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NXT UK

NXT UK is a professional wrestling television programme that was produced exclusively in the United Kingdom by the American promotion WWE. It aired from 17 October 2018 until 1 September 2022 on BT Sport and Paramount Network/5Action, while in the United States the show streamed on Peacock and in other countries on the WWE Network. The show featured competitors from WWE's local NXT UK roster.[1]

WWE officially announced the show during the 2018 United Kingdom Championship Tournament,[2] partly to combat the relaunch of World of Sport Wrestling.[3] The final episode of the programme aired on 1 September 2022, following the announcement that the NXT UK brand would eventually be replaced by an expanded pan-European NXT Europe.[4]

History

In a press conference at The O2 Arena on 15 December 2016, Triple H revealed that there would be a 16-man tournament to crown the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion. The tournament was held over two days, 14 and 15 January 2017, and aired exclusively on the WWE Network. At the time, it was stated that the championship would be the centrepiece of a new UK-based show produced in the UK, but since the inaugural tournament, it was defended on NXT as well as at independent shows in the United Kingdom.[5][6] The name of the show, NXT UK, and its premiere was finally revealed during the 2018 United Kingdom Championship Tournament. On 7 June 2018, Johnny Saint was appointed General Manager of WWE's United Kingdom-based brand, officially called NXT UK.[7][8]

The show had its first tapings in August 2018, and the premiere episode of NXT UK aired on 17 October 2018.[9] Starting October 31 with the third and fourth episodes, new episodes were premiered in a doubleheader format each week. On 12 January 2019, the first live special episode of NXT UK aired, called NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool. Beginning with the 16 January episode, NXT UK returned to airing one episode each week. In September 2019, Triple H stated that NXT UK was the second most watched programme on the WWE Network, behind NXT.[10] In October 2019, the show moved to Thursdays.[11]

Beginning on 2 January 2020, NXT UK began airing on BT Sport.[12][13] On 21 January 2020, it was announced that NXT UK will also be airing on Paramount Network (now known as 5Action).[14] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NXT UK suspended production in April 2020. It returned to air in September 2020, with the programme moving to the BT Sport studio.[15]

On 18 August 2022, WWE announced that the NXT UK brand would be entering a hiatus in September and would eventually be relaunched and rebranded as NXT Europe.[16] The final episode of NXT UK aired on 1 September.

Special episodes

On-air personalities

Authority figures

Commentators

Ring announcers

Backstage interviewers

See also

  • Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom

External links

References

  1. WWE launches new U.K. series retrieved 18 June 2018^
  2. BREAKING: Major Announcement At WWE UK Championship Tournament Tapings 18 June 2018, retrieved 18 June 2018^
  3. https://wrestletalk.com/features/5-new-wwe-shows/4/^
  4. https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-to-launch-nxt-europe-in-2023^
  5. Joseph Currier. WWE to crown first United Kingdom Champion in January Wrestling Observer Newsletter, December 15, 2016, retrieved December 15, 2016^
  6. Wade Keller. WWE announces new UK-based brand, holding tournament to crown UK Champion, Nigel McGuinness on announce team Pro Wrestling Torch, December 15, 2016, retrieved December 15, 2016^
  7. Johnny Saint named GM of WWE's United Kingdom brand WWE, retrieved 2018-06-07^
  8. WWE announces Johnny Saint as UK brand general manager Won/F4W, 7 June 2018, retrieved 12 June 2018^
  9. NXT UK joins WWE Network's already packed Wednesday line-up 11 October 2018, retrieved 11 October 2018^
  10. Triple H: 'I want no part' of Enzo Amore, I run NXT, not Vince McMahon, The Rock talkSPORT, 2019-09-02, retrieved 2019-09-10^
  11. NXT UK moving to Thursdays on WWE Network starting next week WON/F4W, 2019-09-25, retrieved 2019-10-04^
  12. BT Sport secure WWE rights from rivals Sky Sports The Independent, 2019-06-20, retrieved 2019-10-31^
  13. BT Sport | the Heart of Sport | BT Sport retrieved 2020-01-05^
  14. ViacomCBS Strikes U.K. Deal for WWE Programming. The Hollywood Reporter, 21 January 2020, retrieved 31 January 2020^
  15. Inside NXT UK's move to BT Studios - look at the British arm of WWE's new home talkSPORT, 2020-09-04, retrieved 2022-05-22^
  16. Ryan Gaydos. WWE to launch NXT Europe in 2025, NXT UK to make impact at upcoming event Fox News, August 18, 2022, retrieved August 18, 2022^
  17. Jordan Garretson. NXT UK Prelude set to take place Thursday, April 8 WWE, March 18, 2021, retrieved April 6, 2021^