WWE has a massive worldwide fan following, achieving record-breaking attendance and merchandise sales at events in foreign venues. The Stamford-based company is always seeking to expand globally, and they have numerous foreign ventures in their portfolio, with visible success in NXT UK.
Following the dissolution of the United Kingdom venture, WWE announced NXT Europe, set to launch sometime in 2023. WWE Legend Shawn Michaels recently shared some information regarding this latest foreign venture.
What is NXT Europe?
NXT UK was a huge success and gave a platform to various superstars thriving in WWE like Butch (Pete Dunne), Tyler Bate, Ilja Dragunov, and JD McDonagh. It was mainly filmed in the United Kingdom featuring British wrestlers. However, the sub-development brand went on a hiatus after airing the last event Worlds Collide in September of 2022.
It was announced that it’d be rebranded as NXT Europe and Triple H announced it’d be launched sometime in 2023. However, plans have changed after the recent merger of WWE and UFC under TKO Holdings. Even Ilja Dragunov was excited to go back to Europe.
Shawn Michaels provides the latest update on NXT Europe
WWE HOFer Shawn Michaels has been handling the development side for WWE with The DX-Generation X members have taken the reigns from the McMahon family. Shawn has made Tuesday nights famous, with some even saying it’s rivaling the Black and Gold brand. He recently provided an update on the upcoming pan-American venture, NXT Europe.
He revealed that WWE is hoping to have NXT Europe up and running sometime in “2024”. He was quoted, ” ‘NXT Europe,’ [I’m] obviously looking forward to that, but from my standpoint, [I’m] still waiting to find out,” Michaels said on the No Mercy media call.
“Obviously I think we’re all very excited that at least now we can start getting that underway and hopefully, again, bringing it to everybody I think as [Triple H] mentioned in 2024. But right now, I’m a soldier that’s just waiting on marching orders, but I’m definitely ready to go.”
Many wrestlers who lost their contracts in NXT UK after its dissolution have become part of the Black and Gold brand. According to the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, Shawn Michaels, their integration and transition to the brand has been ‘flawless.’
How do you think WWE’s latest venture will work out? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments.
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