5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE NXT UK (Oct 31)
3. All About Eddie
Eddie Dennis' Week One introductory promo was NXT UK's best bit of character development thus far. An understated and unvarnished history lesson from the former teacher, Dennis spoke in sinister but subtle tones about his former friendships with Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews as an entry point for new fans and the character itself.
The bitterness and bile in the room was palpable then, and was heightened here as Dennis prepped himself for an in-ring debut next week.
"Last time we spoke, I asked you to consider how I felt about watching my friends Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews live our dream without me" was his opening salvo. It was a delicious dedication to the corner of his psyche destined to eventually explode.
Incapable of telling his own story without throwing shade at theirs, Dennis' prideful claims of getting signed whilst injured couldn't pass without him having a dig at the pair for not calling him as he rehabilitated. This bottled resentment can emerge in due course, but the longer it lingers the angrier he can get.
The gimmick, the story and the entire show will be better for the build.