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For those who have asked about the NXT UK shut-down front, it was described to PWInsider that this was a case of taking a step back to take a step forward. It was stated by one source that they were shutting down the brand in order to access and strategize the best way to launch NXT Europe next year with a staff centered there and the idea of touring the brand regionally when the time is right.
We were told the "door is open" for some of the released talents to be brought back down the line but with the long hiatus ahead until the relaunch, it didn't make sense to keep everyone under contract. Most of the talents released have a 30-45 day window before they can go work elsewhere beyond local independents.
While there is no official confirmation on this, quite a few people have openly wondered whether yesterday's announcement could step one in HHH resurrecting the international Performance Center concept and potentially opening up satellite WWE NXT companies in other countries, which was a big part of the company strategy before the pandemic. Obviously, time will tell on that, but if we see them looking closer into Japan and Mexico, that will be an immediate telltale sign.
We've had a few readers ask when Shawn Michaels was named WWE Vice President of Talent Development Creative, as mentioned in yesterday's official press release. We are told he's had that title for about two years and it's not something that recently happened.
Yesterday's announcement led to a lot of renewed talk internally within WWE about changes Triple H, Nick Khan, Stephanie McMahon, etc. will be making within the company overall as they settle into their new roles. We can tell you there's also been a lot of talk about the company preparing to hire a number of new wrestlers and staff, specifically those who were part of HHH's circle during the black and gold NXT era. There's been nothing officially confirmed, but it makes a lot of sense and I wouldn't be shocked to see some of those names returning to the fold in the weeks ahead. One person described it as a planned "hiring spree" but another cautioned that was "way too dramatic" of a description of what is planned.
I have also heard there's been attempts to confirm the contractual obligations and timelines for talents who are locked in elsewhere so WWE knows if and when they may be available down the line.
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