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Triple H comes out to a huge ovation. It's amazing to think about how hated he was a generation ago for "holding down talents" and now it's like watching Paul Heyman walk out in the ECW Arena when this guy shows up on the WWE Network.
He said he's been dying to come back to Royal Albert Hall since 1996. He said that a year ago, they came to Blackpool to search for the best that the UK had to offer and they were blown away. That night changed wrestling and what it means to be a pro wrestler in the UK, putting over the talent that worked the first tournament and said that they've made global names for him.
Triple H said they are just scratching the surface but they are going to give the fans more. He introduced Johnny Saint. Big Pop for the legend. Saint announces the NXT UK brand is lanching. Triple H said they will be establishing a tag team division and a women's division. They announce tapings for July 28th and 29th in Cambridge, August 25th and 26th in Birmingham, October 13th and 14th in Plymouth and Nov 24th and 25th in Liverpool.
Triple H asks, “With Johnny Saint as your GM, Are you ready?"
Somewhere, Mike Quackenbush has a tear in his eye.
They showed the semi-finalists in the back preparing.
WWE UK CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL: Flash Morgan Webster vs. Zack Gibson.
Gibson was jumped at the bell and they brawled around the ring. Gibson finally cuts him off with snake eyes in the corner. Webster soared with a moonsault, hitting a lariat as he came down. That sent Gibson to the floor. Webster hit a big dive. He went for a second one but this time, Gibson caught him with a big suplex into the entrance ramp. Webster recovers and makes it back to the ring but Gibson locks on his finisher, Shankly Gates and gets the tapout.
Your winner, advancing to the finals, Zack Gibson!
Short but good action bell to bell.
WWE UK CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL: Travis Banks vs. Joe Coffey
Good action early on, ending with Coffey hitting a big shoulder tackle. Coffey used an inverted giant swing, then nailed a butterfly suplex for a two count. Coffey stomped him in the corner. Coffey locked on a single-leg crab and worked over Banks, trying to force a submission. Banks fought to the ropes, breaking the hold.
Coffey continued his onslaught, focusing on the arm of Banks. He locked him in a straightjacket and brought him down to his knees. He drove his own knee into the small of the back, screaming “No Mercy!” He drove his own shoulder into Banks over and over and attacked the small of the back again as Banks went down in pain.
Coffey measured and drill Banks with right hands over and over. Banks fired back with chops. Banks nailed a superkick, sending Coffey to the outside. Banks nailed a big running kick from the apron and tossed the larger man back inside the ring. Banks followed up with a big dropkick for a two count.
Coffey cut off Banks with an elevated uppercut and drove him hard backwards into the buckles. Coffey nailed a pop-up powerslam for a two count. Coffey went for a German suplex, but Banks escaped at the last second.
They fought to their feet and Banks exploded with offense, scoring several near falls. Banks tried to lift Coffey in a suplex, but his back gave way. Coffey moved a reverse high cross bodyblock out of the corner. Banks nailed several boots to the face and scored the surprise win with a forward roll.
Your winner, Travis Banks!
It’s Banks vs. Gibson in the finals.
Coffey attacked Banks after and drove him into the ringpost. So Banks will be Daniel Larusso coming in injured for the big fight.
Coverage concludes on Page 3!
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