While Tyler Bate was the first ever NXT UK Champion, A-Kid is the first ever Heritage Cup Champion. A-Kid has also proven to be the master of the British Rounds style, being undefeated in the format. He’s already defeated Bate once in the format, but with their rivalry at one win a piece, it’s time for the rubber match. Who will leave as Heritage Cup champion?
A Methodical Start From Tyler Bate & A-Kid
Round one started slow like expected, with Bate taking A-Kid down with a wrist lock before winding up in a headscissor. Bate got back to his feet without much issue, and took A-Kid back down to little effect. They were simply feeling each other out, testing where they’re at today. Bate was getting the bulk of the takedowns, but A-Kid showed that he won’t be giving up the Heritage Cup easily.
Starting round two, the score was still 0-0. A-Kid was able to take down Bate with a side headlock, but failed to keep him down. Bate would try to fight free of A-Kid, who was doing his best to maintain wrist control. A-Kid was taken to the mat for a headscissor, but was able to counter out and apply a surfboard stretch. The round would come to an end as Bate finally broke free.
Round three began with Bate wanting to pick the pace of the match up. He’d grab a wrist lock and force A-Kid to the mat however, keeping things in a grappling focus for now. Bate was shoved off into the corner, but as he tried to slip around A-Kid he’d nearly get snatched into a rear naked choke.
A-Kid would lose the hold but nailed a hard forearm to the jaw of Bate, who came back with an uppercut that sent A-Kid tumbling outside. He’d get back into the ring and execute a takedown, before taking a punch to the face. A-Kid hit an armdrag, and took both men over the top rope. The round would end with both men on the floor.
Neither Man Wants To Give Any Ground
Things were finally heating up as we went to the fourth round, and as the bell rang Bate dashed in with an uppercut before looking for an exploder suplex. A-Kid blocked and they’d trade strikes, Bate being dropped with a Mule Kick before hitting a Fisherman Suplex. He’d get a two count, then counter a flying uppercut into a backslide for another two count.
An omoplata attempt from A-Kid was countered into an airplane spin, which led to Bate being locked into a Sleeper Hold in the middle of the ring. A-Kid let it go to nail a PK, got a two count and went right back into the Sleeper Hold! Bate drove A-Kid into the corner, and caught him out of the sky with an uppercut. A-Kid countered a suplex into a guillotine choke, but Bate kept fighting and nailed a brainbuter but A-Kid was saved by the bell.
Round five would begin, and we were still at 0-0. It would start with both men rattled after their fall, but Bate dropped A-Kid with a takedown and try to muscle his arms down for a pinfall. A-Kid would pop up to the ropes, but get dropped on his head with a German Suplex. Bate looked for the Tyler Driver ’97, but A-Kid countered and bridged out only to be dropped moments later. A-Kid somehow kicked out.
Bate went up top for the Spiral Tap, but A-Kid dodged and went for an armbar. He’d fight free and end up in the omoplata, and A-Kid fought to control the arms. 10 seconds in the round, Bate would hold on to the bell without tapping out.
Sudden Death
We’ve never seen a Heritage Cup match go this deep without a fall, but now it’s a unique situation. There is just one three minute round left, and next fall wins. However, if the time runs out, A-Kid will remain champion in a draw. Both men took heavy blows in the last round, and one big move could get that final fall.
Bate made Trent Seven promise to not throw the towel in no matter what, and this round began. A-Kid dashed in for a kick and Bate dodged only to have his ankle picked. Bate fought him off, and bounced off the ropes for a massive lariat, before going for the Tyler Driver. A-Kid countered into a hurricanrana for a two count and dodged the rolling liger kick.
He’d take a punch to the jaw, and fall to the ropes. A-Kid stumbled back with a superkick before being taken into a pinfall attempt. Bate covered A-Kid deep, and got the pinfall! The first fall of the match, and the last fall of A-Kid’s reign as Heritage Cup Champion.
This was a wrestling clinic that only NXT UK can deliver within WWE. The drama was intense, the action was crisp, and the holds tight. A-Kid & Tyler Bate are two of the best grapplers in the world, and this was their best match yet. Match Rating: 4.5/5 (**** 1/2)
Who will challenge Bate first during his reign as Heritage Cup Champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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