1 Up & 6 Downs From WWE NXT UK (13 May)

1. Who Needs New Stars?

So, that gauntlet match was supposed to find someone who had a chance of ending Kay Lee Ray’s dominant reign as NXT UK Women’s Champion. Surely this then meant it was going to be someone who hadn’t already had a crack at ‘The Forever Champion’? You know, someone like Emilia McKenzie, who’s still a newcomer to NXT UK?

Nope. It’s Meiko Satomura.

Now, this is no blight on Satomura as she’s a credible talent, but she was literally the most recent challenger for KLR. She shouldn’t have been in the match, let alone winning it. You can say all the good things you like about her performances vs. Isla Dawn and Jinny in the closing stages of the bout, but nothing can warrant her victory.

Keep in mind that NXT brands are intended to be about WWE’s future stars, and then question why Satomura – a 41-year-old – is about to challenge for the Women’s Championship for the second time before the likes of Emilia McKenzie, Isla Dawn, and Dani Luna – all in their twenties – have had even one opportunity.

Kay Lee Ray vs. Meiko Satomura II will be an epic for sure, but that’s far removed from the point right now.