8 Potential Consequences Of WWE's Rumoured Budget Cuts

5. The End Of The UK Project

Renee Young shock
WWE.com

From a fan's viewpoint, WWE's United Kingdom project has been a success. The initial UK Title Tournament provided two extremely enjoyable nights of action, the company themselves named Pete Dunne vs. Tyler Bate their best match of 2017 so far on July 2017, and the protagonists have become significant stars within WWE's sub-main roster sphere.

Critical acclaim has followed the project since its inception, but it has been a part-time concern at best. The belt has appeared on WWE TV just five times in total, and the company have failed to deliver on the promise of a British Network show, producing only May's UK Championship Special since January.

The lack of progress suggests that the UK project isn't a priority for WWE, and as such, it'll likely be one of the first things on the chopping block. George Barrios dodged questions on its future during the Q2 earnings call, while the company had previously contacted venues for tapings in June, this obviously didn't come to pass. While it's unlikely that they'll abolish the belt itself, we can probably abandon all preconceptions of a UK-based show for now, and perhaps even expect to see the belt less than we currently do.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.