Top UK Stars Speak Out On WWE UK Expansion, NXT UK Stars Respond

There have been further developments in the chaotic UK scene today with several top stars commenting on the apparent restrictions being imposed upon NXT UK talent.

Will Ospreay, after learning that RPW High Stakes 2019 (featuring his first ever meeting with PAC), had sold out in record time, took to Twitter and spoke frankly about the situation involving his peers:

https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1069928386007654400

Earlier today, WOS Champion Justin Sysum followed suit, posting a heartfelt “open letter” to the British wrestling industry:

Justin and Will are two of the first wrestlers to echo openly the reaction of many UK promoters when the news first came out last week.

Not everyone agrees though, including NXT UK big-hitters British Strong Style, who all responded negatively to Sysum’s post. All three of them dismissed the reported restrictions as “hearsay” and “rumours”, despite reports from Dave Meltzer that WWE have pulled UK talent from several independent cards across the country.

NXT UK Champion Pete Dunne was the first to respond:

Every step myself and other members of the NXT UK roster have taken within WWE over the past two years has been nothing but a benefit to the independent scene. Don’t disregard that because of hear say and rumours.

— ‘The Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne (@PeteDunneYxB) December 5, 2018

Sysum responded in turn, noting that his message was not targeting individuals but rather WWE as a whole, while also pointing out that Dunne was no longer part of the UK scene he had helped build.

You guys are included in the part about the great British wrestlers who came before me. You’re a credit to the independent scene but unfortunately it seems you’re not part of it anymore. This is much more about the organisation and not the individuals. Thanks reading.

— Justin Sysum (@JustinSysum) December 5, 2018

Shortly thereafter Dunne took to Twitter again, declaring that NXT in the US had managed to “co-exist” with the US independent scene and pointing out that the UK would be “no different”:

NXT coexists with an independent scene in the US. The UK will be no different. Now let’s just take a look at how far British wrestling has come. 12 years ago when I started this was not a career for anyone, now it’s attainable and thus a thriving scene of top quality has emerged.

— ‘The Bruiserweight’ Pete Dunne (@PeteDunneYxB) December 5, 2018

Inaugural NXT UK champion Tyler Bate also chimed in, calling the brand a “great opportunity” for UK wrestlers to showcase their abilities.

https://twitter.com/Tyler_Bate/status/1070376818333622273

Sysum again responded, politely noting that he had nothing but praise for what Bate and his colleagues had achieved but that he wanted to help British wrestling stand on its own two feet without WWE.

I was very careful to make sure that I praised you guys for your achievements, it’s important people know. Now I’m trying to get British wrestling to the point where people can make a living without WWE.

— Justin Sysum (@JustinSysum) December 5, 2018

Trent Seven was less courteous in his response to Sysum, dismissing his message as “attention seeking”.

Hang your head in shame Justin. We’ve all worked incredibly hard over the past few years to create a thriving scene for all levels of talent to perform on. Delete your tweet and stop attention seeking.

— Trent Seven (@trentseven) December 5, 2018

Refusing to be drawn into a debate, Sysum stood firm behind his words and once again noted that he wanted to help the UK scene thrive without the intervention of WWE.

I stand by my words, hopefully you gave it your full attention and read the whole thing? You ARE to thank for the great heights we have reached. I’m making a point that I want it to go even further, without WWE.

— Justin Sysum (@JustinSysum) December 5, 2018

Which side do you fall on? Let us know in our poll below.

[totalpoll id=”43576″]

• Justin Sysum
• british strong style
• Will Ospreay
• NXT UK

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