Jordan Devlin (March 16, 1990) is an Irish professional wrestler, currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its NXT brand, competing under the ring name JD McDonagh.
Professional wrestling career
World Wrestling Entertainment
WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament
On December 15, 2016, it was revealed that Devlin would be one of 16 men competing in a two-night tournament to crown the first ever WWE United Kingdom Champion on January 14 and 15, 2017. Devlin defeated Danny Burch in the first round, advancing to the quarter finals, where he was defeated by Tyler Bate, the eventual winner of the tournament.
On May 18, 2018, WWE revealed on their YouTube channel that Devlin would compete in the second 16-man WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament to determine a number one contender to the WWE United King Championship held by Pete Dunne. Devlin defeated Tyson T-Bone in the first round at NXT At Download 2018 - Night 2, but was eliminated in the quarter finals by Flash Morgan Webster at the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament 2018 - Night 1.
NXT UK (2018–present)
Jordan Devlin made his NXT UK debut on the October 31, 2018 episode of NXT UK, coming out victorious over Tucker. Devlin then defeated Kenny Williams on the November 7, 2018 episode of NXT UK. Devlin defeated Sid Scala and Ligero on the November 14, 2018 episode of NXT UK and the November 21, 2018 episode of NXT UK respectively before failing to win the WWE United Kingdom Championship from Pete Dunne on the November 28, 2018 episode of NXT UK.
Devlin then began feud with a Travis Banks, culminating with a match at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool after a brawl ignited between the two men on the January 9, 2019 episode of NXT UK. At TakeOver: Blackpool however, Banks was injured after Devlin threw the Kiwi Buzzsaw into the steel steps. Assistant General Manager Sid Scala announced that Finn Bálor would instead be Devlin's opponent, who came out the winner. Travis Banks soon got his match with Jordan Devlin on the January 23, 2019 episode of NXT UK, but it ended indecisively due to a double count out.
After suffering a loss to Noam Dar on the February 13, 2019 episode of NXT UK, Devlin competed in the World Collide Tournament. After winning a 15-man battle royal to receive a bye to the quarter final, Devlin advanced after defeating Drew Gulak but was eliminated by The Velveteen Dream in the semi final. Jordan Devlin then finally settled his rivalry with Travis Banks after winning a Falls Count Anywhere Match on the March 6, 2019 episode of NXT UK. Devlin continued his winning ways with victories over Dan Moloney and Akira Tozawa but was defeated on the May 1, 2019 episode of NXT UK in a non-title match against WWE United Kingdom Champion WALTER.
Still chasing the WWE United Kingdom Championship, Devlin defeated Ligero on the May 15, 2019 episode of NXT UK to qualify for a Fatal Four Way to determine the number one contender to WALTER. However, Devlin's former rival Travis Banks was victorious in the Fatal Four Way.
NXT Cruiserweight Champion (2020-2021)
After a losing effort against Tyler Bate at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II, Jordan Devlin defeated Ligero on the January 23, 2020 episode of NXT UK to qualify for another Fatal Four Way, this time for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship. At Worlds Collide 2020, Devlin defeated NXT Cruiserweight Champion Angel Garza, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott and Travis Banks to win the championship. Devlin defended his championship against the likes of Lio Rush, Amir Jordan, Oliver Carter, Ben Carter, Trent Seven, and Travis Banks. Devlin was unsuccessful in winning a NXT UK Championship Number One Contendership 20-man battle royal on the April 2, 2020 episode of NXT UK.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan Devlin was unable to defend his championship as a result of travel restrictions, leading to the announcement of a tournament to crown an interim champion. The tournament was won by El Hijo del Fantasma, who unmasked himself as Santos Escobar. Devlin pronounced Escobar a fraud, but was defeated by the interim champion in a unification ladder match at NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver, ending his 438 day reign.
NXT UK Championship Pursuit (2021-present)
In his first match since losing the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, Devlin defeated Saxon Huxley on the June 10, 2021 episode of NXT UK, before starting a rivalry with A-Kid after injuring his knee and forcing him to submit on the July 1, 2021 episode of NXT UK. Two weeks later, A-Kid challenged Devlin to a 30 Minute Iron Man Match which Devlin accepted. On the August 5, 2021 episode of NXT UK, A-Kid was able to pick up the winning fall over Devlin in the dying minutes of their Iron Man Match.
On the September 30, 2021 episode of NXT UK, Jordan Devlin suffered a loss to Joe Coffey after Gallus stablemates Mark Coffey and Wolfgang used their strength in numbers to win. Devlin was able to get back at Gallus on the October 7, 2021 episode of NXT UK, after Devlin attacking Mark and Joe Coffey at ringside helped Noam Dar defeat Wolfgang. On the October 21, 2021 episode of NXT UK, Devlin faced Joe Coffey and, despite Gallus stealing his jacket, Devlin was able to settle the score with a victory.
On the December 9, 2021 episode of NXT UK, Jordan Devlin made his intention to dethrone NXT UK Champion Ilja Dragunov clear. Devlin was soon interrupted by the champion with the two exchanging words, but a brawl ignited after Devlin mentioned Dragunov's wife and son. In the weeks leading up to the championship match, videos were shown with both champion and challenger sharing their intentions and thoughts. Devlin and Dragunov finally met on the January 27, 2022 episode of NXT UK in an Empty Arena Match which was won by a handcuffed Dragunov after a Torpedo Moscow off the steel steps to retain his title.
In wrestling
- Finishing Moves
- Package Piledriver
- Ireland's Call (Firemans Carry to an Emerald Flowsion (NXT - UK))
- Devil Inside/Devlin Side (Back Drop Driver)
- Signature Moves
- Arm Wrench Takedown
- Back Drop Suplex
- Corkscrew Roundhouse Kick
- Diving Crossbody
- Double Foot Stomp
- Head Grip Mat Slam
- Irish Hammer
- Japanese Arm Drag
- Lung Blower
- Moonsault
- Running Back Elbow
- Slingshot Cutter
- Standing Uranage to a standing moonsault
- Superkick
- Vertical Suplex
- Nicknames
- "Import Killer"
- "The Irish Ace"
- "Killer Import"
Championships and accomplishments
- British Championship Wrestling
- BCW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Sean South
- NWA Ireland
- NWA Ireland Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sir Michael W. Winchester
- Over The Top Wrestling
- OTT Championship (2 times)
- No Limits World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Premier British Wrestling
- PBW Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Sean South
- Progress Wrestling
- PROGRESS Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Scotty Davis
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Ranked No. 364 of the top 500 wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2017
- Pro Wrestling Zero1
- NWA International Lightweight Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Shawn Guinness
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- 5 Star Match (2019) vs. David Starr on October 26
External links
| 2017 WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament participants |
|---|
|
Dan Moloney • Danny Burch • HC Dyer • James Drake • Jordan Devlin • Joseph Conners • Mark Andrews • Pete Dunne • Roy Johnson • Sam Gradwell • Saxon Huxley • Trent Seven • Tucker • Tyler Bate • Tyson T-Bone • Wolfgang |
| 2018 WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament participants |
|---|
| Amir Jordan • Ashton Smith • Dave Mastiff • Drew Gulak • Jack Gallagher • James Drake • Joe Coffey • Jordan Devlin • Joseph Conners • Kenny Williams • Ligero • Morgan Webster • T-Bone • Travis Banks • Tucker • Zack Gibson |
