UK Wrestling Analysis: WWE NXT #770

It’s ~~Wedne~~… Thursday, which means it’s time for the UK Wrestling Analysis of NXT #770! Previously live from Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

The UK Wrestling Archive, as the name suggests, is UK Wrestling-centric however in conjunction with the TWIST Network, we will also be offering reviews of major events which feature UK and Irish wrestlers.

With no time wasted, we quickly run through the card for the night and then we’re on to our first match. Bailey & (NXT Women’s Champion) Giulia, against Cora Jade & Roxanne Perez.

Not suggesting the crowd noise is piped (yet) but there was a rather loud ‘Giulia’ chant while the camera just happened to be panning the crowd who did not look especially chant-y.. To be fair, a short time later there was a ‘This Is Awesome’ chant and the crowd were actually looking like they were legitimately doing it. Booker manages to mix up Cora Jade and Corey Graves which was amusing. All credit to Shawn Michaels, as much as I appreciate that Bailey and Giulia are not Shawn Michaels projects, the NXT women look as smooth as their main roster male counterparts, which is not always something which can be said for many of the main roster women’s roster.

Bailey & (NXT Women’s Champion) Giulia defeat Cora Jade & Roxanne Perez by Pinfall (Bailey over Cora Jade)

Up next we have the Grayson Waller Effect with special guest Oba Femi. Waller puts the Atlanta crowd down saying they have to use the initials ATL because they cannot spell Atlanta. Oba Femi holds his own for the most part before challenging either of A-Town Down Under to a match. We don’t have a conclusive answer though as Ava interrupts to remind Oba Femi that he doesn’t make the matches, she does. During this though we’ve gone to a split screen showing Trick Williams becoming increasingly agitated and he makes his way out to confront Femi. Theory tries to blindside Williams but is fought off and dumped over the top rope, as is Waller, Williams however turns around into a Powerbomb by Oba Femi. The announcers are concerned because Williams is supposed to be in action against Wes Lee, next.

We return from break to Izzi Dame being interviewed by Sarah Schreiber, discussing her (Dame) involvement with the D’Angelo family. Ridge Holland interrupts to question Dame’s motives only to also be interrupted by Channing Lorenzo.

Back at ringside, Trick Williams is struggling to his feet as Wes Lee makes his entrance. The match starts and Lee rushes Williams, dropkicking him into the turnbuckles. Williams fights back though it’s not long before Lee takes control again. Match ends when Lee’s entourage Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont interfere, only be fought off but when the referee tries to restore order, Williams also throws him across the ring prompting a Disqualification.

Wes Lee defeated Trick Williams by Disqualification

Backstage Ava again reminds Oba Femi that she makes the matches before letting him know he faces both Austin Theory and Grayson Waller at Vengeance Day. She then heads out in search of Trick Williams.

It’s time for the NXT Women’s North American Championship match as Shotzi challenges Fallon Henley. A fun match with lots going on. Fallon Henley, who I did not know going into the match, is better than I expected. Both competitors’ entourages brawl to the back leaving just Fallon and Shotzi.

WWE NXT North American Women’s Championship Match:
Fallon Henley (w/ Fatal Influence Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) defeated Shotzi (w/ Gig Dolin & Tatum Paxley) by Pinfall

We are back with the faces in the crowd though thankfully the awkward lingering shots are not a thing in NXT.

Match #3 pits ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page against Cedric Alexander. Alexander punches Page before even getting in the ring so we’re off to a flyer. Alexander is all over Page in the opening few minutes of the match. Alexander dominates throughout but Page takes the win with a RKO (he almost certainly has his own name for it but I don’t know what it is and the announcers didn’t call it, mainly because Vic Joseph is trying to decipher just what the hell Book is talking about 90% of the time.

‘All Ego’ Ethan Page defeated Cedric Alexander by Pinfall

Following a rundown of the card for Vengeance Day, we’re on to the main event of the evening. Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) are out first. The yellow and green spotlights are a nice touch, gives them an almost superhero vibe. The Tag Champs are next. As much as I dislike the spelling out of N-A-O-M-I for Naomi’s entrance, I dislike more the cutting off her theme in order to play Bianca Belair’s. Either give them a new theme or just pick one or the other… I’m amazed it hasn’t happened before now but Belair’s looooong braid is becoming more of a hindrance and get in the way. It could be half as long, look just as impressive and be much less of a nuisance. Lash Legend is a big girl, with several inches on Belair. We get a quick split screen, of Cora Jade demanding Ava’s attention. I don’t want to call nepotism but Ava is so young and ill-suited to the roll of GM. She very rarely, if ever, shows actual authority. Anyway, back to the match. The more I (re)watch NXT the more obvious it is that the quality of the women’s wrestling is a level above that of the main roster. It’s not so noticeable with the male roster though. The champs take the win by Pinfall.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match:
Bianca Belair & Naomi (Champions) defeat Meta-Four Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) by Pinfall (Bianca Belair over Jakara Jackson)

Post match, McIntyre attacks Zayn, prompting Cody Rhodes to run down for the assist. He and McIntyre trade blows but Kevin Owens emerges from the crowd to attack Rhodes. Rhodes turns the tables on him before McIntyre drags Rhodes off Owens and into the corner. Them for the second week in a row, the man who just does not learn, Sami Zayn, opts to attempt the Helluva Kick, bearing in mind that he best he could hope for is kicking both McIntyre AND Rhodes, instead only kicks Rhodes when McIntyre dodges out the way. All bar Rhodes vacate the ring and CM Punk makes his way out. A overly long, honestly not particularly interesting, and largely unnatural feeling exchange between Rhodes and Punk follows to close the show.

There’s just so much wrestling… It’s Saturday as I write this, I still have Smackdown AND AEW Dynamite/ potentially Collision. A minimum of 8 hours weekly WWE content. At least 2 hours, probably 4 AEW. 2 Hours TNA (IF I can find reliable means to regularly watch) not including PPVs. All now have UK and Irish wrestlers. I do enjoy doing these reviews though I may have to trim the fat as it were. Like everything else, it’s a work in progress.

If you made is this far, consider leaving a comment. Constructive feedback is always welcome and it needn’t be positive. Don’t like something? Let me know. If you’re looking for more of my ramblings, a more in depth argument, or just want to berate me in a more public setting, consider joining the Infinite Realities Discord server where you can engage with members of the community and follow the general happenings.

Opinions are my own. I am in no way affiliated with/ or incentivised by, any of the promotions or wrestlers referenced. I have no bias towards any single promotion and any suggestion to the contrary is made insincerely, in bad faith, and in ignorance of this stated fact. Any and all links were valid at the time of writing.

UK Wrestling Analysis: Monday Night Raw #1653

It’s ~~Mond~~… Tuesday, which means it’s time for the UK Wrestling Analysis of Monday Night Raw #1653! Previously live from the State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

What sounds like Michael Cole welcomes us, via voiceover, to Monday Night Raw and, following a quick crowd pan, we head backstage to witness to arrival of Cody & Brandi Rhodes with who I assume is their daughter, whom Google informs me is named ‘Liberty’ . We also witness the arrivals(s) of the teams of Bianca Belair/ Naomi and Liv Morgan/ Raquel Rodriguez, followed by Sami Zayn, who seems to acknowledge two different people we either never see or who completely ignore him. Finally Drew McIntyre arrives and simultaneously ignores the camera and flexes his right bicep as he walks so either he was pretending the camera wasn’t there while also playing to it or simply walks around randomly flexing. Some drone footage follows, a quick circuit of the arena and we descend towards the ring where we see the production assistants cue Michael Cole. It’s an oddly ‘unpolished’ moment but it works.

Cole and Pat McAfee run through the results of Saturday Night’s Main Event and then it feels like McAfee misses his cue for a “LET’S GOOOOOO” which has considerably less weight behind it than previous efforts.

First, we are BURNING IT DOWN as Seth Rollins makes his entrance, dressed in a middle-aged woman’s thrift store Pyjamas and what look painted Safety Googles. I don’t get it but whatever he likes, I guess. Seth goes through his usual routine, though slightly quicker than normal. Still, I cannot lie, I was thankful for Netflix’ ’10-second skip’ feature because the man likes to ramble… Thankfully the World Champion, Gunther, interrupts to break the monotony. Gunther, who is billed at 6’4″ is actually notably taller than Seth, who I believed was taller. Gunther calls Seth out on his false narrative by countering with simple logic. Gunther is actually doing a masterful job at shutting down Seth’s repeated rambling efforts and I have to wonder just how much was adlibbed. Sadly we are interrupted again, this time by Logan Paul. I don’t like him, I don’t like his ‘products’, I’ve never knowingly watched any of his YouTube content. I’m out.

The ’10-second skip’ function is spammed until we see Cathy Kelley & CM Punk. Apparently Logan Paul has declared for the Royal Rumble. Joy. Unfortunately the relief of Logan Paul not being on my screen is short-lived as Sami Zayn interrupts the segment. Sami breaks out some amazingly flawed logic when he insincerely acknowledges that he (Zayn) and Punk are indeed NOT on the same level because he (Zayn) has main-evented Wrestlemania and Punk has not. I dislike Sami Zayn’s character. It’s grating and condescending in all the wrong ways.

Sami walks away muttering as if he’s somehow been wronged, straight into Karrion Kross, whom he advises he doesn’t have time for, immediately before stopping to listen to. Karrion Kross walks away, only to be replaced by Cody Rhodes who despite there being zero chance that he did not just watch Kross walk away, seems puzzled by Sami’s demeanour.

Cut to Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterion & JD McDonagh, standing on front of a screen showing what I assume to be WWE 2k24 footage of Dom beating on Eric of the Viking Raiders. It’s a nice touch. Quick shot of the Viking Raiders, followed by some Atlanta onscreen graphics and we’re back Judgment Day in the ring and the favoured overly long shots of ‘celebrities’ in the crowd whom I don’t know but whom the camera lingers on just long enough to be uncomfortable. Funny to note though that some of them actually get bored of trying to think of new ways to not simply stand awkwardly but simply sit back down again.

Viking Raiders make their entrance for their first defence of the WWE World Tag Team Championship and match #1 is introduced. The bell rings and Judgment Day blind side the War Raiders, dumping Ivar to the outside and double teaming Eric. Eric fights back briefly but the 2 on 1 is too much as Judgment Day take control again. McDonagh with a springboard moonsault from the second rope, via the apron onto Ivar but seems to land badly. I don’t think anyone is a fault but JD really seemed to hit the back of his head off the announce table with a louder thud than seems healthy. Michael Cole seems to confirm as he makes repeated reference to it. Replay seems to confirm is wasn’t just his head but also his upper back. He has to at least have whiplash after that.

JD seems to confirm he’s alright but certainly doesn’t look alright. Less JD tagging out and more Dom tagging in but only briefly as JD looks like he does the same. JD repeatedly seems to confirm his status but doesn’t look right. It’s not that the War Raiders are clumsy but they are heavy handed and JD looks to be favouring his ribs while repeatedly giving cues that he’s good to continue. Dom and JD take several big bumps for the War Raiders. Alas even Carlito’s interference cannot help as Dom succumbs to a War Machine and takes the Pinfall loss as War Raiders retain.

WWE World Tag Team Championship Match:
The War Raiders (Eric & Ivar) (Champions) defeat The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh) by Pinfall (Eric over Dominik Mysterio)

In the back Ludwig Kaiser approaches Pete Dunne who immediately threatens him before are interrupted by the New Day who still seem to look for comradery which they do not get. Dunne and Kaiser walk off as Cathy Kelley approaches to interview New Day. Kofi asserts that ‘Atlanta’s Favourite Son’ has come home, clearly gesturing towards a grinning Xavier Woods. Kelley seems confused and believes Kofi is referring to Bron Breakker, before instead suggesting Austin Theory. She finally clicks though and states ‘Cody Rhodes’. Woods clarifies that it is in fact he who is whom Kofi is referring and that he (Woods) will defeat Rey Mysterio in front of his (Woods’) Father, Mother and Sister.

Cathy sends it back to ringside, just in time for Rey Mysterio, flanked by the LWO, to make his entrance. It always bothered me that Rey just one day decided to reform the LWO, a WCW faction whom he feuded with throughout 1998 and only joined as a result of losing a match with a pre-match stipulation that he had to join if he did not win. But, that was I now realise, 26 years ago and some change and many will have no idea what I’m even referring to.

More awkward crowd shots of celebrities I don’t know and then of New Day grumbling that reserved seating (for Woods’ family) remains empty. Odd though that he named 3 people but there are 6 empty chairs, with 5 having ‘Reserved Seating’ signs attached.

Kofi harasses Pat McAfee as the bell rings and we are underway. References to Big E are coming in thick and fast which leads me to believe he’s medically cleared to return, perhaps at Royal Rumble?

Woods mostly dominates the match but Mysterio with a number of Lazarus-esque comebacks to break up Woods’ momentum. Mid-match Woods’ family show up, for some reason accompanied by one of the afore-mentioned celebrities, taking their number to 4, for 6 seats. Seeing his family, Woods goes out to greet them, asking them where they’d been. In response his parents open their jackets to reveal ‘The New Day Sucks’ T-Shirts while his sister struggles to unfold and weakly waves a similar shirt. Irate, Woods returns to the ring but is outmanoeuvred by Mysterio, falling ‘just so’ onto the middle rope in a manner in which no wrestler no wrestling Rey Mysterio ever does, in order to receive a 619 and splash. Mysterio takes the Pinfall.

The War Raiders (Eric & Ivar) (Champions) defeat The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh) by Pinfall (Eric over Dominik Mysterio)

Video recap of last week when Sami Zayn kicked Seth Rollins in the face, then to backstage where Zayn tries to reassure Rollins that the kick was inadvertent. Rollins accepts it was a mistake but states should it happen again, he (Rollins) will be less certain it was another mistake.

It’s time for ‘Mid Card’ Jey Uso, entering through the crowd with, ‘Quavo’ carrying a Smoking Skull title belt like it’s 1999. To be fair, the whole ‘Yeet’ thing is popular with the crowd. McAfee makes reference to ‘Blue Pill Yeeting all over the place’ and both he and Cole make reference to pulling hamstrings from ‘Yeeting’ so much. Uso cuts a live promo will still standing on the announce table, in the staccato, 3 or 4 words at a time style he uses these days.

Backstage Lyra Valkryria is being interviewed just feet away from American Alpha making content for ‘the socials’ but who are somehow completely quiet until after, Valkyria is interrupted by American Made and Ivy Nile tells Valkyria she’s going to eliminate her from the Royal Rumble. Thoughtfully, Valkyria leaves, allowing American Made to then realise content is being made and take the required 2 steps to encounter Akira Tozawa and (a very balding) Otis busting the moves as Maxine Dupri encourages them while filming on her iPhone. American Made berate American Alpha with the iPhone in shot for more than sufficient time to notice that it’s only been recording for around the length of time the segment has gone on.

We return to ringside and the Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez are in the ring as the Women’s Tag Team Champs, Bianca Belair & Naomi make their entrance for this non-title match. ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio distracts the referee enough for Raquel to chokeslam Naomi onto the apron and then roll her into the ring for Liv to get the Pinfall.

The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez) defeat (WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions) Bianca Belair & Naomi by Pinfall (Liv Morgan over Naomi)

Backstage, a couple of violence-free interactions between Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley and Bailey, whom Rhea wishes luck after she (Bailey) suggests Rhea will face her at Wrestlemania, the insinuation being that Bailey will win the Royal Rumble. Ripley exists stage left and Bailey walks into Iyo Sky who simply says ‘See You Saturday’.

Back to ringside and Michael Cole reminds us that he’s the only undefeated announcer in Wrestlemania history. A short recap video is played and Pay McAfee just roasts Cols at one point simply stating he (Cole) ‘looks like an asshole’. The two are very obviously friends and it was obviously all good natured.

An amazingly long and very awkward camera shot on yet another ‘face in the crowd’, Kai Cenat, who is apparently ‘one of the most popular streamers in the world’ and whom I have never heard of. Followed by a Penta video package, highlighting his best matches in WWE, which unsurprisingly given he’s had 2 matches total, is not especially varied.

A Royal Rumble promo airs, before Paul Heyman makes his way to the ring. Heyman reveals that Roman Reign is on the cover art for the new WWE 2K25 game. Heyman is interrupted by Drew McIntyre who says Paul looks nervous. He questions whether likes him but also tells him not to open his mouth to answer. McIntyre goes on to state that he (McIntyre) is the ‘daddy’ of the Bloodline, referencing the chain of events which led to the formation of the Bloodline. McIntyre goes to ask Paul to do him a favour and tell his boy ‘that McIntyre is going to eliminate him from the Royal Rumble. Heyman confirms that yes, he will pass McIntyre’s sentiments to Roman Reigns however McIntyre corrects him that Roman Reigns knows McIntyre is going to eliminate him, he (McIntyre) instead wants Heyman to tell his boy, CM Punk. Then tells Paul to run.

Drew McIntyre is already in the ring as Sami Zayn makes his entrance and we’re underway. Drew dominates early but Zayn rallies and begins to take control. Zayn has a busted nose which will make the rest of this match harder work than it already is. The commentators remind us that Zayn has never beaten McIntyre which historically, would have meant that Zayn was winning. Not tonight however as McIntyre takes the win, albeit with his feet on the ropes.

Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn by Pinfall

UK Wrestling Analysis: Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXVIII

It’s ~~Satur~~… Sunday, which means it’s time for the UK Wrestling Analysis of Saturday Night’s Main Event! Previously live from the Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Joe Tessitore and Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura welcome us to Saturday Night’s Main Event. No time is wasted though as Nia Jax makes her way to the ring, and we discover our announcement team for the evening is Michael Cole & Pat McAfee. First though, “THIS IS MY BRUTALITY” which doesn’t really make a great deal of sense but sounds pretty cool. It also announces the entrance of ‘Mami’, the WWE Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley, set to make her 1st defence of her 2nd reign.

Lillian Garcia does the honours and we are underway, with Jax interrupting Garcia’s introductions by headbutting Ripley. Ripley recovers to dominate early until another headbutt from Jax. Jax mostly dominates though has a very limited moveset which consists of pushing people over, Samoan Drops, and trying continuously, with looong pauses for crowd taunting, for the Annihilator Banzai Drop. Ripley retains after a Riptide, which the slow-motion reply makes look considerably better than it did in the moment.

WWE World Women’s Championship Match:
Rhea Ripley (Champion) defeated Nia Jax by Pinfall

Hall of Famers, Alundra Blayze and Mark Henry (who gets around since his retirement) are shown before our first UK or Irish Wrestler of the evening, Sheamus, makes his way to the ring to challenge Bron Breakker for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, the only main roster Title he has never held.

‘The Body’ makes his way to the commentary table for this one. The dogs bark and sirens wail in homage to his Father and Uncle respectively, as the IC Champ makes his entrance.

Sheamus dominates early before Breakker begins taking control. Interesting, though unsurprising, to note that we’re on a few second broadcast delay, giving enough time for Ventura’s WWF reference (the F) to be partially muted. We go to another break however I’m going to trust that the YouTube broadcast is in real time and keep the clock counting.

Sheamus is a veteran and Breakker couldn’t really have asked for better trainers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner, the afore mentioned Father and Uncle) if you are unaware, so the match is fluid.

Sheamus tries for the Brogue Kick however Breakker counters with a Spear and that’s all she wrote.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match:
Bron Breakker (Champion) defeated Sheamus by Pinfall in 11:31

Jesse Ventura is absolutely convinced that a Pinfall attempt by Sheamus over Breakker was actually a 3-count before Breakker placed his foot on the bottom rope. It didn’t appear so at the time and a replay confirms it wasn’t even especially contentious.

Thankfully we don’t have to dwell on the matter for long as the ‘Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels makes his way to ringside to moderate the contract signing between ‘Undisputed’ WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and the guy who simply carries a replica of the ‘Winged Eagle’ World Championship, introduced by Hulk Hogan in 1988 and retired by ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin in 1998 after he introduced his own custom ‘Smoking Skull’ design, Kevin Owens.

Shawn Michaels requests both men sit. Both remain standing. Despite previously assertions that he would not sign until Owens’ has, Rhodes doesn’t hesitate to sign when prompted. Some jaw jacking and an Owens rant, interrupted by HBK who tells Owens he’s jealous. Owens berates HBK and then signs. A referee is requested to place both titles into the symbolic harness, symbolic because the Royal Rumble event where the match will take place is in a different area, which is then raised but only a few feet, above the ring.

Owens with a cheap shot to Rhodes. HBK reprimands Owens who, attacks and tries to powerbomb HBK, interrupted by Rhodes who kicks Owens. HBK ‘tunes up the band’ as Owens gets back to his feet, A Sweet Chin Music superkick later and Owens is knocked to the outside as HBK retrieves his hat.

Braun Strowman Vs. Jacob Fatu is match #3. With Braun having already made his way to the ring, a promo by Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu transitions into Fatu’s entrance. No one should have expected a technical masterpiece but equally so no one could have expected was Fatu (billed at 6’2”) being disqualified for throwing the referee from the ring after he tried to stop Fatu from continuing his beatdown of the much larger (billed at 6’8”) Strowman. Tama Tonga returns to ringside, having left shortly after Fatu’s entrance, persuading, albeit briefly, and after a couple of tries, Fatu to relent. Jacob Fatu eventually leaves, to chants of “Fatu” from the crowd. I never really bought into Jacob Fatu but, since the ‘New Bloodline’ was dissolved, the man can actually cut a legible promo, and has a certain something something which makes him tough to dislike.

Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu by Disqualification

It’s time for the Main Event of Saturday Night’s Main Event. The World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther, takes on ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso. Jey Uso is out first and I still wonder if it’s correction fluid (think Tip-Ex) he uses to write YE ET onto his sunglasses. Der Ring General makes his entrace as Michael Cole advises he (Gunther) has been a champion (NXT UK (870 Days)/ Intercontinental (666 Days)/ and World Heavyweight (175 Days at time of defence)) for 80% of his time in WWE.

A decent if unspectacular match followed. I want to believe Jey Uso is ‘main event’, I do but he’s just missing, something. Somewhat formulaic Gunther match, with Gunther being in a degree of jeopardy before turning the tide. Taking the W with a pair of Powerbombs.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match:
Gunther (Champion) defeated Jey Uso by Pinfall

WWE Smackdown (24 January 2025) Review

WWE: Friday Night Smackdown #1327 | 24 January 2025 | Moody Center, Austin, Texas, USA | Source: Netflix

The show opens with a promo by Cody Rhodes, being interviewed by Joe Tessitore, and addressing Kevin Owens. Unoffensive but also skippable.

Our first match of the evening and we have UK Wrestlers Abroad as The Motor City Machine Guns defeat Pretty Deadly. PD portray very flamboyant, almost feminine characters but they’re actually not displeasing to watch. MCMG go over following a ‘Skull & Bones’ (I think I got that right) on Kit Wilson after 9:42.

Our second segment of the evening and we have yet another UK Wrestler Abroad as the ‘Big O’, Norfolk’s own Nick Aldis is approached by The Miz, who looks like he’s just stepped off the set of the latest Men In Black movie. Aldis informs Miz that he’s now a member of Smackdown. Something which you’d think he’d have been told in advance but seemingly not.

Kevin Owens is out and berating Joe Tessitore, demanding to know where his interview is, and then Texas native, Matthew McConaghey, just because he was there I guess. Thankfully Jimmy Uso is here to chase Owens away.

Back in the Big O’s office, Carmello Hayes is bleating about being relevant and is given a match against a.n. other later tonight. Short, skippable.

The UK Wrestlers Abroad contingent is still in full force as B-Fab & Michin defeat Chelsea Green & Piper Niven by Pinfall in a criminally short 3:27. Michin looks like she has mini marshmallows in her hair.

Post match, Hayes is bleating some more before discovering his opponent for the evening is a newly signed Damian Priest. I’m not a huge Damian Priest fan but I do like that the overall WWE roster is stronger than it has been for some time. Better yet, everything seems cohesive. It’s almost as if someone is paying attention to the booking.

Next, it’s Tiffy time but before that a Charlotte Flair promo where she advises she’s back, and has entered the Royal Rumble.

Now, this is Tiffy time. It’s also My Brutality as Tiffy’s counterpart, Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley in on the blue brand for the evening, interrupting Tiffany Stratton’s promo. Rhea is subsequently interrupted by Nia Jax and her little friend Candice LeRae. Do we smell a tag match coming? Maybe not as Nia Jax is interrupted by the Women’s Tag Champs, Bianca Belair and Noami, who both are apparently going to win (the rumble). No sooner have the entered the ring though than Liv Morgan is also out, with Raquel Rodriguez. Liv is just annoying, and not in a heelish way, just an annoying one. Rhea agrees with me and headbutts Liv shortly after she enters the ring and we have a cluster.

I was right! It’s not quite the composition I expected but we have ourselves a 6-woman tag, playa.

Match number 3, and the first to have zero UK Wrestlers in has Bianca Belair and Namoi with Rhea Ripley against Candice LeRae, Liv Morgan and Nia Jax. In a moment which genuinely raised a chuckle, Jax talked a little smack to Rhea and then quickly tagged out to LeRae! In her defence, LeRae is like a little angry chipmunk who throws herself into her task, to little success. In a genuinely puzzling moment though, Belair blind tags herself (twice within 2 seconds) and then also immediately tags Noami as if that somehow means that both are legally in the match? The referee is not even bothering to produce a 5-count at this point Thankfully all seem to be aware of who the actual legal participants are. I’ll give the women their due, they know what they’re doing and the match is both cohesive and generally smooth.

Stupid moment of the night so far as Noami takes enough steps to simply reach out slightly to make contact but instead almost defies the laws of Physics to dive *forwards* but instead somehow move backwards to increase the distance by perhaps an inch, to make the desperate tag to Ripley. The match starts break down, becoming less cohesive and a bit disjointed but thankfully it doesn’t last too much longer until Morgan gets the pin on Belair.

Following a short backstage segment with B-Fab/ Michin and Chelsea Green/ Piper Niven, we have Match number 4 of the evening. WWE World Tag Team Champion, Johnny Gargano takes on Apollo Crews. I’ve seen Crews a few times, in the UK Wrestling scene as Uhaa Nation, so it’s nice to see him become (hopefully) more featured on TV (and in ring). Just when I thought he was going to be just another statistic, MCMG make their way to the ring, sufficiently distracting DIY for Crews to get a roll up on Gargano for the win.

We get a (thankfully not overused) tracking camera shot of Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga cutting a walking backstage promo and all the way to the ring. A ‘quick’ faces in the crowd moment, they really do stay on each person for just long enough for them to become uncomfortable, and LA Knight makes his way to the ring, sans jacket.

Match number 5 pits LA Knight against Tama Tonga. A Quick pre-match promo by LA Knight and we’re underway. I was not feeling LA Knight initially but he’s reduced the annoyances and is more watchable as a result. There’s a degree of irony as Wade Barrett addresses that Tonga and Fatu are ‘lawless thugs’ as Jacob Fatu is on his absolute best behaviour and keeping a respectful distance from the action. LA Knight gets the pin in a match which honestly felt like it went too long before Jacob Fatu attacks Knight, only for Braun Strowman to make the ‘save’. A minor skirmish ensues before Tonga is able to restrain Jacob Fatu.

Backstage, Miz is trying to make new friends, starting with A-Town Down Under. Offering them places on The Marine 7. They seem up for it, at least until Nick Aldis passes and advises they are headed to Raw.

Match 6 as Damian Priest makes his way to the ring to await ‘Him’. A Shinsuke Nakamura promo airs and then Carmelo Hayes makes his way to the ring. Hayes gets a surprisingly strong showing against the former World Heavyweight Champion, at least until he gets annoyed, one South of Heaven later and Priest is victorious.

Backstage, DIY are demanding Gargano’s loss be stricken from the record books to Nick Aldis, who is all over the show tonight, before being interrupted by MCMG who advise they have a Title defence against them in the very near future.

Further quick fire backstage segments as Cody Rhodes welcomes Damian Priest to Smackdown, Andrade rejects Miz’ advances and Jimmy Uso throws out a bunch of “No Yeets”, upsetting Carmelo Hayes who tails him out the entranceway, knocking him down and then just leaving again? Uso shrugs it off and continues his entrance. Kevin Woens is out next, with the ‘Winged Eagle’ belt and wearing a Naomi (Wife of Jimmy Uso) sleeveless T. Owens takes a moment to taunt Matthew McConaghey with the belt and we’re underway. Except Owens immediately heads outside to argue with Joe Tessitore some more. A good match, which went at least as long as the LA Knight/ Tama Tonga match but which I’d have happily watched for longer. Owens plans of roughing up ‘Big Jim’ some more are scuppered by Cody Rhodes who makes the save as the broadcast goes off the air.

So ends the 1327th edition of Friday Night Smackdown.

UK Wrestling Abroad 2025 – Week 1

Welcome to the inaugural edition of UK Wrestling Abroad, something of a cross-pollination between the TWIST Network and UK Wrestling Archive. Looking at British and Irish wrestlers overseas.

These will mostly be in the form of results however, where source footage is available, short narratives will be provided, where deemed appropriate, rather than full blown reviews.

Wrestling knowledge is an advantage though not absolutely vital. These will mostly be in the form of results however, where source footage is available, short narratives will be provided, where deemed appropriate, rather than full blown reviews.

Results from 1 January – 5 January 2025

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite #274 – Fight For The Fallen | 1 January 2025 (Click to expand Narrative)

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite #274 – Fight For The Fallen | 1 January 2025 | Harrah’s Cherokee Center, Asheville, North Carolina, USA | Source: ITV X

The show opens with a promo by the “Death Riders”, specifically Jon Moxley who, while seemingly being confused by which camera he’s addressing, describes Marina Shafir as, among other things “a woman of impeachable character” oops.

‘Hangman’ Adam Page defeated ‘Freshly Squeezed’ Orange Cassidy in an unremarkable match before a couple of post-match Dead-Eyes (I think?) brings the officials tearing out from the back, to largely ineffectiveness, including Christopher Daniels complaining that he’s Page’s friend, as Page beats on him.

The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) (w/ MVP) defeat The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster). The Hurt Syndicate are polished, The Acclaimed less so, though they are seemingly in the midst of a breakup storyline so that made sense. Hurt Syndicate take the W.

AEW use, at least for this show (I’m not overly familiar with their production) a notably shorter entranceway with 2 tunnels, which I presume is a kayfabe “Face/ Heel” separation McGuffin. Not sold on it but it’s a nice touch, we’ll see if it grows on me.

Jamie Hayter Vs. Julia Hart – Jamie Hayter has what I would call almost a “70’s gimmick”. Not a criticism, merely an opinion-based observation. Julia Hart has a “dark arts” aesthetic. The commentators reference both having time out due to injury and it shows. Both struggled slightly during the match, neither quite being in position a number of times. Julia Hart gets the Pinfall after a very discreet ‘mist to the eyes’ in 5:27.

The former Sasha Banks, Mercedes Moné, has lost so much of that ‘it factor’ which made Sasha Banks a star. The crowd barely cared and why the hell does her entrance theme have a piped ‘CEO’ crowd chant baked in?!

A somewhat awkward ‘Undisputed Kingdom’ promo later and we’re onto a Triple Threat match between Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong whom the crowd, whether they were sucked of all care by Mercedes Moné or whether they simply don’t care about Roderick Strong were largely indifferent to, Jay White (who I genuinely thought was South African following his promo earlier in the show (he’s not, he’s a Kiwi) and Swerve Strickland, who actually has decent presence but needs to tell Prince Nana to tone it down as it just feels weird when Swerve is being all stoic and Nana looks like he’s at a rave. Unsure if it’s the norm but the crowd just don’t seem to care, staying largely silent throughout. The camera work is odd too, with cameras switching to less optimal angles frequently. Yet another odd moment when a bespectacled Ricochet, from the crowd, hits/ stabs/ somethings, Swerve with scissors and then stares at him for a looooong time, while Jay White gets the Pinfall over Roderick Strong. Worth noting that during and following a considerably more brutal assault than Hangman Adam Page on Orange Cassidy earlier, when AEW officials were there in seconds, eventually only the remaining members of Undisputed Kingdom, who apparently now care about Swerve Strickland (maybe there’s a history i’m unaware of) arrive to chase off the manically laughing Ricochet who, after picking up his scissors and continuing to laugh, slowly leaves through the crowd.

Mariah May thinks the AEW Women’s division is great, almost entirely because she’s in it. Fair.

Jeff Jarrett makes what feels like a Hall Of Fame’ speech as he teases retirement. A notion which he rejects, with the caveat that he wants ‘one more ride’ and has signed his last professional wrestling contract (with AEW).

Backstage promo with former ‘Big Cass’, ‘Big Bill’ and with all due respect to Bryan Keith, what really feels like a stand in Enzo Amore for Bill to bounce off. Bill looks off into the distance to see ‘Cope’ (i’m sorry but truly, truly, awful name. You can’t use Edge and there’s nothing wrong with your given name of Adam Copeland but ‘Cope’?) and FTR (who are seemingly a 3-man stable), standing perhaps 10 feet away. ‘Cope’ proceeds to tell Bill that his face ‘is stupid’. See, it’s funny because Bill looks like a younger (and taller) ‘Cope’.

A taped(!?) MJF promo from last Saturday lets us know ‘a King’ (Jon Moxley) is nothing to ‘a God’ (MJF) whom also refers to himself as ‘a Devil’ so i’m slightly puzzled but it’s fine.

Our main event is up and The Death Riders make their way to the ring (through the crowd) with Moxley simply lobbing a water bottle at a fan because, why not? FTR are next, followed by ‘Cope’ using his ‘Edge’ WWE music, mannerisms and ‘Rated R Superstar’ nickname but the utterly atrocious ‘Cope’.

As the match gets underway, Tony Schiavone references that Sweet Daddy Siki has passed away at 91. Belated condolences to his friends and family. Rest In Peace Sweet Daddy Siki.

Pro Wrestling NOAH: The New Year 2025 | 1 January 2025 (Click to expand Results)

Pro Wrestling NOAH: The New Year 2025 | 1 January 2025 | Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

Battle Royal Match:
Tadasuke defeated Dump Matsumoto, Harutoki, LJ Cleary, Masaaki Mochizuki, Masao Inoue, Saxon Huxley, Shuhei Taniguchi, Titus Alexander, Yu Owada, Yuto Kikuchi and Zozaya

GHC Tag Team Championship Match:
Team 2000X (Jack Morris & Omos) (w/ Yoshitatsu) defeat Naomichi Marufuji & Takashi Sugiura (Champions) *New Champions*

Big Japan Pro Wrestling: 2025 New Year Battle Begins At Korakuen Hall | 2 January 2025 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

Fluorescent Lighttubes Death Match:
AKIRA, Kazumi Kikuta & Ryuji Ito defeat Abdullah Kobayashi, Daiju Wakamatsu & Jack Bennett

Pro Wrestling NOAH: New Year Reboot 2025 | 2 January 2025 | Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

Tag Team Rumble Match:
Masaaki Mochizuki & Takashi Sugiura defeat All Rebellion & Black Menso-re, Masa Kitamiya (Alejandro & Kai Fujimura), Go Shiozaki & Mohammed Yone, Hajime Ohara & Shuhei Taniguchi, LJ Cleary & Zozaya, Naomichi Marufuji & Yu Owada and Titus Alexander & Ulka Sasaki

6-Man Tag Team Match:
Team 2000X ((GHC Tag Team Champion) Jack Morris, (GHC Tag Team Champion) Omos & Yu Owada) (w/ Yoshi Tatsu) defeat El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Galeno Del Mal & Saxon Huxley

All Japan Pro Wrestling: New Year Wars 2025 – Day 2 | 3 January 2025 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

ELPIDA (Ren Ayabe & Ryuki Honda) defeat Hokuto-gun (Hartley Jackson & Jack Kennedy)

DDT Pro Wrestling: New Year Dream Parade 2025 ~ Answers Will Be Given In A Year ~ | 3 January 2025 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

Calamari Drunken Kings (Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi) & Hikaru Sato defeat Keigo Nakamura, Shinya Aoki & Yuki Ueno

WWE: Friday Night Smackdown | 3 January 2025 | Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA | Source: Netflix

Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Andrade

Michin defeated Piper Niven (w/ Chelsea Green)

WWE Tag Team Championship Match:
#DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) (Champions) The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) ended in No Contest

WWE Women’s Championship Match:
Nia Jax (w/ Candice LeRae) (Champion) defeated Naomi (w/ Bianca Belair)

WWE Women’s Championship (Money In The Bank) Match:
Tiffany Stratton defeated Nia Jax (Champion) *New Champion*

The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga) defeat The OG Bloodline (Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn)

Awesome Championship Wrestling: Poughkeepsie Rumble | 4 January 2025 | MJN Convention Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA | Source: CageMatch.net

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship Match:
Tommy Dreamer defeated Thom Latimer (Champion) by Disqualification

Marvelous That’s Women Pro Wrestling: Happy New Year’s Marvelous | 4 January 2025 | Shin-Kiba 1st RING, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

AAAW Championship Match:
Takumi Iroha (Champion) defeated Nightshade

New Japan Pro Wrestling: Wrestle Kingdom 19 In Tokyo Dome | 4 January 2025 | Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match:
Zack Sabre Jr. (w/ Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) (Champion) defeated Shota Umino

Superior Italian Wrestling: System Sword Tournament III – Part 1 | 4 January 2025 | Centro Invictus, Cascina, Tuscany, Italy | Source: CageMatch.net

SIW Sword Tournament III (Opening Round) Match:
Sid Scala defeated Alessio Moro

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling: Tokyo Joshi Pro ’25 | 4 January 2025 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

Kaya Toribami, Ryo Mizunami & Yoshiko Hasegawa defeat Ivy Steele, Kira Summer & Matcha

Unlimited Wrestling: Into The Unknown 2025 | 4 January 2025 | Apollo, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Germany | Source: CageMatch.net

Mark Haskins defeated Fast Time Moodo

All Elite Wrestling/ Consejo Mundial De Lucha Libre/ Ring Of Honor/ New Japan Pro Wrestling/ World Wonder Ring Stardom: Wrestle Dynasty | 5 January 2025 | Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

Kenny Omega defeated Gabe Kidd (w/ Clark Connors & Drilla Moloney)

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match:
Zack Sabre Jr. (w/Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) (c) defeats Ricochet

Big Japan Pro Wrestling: Deathmatch King Death | 5 January 2025 | Shin-Kiba 1st RING, Tokyo, Japan | Source: CageMatch.net

Barbed Wire Board Death Match:
Jack Bennett & Yuko Miyamoto defeat Ludark Shaitan & Masaya Takahashi

German Wrestling Federation: Strike First, Strike Hard 5 | 5 January 2025 | Festsaal Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany | Source: CageMatch.net

GWF World Championship Match:
Peter Tihanyi (Champion) defeated Mark Haskins

This was a longer first edition than expected however given the date(s) it can only be expected that these will grow in size. Formatting tweaks will happen, content will be tightened and content will generally be tidied or expanded upon.

Articles

A curated list of articles, written under the UK Wrestling Archive banner.

Posts
01. UK Wrestling Abroad: 2025 – Week 1