WWE Reportedly Has The Option To Purchase Multiple UK Promotions

Could the WWE purchase your favorite UK wrestling promotion?

As was noted this week, the WWE began handing out new contracts to NXT UK Superstars which not only gave them pay raises, but also levied some restrictions regarding working for other promotions moving forward (see the story here).

While these Superstars will only be allowed to work for promotions that the company has a relationship with going ahead, such as PROGRESS and Insane Championship Wrestling, some news has come to light regarding the possible futures of those companies themselves. According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, at least PROGRESS, ICW and Germany’s Westside Xtreme Wrestling’s original agreement with the WWE not only gives the company the chance, but actually gives WWE the right to purchase them.

It’s being said that over the next few years WWE has the right to purchase each promotion for an already agreed upon price, said to be in some cases into the “high six figures”. Reportedly, WWE would look to do this when they are running full-time with NXT UK, shutting those promotions down as it would be seen as “competing with themselves”. At this time there are no other details regarding these agreements.

EA’s Take: This one is…tough for me. I honestly could see it being true, but on the other hand I could see it being false at the same time. What it does remind me of though, is the 1980’s. This is eerily similar to Vince going to each territory and offering to buy them out, is it not? The ones who declined got run out of business anyways, but could that happen again in today’s market? I’m not so sure. It does seem like there are enough fans now who are against anything WWE, so if this were to happen the other companies left in the UK may get more support behind them, thus creating stiffer competition over there. Boy, there are a lot of intriguing things regarding this to think about!

How do you feel about the WWE possibly taking over the UK scene? Let us know on social media @theCHAIRSHOTcom and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!