Travis Banks discusses NXT UK.
Since the inception of WWE NXT UK in 2018, many fans have believed the brand would begin killing off the British wrestling independent scene. Contracted NXT UK talent is only allowed to work for WWE-partnered promotions such as OTT and PROGRESS, leaving smaller companies to find and build new talent. NXT UK stars such as Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate have defended NXT UK while Independent wrestlers like Justin Sysum and David Starr have openly criticized WWE's UK brand.
Speaking to Vulture Hound, NXT UK superstar Travis Banks gave his thoughts on how NXT UK is affecting the British Independent scene.
"I think they build up WWE as the big bad, but they’re giving a platform to see how good British wrestling is. I wish they’d take the negative glasses off and look at the product. The quality of wrestling in NXT UK is so high, and I want them to see that and just how good the UK scene is," said Banks. "There was a show right before the first WWE UK Tournament. There was me, Wild Boar, Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate, and there were 50 people. A week later, it was Pete vs. Tyler in WWE UK, and it’s incredible the difference a week can make. With NXT UK being so new, it’s still in its infancy, and people think that 'this is all it can be.' They don’t realise how much bigger this can get because we’re all still trying to figure it out."
Along with a weekly show on WWE Network, NXT UK holds special TakeOver events, which also air on WWE Network. The next NXT UK TakeOver is scheduled for Jan. 12 in Blackpool.
Fightful provides live coverage of NXT UK every Thursday, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
