WWE returned to Donington Park in Derby, England this weekend to once again bring their NXT brand to Download, the UK’s “premiere rock festival.” It wouldn’t be a worthwhile trip to England without an appearance by the UK Champion, and Pete Dunne certainly made it a memorable one.
Mark Andrews (Mandrews, if you’re nasty) is the skateboarding, high-flying, Welsh best boy challenging Dunne for the belt this weekend. Taking advantage of the location, Mandrews was doing double duty Saturday as he performed with his pop punk band Junior. Pop punk’s not dead, but the Bruiserweight sure thinks it should be.
Dunne jumped Mandrews during Junior’s set, leaving the only remaining member of EMF completely gobsmacked (Unbelivable!” he cried). Mandrews didn’t stay down long, however:
https://twitter.com/WWENXT/status/873531006799806465
Mandrews has his sights set on retribution after winning a shot at Dunne’s title during Friday night’s NXT show. The seeds of their NXT rivalry were sown in the semi-finals of the inaugural WWE UK Championship Tournament, where Dunne defeated Mandrews to move on to face eventual champion and British national treasure Tyler Bate. Mandrews then lost his second bout with Dunne during his debut on NXT television.
Can this tiny flippy dude with the heart of gold stand up to the man currently at the forefront of British Strong Style during their third go-round? Probably not, but luckily heartbreak makes for the best pop punk inspiration.
