BRM Reviews the 3/3/2022 NXT UK (ILJA VS. FRAZER!)

[Big Red Machine]

SHA SAMUELS vs. MARK COFFEY- 6.25/10
Coffey won a fun slugfest cleanly. They did a great job using their size, as even the few times someone came off the middle rope, it still felt like a slugfest.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, CHARLIE DEMPSEY ASKS A-KID TO TEACH HIM A MOVE IN THE GYM- weird… but maybe good?
A-Kid refused, because Dempsey would just use it to take advantage of people with Die Familie. Dempsey said that the person he is when he is with Die Familie isn’t how he really is. This felt like a obvious trap, but Dempsey feels like such an odd fit in that group that I was able to buy it. Teoman and Raja jumped A-Kid from behind, and Dempsey shouted “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!” at them, but then decided to join in. This could have just been your generic, stupid swerve, but it’s possible that this was meant to show us that despite his ability, Dempsey lacks some confidence and feels a strong need to have allies, even if it means doing things he’d morally prefer not to do (which thus plants the seeds of an eventual babyface turn).

ISLA DAWN VIDEO PACKAGE- hated it
Her singing like this was a musical was very weird and out of character. This is the sort of thing I’d expect to see (and hear) from Nina Samuels. Notably, Isla added one of the flowers from bouquet presented to Meiko Satomura to her box of stolen stuff that she has buried in the ruins of a structure in the woods.

ASHTON SMITH & OLIVER CARTER INTERRUPT MOUSTACHE MOUNTAIN’S INTERVIEW AND CONFRONT THEM AFTER LAST WEEK’S MAIN EVENT- good
The young Carter was fiery and angry. Trent Seven lectured him about how winning was what was important. The veteran Ashton Smith appealed to the heart of the youngster Tyler Bate to get him to agree to give them a rematch (which they certainly deserve).

DAVE MASTIFF & JACK STARZ vs. PRETTY DEADLY- 5.5/10
This was going well until Sam Stoker distracted himself by stealing the leather vest that Mastiff gave Starz, leading to Mastiff being able to make a hot tag, which in turn lead to Starz getting a pin. Uch.

WHINY BABY XIA BROOKSIDE CALLS HER DADDY BECAUSE SHE’S AD SHE LOST- She asked her dad for find out if someone could help her. Xia then (rightfully) yelled at the camera person for filming her private phone call when she said not to.

WEIRD VIDEO PACKAGE WITH SOMEONE IN HE WOODS, TALKING ABOUT BEING LEFT TO ROT- Based on his closing line, I think it’s whichever member of The Hunt got kicked out when they become symbiosis.
NOAM DAR VS. JOE COFFEY VIDEO PACKAGE- fine
They face off for the Heritage Cup next week.
Also on next week’s show will be A-Kid vs. Charlie Dempsey.

NXT UK TITLE MATCH: Ilja Dragunov(c) vs. Nathan Frazer- 9.25/10
Ilja has new music, which is much better than the terrible, stereotypical Russian march they had given him when he came to NXT UK.
This match was absolutely tremendous. The best comparison I can come up with for it is Nigel vs. Tyler Black from ROH Take No Prisoners. You’ve got a young and talented up-and-comer getting something of a push taking on a champion who they had been building towards the title as a babyface for quite a while before putting it on him, and we’re just at the cusp of what you could imagine would be the shortest possible reign they’d give him, so you’re almost certain the belt won’t change hands, but as the match goes on the challenger fights through so much, that certainty starts to dip , and by the end, you’re only about 90% certain that they won’t change the title, which is more than enough to have you doubting every nearfall.


An excellent episode of NXT UK!