WWE Reportedly Changes NXT UK Contracts
No more working independent dates the week before a taping day...
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that WWE has altered the terms of the contracts for their NXT UK stars.
Last week, numerous UK roster members were forced to pull out of independent bookings with no reason being given at the time. However, Uncle Dave has now confirmed this is due to WWE imposing a restriction that stops their UK stars from competing at other companies' shows in the seven days leading up one of their tapings.
The first NXT UK taping took place just two weeks ago, and reportedly was subject to a large number of re-writes due to talent injuries prior to the show. The straw that broke the camel's back in regards to this issue came when Travis Banks dislocated his shoulder the night before the taping, causing him to be written out of the shows. (It should be noted that Banks' injury was not the only one that caused the re-writes. Allegedly, more general changes to the series have been speculated about for some time.)
Meltzer wrote in this week's newsletter: "Due to late injuries that caused some of the U.K. shows to have to be re-scripted, the WWE told all the wrestlers under contract to the U.K. division that they are no longer allowed to wrestle for a seven day period prior to any WWE shows they are booked on.
"The catalyst was Travis Banks suffering a dislocated shoulder the night before last week’s taping, but others were also injured."
At this stage, we do not know when WWE UK's show will air (presumably on the WWE Network), but we do know that new Women's and (men's) Tag Team Championships will be introduced.
Last week, numerous UK roster members were forced to pull out of independent bookings with no reason being given at the time. However, Uncle Dave has now confirmed this is due to WWE imposing a restriction that stops their UK stars from competing at other companies' shows in the seven days leading up one of their tapings.
The first NXT UK taping took place just two weeks ago, and reportedly was subject to a large number of re-writes due to talent injuries prior to the show. The straw that broke the camel's back in regards to this issue came when Travis Banks dislocated his shoulder the night before the taping, causing him to be written out of the shows. (It should be noted that Banks' injury was not the only one that caused the re-writes. Allegedly, more general changes to the series have been speculated about for some time.)
Meltzer wrote in this week's newsletter: "Due to late injuries that caused some of the U.K. shows to have to be re-scripted, the WWE told all the wrestlers under contract to the U.K. division that they are no longer allowed to wrestle for a seven day period prior to any WWE shows they are booked on.
"The catalyst was Travis Banks suffering a dislocated shoulder the night before last week’s taping, but others were also injured."
At this stage, we do not know when WWE UK's show will air (presumably on the WWE Network), but we do know that new Women's and (men's) Tag Team Championships will be introduced.