NXT UK 93

We’re back in Andy Shepherd’s living room, and now here are action figures on the windowsill. Today’s episode is called Most Brilliant, and it’s focusing on the WALTER vs. Tyler Bate match from Cardiff. They show the Bate/WALTER segment of the Prime Target special and then we get the match. 

August 31, 2019 – Cardiff, Wales

WALTER def. Tyler Bate {WWE United Kingdom Championship Match}
Throughout the match they show talking heads from WALTER and Bate, and the match is interrupted from time to time by promos from other wrestlers talking about the match. That’s a nice way to make this a little bit more than just a replay of another match that’s already on the WWE Network. I was very scared that Bate had gotten his bell rung when his head hit the post thanks to a WALTER powerbomb, but you can’t wrestle a match this good with a concussion. I love that they did a long main event that was rather one-sided towards the champion. It made all of Bate’s comebacks much more meaningful, and allowed it to really sink in as Bate slowly but surely started to swing the momentum towards the end. After watching this, I can’t think of a better underdog than Bate. The little fella sold his back so well, and WALTER took advantage every time. The most over spot in the match was probably when Bate snapped WALTER’s fingers in honor of his buddy Pete Dunne, but Bate’s powerbomb reversal, well-earned giant swing, Birminghammer, and super exploder all came really close. I personally loved WALTER’s ode to sumo and the way he found every little opening to retake control and cut off Bate’s momentum. In the end it took a chop to the back, a sleeper suplex on the apron, a Superfly Splash, another sleeper suplex, a powerbomb and a lariat to finally put Bate down. So, yeah, this is the best match in this brand’s short history. ****¾

If nothing else, these time-killer specials have proven that NXT UK has produced some killer wrestling in its short history. Shepherd then says that next week they’re going to show some never before seen hidden gems, including a match featuring Ilja Dragunov. Yes, that’s perfect! I imagine most will be from last year’s Download Festival, as many matches featuring NXT Flagship wrestlers didn’t air.