5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (June 22)
3. NXT UK
This week, WWE announced the formation of NXT UK - otherwise known as How We'll Kill Your Indy Scene For Good, You Limey Sh*ts.
HWKYISFGYLS isn't a handy acronym, so the decision has been made to sellotape the prestigious yellow branding onto WWE's utterly half-hearted and cynical attempt to capitalise on the success of the modern "BritWres" scene. That scene was forged through several unique promotions serving audiences with different tastes, in turn allowing performers to diversify their work to get themselves over everywhere. Now, those performers will, even if unconsciously, adapt their acts to get over in one place. This isn't a good thing, particularly since those acts struggling for Network time will struggle to get ring time in promotions not approved by WWE. And, if that reads as histrionic, consider the following tidbit from this week's Wrestling Observer (UK Tournament spoiler included):
"El Ligero pinned Mike Hitchman. Hitchman, also known as Wild Boar, signed an extended tryout contract, basically a deal that meant WWE had him under consideration, he wasn’t under a regular contract, but couldn’t sign with anyone else (ITV)."
That is quite incredible in its gall. Independent contractors, eh. No chance in hell.
Though Triple H frames NXT UK as an extension of his Independent scene courtship, make no mistake: he intends to Pedigree the grassroots scene before glibly accusing it of cycling off steroids when it decreases in size. WWE enjoys a close relationship with PROGRESS and ICW, but those promotions were open to that relationship. Others - a certain promotion that paid good money to imports, and a certain reboot with a terrestrial TV deal - were the impetus driving WWE to monopolise (and thus homogenise) the landscape.
It is rank capitalism masquerading as an alliance.
Many, your writer included, are deeply impressed by Triple H's teaser trailer vision of a post-Vince McMahon future. Sadly, he's closer to Daaaaad-uh than we've allowed ourselves to remember.