WWE NXT UK, also known simply as 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.
WWE officially announced the show during the 2018 United Kingdom Championship Tournament, partly to combat the relaunch of World of Sport Wrestling. 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.
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. 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.
The show had its first tapings in August 2018, and the premiere episode of NXT UK aired on 17 October 2018. 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. In October 2019, the show moved to Thursdays.
Beginning on 2 January 2020, NXT UK began airing on BT Sport. On 21 January 2020, it was announced that NXT UK will also be airing on Paramount Network (now known as 5Action). 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.
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. The final episode of NXT UK aired on 1 September.
Special episodes Episode TitleDateVenueLocationNotesNXT UKs debut episode17 October 2018Cambridge Corn ExchangeCambridge, EnglandPremier episode of the programme.Featured Pete Dunne (c) vs. Noam Dar for the WWE United Kingdom ChampionshipNXT UK episode 31 20 February 2019 Phoenix Convention CenterPhoenix, ArizonaFirst episode of NXT UK held outside the United Kingdom and in the United States.Featured Toni Storm (c) vs. Rhea Ripley for the NXT UK Women's ChampionshipBest of NXT UK 201926 December 2019N/AN/ARecap episode featuring all of the year's events on NXT UK.Rise of NXT UK9 April 2020From April 2020 until September 2020, NXT UK was produced as a clip show due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Superstar Picks16 April 2020NXT UKs Most Brilliant23 April 2020Hidden Gems30 April 2020Imperium Dominates7 May 2020Superstar Picks14 May 2020NXT UKs Most Brilliant21 May 2020Hidden Gems28 May 2020Gallus Boys On Top4 June 2020Superstar Picks11 June 2020NXT UKs Most Brilliant18 June 2020Superstar Picks25 June 2020Superstar Picks2 July 2020Superstar Picks9 July 2020NXT UKs Greatest Hits16 July 2020NXT UKs Greatest Hits23 July 2020NXT UKs Greatest Hits30 July 2020NXT UKs Greatest Hits6 August 2020Hidden Gems13 August 2020Superstar Picks20 August 2020Superstar Picks27 August 2020The Champion And His Challenger3 September 2020History In The Making10 September 2020NXT episode 113 17 September 2020 BT Sport Studios London, EnglandFirst episode of NXT UK after the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic clip show format.Start of NXT UKs residency at BT Sport Studios.NXT UK Happy Holidays24 December 2020Christmas Eve special episode.Recapped all of the year's events on NXT UK. NXT UK Happy New Year31 December 2020New Year's special episode.Recapped all of the year's events on NXT UK.NXT UK: Prelude8 April 2021WrestleMania Week special episode.Featured Walter (c) vs. Rampage Brown for the NXT United Kingdom ChampionshipNXT UK Happy Holidays23 December 2021Christmas Eve special episode.Recapped all of the year's events on NXT UK. NXT UK Happy New Year30 December 2021New Year's special episode.Recapped all of the year's events on NXT UK.NXT UKs final episode1 September 2022Final episode of NXT UKFeatured Tyler Bate vs. Trent Seven in the finals of the NXT United Kingdom Championship tournament
On-air personalities Authority figures Authority figure Position Date started Date finished NotesJohnny SaintGeneral ManagerSid ScalaAssistant to the General Manager
Commentators Commentators Date started Date finishedVic Joseph and Nigel McGuinness Vic Joseph and Aiden English Tom Phillips and Nigel McGuinness Tom Phillips and Aiden English Andy Shepherd and Nigel McGuinness June 2020
Ring announcers Ring announcer Date started Date finishedAndy Shepherd Greg Hamilton Sarah Schreiber Francesca Brown Kirsty Bosley14 October 2021
Backstage interviewers Backstage interviewer Date started Date finishedRadzi Chinyanganya Josiah Williams
See also
Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom
Notes
References
External links