Once upon time, the WWE event known as Worlds Collide was a short series of episodes on the WWE Network consisting of competitors from NXT UK, NXT, 205 Live and even the then main roster shows. The event was filmed at Royal Rumble and WWE Axxess events at Wrestlemania and featured then low-to-mid card competitors in cross brand matches. Fast Forward to 2020 and Worlds Collide is straight up NXT vs. NXT UK Takeover caliber event that lived up to the hype.
Finn Balor vs. Ilja Dragonuv
Our opening match saw Finn Balor take on rising star Ilja Dragonuv. The highly anticipated bout was the perfect opening contest, as Dragonuv showed absolutely no fear in matching up with the former Universal Champion. After a short bout of technical wrestling, Dragonuv disrespectfully slaps Finn – a favor that is returned shortly thereafter. Dragonuv had more than his fair share of momentum with a vicious rising knee strike and an impressive coast to coast. Finn may have even broken his nose as he was busted open. Finn however was able to capitalize with an absolutely vicious Coupe De Grace followed by his now strongly booked 1916 finish.
BRO!! Cathy Kelly hypes up the crowd for Wednesday’s upcoming Dusty Rhodes Classic Finals in an interview with the Grizzled Young Veterans and the “Bro-serweights.“ Gibson cuts a pretty respectable promo about how Riddle and Dunne have no business being in a tag tournament as they are just accomplished singles competitors. I think that’s a very fair point, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Dunne vs. Riddle feud in the very near future. The Broserweights respond, and the place goes absolutely bonkers for Riddle. I think this one could go either way on Wednesday.
Cruiserweight Championship Match (Fatal 4 Way)
This is how you do a fatal four way match. I will say I was certainly surprised at how nearly all four competitors were in the ring at nearly all times. I was also VERY impressed with the athleticism of Jordan Devlin and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott in this one. CW Champ, Angel Garza is the total package and is going to be an amazing persona moving forward. And Travis Banks was a lot of fun as he mostly through himself through the air at his opponents like a wrecking ball the whole match. The three and four man spots were all on point as well. Just to name a few, there was a missile dropkick into a reverse-rana that was picture perfect. Garza was able to life two opponents at once before a diving Swerve hit a jumping neckbreaker. And at one point I think nearly all of the competitors were in the bottom corner of the ring after a series of cannonballs. Devlin would ultimately get the win after a Slice of Heaven kick and an Ireland’s Call slam.
I am very pleasantly surprised to see Devlin get the strap in this one as he really wowed me. Very surprised to see Garza lose the belt so soon, but I love seeing the Cruiserweight belt go from Raw, to 205 live, to NXT, to NXT UK. I like it and as we always say, the real winners are the fans.
DIY vs. Mustache Mountain
Now for a match that I have had incredibly unrealistic expectations for all weekend. Let me just say that this match delivered. If you wanna talk about fluidity, storytelling, and fan reaction, watch this match.In fact if you only watch one match on this card, make sure it’s this one. We already know that both teams … nay, all four competitors are absolutely incredible. In fact I’d go as far as to say you may have two or three of the best wrestlers on the planet in that ring at the same time. Watching the opening sequence(s) between Johnny Gargano and Tyler Bate is like watching poetry in motion. The exchanges were so amazing, but the signs of respect throughout were even better. Both teams were able to hit their spots, but also theirs and their opponents signature taunts. This match was a lot of fun as anyone could tell by just listening to the crowd. Chants of “Fight Forever,” “Johnny Wrestling,” “Daddy’s Home,” “Mustache Mountain,” and “DIY” erupted throughout.
This was just a GREAT WRESTLING MATCH. It featured more reversals than the Cha-Cha slide and some amazing tandem offense. I can’t get over all of the technical mastery and the amount of time that went by before any sort of power moves were hit. And it worked. Big spotd included Ciampa kicking out of a Tyler Driver, and even dodging Bate’s Spiral Tap-esque Corkscrew Splash by using Trent Seven as a shield of sorts.
Gargano and Ciampa were even able to lock on simultaneous submissions for a near victory. The match would ultimately be won with a Meet Me in the Middle pair of kicks from DIY. After the match a huge show of respect by all four competitors in a really nice moment. All I can say is if you haven’t yet, watch this match NOW.
Rhea Ripley vs. Toni Storm
This is for the NXT Championship — no longer the Women’s NXT Championship. I honestly have to say for two of my favorite competitors I was surprisingly disappointed by this one. And I felt bad for anyone who has to follow the masterpiece that was DIY vs. Mustache Mountain, but this match was mostly a brawl. These competitors have a history and I don’t think the storytelling was there at all. This match had more strikes than Nolan Ryan. Throw in a submission attempt, a missed frogsplash, and a Riptide for good measure…. and that’s all she wrote!
I would’ve loved this match to have gotten a lot more time. Regardless, post match the EST of NXT is taunting the champ from the crowd. I expect the Bianca vs. Rhea match-up to much better in just a few short weeks.
Back among the WWE Universe, Tegan Knox attacks her former pal, Dakota Kai.
Imperium vs. The Undisputed Era
Our main event for the evening featured the highly anticipated 8 man bout of Imperium vs. the Undisputed Era. I must say the pacing of this match was very good for the most part. There was a very scary moment early when Fish and O’Reilly hit a high low maneuver on Alexander Wolfe. Wolfe did not kick out. The ref did the whole fake shoulder check thing to avoid the three count but Wolfe was noticeably out. As the ref checked on Wolfe, the camera awkwardly stayed on Fish to keep Wolfe out of the shot.
Fantastic job though by referee Drake Wuertz (Younger) throwing up the X and getting the medical staff involved. Wuertz was able to get the match going again with Adam Cole and Walter in the ring. First and foremost, wishing Mr. Wolfe a speedy recovery. Secondly, the whole complexion of this match has changed. We are now in a four on three scenario which often worked to the advantage of the UE. However anytime Walter is in the ring he absolutely dominated. Let’s just say he has more chops than a butcher shop. I’ll also say tonight was one of the few times I’ve seen someone execute a pin after a chop. That’s how nasty those things are.
The only way the UE was able to take Walter out of the equation was by putting him through the announce table via an Olympic Slam by Strong. So now we essentially have a four on two situation and I’ll say Barthel took an absolute beating. I was surprised he was able to kick out or get to the ropes as many times as he did. Walter eventually makes his way back into the ring and is almost taken out by a blindside Last Shot from Adam Cole. (BAY BAY)
Walter is able to keep going and after a series of outside the ring high spots, the NXT UK Champion hits a vicious powerbomb and a massive pin on Bobby Fish for the W. The story of the night is the handicapped Imperium win. This leads me to believe there will be some sort of minor implosion (or tease of one) among the Undisputed Era in the coming weeks. Regardless, this was the right call to have Walter show his dominance after a questionable booking at Survivor Series in November.
Yet again, I find myself writing about how we are on the eve of another MAJOR WWE PPV event and how the NXT brand(s) have again set the bar so incredibly high. This is nothing new. Right now, the smart move by WWE creative would be to get A LOT of these competitors involved in tomorrow’s Royal Rumble matches.
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