Coming on the heels of WWE announcing the first eight competitors for the upcoming United Kingdom Championship Tournament in June (you can see that here), it appears that the company may be looking to fill out the division.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE has offered contracts to roughly 20 independent stars, primarily out of the United Kingdom. Reportedly, names like El Ligero, Joe Coffey, Dave Mastiff, Chris Brookes, Eddie Dennis and Travis Banks have all either signed or received an offer, in addition to New Zealand’s Toni Storm. Storm had previously been advertised for the United Kingdom Championship Tournament (which you can read here), but obviously the thought is she would be signed for NXT.

There’s speculation that WWE is making a push to sign more United Kingdom stars to keep them away from ITV World Of Sport. It was previously revealed by Triple H that there would be an announcement regarding the future of WWE’s United Kingdom Division (check that out here), the current rumors being that it could involve a local television deal.

EA’s Take: I’ve definitely crapped on some of Meltzer’s stuff before, but this one does make a lot of sense with the participants that were announced for the UK Tournament earlier. I did say it was unusual there would be so many non-contracted talents competing, so it lines up. Triple H had also spoken previously about expanding NXT (read that here) and having developmental territories across the world and I think this is already the first signs of that long-term plan. I think we could see more of this in other countries in-terms of WWE “swiping up” talent as well. The one that will be REALLY interesting to see? If people are upset because of World Of Sport losing talent, just wait until WWE tries Japan whenever that day eventually comes.

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