Triple H’s sudden takeover of WWE following Vince McMahon’s (initial) departure has led to several big changes. One of those is his ongoing plan to transform NXT UK into something else.
And now, Triple H has provided an update on where things stand with NXT UK’s successor, NXT Europe.
For those that might not be aware, NXT UK was a European offshoot of the original NXT. It was intended to serve as a satellite promotion that, like the American NXT, developed talent from the United Kingdom and beyond into stars destined for the main roster.
NXT UK was, for all intents and purposes, shut down in September 2022, with most of its championships deactivated and its roster now being listed under the larger NXT umbrella.
NXT Europe part of “a global direction” – Triple H
In an interview with Variety, Triple H explained what his vision for NXT Europe is. At its core, Triple H sees it as a means to create big stars from different regions and eventually build them up so that those other markets can see ‘their local stars’ on a big stage like WrestleMania.
“There’s been a lot of progress on it. We are very excited about the prospect of taking NXT in a larger global direction. I would like to be able to find the best athletes and the largest personalities and the most entertaining people from every place in the world, and bring them into what we do.
Because when you begin to create those characters and those stars from every region, those regions become more engaged in what we do. If you can begin to go to all these places, and begin to find athletes there that can resonate on a global stage, some will make it big, some will make it small, some won’t make it at all.
But that Indian talent, let’s say, that you have that main events WrestleMania and is a native of that country, that wholesale changes how [that country] views the product.”
Triple H further explained that he puts a lot of emphasis on signing NCAA-level athletes in the United States and wants a similar mentality to drive the talent acquisition process in Europe.
“NXT UK was based mostly on independent wrestling workers, guys that worked their way up and found their way to us. We’re starting the process there doing the same thing we’re doing here.
There isn’t an NCAA collegiate level of athletics in Europe, but there’s a lot of athletes that are training in a lot of places like Loughborough or whatever, for specific sports. We’re beginning to engage with them now and finding the same interest level that we’re finding in NCAA athletes here.”
h/t 411Mania for the transcription