Way (aye) to go, NXT! Newcastle fans blown away on first night of UK tour

Finn Balor and Sami Zayn stole the show as NXT kicked off their first international tour with a highly-acclaimed debut in Newcastle.

Fans in the north east hailed returning ace Zayn’s in-ring comeback last night with a thunderous chorus of support - and also as a match of the year contender.

Sporting a new cropped look, the 31-year-old Canadian showed no evidence of ring rust after six months on the bench recovering from a shoulder op in his first ever bout against NXT’s Irish-born champion.

And even though Zayn was eventually polished off with a double-footed stomp for the three count, the vocal crowd - who kept the Metro Radio Arena fizzing with energy and adapted football chants - still lapped up a post-match handshake, hug and raising of the victor’s hand by the self-deprecating but immensely popular star. 

Zayn is billed to take another crack at Balor on Saturday during the Sheffield leg go the tour in a three-way contest, with Baron Corbin added to the fray.

Last night, however, Corbin fell to 'Jumping Geordie' Neville, making a special tour cameo in his hometown. His only other appearance during the trip will come in Glasgow tonight. 

NXT’s stars seemed as blown away by the rousing Toon welcome as fans were by the top-notch action, with tag team contenders Chad Gable and Jason Jordan in particular appreciating the knockabout atmosphere.