After a strong year of tournaments on the award-winning WWE Network and realizing that events like these are a huge draw, the WWE surprises its fans today with a huge announcement. Starting in January, the WWE Network will be host to a special tournament in the UK as a treat to its British fans, simply called the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament. This tournament may be the company's way of looking for the next big British star.
Like the Cruiserweight Classic and the second-annual Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic earlier this year, as well as a rumored women wrestlers tournament for next year, the WWE United Kingdom Championship is set to run live on the WWE Network. To be held at the Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, England, WWE.com reports that 16 wrestlers from all around the UK will be competing for an actual championship. Famous retired British wrestler Nigel McGuinness, who is famous for his work in Ring of Honor, will also be joining the WWE as a commentator alongside Michael Cole.
It wasn't reported as to whether the WWE United Kingdom Championship will eventually become part of either "WWE RAW" or "WWE SmackDown Live." All that's known about it is much like the Cruiserweight Championship, the winner of the tournament becomes the champion. So far, the pool of 16 wrestlers is full, but the announced names include noted wrestlers Trent Seven, Pete Dunne, Tyson T-Bone, Tucker, Jordan Devlin, and former powerlifter Ray Johnson, among others.
Former WWE wrestler Stu Bennett, also known as Wade Barrett, the last accomplished British wrestler on the main shows before leaving the company earlier this year, congratulated the announcement and the wrestlers who qualified on his Twitter. The WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament happens on January 14 and 15, live on the WWE Network.
