7 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE UK Championship Tournament (Night 1)

by Andy H Murray

1. Tyler Bate, Superstar

Tyler Bate Tucker
WWE.com

With Trent Seven opening and Tyler Bate in the main event, Moustache Mountain book-ended last night's show. It turned out to be a wise decision: Trent gave the fans something to cheer for early on, and Bate closed things on a high note.

Tyler's match with Tucker was the best of the night, and a perfect choice as main event. They worked at a tremendously quick pace, barely pausing for breath as they laid into one another, and it felt like a huge escalation from the night's other matches. It won't set your world alight, but Tyler Bate vs. Tucker was worth 11 minutes of anyone's time, and Bate felt like a star.

Bate received the night's biggest reaction when he made his entrance, and had the crowd firmly behind him throughout. Bate, like his partner Seven, is so naturally affable that it's almost impossible to root against him, and he's ludicrously good for a man of his age. The 19-year-old is set for big things in this business, and this tournament could be the perfect launchpad.

Take nothing away from Tucker, who was excellent in defeat, but the match belonged to Bate. An excellent win for a surefire superstar, who'll meet the devious Jordan Devlin in the next round.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.