New Champion Crowned On WWE NXT UK, Record Reign Ends
The legendary Meiko Satomura has lifted her first championship in WWE.
Meiko Satomura has been crowned the new NXT UK Women's Champion.
'The Final Boss' dethroned Kay Lee Ray on the 10 June NXT UK broadcast in a well-received clash, putting the now-former champion away via Scorpio Rising. This marked her first title win in WWE, and her third title captured in the United Kingdom, following the Fight Club: PRO Championship and the PROGRESS Women's Championship.
Kay Lee Ray had reigned as champion since usurping Toni Storm at NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff on 31 August 2019, holding it for a record 649 days. Successful defences over Piper Niven, Jinny, and Meiko herself allowed KLR to become the longest-reigning Women's Champion in modern WWE, easily eclipsing Becky Lynch as Raw Women's Champion at a recognised 398 days, Bayley as SmackDown Women's Champion at 380 days, and Nikki Bella as Divas Champion at 301 days.
Satomura's arrival in NXT UK comes after her performance in the 2018 Mae Young Classic, where she made it to the semifinals before being ousted by Toni Storm. Reports of WWE's interest in the Japanese legend have been in the headlines since.
There's currently no word on WWE's plans for Meiko Satomura, although she could be a pivotal player in the planned NXT Japan project. She's the co-founder of Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling, alongside Jinsei Shinzaki - the former Hakushi.