WWE will launch NXT Europe in 2023 and NXT UK will go on a “brief hiatus.” WWE issued the following press release:
WWE® TO LAUNCH NXT® EUROPE IN 2023
STAMFORD, Conn., August 18, 2022 – WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that the NXT brand will grow internationally with the creation of an all-new NXT Europe, with the launch planned for 2023.
“Following the success of our live events and talent identification efforts throughout all of Europe, we believe this is the perfect time to expand NXT beyond the UK,” said Shawn Michaels, WWE Vice President of Talent Development Creative.
Launched in 2016, NXT UK has received critical acclaim and developed WWE main roster talent such as Rhea Ripley, Doudrop, Gunther and Butch. NXT Europe will reimagine the brand and its talent pipeline with a Pan European focus.
A story on FOXNews.com noted that WWE will create NXT Europe and it will launch in 2023. WWE states that the plan is to “reimagine the brand and talent pipeline” with a renewed focus on Europe. NXT UK will go on hiatus for a few months and WWE plans on running a premium live event titled “Worlds Collide” that will feature NXT and NXT UK talent going against each other.
The first tease for NXT vs. NXT UK matches happened this week on NXT Heatwave when several NXT UK wrestlers showed up on the show. The show closed with NXT UK Champion confronting NXT Champion Bron Breakker.
“Given the success of NXT UK, we felt like it was time to expand beyond that,” Shawn Michaels said. He also stated that the plan is to launch NXT Europe “bigger and better.”
Michaels continued, “I remember all the times we went to Germany it was off the charts, just fantastic. But I don’t know. I would love to kind of go to Venice, Italy, but that’s just me. But look with WWE and NXT, we just want to go and represent our brand across the world. I certainly have some favorite places I would like to go. Look, I think Paris, France would be pretty cool.”
