UK Indies & Evolve To Host WWE Global Series Qualifiers
WWE's new cruiserweight series to actually begin on the indie scene.
WWE's Global Cruiserweight Series - a 32-man, single elimination tournament design to showcase the best 205-pound-and-under talent from around the world - is scheduled to kick off on July 13. Before the official start of the series on the WWE Network, though, several independent promotions will be hosting qualifying matches to determine which of their stars are able to compete. At last week's EVOLVE Wrestling show in Queens, NY, NXT General Manager William Regal made a special appearance to announce that the promotion would host qualifying matches for the tournament in the near future. Though no date was given, the company's first post-WrestleMania run of shows is taking place the first weekend in May, an ideal time to host the matches. No participants have been announced, but likely candidates include frequent NXT competitors Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa, as well as talents like Anthony Nese, Fred Yehi, TJ Perkins, and Drew Gulak. Top United Kingdom promotions Progress Wrestling and Revolution Pro Wrestling have also been confirmed as hosting qualifying matches, with the former promotion announcing that two of them will take place on April 24. Again, no names have been confirmed, but both leagues regularly book top talents Zack Sabre Jr., Marty Scurll, and Will Ospreay. All three men would make great additions to the tournament, though Ospreay's commitments with New Japan Pro Wrestling may prevent him from participating. More details regarding the qualifying matches should be revealed in the coming weeks.