.
This would very much set the tone of the story in regard to Pete Dunne and Drake Maverick. For no matter what mountain in which Drake Maverick would climb, Pete Dunne offered him absolutely no respect in return. Considering Drake beneath him Dunne had absolutely no shame in attacking Drake Maverick when he felt like it. Yet it seemed no matter what Pete Dunne would throw at him, Drake Maverick always got back to his feet. This would be shown in their match at the second UK Showcase where Pete Dunne hit Drake Maverick with everything, he had yet Drake seemed to refuse to stand down. While at first Dunne seemed to show enjoyment at torturing Drake as the match went on even Dunne could be heard telling Drake to stand down. In the end however Dunne trapped Drake with a mounted triangle choke and followed by clamping on an armbar at the same time with it. With Dunne's threats that he'll break Drake's arm lingering if he wasn't to submit, eventually Drake Maverick would tap out. While the Champion soon made a quick exit from the ring, an emotional Drake would be left sat in the ring with the audience in attendance applauding his efforts very much bringing the veteran to tears.
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New Arrivals profiled |
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Following the first UK Showcase it seemed impressions of WWE UK were changing. As the brand very much began to establish its own identity and fanbase. We'd see more talents with a slightly more international flair or raised profile begin to be attached to the brand. The first name of course being Adrian Neville who made a surprise appearance as part of the UK Rumble. Despite a strong showing, sadly this was Neville's lone appearance with the brand as he and WWE management could not come to terms with a new arrangement, and he'd soon depart the promotion as a whole. While the brand may have lost out on Neville. He was far from the only talent looked upon to be joining the brand. This was seen at the UK Showcase II when in the crowd we'd see both Kay Lee Ray and Piper Niven present. Both of whom were mentioned by John Gooden to have recently been contacted by and entering negotiations with the UK Brand. Along with them in a news article on WWE.com we'd learn that Fabian Aichner, an Italian talent who had been plying his trade on NXT had been signed to compete with the brand in the near future.
During the second Showcase and in the run up to the Showcase, we'd also see vignettes air highlighting the upcoming debut of Marcel Barthel. The German born NXT standout was primed to debut the episode following the UK Showcase and was shown to also be in the crowd watching on unimpressed with what he'd seen. The final debut however was that of TM61. The Australian Tag Team had been hyped to debut for weeks ahead of the UK Showcase yet as time went on rumors began to indicate that the team's status may be in question leading to Showcase II promoting an appearance by the pair to address these rumors. Before the crowd in attendance a humbled Shane Thorne and Nick Miller cut an impassioned promo as they spoke about their time as a team. Stating that they have been away from their families for way too long in pursuit of their dreams. Nick Miller would tell a story of his new daughter and how it is with a heavy heart that the wwe run of TM61 was no more.
Before an appreciate and respectful crowd the pair would them embrace as it appeared both men were overcome with emotion. Yet all of this soon come crashing down when Shane Thorne low blocked Nick Miller with a kick to the balls. As Nick Miller crumpled to the floor, Shane Thorne cut a promo berating Miller for not being worthy of his partnership. Livid at Miller for in his words being a weight around his neck, Shane Thorne stomped away at Miller before saying TM61 maybe dead but the Mighty lives on. With that Shane Thorne would be joined in his attack on Nick Miller by his new allies Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis who spiked Miller into the canvas with a double team move before a stunned crowd in attendance. |
Lighting Storm |
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Following the first UK Showcase one name on everyone's lips was that of Nick Aldis. A surprising addition to the UK Brand thanks to his time across the pond. Aldis very much was arguably one of the bigger names that the roster had acquired since its inception and many expected him to be a headline act for the brand. Yet as we'd soon see there was more to this than meets the eye. For while Nick Aldis would have you believe he was one of if not the greatest UK wrestling talent. The truth is as we'd quickly see there was a lot of smoke and mirrors behind this act. As while yes Aldis did have some skill in the ring, it soon became apparent that the real reason he began having success in the brand would be because of his willingness to take well timed short cuts. It would be with this style that Aldis earned victories over the likes of Eddie Dennis, Chris Ridgeway and Dunkan Disorderly. As we'd soon find however this wouldn't go unnoticed by the fans nor Mark Andrews for that matter.
Having previously crossed paths with Nick Aldis, Andrews very much felt that in a one-on-one situation he could very much expose the truth to the world that Aldis is not as good as he says or believes himself to be. With these words in mind, Mark Andrews looked to get a one-on-one match with Aldis which Nick Aldis only scoffed at proclaiming that when his team bested Andrews at Showcase and when he eliminated him from the rumble he proved his superiority. This in turn caused Andrews to slap Aldis leading to a scuffle between the two backstage. With the bad blood brewing between the two Nick Aldis participated in a sit-down interview with friend and former tag team partner Doug Williams in which Aldis stated that Andrews was trying to ride off his coattails by wanting this match. Calling Andrews an easy out and a night off Aldis would in the end accept his challenge leading to a match at Showcase II between the two. During this bout Mark Andrews would take Nick Aldis to the limit and come close to putting him away on numerous occasions before falling to a roll up with a handful of tights from Aldis which earned Nick another unpopular win. |
Don't Bank on it |
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After making his surprising debut at the previous UK Showcase by laying out Adam Maxted. There was a lot of hype around the debut of "The Kiwi Buzzsaw" Travis Banks coming to the UK Brand. A gritty, hard hitting competitor Banks was someone that many in the know saw as a future star for the brand and he'd quickly make this apparent following the Showcase as he picked up an impressive submission victory over Tyson T-Bone during his in-ring debut with WWE UK. As Banks continued to pick up impressive wins his hard-hitting matches and fighting spirit would put a lot of attention on him. One name in particular who focused on Banks was that of Mark Haskins as Haskins decided that Banks would be a suitable ally to join him and his Thrillers contingent. Not impressed with Haskins, his group or the offer Banks simply would blow the group off as he continued to focus on his own business. Yet in this act Banks very much made a strong enemy as it became clear that if Banks wasn't with Haskins, then he was against him.
This was shown when Mark Haskins and Josh Bodom attacked Travis Banks following a victory he picked up over Chris Ridgeway. This would enrage Banks who called for a match with Mark Haskins. Yet on the fateful night in question Mark Haskins arrived at the building on crutches with a cast on his leg as he stated that he'd suffered a serious injury. When confronted by Banks, Haskins attempted to beg off while his tearful wife Vicky would begin to apologize on his behalf. As we'd soon see this was a ruse as while Banks managed to fight off a sneak attack attempt by Bodom. He'd be blasted across the back with the crutch by Mark Haskins. Revealing his injury to be a ruse Haskins then put the boots to Banks all the while yelling at Bodom to get up and help him. Which would actually be an interesting sub plot to follow as it appeared as time went on Haskins became more willing to use Bodom as his crash test dummy in order to save himself.
Which we'd see firsthand when Haskins signed Bodom up for a match with Banks ahead of his recently announced match with Banks at UK Showcase. While hesitant to go through with the match Bodom was eventually talked into it by Haskins but we'd see despite a spirited effort he'd come up short having been knocked out with a penalty kick by Travis Banks. With Bodom down and no one between them the stage was then set for the two to clash at UK Showcase II. During the match Haskins very much relied on his wife Vicky to help him with some timely assists but eventually this came back to bite them when Haskins was sent careening into his wife knocking her down off the apron. From here Banks planted Haskins with a tiger suplex and levelled him with a penalty kick before finishing things once and for all with the Kiwi Crusher. |
Irish Eyes are Smiling |
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Despite his bad attitude and at times unnecessary moments of viciousness. There was no denying that when it came to the WWE United Kingdom Brand that one of its top stars was "The Irish Ace" Jordan Devlin. Having amassed quite an impressive winning record since the brand's inception. Jordan Devlin having defeated Trent Seven at the previous showcase seemed primed for big things as he proclaimed himself a future champion. As we'd soon see following the showcase Jordan was given a few surprising tests by the general manager Katarina Leigh as it seemed that he was perhaps being groomed for such a match. The first test was against longtime WWE veteran Goldust who showed up as a surprise opponent for Devlin. In what was arguably the toughest match of Devlin's UK run, the Irish Ace was forced to dig down and show he truly had what it takes before he'd finally pick up the win following the Devlin Scythe. This wouldn't be the only test either as not long after Jordan was matched up with two other American exports Kona Reeves and No Way Jose both of whom Devlin would also defeat.
With these victories steadily mounting behind him Jordan Devlin soon found himself matched with a tough opponent as he took on the no nonsense Chris Ridgeway in a series of hard-hitting bouts. The first of which came to a stunning conclusion which saw Ridgeway upset Devlin following a punt kick before Devlin won the rematch following a top rope Devlin Scythe. With every match it seemed that the reaction to Jordan Devlin was also changing as the crowd in attendance began to show him more respect in the lead up to the final match in his series with Ridgeway. Following a 15 minute thriller Jordan Devlin would be left victorious following his Ireland's call finishing move. Yet in the post-match Devlin further garnered an interesting response as he shook hands with Chris Ridgeway in what was a rare show of respect from Jordan Devlin to pretty much anyone. In the weeks that followed however while Devlin may have at times been met with cheers it was clear that he was far from the righteous path as he used crooked means to defeat veteran James Mason.
During an in-ring interview with Joanna Rose following another impressive win this time over Mike Bird. Jordan Devlin remarked that he has been looking for respect not adulation and that it is about time people recognized his greatness. While his comments may have conflicted the audience, what didn't leave the crowd conflicted was the arrival of Jordan Devlin's mentor Finn Balor. Balor was full of praise in the early going for Devlin but couldn't hide his disappointment at what Devlin had allowed himself to become. This led to a back and forth between the two before Devlin called for a match with Balor at the second Showcase in Dublin. Without hesitation Balor would accept and in the opening match of the Showcase Finn Balor would defeat his former student in what was a thrilling back and forth battle of wills. After the match if there was any doubt about Jordan Devlin it was soon squashed as he rose to his feet and engaged in an emotional embrace with his former teacher before the packed crowd in attendance. |
