WWE NXT UK recap for May 15, 2019: Laying down some groundwork

All bark and no bite?

Leashes and bark collars were left at home as Dave Mastiff took on Wolfgang in the second qualifier match. Slotted in the main event and with some momentum behind it, this match had all the makings to be an all-out war. Going in, Wolfgang had become increasing hostile towards the mere thought of Mastiff, while Mastiff said that he would both have Wolfgang for dinner and give him the battering of a lifetime. To be fair, Mastiff’s claims do come true, it’s just that they happen very quickly.

Being from Scotland, Wolfgang is of course overwhelmingly cheered — the Glasgow crowd sure does love to howl — while Mastiff unwittingly becomes the de facto heel. It’s the same dynamic that played out in last week’s match between Joe Coffey and Flash Morgan Webster, except Mastiff seems rather un-bothered by the crowd response. Early on, he’s locked up a full nelson for a while, but escapes via some strongman tactics by flipping Wolfgang — who essentially does a front flip here — over his head and then flattening him with a senton.

Wolfgang is able to briefly gain control, hitting what the announcers play off as agile-for-him moves — a top-rope double axe handle, have mercy! — even though his finisher is literally a swanton bomb. Speaking of, after successfully lifting up and body slamming the 322 pound Mastiff, Wolfgang then goes up top to hit what he calls the “Howling Senton,” but completely whiffs. Afterwards, Vic Joseph will call this the match’s “turning point,” a claim that is entirely valid, because Mastiff wins no more than like 45 seconds later. It’s crossbody, to German Suplex in the corner, to Into the Void for — all things considered — a pretty easy win. The Glasgow crowd is livid; they wanted to howl some more!

Mastiff dug some holes in Gallus’ backyard, but he gets smacked on the nose with a newspaper for it soon after. The Coffey Brothers hit the ring as Mastiff is about to give a “You just made the fatal four-way, what are you going to do next” interview and all three members of Gallus beat him down. It’s a scummy move, but of course the crowd loves it, which is weird but also fun as an unbiased viewer. Joe and Mark then hold Mastiff’s massive limbs down as if he were strapped to a torture device, as Wolfgang this time connects with a Howling Senton. Mastiff may have defeated Wolfgang, but with Gallus still standing tall at the end, his business with the stable seems to be unfinished.