4 Ups And 4 Downs From NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff

2. The Calm During The Storm

Kay Lee Ray NXT UK TakeOver Cardiff
WWE.com

When Kay Lee Ray hit a second Gory Bomb on NXT UK Women's Champion Toni Storm to capture the Aussie's belt, it practically played out before crickets.

The match had only been going for the better part of ten minutes when the Scot ended Storm's 231 day grip on the title - an underwhelming apotheosis if ever there was one. The action leading up to that point had done nothing to draw in the audience, perhaps burned out thanks to the show front-loading all its biggest pops.

The incumbent champ unloaded on Ray with intensity to begin with, but the story of the challenger psychologically unnerving her opponent wasn't adequately conveyed. Storm's enthusiasm merely came across as naivety - not exactly befitting a long-term champ. If this defeat presages a call-up to NXT proper or even the main roster, it's a very peculiar way to write her exit.

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.