NXT UK recap for June 19, 2019: You wouldn’t Download a Festival

Genius brain

Opening the episode was Kenny Williams taking on Kassius Ohno. Williams really is an ideal match-up for Ohno in this phase of his career, where he just targets a speedy millennial who would rather tweet than study grainy VHS footage of two blokes grappling at the pub. Yes, like the majority of Ohno’s matches in NXT UK have been, this one plays off the classic dynamic of speed versus power.

And, boy does power ever win out. As fun as it to rag on Ohno the wrestling show character, this iteration of him really has been great to watch, much more so than when he’s the veteran talent who loses to new guys on NXT. He comes to the ring in his Wrestling Genius t-shirt, custom-made from craft supplies at A.C. Moore, and pretty much dominates from start-to-finish.

Aiden English likens Ohno to an angry stepdad in this one, which feels pretty accurate. He’s the elder American wrestler who has transplanted to NXT UK and wants to show all the kids what British wrestling is really all about. Plus, he is very angry the whole time. Angry and focused. Usually there’s a lot of cocky frustration when someone dares to use athleticism to gain an upper-hand on him, but this is all business.

Being grounded for the majority of the match, Williams finally grabs some momentum when he gets his knees up on an Ohno senton. Figures that the one time Ohno leaves his feet, he pays for it. Williams starts trying to chop him to death, getting some good ones in before eventually hitting a top rope back elbow for two.

Nothing will keep Ohno down too long though, because as Williams goes to springboard off the ropes with his back turned, Ohno pushes him. Williams gets lodged in the ropes, allowing Ohno ample time to rock him with a Ripcord Elbow for the win. Never turn your back on a wrestling genius, least of all one who is also very good at arts-and-crafts.