NXT UK Worth Watching: Mastiff! Gallus! Dennis! Ligero!

Wolfgang/Mark Coffey vs. Ligero/Ashton Smith NXT UK 10/14 (Aired 12/12/18) (Ep. #16)

ER: I loved this tag sprint that worked a nice story just a little over 5 minutes, with Gallus dominating Ligero for most of the match, leading to a big Ashton Smith hot tag and a big redemption spot for Ligero. But this is the best Gallus has looked so far and the match structure needed a strong heel performance. They looked very in sync as a team, and believably worked over Ligero with bearhugs and bullying strikes, using their size to block moves (Wolfgang does a good tornado DDT momentum halt and I love momentum halts), and Wolfgang really shows off a good idea of ring positioning. Gallus not only come off as strong heels, but they are expert at getting into position for Smith's big hot tag. Smith is someone with good energy and some nice spots, but he needs someone feeding him and being in position for him. Wolfgang and Coffey were great at setting up his whole fun run, with Wolfgang especially standing out with big bumps and smart stooge bumps. Wolfgang was coming off more Memphis heel than World of Sport and that's going to be something that appeals to me. He bumps hard to his butt on the apron after Ligero fights back with a back elbow, then gets knocked to the floor in painful fashion. Wolfgang is so good at occupying time and going on a four move run where he is recovering just in time to get knocked down with a new move. He gets hit with a blind tope con hilo by Ligero (his big nice bit of offense after being the FIP the whole tag) and then gets superkicked from the apron by Smith just as he's getting up holding his chest and throat. Smith hits that kick nicely and his big in ring superkick on Coffey, but I liked Coffey's heavy double axe handle to the chest to cut off Smith much more. Gallus came off dominant but generous, and Ligero/Smith came off like guys who got beat, but would come at them with perhaps more successful tricks in a rematch. Strong storytelling and playing to people's strengths can go a long way in 6 minutes, and this was a great example of that. 

Dave Mastiff vs. Eddie Dennis NXT UK 10/14 (Aired 12/12/18) (Ep. #16)

ER: This was a pairing I was looking forward to, and it was enjoyable as I was hoping it would be. We've seen Eddie Dennis in shorter matches with a more wrecking ball energy, so I was excited to see him against his largest opponent. This was the heaviest guy on the roster vs. I believe the tallest guy, and I like those battles between opposing extremes. Dennis fires push kicks at the side of Mastiff's head, and Mastiff builds the match around coming back and flattening Dennis in entertaining ways. Mastiff hits his big dropkick early and works speed with Dennis, surprising him with momentum changes that lead to big splats, like Mastiff's nice crossbody. He misses a big senton and Dennis controls him with a really great cravat. Dennis is good at throwing occasional knees while twisting a cool cravat, and it was strong enough that it got the crowd loudly against him. Mastiff powers through and runs through a strong babyface home stretch with a couple exciting nearfalls. Mastiff's heavy Finlay roll immediately backed up with a senton (paying off a big missed senton early in the match) looked great, and Dennis gets cool revenge for getting flattened by Mastiff's crossbody earlier, as he catches a later attempt and turns it into a nice twisting sideslam, and after hits a great short arm lariat that hit Mastiff harder than I expected. Mastiff's match ending cannonball looks like the kind of Donkey Kong barrel that should get a pin. This match hit right in that TV main event sweet spot, and Mastiff has already shown his consistency delivering in that role. 

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