5 New WWE NXT UK Signings Confirmed

New faces set to start at the UK Performance Center imminently.

Jazzy Gabert Ilja Dragunov
WWE/wXw

WWE have confirmed the signing of five new European wrestlers for their growing NXT UK offshoot, all of whom are set to begin training at the new United Kingdom Performance Center in London.

Ilja Dragunov (introduced as Ilja Rukober) is the biggest name on the list. A former wXw Unified World Champion, he is best known for his work in Germany's top promotion, and was signed on the back of an impressive showing at WWE tryouts in Cologne last November.

Kay Lee Ray and Jazzy Gabert both competed in the first Mae Young Classic tournament in 2017, and were shot at ringside during TakeOver: Blackpool in January. Gabert had been linked with a WWE deal after the original MYC, though injury scuppered those plans, while KLR remains a mainstay in Scotland's Insane Championship Wrestling.

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Rounding off this batch of signings are Oliver Carter, another European indie mainstay, and 'Primate' Jay Melrose, who is probably best known for his work in Defiant/WCPW.

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Ray and Melrose both worked last week's NXT UK tapings in Coventry, with the latter seemingly forming a tag team with 'Wild Boar' Mike Hitchman. Dragunov worked a dark match against Ashton Smith at the same show.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.