On Thursday, WWE announced that NXT UK would be going on hiatus following a Worlds Collide event on September 4.
After taking the rest of the year off, NXT Europe will be launched as the brand expands to cover more ground.
Shawn Michaels, who is now listed as WWE Vice President of Talent Development Creative and has been part of the NXT and NXT UK team, spoke to Alistair McGeorge of Metro and provided more insight on the expansion.
"It’s just a natural expansion of things because that brand, since 2016, has been fantastic. Yes, it’s been quiet and underneath the radar, but I don’t think you’ll find anybody that wouldn’t argue that it’s been a real quality product from its existence," he said. "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."
NXT UK has produced talent such as Butch (Pete Dunne), Gunther (WALTER), Rhea Ripley, and more. On Tuesday's NXT, Tyler Bate appeared at the end of the show to confront NXT Champion Bron Breakker.
"We’ve developed a lot of people since that time, a lot of them going to the main roster. 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. We are in the beginning stages, these are all things we are going to be talking about – but I’ll say this. I really think – I always hate to speak for Hunter, but I always feel like we’re of the same mindset a lot of the time and I think it’s about balance. Certainly, we’re always going to continue to go out there and recruit young, sports-minded athletes, young men and women that want to help WWE grow and expand. But I just don’t think there’s anyway to ignore the talent – and especially the international talent – that’s out there. I don’t think anything is going to be off the table," he said.
Fans can learn more about NXT Europe by clicking here.
Fightful will continue to provide more details about the NXT UK hiatus and NXT Europe when they are known.
