Welcome one and all to my preview and predictions blog for the first NXT UK Takeover special, Takeover:Blackpool. As always if you have any feedback or comments there is a section below this post or you can do so by following me on Twitter or Instagram. I also have a new feature on this blog entitled The 52 In 52 where I watch one film a week that I have never seen. You can check out this weeks post on When The Lights Went Out HERE.
As with the NXT Takeover shows the match card for this event is pretty stream lined and has some pretty great matches. There are a few notable absences from that event. Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster have both had some great matches as of late. Jinny, Isla Dawn and Killer Kelly are all missing from the card too which is a shame but, you can't have every talent on every show. This will hopefully be the crowning achievement in the younger sibling of NXT. As always I will be speaking about the matches in no particular order.
1. Travis Banks Vs. Jordan Devlin: This match has been in the works for a few weeks and I really feel this is the match I never knew I wanted so much. Both Devlin and Banks are on the verge of huge things in their respective careers and have has great showings in and outside of NXT UK (go and watch Devlin Vs. Chris Ridgeway from a recent PROGRESS show). Banks has had a little run of bad luck as of late with a serious shoulder injury making him unable to compete for the latter part of 2018. I have to believe he would have been in the UK Championship picture if he hadn't picked up the injury. This match should be a great display of how great both men are in the ring and further their profile as two of the top talents in pro wrestling today. I really don't want to pick a winner but, if I have to I think Jordan Devlin will come out with the win.
2. Dave Mastiff Vs. Eddie Dennis: This is the battle of the two biggest men in the NXT UK and if their first showing was anything to go by this should be a hard hitting affair to say the least. I must admit before his NXT UK debut I hadn't had a lot of exposure to Eddie Dennis other than a few matches here or there but, he has really impressed me every time he's been in the ring. Dave Mastiff was a competitor that I have loved for a few years now and was puzzled as to why he wasn't bigger outside of the UK. This match will prove a hard hitting affair with both men showing how talented they both are. I have a lot of love for Mastiff but, I think Eddie Dennis will come out with the win.
3. NXT UK Tag Team Championship: Moustache Mountain Vs. Grizzled Young Veterans: Arguably two of the top teams in British pro wrestling today will finally battle to get their hands on the NXT UK tag team championship and this will be one for the ages. Moustache Mountain have had a lot of success in the past year, becoming NXT tag team champions but, have been over shadowed a little bit by the Grizzled Young Veterans in recent weeks. Both Gibson and Drake are phenomenal competitors but, it is as a team they have excelled. Gibson is one of, if not, the top heel in British pro wrestling today and simply needs to look at the crowd to draw their ire. This should be a brilliant back and forth match with a lot of foul play on the Grizzled Young Veterans part. I am torn who I'd like to see win. I think if Moustache Mountain win they could have a great feud with Gallus but, if Gibson and Drake were to win they could have a great feud with any team in NXT UK.
4. NXT UK Women's Championship: Rhea Ripley (C) Vs. Toni Storm: Nobody was as surprised as me when Rhea Ripley became the first NXT UK women's champion a few months ago but, she has been a pleasant surprise having some great matches. Toni Storm is just an once in a lifetime talent and goes from strength to strength, it is astounding that she is only 23 years old. This match has been built incredibly well and has really done great things for furthering both Ripley and Storm in their respective roles. This could be the match of the night and prove to be the coming out party for Ripley. I love Toni Storm but, I can't see what taking the championship away from Ripley would do for her character at this time so I think Ripley will retain.
5. WWE UK Championship: Pete Dunne (C) Vs. Joe Coffey: I feel a little biased talking about Pete Dunne, being that he is my favourite pro wrestler to come along for a very long time. It is a testament to his talent and ability that he is the longest reigning champion in the modern WWE era. I was aware of Coffey a little due to his match with Kurt Angle in ICW a couple of years ago but, apart from that I haven't seen much of his in ring work outside of NXT UK. I think he has really cemented himself as one of the top heel talents in NXT UK and more than worthy of his opportunity. This will be a hard hitting affair from the get go and will more than likely feature a lot of outside interference on both sides. I am really unsure as to what the outcome of this match will be. I really can't see Dunne losing his championship but, there is a rumour than he may be heading stateside soon so this may be his swan song. Fingers crossed for a Dunne retention.
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