WWE launches landmark 16-man UK tournament in Blackpool next year to crown new UK Champion

WWE legend Triple H has announced a landmark move in the world of wrestling.

The Game revealed the company is set for a new United Kingdom champion – with a tournament made up of British and Irish wrestlers to take place in Blackpool in January.

The Sun

The Sun

The Game revealed that the WWE is to hold a tournament in January to fight for a new belt – the United Kingdom Championship[/caption]

Triple H said: “There’s no reason why it can’t be as big as Raw, Smackdown or NXT.”

The special two-night tournament will be held at the Empress Ballroom on January 14 and 15 and will be aired on WWE Network.

Sixteen independent British and Irish grapplers will compete for the title.

WWE.COM

The new UK Championship belt[/caption]

The Game says WWE has worked with brands in the UK like Rev Pro, PROGRESS and ICW and OTT in Ireland.

Blackpool native and WWE executive William Regal said : “The 16 competitors are going to put everything on the line.

“Everything to become the first WWE United Kingdom Champion.”

WWE superstar Finn Balor, from Ireland, said: “This tournament is the bridge between the independent scene and the WWE.

“I would have loved to have been able to compete in it.”

Competitors include Progress and ICW stars Trent Seven, Pete Dunn and Wolfgang, plus ‘Roy Better Know’ himself, the Bodyguy Roy Johnson.

Triple H added: “We spent that time to identify and cultivate the best talent in both the UK and Ireland, and today we are excited to announce that we will crown, for the first time ever a WWE United Kingdom Champion.”

“This is the next chapter of our talent and development recruitment strategy.”

FULL LIST

Sam Gradwell, Wolfgang, James Drake, Tucker, Joseph Conners, Tyson T Bone, Roy Johnson, HC Dyer, Dan Moloney, Jack Starz, Tiger Ali, Ringo Ryan, Saxon Huxley & Chris Tyler.