When WWE announced the reutrn of the United Kingdom Championship tournament, fans were excited and now the Universe has a preview of who will be in this year’s tournament.
In a news release, WWE announced the first eight participants in the U.K. tournament and fans who follow the British wrestling scene may see some familiar names.
Zack Gibson – Liverpool’s No. 1 wrestler, Current Progress Tag Team Champion with James Drake as a part of the Grizzled Young Veterans.
Joe Coffey – two-time ICW World Heavyweight Champion, Scottish Wrestling alliance titleholder, and What Culture Pro Wrestling/Defiant Wrestling alum.
Gentleman Jack Gallagher – WWE superstar in the 205 division, 2016 Cruiserweight Classic competitor.
Dave Mastiff – inaugural World of Sport Wrestling Champion and Revolution Pro Wrestling British Heavyweight Champion
Kenny Williams – three-time ICW Zero-G CHampion, BCW Openweight titleholder.
El Ligero – journeyman who has won titles all over the world among them, the WCPW Internet title and Magnificent 7 Briefcase holder.
Joseph Conners – former WCPW CHampion, current British Wrestling Revolution Heavyweight Champion.
Amir Jordan – has wrestled in Europe and is the current 3CW North East Champion. Although Jordan is from Pakistan, he primarily wrestles in the U.K.
WWE had success in 2017 with the first tournament, which introduced several United Kingdom wrestlers who have become popular with WWE fans, including tournament winner Tyler Bate, who became the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion, and current U.K. titleholder Pete Dunne.
Originally the tournament was going to lead into a show showcasing U.K. talent, but those plans are delayed for now. Despite no permanent show, several talents from the U.K. tournament have gone on to wrestle at WWE events, and some have even become – unofficially – a part of the NXT brand.
This year’s U.K. tournament is different than last year and WWE is making this year’s tournament a bigger event with NXT taking the forefront.
On May 14, 2018, WWE announced the first-round matches in the tournament will take place at the 2018 Download Festival on June 8–10 and the rest of the tournament will continue on June 18-19 at Royal Albert Hall.
In addition to the conclusion of the tournament,fans will have the opportunity to watch a dream as Dunne teams up with his British Strong Style mates Bate and Seven to take on the Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong, Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly.
On June 19, the winner of the tournament face Dune for the United Kingdom Championship.
According to Live Nation, which is selling tickets for the event, the card will also feature NXT Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler defending her title against an unarmed opponent – there’s speculation that it could be Toni Storm, who according to reports is advertised for WWE’s UK Tournament.
The website also lists the NXT North American and Tag Team titles will be defended.
Some may see the addition of more NXT talent as taking away from the U.K. competitors, but it’s a chance to bring in more members of the WWE Universe.
Personally, I like WWE having the first round of the tournament at the Download festival, then holding a two-day event. It’s akin to what New Japan Pro Wrestling does for their big tournaments.
With the tournament’s first round being weeks away, WWE should reveal the remaining eight competitors in the day to come.
