Report: Promoters Hopeful UK Indy Scene Will Be Reinvigorated Following WWE NXT UK Releases

NXT UK was effectively scrapped by WWE last week with much of the roster being released after the company announced NXT Europe would be launching in 2023.

The releases included the likes of Amir Jordan, Trent Seven, Millie McKenzie, Flash Morgan Webster, Mark Andrews, and Teoman, which has suddenly inflated the UK free agent market. This has only caused optimism within the UK independent wrestling scene, though, and Fightful Select noted that several promoters are hopeful the releases will help reinvigorate wrestling in the UK. 

Led by the likes of PROGRESS Wrestling, ICW, and RevPro, the UK independent wrestling scene experienced a boom period during the 2010s but many of the promotions cooled off greatly once WWE NXT UK signed many of the best talents available. The Speaking Out Movement in 2020 then damaged fan trust and several promotions have not returned since the COVID-19 pandemic, while others have been rebuilding. 

New stars have been established outside of WWE NXT UK in recent years, though, including the likes of Ricky Knight Jr., Michael Oku, Spike Trivet, and Cara Noir, while talents like Leon Slater and Man Like Dereiss continue to rise in popularity.