NXT UK recap, August 28: The not ready for Cardiff Players

Your recap of the August 28 edition of NXT UK, the final episode before the brand’s biggest show to date, TakeOver: Cardiff.

That’s it, we’re done, we’ve made it. TakeOver: Cardiff. Well, almost. One more episode of action — action that is mostly inconsequential to the event, but action nonetheless — stands between us and the biggest NXT UK event to date. Thank god there’s nothing else going on in the wrestling world on August 31, in the UK or elsewhere!

Which talent left off the TakeOver card will make the biggest statement? Do any surprises await us at Cardiff? Who will build the proverbial momentum? Let’s figure it out and dive into the August 28 edition of NXT UK: The Not Ready for Cardiff Players.

The rival of my rival’s rival is also my rival

In a cruel twist of fate for Jordan Devlin and Kenny Williams, they are left to fight each other on this episode, while their respective biggest rivals take on each other at TakeOver: Cardiff. As covered in our preview though, both Devlin and Williams haven’t exactly been — how do you say — winning matches as of late. If the time between Blackpool and Cardiff is any indication, they have around seven months to situate themselves. Who knows, an actual win could set them on the track towards headlining NXT UK TakeOver: oh, let’s say Canterbury.

https://twitter.com/KennyWilliamsUK/status/1166759651494584322

Ultimately, Devlin gets the victory and lands back into the “will he or won’t he actually get a title shot now” conversation he’s previously been in. Both guys come away looking great though, particularly Kenny Williams who seemed to have another level brought out of him by Devlin. Maybe it was motivation to prove he belongs, maybe it was getting kicked hard and being repeatedly told he sucks, but Williams seemed intense in a way he hasn’t been before on NXT UK.

That doesn’t mean he cuts back on doing multiple back elbows to the point where you kind of wish he’d get a secondary aerial attack or anything. Everything just felt more high stakes and purposeful, and less like he was running through his good-looking moves en route to an obvious loss.

Williams’ run after getting very angry that Devlin told him he sucks very nearly carried him to victory. Having survived a huge suplex — one that prompted “you killed Kenny” chants — and a Spanish Fly, Williams wiggles out of a top rope Fireman’s Carry. Standing on the apron he hits Devlin with some chops before nailing a springboard hurricanrana that takes all the wind out of the Irish Ace’s sails.

Immediately capitalizing, Williams hits his wheelbarrow facebuster and seemingly has the match won. Only, in his excitement, Kenny goes full Neville, hooking Devlin’s leg so hard that he accidentally pulls Devlin’s shoulders off the mat. So close.

Following that, Devlin wrests back control, driving Williams into the corner and hitting a picturesque moonsault to his lower back. Kenny tries to fight off Devlin the best he can, but to no avail. He gets planted with The Devlin Side and is down for the three-count.

The only complaint is that, with Kenny’s propensity for back elbows, the finish really should have been a top rope back elbow reversed into The Devlin Side. Think about it, their positioning would line up perfectly. Feels like a missed opportunity. Ah well. Overall, a great match that should hopefully set both guys up for successes and further great matches down the road.