Pete Dunne vs Zack Gibson
I’ve been looking forward to seeing how ‘Liverpool’s Number 1’ copes with the big stage, and if WWE will allow him to cut one of his incendiary promos. Sadly they don’t. They need to let this man talk! Gibson’s verbal viciousness and his “soooon to be recognized” spiel have got him over as top villain in every promotion he’s worked for over the past few years. But so far, he hasn’t been given a live mic on WWE TV. Maybe they’re building the anticipation.
Then Mauro Ranallo mentions legendary Liverpool Football Club manager Bill Shankly and all is right with the world.
Gibson calls himself a throwback to the British technical wrestling era and he gets good heat early on with his calculated attacks on the WWE UK Champion. The combatants then strike each other in the face while wrapped in a double crab, which earns an appreciative round of applause from the knowledgeable New Yorkers. Gibson applies a cobra clutch which inspires Ranallo to give a shout out to Sgt Slaughter. The Scouser smirks and is heavily booed. Gibson is playing the audience like a fiddle right here and proving he’s much more than just a motormouth. Continuing the old school bad guy tricks, Zack begs off as the Brummie fights back but Dunne hits a double stomp and a sit out power bomb for a two count.
A Ticket to Ride almost earns Gibson the title, but the champ’s kick out leads to loud “BRUISERWEIGHT!” chants of support. But the Liverpudlian hits a lungblower before an exchange of kicks knocks both men out and the fans are now chanting “NXT!” Then Gibson hits his Helter Skelter off the top! Impressive! Dunne kicks out but is immediately trapped in the Shankly Gates. But Dunne gets to the ropes with his teeth. WITH HIS TEETH!!!!! He may not have any pearly-whites left, though, after Gibson’s ensuing super-stiff lariat. “What a sicko,” exclaims Mauro.
Both men are now bleeding from the chops. Gibson has Dunne’s gumshield and aims to throw it into the crowd. The Brooklyners despise this idea. So naturally they love it when Dunne blocks, hits the finger-break and delivers the Bitter End. The ‘Bruiserweight’s epic title reign goes on!
This was an absorbing match which really got over with the Takeover throng and certainly wouldn’t have been out of place on the main show. Pete Dunne was superb as usual and Zack Gibson proved he’s a top heel, whatever the environment, and whether they let him talk or not.
To sum up, British wrestling rules!
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What did you think of NXT this week? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter. You can also join us on Discord to chat with other like-minded fans, Oli Davis, Luke Owen and the WrestleTalk staff!
6 years ago by Wrestle Talk
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