Shawn Michaels has confirmed that NXT UK is set to be scrapped and replaced by NXT Europe.
After weeks of speculation it has finally been confirmed that NXT UK will be coming to an end on September 4th with a huge show titled Worlds Collide in conjunction with NXT 2.0.
A new brand titled NXT Europe will be launched in its place in 2023.
Speaking to Alistair McGeorge of the Metro, Shawn Michaels said that the move was something that had been on the cards for a long time.
“This has been a goal of Hunter’s for quite some time, and I think clearly with what has gone on recently with him taking on creative, he felt that now would be a great time to have the ability to do that. NXT UK was one of the first steps in that process.”
Michaels noted that he was proud of the talent that had been developed in NXT UK, but it was now time to expand internationally.
“We’ve developed a lot of people since that time, a lot of them going to the main roster,’ he said, dropping the same names. ‘I feel like we did a fantastic job with that. But now it is time to grow it internationally, and that’s what NXT Europe is planning to do in 2023.”
With regard to the Worlds Collide event scheduled for September 4th, (the same day as AEW All Out) Michaels expressed his optimism for the future.
“It’s sort of a pseudo-final event for NXT UK at Worlds Collide,’ he explained, while noting he’s optimistic for the future. ‘I’m just excited that we’re growing it. A lot of things we have talked about in the past, now they’re finally happening and this talent’s gonna have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of all their hard work.”
In January 2017 a two-day tournament was held to crown the first-ever United Kingdom Champion. While Tyler Bate eventually triumphed over Pete Dunne in the final, it wasn’t until October 2018 that the NXT UK brand premiered for the first time.
Since the launch of the brand, stars such as Toni Storm, Rhea Ripley, Doudrop, and Gunther have used NXT UK to launch their WWE careers.