NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool results, Jan. 12, 2019: Dunne defends the throne, but WALTER emerges as a new threat

Tyler Bate turns the tide for Moustache Mountain at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool by tagging into the match behind Zack Gibson's back. Courtesy of WWE Network.

BLACKPOOL, United Kingdom — In the opening contest of NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Moustache Mountain, dressed in classic British Bulldog-inspired ring gear, clashed with Zack Gibson & James Drake in a historic showdown to crown the first-ever NXT UK Tag Team Champions.

Highlights included Tyler Bate’s astounding double airplane spin on both his opponents and a British Bulldog powerslam combined with a top-rope headbutt by The Big Strong Boys for the near-fall. Gibson and Drake nearly claimed the titles when they leveled Trent Seven with Helter Skelter and a 450 Splash, respectively, but The Artful Dodger miraculously kicked out. Gibson and Drake followed up with a double Shankly Gates, but Bate used Drake as a battering ram to escape that predicament.

Then, with Bate perched atop Liverpool’s No. 1 on the outside of the ring, Drake dove through the ropes and drove Bate right off Gibson’s shoulders, sending the first-ever WWE UK Champion tumbling head-over-heels to the floor. Seven responded by launching himself through the ropes at Gibson, but Drake intercepted him with a dropkick, and Gibson and Drake sealed the win by pulverizing Seven with the Ticket to Mayhem to become the first-ever NXT UK Tag Team Champions!

Despite competing on short notice at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Finn Bálor takes charge in his impromptu match by putting Jordan Devlin in his place.

As Jordan Devlin was making his way to the ring to face Travis Banks, The Kiwi Buzzsaw suddenly dove through the ropes to wipe out his adversary, no doubt seeking retribution for The Irish Ace’s heinous sneak-attack earlier in the day. In the ensuing pre-match brawl between the two bitter rivals, Devlin got the upper hand by ruthlessly targeting Banks’ injured knee before callously chucking his foe into the unforgiving steel ring steps, leaving him unable to compete.

Out of the mayhem, however, General Manager Johnny Saint and Assistant to the General Manager Sid Scala made sure Devlin didn’t get the night off. Sensing that Devlin might use the nefarious tactics that he did, they revealed their backup plan, introducing first-ever Universal Champion Finn Bálor as Devlin’s impromptu opponent!

It seemed Devlin would finally have the opportunity to step out of the shadow of his former instructor, but in the final moments of a punishing matchup that saw the fight rage inside the squared circle and around ringside, Bálor lifted his knees to block Devlin’s Moonsault, paving the way for the earth-shattering Coup de Grace and a huge TakeOver victory.

At NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, "Bomber" Dave Mastiff takes full advantage of the No Disqualification Match stipulation by brutalizing Eddie Dennis with a Kendo stick. Courtesy of WWE Network.

In an effort to finally settle the brutal rivalry between Dave Mastiff and Eddie Dennis, General Manager Johnny Saint placed the undefeated Bomber in a No Disqualification Match against the former headmaster.

In the brutal showdown that followed, both competitors took full advantage of the lawless environment, introducing everything from the steel ring steps, a Kendo stick, a steel chair, a table and even the unprotected ringside floor into the action.

At the end of a grueling matchup, Mastiff overcame Dennis’ incredible combination of ruthlessness and sheer strength to drive his opponent through the table with a ring-rattling Cannonball to reign supreme as NXT UK’s undefeated monster.

Toni Storm and Rhea Ripley come out swinging in the NXT UK Women's Championship Match at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool. Courtesy of WWE Network.

In a highly-anticipated title rematch, Rhea Ripley took on the competitor she defeated to become the first-ever NXT UK Women’s Champion, Toni Storm, who captured the 2018 Mae Young Classic.

Early in the explosive back-and-forth contest, the 22-year-old titleholder took an early advantage by unleashing an all-out onslaught on the challenger. The resilient Storm refused to give in, roaring back from tremendous punishment with several wicked strikes to take The Mosh Pit Kid to the absolute limit.

In a heart-stopping moment, Storm shocked the champion and the NXT UK Universe by becoming the first competitor to kick out of the Riptide! Moments later, Ripley accomplished an equally astonishing feat when she kicked out of her opponent’s Storm Zero!

Ripley once again went for the most devastating move in her arsenal, but Storm displayed amazing presence of mind by countering at the last second and nailing the titleholder with another Storm Zero to finally capture the NXT UK Women’s Title!

Without a doubt, NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool is Toni Time!

WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne displays his championship pedigree with a high-risk maneuver against Joe Coffey at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool. Courtesy of WWE Network.

In a furious NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool main event, Pete Dunne put his 600-plus day reign as WWE United Kingdom Champion on the line against Gallus’ Joe Coffey.  

Determined to win the title all on his own, The Iron King once against left Mark Coffey and Wolfgang at the top of the ramp as he made his way to the squared circle.

Coffey opened the title fight by slamming Dunne onto the unforgiving ramp, but the champion fired back with a Moonsault off the turnbuckle and onto Coffey on the ringside floor.

The Iron King regained control and soon locked in the Boston Crab, punishing The BruiserWeight with his massive boot until it looked as if the champion had actually passed out for a moment. The resilient Dunne came back to hit his adversary with a forearm off the top rope and followed up with the Bitter End, but Coffey miraculously kicked out!

The brawl soon spilled through the ring ropes yet again, where Coffey hurled the titleholder into the steel ring post and executed a stunning Powerbomb onto the ring apron, sending both men plummeting to the floor. 

Dunne reached deep to kick out of All the Best for the Bells, but Coffey answered in earth-shattering fashion, delivering a devastating spinning Powerbomb to his opponent off the turnbuckle. 

After an epic staredown and a wild exchange of haymakers in the center of the ring, Coffey once again kicked out of Bitter End, but The BruiserWeight instinctively turned Coffey over, grabbing his challenger’s fingers and bending them back until The Iron King was left little choice but to tap out.

Just when it seemed like the show was about to conclude, though, a whole new threat suddenly emerged and sent shockwaves through the Empress Ballroom in the form of WALTER.

WALTER arrives unannounced at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool and sends a message to WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne by making an example of Joe Coffey. Courtesy of WWE Network.

After WALTER stood toe-to-toe with Dunne, Joe Coffey re-entered the ring to confront WALTER, and the destructive competitor suddenly leveled Coffey with a big boot before returning his attention to the WWE United Kingdom Champion. After a pulse-pounding staredown, WALTER nodded at Dunne, seemingly showing him respect before making his exit and giving the ring to the titleholder at the conclusion of the first-ever NXT UK TakeOver.