PROGRESS has announced the first two matches for their Chapter 50 event ‘I Give it Six Months.’
First up is a bout for the PROGRESS Tag Team Championships between current title holders British Strong Style (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) and rising stars on the British scene #CCK. This will be #CCK’s official debut in PROGRESS and looks set to be a barnburner of a match.
Also confirmed is Toni Storm’s first defence of her PROGRESS Women’s Championship. Toni won the gold back at the Super Strong Style 16 event against Jinny and Laura Di Matteo. Her opponent Kay Lee Ray is one of the top performers in the ICW Women’s division so this match has the potential to be a show stealer.
Ryan Satin of the Pro Wrestling Sheet has released further details on the WWE UK division and the brand’s upcoming bi-weekly events.
The current plan calls for tapings every six weeks and for live events to run every other week in the UK featuring the UK contracted talent. The time frame for the tapings has not yet been finalised and it may well be several more months until tapings for the series begin.
The top stars in the division, namely Pete Dunne, Trent Seven, Tyler Bate, Wolfgang and Mark Andrews have reportedly signed US contracts that will allow them to drop in on the Florida based Performance Center when needed. These top stars will likely remain in the United Kingdom to focus on building the UK brand rather than continue to work cameo appearances on NXT.
This past weekend saw the return of PROGRESS’ biggest annual tournament. The Super Strong Style 16 is a 3 day event that sees some of the top independent talent in the world face off to determine the number one contender to the PROGRESS World Championship.
The likes of Tyler Bate, Jeff Cobb, Matt Riddle, Zack Sabre Jr., Mark Andrews, Trent Seven and Jimmy Havoc were all part of this year’s iteration, however it was PROGRESS fan favourite Travis Banks who eventually won the 16 man extravaganza.
Banks defeated former WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate in the final to earn a shot at the PROGRESS World Champion Pete Dunne. The venue for their bout has not yet been announced however it is likely to be at the Alexandra Palace in September.
Travis Banks recently took part in a WWE tryout at the O2 arena in London. He is one of the top performers on the UK independent circuit and has been touted by many to have a breakout year. He is already the Fight Club: Pro champion and he looks set to dethrone Pete Dunne later on this year for the PROGRESS World Championship.
You don't understand the journey people like us have taken to get opportunities like this. Love you @Travis_BanksPW! Congratulations! 💯🇳🇿🖤 pic.twitter.com/3GB7dcy96k
Pete Dunne was crowned the 2nd ever WWE United Kingdom Champion at last night’s NXT Takeover event in Chicago.
The win in Chicago held extra significance for Pete Dunne. He mentioned on Twitter that he had been to RAW in the Allstate Arena 3 years prior as a fan:
3 years ago I sat in the allstate arena watching RAW after flying myself out to the US. Tonight I won a @WWE title in the same building.
— ‘The Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne (@PeteDunneYxB) May 21, 2017
Many fans and critics were calling his bout with Tyler Bate the match of the night and now members of the UK independent scene have taken to Twitter to show their appreciation for the match and the two competitors.
This match just proved how the UK can easily have a weekly TV show. The talent. The fans. Quite simply the best wrestling in th world. PROUD https://t.co/uWVTzeIq1Z
— Will Ospreay • ????????? (@WillOspreay) May 21, 2017
Worth remembering that you could've seen the two guys who just put on that masterpiece in a pub in Cheltenham last weekend! 2017 ehhh?!?
Were you a fan of the match? Have you been keeping up with the WWE’s UK Division or is this the first you have seen either man perform? Let us know in the comments
PROGRESS has announced the final names for this year’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament. The tournament is held annually and is one of the few times that PROGRESS heavily features ‘imported’ performers from the United States, Japan and beyond. One of the biggest announcements is that PROGRESS Atlas Champion Matt Riddle will be entering the tournament.
— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) May 15, 2017
The winner of the tournament becomes the number 1 contender to the PROGRESS Championship, likely getting their title shot at the September Super Show against Pete Dunne. The SSS16 takes place this year on May 27th, 28th and 29th.
The full field for the tournament is now as follows:
Matt Riddle
Jeff Cobb
Mark Andrews
Mark Haskins
WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate
EVOLVE Champion and NJPW star Zack Sabre Jr
Zack Gibson
Dragon Gate’s Flamita
Jimmy Havoc
Lucha Underground’s Jeff Cobb
Jack Sexsmith
Pastor William Eaver
Travis Banks
WWE UK Star Trent Seven
Nathan Cruz
‘Flash’ Morgan Webster
Never seen a PROGRESS show before? Check out their on demand service for only $7.49 per month and get access to every Chapter show, Freedom’s Road taping and select PPV events from Canada’s SMASH Promotion.
PROGRESS’s latest Chapter show ‘Bang the Drum’ took place today at Manchester’s O2 Ritz venue. The show featured a debut appearance from one of the UK’s most in demand teams and confirmed more contestants in the Super Strong Style 16 tournament. Here are the results:
‘Flash’ Morgan Webster b. James Drake – Webster hit a variation of the Destino to confirm his place in the Super Strong Style 16 tournament. This is James Drake’s first loss in a PROGRESS ring.
Jinny b. ‘Session Moth’ Martina – Jinny hit Martina with an X-Factor in the corner, Martina had a supermarket bag over her head.
Chuck Mambo & Pastor William Eaver b. The London Riots – In somewhat of an upset the ‘Sweet Jesus’ team took the win following a Crucifix Bomb from the Pastor.
Trent Seven b. Travis Banks – WWE UK Star Seven took the win following a rollup with a handful of tights. Travis Banks is becoming a big star in PROGRESS and is one of the favourites to win the Super Strong Style 16 tournament.
Nathan Cruz b. Rockstar Spud – This was the free live stream match for the afternoon and Cruz took the win following a Facebuster. Cruz has now been entered into the Super Strong Style 16 tournament.
Matt Riddle b. Tyler Bate – The PROGRESS Atlas Champion Riddle took the win via DQ after Trent Seven interfered on Tyler Bate’s behalf.
PROGRESS Title Match:Pete Dunne (c) b. Mark Andrews & Mark Haskins – Dunne hit a Pedigree on Mark Andrews to retain his PROGRESS title. After the match he took the microphone and claimed that there was no one left for British Strong Style to defeat. This lead to #CCK (Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos) making their PROGRESS debuts to thunderous applause.
PROGRESS has announced some of the names for this year’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament. The tournament is held annually and is one of the few times that PROGRESS heavily features ‘imported’ performers from the United States, Japan and beyond. The 2016 tournament featured the likes of Chris Hero, WALTER, Mark Andrews and new WWE NXT signee Aleister Black who eventually went on to win the tournament.
The winner of the tournament becomes the number 1 contender to the PROGRESS Championship, likely getting their title shot at the September Super Show against Pete Dunne. The SSS16 takes place this year on May 27th, 28th and 29th.
The names currently announced for the tournament are:
WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate
EVOLVE Champion and NJPW star Zack Sabre Jr
Zack Gibson
Dragon Gate’s Flamita
Jimmy Havoc
Lucha Underground’s Jeff Cobb
Jack Sexsmith
Pastor William Eaver
Travis Banks
WWE UK Star Trent Seven
Never seen a PROGRESS show before? Check out their on demand service for only $7.49 per month and get access to every Chapter show, Freedom’s Road taping and select PPV events from Canada’s SMASH Promotion.
The match for the United Kingdom Championship at NXT Takeover: Chicago is now official. Champion Tyler Bate will be defending his title against ‘The Brusierweight’ Pete Dunne.
Dunne defeated Tyler’s ‘Moustache Mountain’ tag team partner Trent Seven to solidify his place in the title bout on May 20th. Bate also had to earn his place on the Chicago card by defeating Mark Andrews in a title match the very same night.
WWE COO Triple H also confirmed that the two nights of Norwich tapings would be airing on the WWE Network ‘later this month.’
PROGRESS has announced another huge match for their next Chapter event show (Chapter 48). The PROGRESS Atlas Champion Matt Riddle will be taking on the current reigning WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate.
It has been noted that PROGRESS are still allowed use of WWE contracted stars on their streaming service, Tyler Bate himself has been unable to appear on iPPV events for other big UK companies such as Rev Pro, Fight Club: Pro and Attack!
It has also been long rumoured that Matt Riddle is one of the performers on the independent scene that WWE has been keeping tabs on. The former UFC star has been running rampant on the PROGRESS Atlas division (affectionally known as the BIG LADS division in PROGRESS) and the challenge of the smaller/faster Bate is certainly an exciting prospect.
This week’s episode of NXT featured a heavy UK presence, the UK Championship match between Tyler Bate & Jack Gallagher arguably stole the show and Scottish based promotion ICW heavily influenced the show.
Every bout from the show featured ICW alumni: Alesiter Black, Tyler Bate, Drew McIntyre and Nikki Cross have all performed for the company in prominent roles and it speaks volumes for the importance of the UK scene on worldwide wrestling right now.
Pete Dunne (who was seen at ringside) is challenging for the ICW World Heavyweight Championship this Sunday against current champion Joe Coffey. Coffey took the belt from WWE UK star Trent Seven.
Finn Balor took to Twitter during Over The Top (OTT) Wrestling’s Scrappermania Event to show support for the Irish based promotion that he called home for many years.
One of the main draws of the Scrappermania show was The Young Bucks who touted their huge successes over the weekend as part of their UK tour with Kenny Omega. This included the latest show of their ‘Being The Elite’ series featuring WWE UK Competitors Tyler Bate, Trent Seven and Pete Dunne
New Japan Pro Wrestling & Lucha Underground star Ricochet has been pulled from several UK independent bookings this weekend due to an undisclosed injury.
Although minor, Ricochet’s ‘nagging’ injuries have forced some shake up on one of the biggest weekends on the UK independent calendar.
Lucha Forever has announced that WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate will be replacing Ricochet for their debut ‘Dawning of Forever’ event that takes place Monday 17th April. The show will be available to view live via FloSlam, whether Bate will be shown on the live stream is unknown however with his WWE ties it seems extremely unlikely.
Over The Top announced that the planned 6-man tag match pitting Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks against The Uptown Funkers (Ryan Smile & Will Ospreay) will now see Ring of Honor star Lio Rush take Ricochet’s place.
Revolution Pro has also announced that Lio Rush will be replacing Ricochet. The team of Rush, Ryan Smile & Shane Strickland will face Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks at this Thursday’s Epic Encounter event in the world famous York Hall in Bethnal Green.
Here are the results from PROGRESS’ United States debut event: #ProgressOrlando. The show took place at the Orlando Live Events Centre to a crowd of around 1,200 fans.
Zack Sabre Jr b. Jimmy Havoc – Zack Sabre Jr took the win via pinfall against longtime friend and longest reigning PROGRESS Champion in company history; Jimmy Havoc
James Drake b. Spud – Drake records his third straight win in a PROGRESS ring, after the match he continued to attack Spud
Jinny b. Toni Storm – Natural Progression Series finalist Jinny took the win to give her the momentum heading in to the final to crown the first ever PROGRESS Women’s Champion
South Pacific Power Trip (TK Cooper & Travis Banks) w/ Dahlia Black b. Shane Strickland & Sami Callihan – The SPPT continue their dominant form with an impressive win over Strickland/Callihan. Travis Banks looks set to have his biggest year ever and there is a good chance that he wins the Super Strong Style 16 tournament in July/August
PROGRESS Atlas Championship Match – Matt Riddle b. Trent Seven – Riddle applied the Bromission in something of an upset. Many were predicting that Trent take the ATLAS title as the British Strong Style stable look to dominate the PROGRESS title scenes.
WWE United Kingdom Championship Match – Tyler Bate b. Mark Andrews – Bate records his first championship defence outside of a WWE/NXT ring against an impressive Mark Andrews, certainly one for the history books
PROGRESS Championship Match – Pete Dunne b. Mark Haskins – Who is left for Pete Dunne to defeat? After this submission win against Mark Haskins the well has run pretty dry in the PROGRESS Championship scene, possibly a chance for a new main eventer to rise?
WOAH. We are genuinely shocked and super appreciative of the global cross section of people about to watch #ProgressOrlando. AMAZING!
PROGRESS has announced a major change to their upcoming PROGRESS: Orlando show that takes place this Friday as part of the WWN Live events over Wrestlemania weekend.
PROGRESS co-owner Glen Joseph announced via the company’s Facebook account that WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate would be defending his title against ‘White Lightning’ Mark Andrews.
Andrews faced PROGRESS Champion Pete Dunne at this past Sunday’s Chapter event and lost the bout, due in part to Dunne’s stablemates Tyler Bate & Trent Seven interfering and as such NXT General Manager William Regal decreed that the WWE UK Title be put on the line.
While this may not be the first time that a WWE Title has been defended outside of the company it may well be the very first time that a WWE Title has been defended on a non-WWE iPPV stream. Can you think of any others? Let us know in the comments below.
Here are the results from PROGRESS Wrestling’s latest Chapter event – Galvanize. The show took place at the O2 Ritz in Manchester in front of a sold out crowd:
PROGRESS Tag Team Championship Match – British Strong Style (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) b. Travis Banks & TK Cooper – The WWE UK Division competitors Seven & Bate successfully retained their Tag Team Title Shields against the South Pacific Power Trip.
Zack Gibson b. El Ligero – Gibson took the win against his former Origin stablemate using his ‘Helter Skelter’ signature move. Nathan Cruz appeared during the match to distract Ligero leading to the finish.
James Drake b. Jack Sexsmith – Sexsmith continues to prove himself as a viable competitor in PROGRESS even with this loss against Drake. This is Drake’s second win in as many Chapter appearances and he looks set to make a big impact in PROGRESS this year.
Mark Andrews b. Will Ospreay – The Number 1 Contender to the PROGRESS Championship Mark Andrews continues his hot streak with a win over NJPW star Ospreay. After the match Jimmy Havoc appeared to beat down the Aerial Assassin Will Ospreay in an attempt to stop him interfering in the main event.
Ringkampf (Walter & Axel Dieter Jr) b. The Hunter Brothers – wXw heroes Ringkampf continue to prove their worth to the PROGRESS faithful with a win over the Hunter Brothers
Flash Morgan Webster b. Nathan Cruz – Morgan Webster picks up the win in his first singles appearance for the company since his long layoff with injury. Cruz has now lost two in a row at Chapter events and he took his anger out on ‘Flash’ after the bout.
Jinny b. Nixon Newell – Jinny defeated NXT bound Nixon Newell to advance to the final of the Natural Progression series, she looks set to win the tournament and become the first ever PROGRESS Women’s Champion.
PROGRESS Championship Match – Pete Dunne b. Jimmy Havoc – Dunne retained his championship in an incredible deathmatch that involved thumbtacks, tables, barbed wire and an interfering Will Ospreay. After the bout Ospreay laid out Havoc and screamed ‘THIS HAS TO END.’
Fight Club: Pro just held arguably the biggest weekend of the company’s existence with two nights in the illustrious Fixxion Warehouse in Wolverhampton, England. Dubbed ‘Rise Against’ and ‘The First Female of Fight Club’ the two nights showcased the best that Fight Club has to offer and made for a fitting farewell for one of the most beloved competitors ever to step foot in the Fixxion.
Here are the results from Friday Night’s Rise Against show:
‘Session Moth’ Martina b. Chief Deputy Dunne by Homicide.
Fatal Four Way Match: The Dunnedertaker (Damian Dunne) (w/Martina) b. Clint Margera, Dan Moloney and David Starr via Pinfall.
Candice LeRae b. Kay Lee Ray via Pinfall.
The Hunter Brothers (Jim Hunter & Lee Hunter) b. Joe Coffey & Omari via Pinfall
British Rounds Match: Jimmy Havoc b. Mikey Whiplash in Round 5.
Chris Brookes b. Nixon Newell via Pinfall.
British Strong Style (Pete Dunne, Trent Seven & Tyler Bate) b. Travis Banks, Will Ospreay & Wolfgang via Pinfall.
Before the British Strong Style match the three men (who have recently signed contracts with the WWE) re-enacted Triple H’s entrance in tribute:
— ‘The Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne (@PeteDunneYxB) March 18, 2017
Here are the results from Saturday Night’s First Female of Fight Club show:
Fatal Four Way Match: David Starr b. Dan Maloney, Killian Jacobs and Omari
Triple Threat Match: ‘Session Moth’ Martina b. Kay Lee Ray and a Stuffed Giraffe (this is not a typo)
#CCK (Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos) b. Clint Margera & Jimmy Havoc
Mark Haskins & Will Ospreay b. Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven & Tyler Bate
Nixon Newell b. Candice LeRae
Fight Club: Pro Title Match: Travis Banks b. Pete Dunne (c)
This show was hugely notable for two reasons. 1) This was Nixon Newell’s final FCP appearance before she departs for the WWE Performance Center in April and 2) after an arduous journey to reclaim his title Travis Banks has regained the Fight Club: Pro gold.
The two shows will be available to view via the FCP Vimeo on demand service within the week and as soon as they are it is definitely worth taking a look: vimeo.com/fightclubpro.
PROGRESS will be making their way to the Orlando Live Events Center on March 31st as part of the WWNLive Experience 2017. As well as the planned PROGRESS vs EVOLVE super card the promotion will be hosting their own branded show at 12pm EST which will be available on iPPV: wwnlive.com/product/progress-wrestling-presents-progress-orlando-ippv-live-viewing-video-demand/
The full roster for PROGRESS’ first ever show in America has now been revealed:
PROGRESS Champion – Pete Dunne
Trent Seven
Zack Sabre Jr
PROGRESS Atlas Champion – Matt Riddle
Tyler Bate
Mark Andrews
Shane Strickland
Mark Haskins
South Pacific Power Trip (TK Cooper, Travis Banks and Dahlia Black
Toni Storm
Jinny
James Drake
Sami Callihan
Rockstar Spud
Jimmy Havoc
Tickets for the event are still available to purchase via morethanmania.com and if you’re in Orlando for Wrestlemania weekend then definitely try and make it to this event, you will not be disappointed.
PROGRESS have announced two more bouts for their upcoming Chapter 45 event: ‘Galvanise.’
‘Flash’ Morgan Webster made his in-ring return at Chapter 44 when he teamed with Mark Haskins and Jimmy Havoc against British Strong Style. Although his team took the win it was Havoc that secured the winning pinfall, therefore Webster missed out on a PROGRESS title shot. His opponent for Chapter 44 will be Nathan Cruz, who himself lost at Chapter 44 against his former Origin stable mate El Ligero.
There is a lot at stake in this bout, the uncertain future of WWE contracted talents such as PROGRESS Champion Pete Dunne, Mark Andrews, Trent Seven and WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate opens the door for the next batch of possible main eventers to shine and there is certainly an opportunity for both of these performers to move up to that next level if necessary.
— PROGRESS Wrestling (@ThisIs_Progress) March 1, 2017
The next announced match is a Semi-Final bout in the Natural Progression Series tournament. This is the first Women’s tournament in company history and the winner will be crowned the first ever PROGRESS Women’s Champion.
Crowd favourite Nixon Newell will be taking on ‘heat magnet’ Jinny. This is Jinny’s first Chapter match in quite some time and she is likely to be win the entire tournament, a win for Nixon would be considered a huge upset but as PROGRESS are looking to establish their official Women’s division surprises could be in store.
ICW recently announced the appearances of two top UK performers for their On Demand Fight Club show in March.
WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate and WWE UK Tournament Runner Up Pete Dunne will be making appearances for the company on March 19th and March 11th respectively.
Dunne’s appearance for the company at the Motion in Bristol will be his debut for ICW. It is especially telling that the majority of the WWE UK Tournament competitors are now beginning to make regular appearances for ICW as rumours of an ICW/WWE Network deal are still apparently in the works.
One of the biggest matches in PROGRESS history took place this past Sunday at Chapter 44 ‘Old Man Yells at Cloud’ as Jimmy Havoc became the Number 1 Contender to Pete Dunne’s PROGRESS Championship.
As part of a 6-man tag team bout fan favourite Havoc pinned Dunne (a member of the stable British Strong Style) to earn himself a title match with a stipulation of his choosing. Havoc opted to cash in his title opportunity against the ‘Bruiserweight’ at Chapter 45: ‘Galvanise.’
It has also been confirmed that the match will be contested under ‘No DQ’ rules, which will suit Deathmatch specialist Jimmy Havoc. This match looks set to be an extremely bloody affair.
The second bout announced for Chapter 45 is for the PROGRESS Tag Team Championships. WWE UK Champion Tyler Bate and his British Strong Style teammate Trent Seven will be taking on the South Pacific Power Trip (TK Cooper and Travis Banks).
Travis Banks made his singles debut for PROGRESS at Chapter 44 in an excellent showing against fellow debutant Jordan Devlin, chances are that this may well be the breakup of the SPPT team as Banks looks set to be one of the breakout stars for PROGRESS in 2017.
Here are the results from PROGRESS’ Chapter 44 event ‘Old Man Yells At Cloud.’ The show took place at a sold out Electric Ballroom in Camden, UK.
James Drake b. Damon Moser – This was a relatively shot match that saw WWE UK Tournament competitor James Drake won with the Mr Mayhem DDT. There are reports that Moser was injured during the bout thus the quick conclusion.
Dahlia Black (w/TK Cooper) b. Martina the Session Moth – This was a 1st round match in the Natural Progression Series to crown the first ever PROGRESS Women’s Champion as well as being Martina’s debut match for the company. Black took the win when TK Cooper interfered and cost Martina the bout
Travis Banks b. Jordan Devlin – Another PROGRESS debut here as WWE Tournament Competitor Jordan Devlin looked to beat tag team specialist Banks. Travis took the win after hitting a Buzzsaw Kick.
Pastor William Eaver b. Sebastian – Eaver took the win here after hitting the ‘Clothesline From Heaven’ in what was an extremely violent bout, definitely one worth watching on PROGRESS’ On Demand service.
Mark Andrews b. Shane Strickland – An absolutely fantastic match that saw Andrews win with the Shooting Star Press, after the match PROGRESS Co-Owner Jim Smallman asked Strickland to appear at the Orlando shows over Wrestlemania Weekend.
El Ligero b. Nathan Cruz – A hotly contested bout between two former Origin members saw Ligero take the win after reversing a Figure Four into an Inside Cradle. After the match Cruz removed Ligero’s mask.
Zack Gibson b. Jack Sexsmith – This match was all about Sexsmith proving himself as a viable championship contender for the company and it certainly felt like his ‘coming out party.’ Gibson hit the Helter Skelter for the pinfall win.
Jimmy Havoc, Mark Haskins & Morgan Webster b. British Strong Style (Pete Dunne, Trent Seven & Tyler Bate) – The stakes for this match were extremely high. If Havoc, Haskins or Webster got a pinfall or submission victory then they would receive a title shot, however if one of them took a pinfall, countout or submission loss then they would ineligible to ANY title shot for 6 months. Havoc ended up taking the victory and title shot following an Acid Rainmaker on PROGRESS Champion Pete Dunne.
PROGRESS’ last Chapter event saw the stunning return of ‘Flash’ Morgan Webster and former PROGRESS Champion Mark Haskins from injury. Their return during the British Strong Style beatdown of Jimmy Havoc was a huge hit with the PROGRESS faithful and it has lead to the main event for Chapter 44 – Old Man Yells at Cloud. Here is the press release for the event:
After the events at the end of Chapter 43, we have an enormous main event for Chapter 44 on 26th February in store.
British Strong Style (World Champion Pete Dunne and Tag Champions Trent Seven and Tyler Bate) will face the team of Jimmy Havoc, Mark Haskins and Flash Morgan Webster in a 6 man tag match that will, whatever happens, have implications for the coming months.
If Havoc, Haskins or Webster score a pin or submission on any member of British Strong Style, they’ll earn a title opportunity.
But, if any of those three get pinned or submit, they’ll be barred from any further title matches for 6 months.
High stakes. One man leaves Chapter 44 with a title shot, or heartbroken. Will the alliance of Havoc, Haskins and Webster be able to work together even though only one of them can potentially benefit? Or will the pack mentality of British Strong Style prevail, and eliminate one of the title contenders for the foreseeable future?
BRITISH STRONG STYLE vs HAVOC, HASKINS and WEBSTER headlines Chapter 44!
Tyler Bate will put his WWE United States Kingdom on the line next week on NXT. The inaugural champion will defend against Trent Seven, his first title defence since winning the UK tournament.
Having the UK title defended on NXT represents an interesting prospect for the show. Since the brand-split, viewership of NXT on the Network has decreased, what with the departure of stars such as Finn Balor. Now with Samoa Joe having left the brand as well, another hole needs to be filled. International titles being defended on the show may help NXT’s viewership.
WWE Global Territory System
Many are speculating that WWE’s signing of several UK and Asia based talents represents the beginning of a global territory system that will take place under WWE’s umbrella.
The signed UK talents are expected to be featured on a WWE Network show of their own later this year. As for WWE’s Asia territory, the company is currently scouting talents for an WWE Asia Championship tournament. It is believed this tournament will be similar to the UK version.
– The WWE UK Championship will apparently be a big part of NXT this year. UK Champion Tyler Bate made his NXT debut last week in a non-title win over Oney Lorcan but he will be defending the championship against Trent Seven on the 2/15 NXT episode. UK competitors Pete Dunne and Mark Andrews will then compete on the 3/1 NXT episode. These matches were recently taped with full UK graphics on display inside Full Sail.
– Below is video of former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr’s return to the ring at a recent ProWrestling EGO event in Pearl, Mississippi. The event was held as a law enforcement fundraiser and marked Ted’s first match since late 2013. The event- which was to benefit Rankin and Hinds County Honor Guard- saw DiBiase take on Calvin Rose, Monty Warbucks, and Joey Abel in street clothes, sporting a walking boot, alongside Mike Carter and Fuego Del Sol. This video was just released a few days back but the event took place o 12/3.
– In the videos below, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T stars in new commercials for Hilton Furniture and Mattress of Houston, Texas: