Being part of a first-ever show is a huge accomplishment but for Travis Banks, it was a bit of a bittersweet moment for him as he did not get to wrestle during NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool.
Banks was supposed to have a match against Jordan Devlin on the show but they ran an angle where earlier in the day, Devlin attacked Banks and injured his knee. Banks still got to have his entrance theme played at the show and came out in ring gear, attacking Devlin before the bell rang but eventually was taken out due to the injury.
His replacement was none other than Finn Balor, Devlin’s former wrestling coach and undoubtedly a more popular and prominent figure than Banks.
talkSPORT asked Triple H after the show how Banks took the booking decision. “He was extremely cool with it. It’s not the end of that story, they’re gonna get their moment. Part of me hates taking the moment away from him but it’s for the betterment of everybody,” Triple H told Alex McCarthy of talkSPORT.
HHH added that while everyone worked hard on the show tonight, Banks’ sacrifice “almost means more” because it’s about the product, not the individual, and Banks took it “because he’s a pro.”
