Fantasy Booking – WWE NXT European Championship Tournament 2026

Welcome to my first attempt at doing a Fantasy Booking and I’m here to try my hand at a weekend-long tournament to crown the Inaugural NXT European Champion as part of WWE’s upcoming brand, NXT Europe. I started off with the idea to run a 16-man tournament but I ultimately decided to focus on an 8-man tournament instead with some of the best names from the recent European tryouts with two special guests (one from NXT and one from TNA). That way, WWE could almost replicate some of their WWE ID work in the USA and have indie promotions like Progress, WXW and OTT hold qualifying matches on their shows to generate more hype.

Backstory:

On December 15th 2016, WWE held a press conference at The O2 Arena in London, hosted by Triple H, to announce a 16-man tournament weekend to crown the Inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion. The tournament was held on January 14th and 15th 2017 and was broadcast live on the WWE Network. The championship was envisioned to become the main title of WWE’s first ever show to be produced predominantly in the United Kingdom, which later became NXT UK. The tournament was won by Tyler Bate, who became the Inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion.

On May 19th 2017, WWE hosted a follow-up to the tournament: the WWE United Kingdom Championship Special (pre-taped on May 7th 2017). On April 7th 2018, a second WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament was set to take place at the Royal Albert Hall on June 18th and 19th 2018 (broadcast on June 25th and 26th 2018). On June 7th 2018, Johnny Saint was named the General Manager of the UK division of WWE.

On June 18th 2018, WWE’s UK division was officially revealed to be NXT UK, the first taping dates were set for July 2018 and it was confirmed that we would get an NXT UK Women’s Championship and NXT UK Tag Team Championship. The brand would be referred to as NXT UK from this point forward.

The first episode of NXT UK broadcast on the WWE Network on October 17th 2018. On December 31st 2019, broadcast of the show in the United Kingdom expanded to also being on BT Sport, where RAW, SmackDown and NXT were already being broadcast. On January 21st 2020, the show was further added to Paramount Network UK, where it would broadcast 6 days after its premiere on the WWE Network and BT Sport.

Production of NXT UK was paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show’s return was announced on September 10th 2020. Alongside this, the NXT UK Heritage Cup was announced as a secondary prize.

On August 18th 2022, WWE announced a brief hiatus for NXT UK and that the brand would return in 2023 as NXT Europe. NXT UK’s hiatus began after the 2022 NXT Worlds Collide PLE. Shawn Michaels said the company’s aim would be to launch NXT Europe as bigger and better than NXT UK. However, the relaunch was delayed due to WWE’s sale to Endeavor and merging with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings. That deal was finalised in September 2023. Dirt sheets stated that WWE planned to launch NXT Europe in 2024 but this never transpired. Triple H did confirm in April 2025 that WWE still planned to launch NXT Europe.

Location, Venue and Date

The NXT European Championship Tournament would be positioned for success if hosted at the BEC Arena in Manchester, England on February 21st and 22nd, 2026, in partnership with Monopoly Events’ For the Love of Wrestling convention. 

Holding the tournament during the For the Love of Wrestling weekend guarantees a built-in audience of thousands of wrestling fans already attending the event. This ensures immediate attention, organic buzz, and strong ticket sales. As a hotbed for UK wrestling fans, Manchester offers heritage and a passionate local fanbase. The city has a history of high turnouts for WWE events and an enthusiastic base of NXT UK and European fans. The BEC Arena is well-equipped to host dynamic, TV-ready wrestling events with its modern facilities, adaptable staging space, and easy access via public transport. It’s intimate enough to maintain an electric atmosphere but large enough to host a major event.

The convention attracts thousands of devoted wrestling fans from across Europe and beyond, many of whom are already primed for a WWE show. Integrating the tournament creates a seamless fusion of fan experience, bringing both autograph opportunities and in-ring competition. NXT’s presence at the UK’s premier wrestling fan convention enhances brand visibility across demographics: old-school fans, families, and new audiences discovering European talent for the first time. Stars of WWE past and present will be attending For the Love of Wrestling. Their presence can be tied into promotional activities, surprise appearances, and fan engagement throughout the weekend, building buzz and legitimacy.

Hosting the NXT European Championship Tournament at such a high-profile, fan-driven event creates a historic moment. It builds prestige around the title and its legacy from day one, tying it to both fan passion and international recognition. With fans attending from across Europe, and Monopoly Events drawing international media attention, the tournament becomes the ideal stage for showcasing the top rising stars from across Europe.

Monopoly Events has a powerful marketing reach via social media, general media, and fan communities. The tournament would benefit from promotion across platforms, ensuring visibility far beyond the UK. From exclusive backstage content to fan reactions and cross-promotional interviews, the synergy between WWE and Monopoly Events opens endless avenues for social media content for both companies.

The 8-man Field

Adam Maxted was a contestant on the second series of Love Island (the UK version), where he placed fourth. He is also becoming more well known on the British indie scene after competing for ITV’s World of Sport, OTT and ICW. Alongside Charlie Sterling, he held the first and only reign as 5 Star Tag Team Champion and they are former OTT Tag Team Champions together too. He has also held the OTT Gender Neutral Championship. Representing Belfast in Northern Ireland, Maxted has been wrestling since June 2015.

Charlie Dempsey is currently signed to WWE under the NXT brand and he’s the leader of No Quarter Catch Crew. He has previously held the NXT Heritage Cup twice, winning it from Noam Dar on the February 27th 2024 episode of NXT, and Tony D’Angelo on the August 13th 2024 episode of NXT. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, the man is billed from Blackpool, England, which is also the billed home of his father, William Regal. Dempsey has been in the wrestling industry since February 2018.

Goldenboy Santos is a rising star from Portugal, who has competed in RevPro, OTT and WXW. He was the final OTT Gender Neutral Champion and he’s the current OTT European Champion. I also saw him at the RevPro Trios Grand Prix in Coventry in November 2024 but based on an interaction we had, I don’t think he’s my biggest fan. All jokes aside, he should be in NXT Europe because he’s insanely good at what he does.

Jack Morris currently competes for NOAH as the leader of Team 2000X. He has won the GHC Tag Team Championship three times, once with Anthony Greene at Grand Ship in Nagoya 2023, once with WWE’s Omos at The New Year 2025, and once with Daga at Sunny Voyage 2025. He also won the GHC National Championship at Demolition Stage in Fukuoka 2023. Morris has also competed in British indie promotions such as RevPro and ICW, where he’s a former ICW Tag Team Champion. He is from Dunfermline, Scotland and has been wrestling since 2017.

Leon Slater is currently signed to TNA. However, he is well known across the British indie scene, especially at RevPro and Progress. Alongside his Boisterous Behaviour partner, Man Like DeReiss, he has had great tag success in the UK, including winning the (albeit controversial) 1PW Tag Team Championship. He is also a former RevPro British Cruiserweight Champion and TNT World Champion. He is billed from the 0121 (the telephone area code for Birmingham) and has been wrestling since 2019.

Luke Jacobs is a huge name on the indie scene in Britain, putting time into both Progress and RevPro. In RevPro, he has previously held the RevPro British Heavyweight Championship, which he won at RevPro’s 12th Anniversary Special, and the RevPro British Cruiserweight Championship, which he won at Summer Sizzler 2022. Currently, he holds the RevPro British Tag Team Championship with Ethan Allen. Over in Progress, he’s a former Progress Atlas Champion, winning the title at Chapter 133 in April 2022, and he’s the current Progress World Champion, which he has held since Chapter 169 in July 2024. He would be the hometown Manchester boy here and he made his debut back in 2018.

Man Like DeReiss is a man making waves across the British indie circuit allowing him to catch the attention of both WWE and TNA. He’s best known for him time in Progress, where he won the Progress Tag Team Championship alongside Dan Moloney at Chapter 131 in March 2022. The pair also won the Attack Tag Team Championship twice while DeReiss also won the aforementioned 1PW Tag Team Championship with Leon Slater. Finally, DeReiss is a former TNA Ultra X Champion. He has been wrestling since 2018.

Zozaya is an emerging European talent from Spain, who has recently made a number of appearances for Progress and RevPro. I’ve had the pleasure of watching him compete in the RevPro Trios Grand Prix in Coventry in November 2024 and I saw him pick up a win over Hechicero at Epic Encounter in March 2025. Trust me, this man has a bright future.

The First Round (February 21st 2026)

Kicking off the show, hometown hero Luke Jacobs is here to take on Adam Maxted in an opening round match. Maxted tries to frustrate Jacobs with evasive footwork and showboating. Jacobs responds with stiff forearms and takedowns, forcing Maxted to engage in a more physical match. Maxted gains control with athletic counters, a springboard dropkick, powerslam, and a standing moonsault. Jacobs turns the tide with a brutal lariat followed by a deadlift German suplex for a near fall. Manchester is 100% behind Jacobs as the hometown hero. After a missed springboard by Maxted, Jacobs capitalizes with a pop-up powerbomb into the Thunderbomb for the emphatic pinfall victory. After the match, Jacobs offers a handshake, but Maxted shrugs it off, visibly frustrated. Commentary notes Maxted “has the tools, but not yet the discipline,” while Jacobs “may be the dark horse of this entire tournament.”

Second match in the opening round and NOAH’s Jack Morris will take on the Spanish sensation, Zozaya. Zozaya charges with early energy, hitting a slingshot hurricanrana and a handspring kick that sends Morris outside. The crowd explodes as Zozaya hits a running corkscrew plancha over the top rope. Morris slows the pace with stiff strikes and grounded offense. A brainbuster and top-rope elbow drop give him a near fall. He taunts the crowd, signaling this is “levels above local indies.” Zozaya hits a Spanish Fly, followed by a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a 2.9 count. He sets up for a 630 splash, but Morris dodges and hits a ripcord knee strike, followed by a Tiger Driver ‘97 for another near fall. Zozaya goes for a springboard move, but Morris counters mid-air with a brutal jumping knee, then immediately follows up with the Tiger Fang Driver for the clean victory. Morris blows a kiss to the crowd and mouths “This is my continent now.” Zozaya receives a standing ovation for his performance. Commentary frames this as a statement made by Spain’s wrestling scene.

Next up, tag team partners clash as only one man representing The 0121 can advance but will it be Man Like DeReiss or Leon Slater? The crowd is electric from the bell. Chain wrestling starts respectful, then quickly escalates to a sequence of one-upmanship, leapfrogs, arm drags, and lightning-quick dodges that ends in a double dropkick stalemate. DeReiss hits a tope con hilo into the front row and raps a quick lyric into the camera while Slater recovers. Slater responds with a springboard cutter, reverse rana, and a near-fall off a Phoenix Splash. DeReiss nails a slingshot cutter, a Frog Splash, and even a Samoan Driver for 2.9. After a blistering series of reversals, Slater hits a superkick, stuns DeReiss, then sprints to the top rope and nails the Swanton 450 Splash for the clean pinfall. Slater helps DeReiss to his feet and the two embrace in the center of the ring. DeReiss raises Slater’s hand and gives him the mic, “This is only the beginning. For me. For him. For us. The future is ours.” There’s a standing ovation from the fans in Manchester. Commentary hypes Slater as the breakout star to watch and DeReiss as a man whose time will come.

The final opening round match closes the first half of Night 1 as Charlie Dempsey clashes with Goldenboy Santos. Dempsey imposes his mat game early, grounded wristlocks, hammerlocks, and aggressive limb work. Santos breaks free and hits a leaping back elbow, followed by a standing moonsault for a quick pop. Dempsey takes control with transitions and submissions, leg grapevines, a Fujiwara armbar, and a brutal regalplex. Santos rallies with a spinning heel kick and a blue thunder bomb for a near fall. The fans in Manchester start split but support swings towards Santos as he endures Dempsey’s torturous offence. Santos escapes a double underhook suplex and connects with a running enzuigiri, then goes up top for a frog splash, but Dempsey gets the knees up and immediately transitions into a crossface Chicken Wing for a submission win. Dempsey refuses to shake hands, raising his arms and shouting “Catch wrestling lives!” while his No Quarter Catch Crew partners watch from the ramp. Santos gets a respectful ovation as Portuguese fans wave flags ringside, commentary frames this as his breakout, despite the loss.

Non-Tournament Women’s Action

Jaida Parker is scheduled to defend her NXT Women’s Championship on Night 2 of the tournament but who will challenge her for the title, Stephanie Maze or Rhio? The crowd is heavily behind Maze. She stuns Rhio early with stiff kicks and a rope-assisted springboard enzuigiri. Rhio powers through to get out of an armbar, and hits a swinging spinebuster. Rhio slows the pace with grounded offence, backbreakers, stiff lariats, and a corner cannonball. Maze comes back with a crucifix driver and ripcord knee, nearly scoring a pin. Maze hits a springboard tornado DDT that pops the crowd. Rhio hoists her into a pop-up Samoan drop, nearly ending it. Maze counters a Rhio suplex attempt into a rear naked choke, Rhio stumbles but powers to the ropes. Maze goes for her roundhouse knockout kick, but Rhio ducks and deadlifts her into a brutal sit-out powerbomb. Rhio lifts her again immediately and hits the Northern Lariat, then hooks both legs for the 3 count. Jaida Parker comes down the ramp slowly, clapping sarcastically. Parker and Rhio stare down in the ring, Rhio doesn’t back down, jawing at the champ. Maze gets a standing ovation as she exits, with commentary noting, “Stephanie Maze will be champion one day… just not tonight.”

The Semi-Finals

The next round kicks off with a battle between TNA’s Leon Slater and Manchester’s own Luke Jacobs. The pair open with a strong handshake. Slater uses speed to duck and dodge Jacobs’ early heavy hands. Slater hits a springboard back elbow, but Jacobs responds with a deadlift German suplex and a crushing forearm that grounds the high-flyer. Slater lands a diving DDT to the outside followed by a springboard moonsault into the ring for a near fall. Jacobs slows it down, slamming Slater with a powerbomb into the corner, followed by a running lariat for 2.9. The crowd is split but absolutely electric. Slater hits a reverse rana, then the Swanton 450 but it isn’t enough. Slater tries a Phoenix Splash, but Jacobs gets the knees up, stuns him with a headbutt, then a release German suplex. Jacobs roars and hits the Thunderbomb but Slater still kicks out. Jacobs snarls, drags Slater up, and hits a brutal lariat to the back of the head, then a second Thunderbomb for the win. Jacobs helps Slater to his feet and the two embrace, raising each other’s hands. Jacobs points to Slater and mouths, “You’re the future.” Slater exits to a standing ovation. Jacobs stares at the tournament bracket screen overhead, locking eyes on his next target. Commentary states, “Jacobs has marched through the most punishing path imaginable. Now one more mountain remains… and it’s either Morris or Dempsey. We’re witnessing a new European legacy being built.”

The second slot in the final will be filled by one of those men, Charlie Dempsey or Jack Morris? Dempsey smothers Morris in the opening minutes, wrenching joint manipulation, leg entanglements, and amateur-style riding. Morris escapes and turns it into an explosive sprint, hitting a leaping dropkick and a slingblade neckbreaker. Dempsey goes after the left arm, tying it up in the ropes and hitting a short-arm knee breaker. Morris powers through and rallies with a spinebuster and top-rope elbow drop for a near fall. Dempsey kicks out, scrambles, and twists Morris into a modified Butterfly Stretch, Morris reaches the ropes with his boot just in time! Manchester is firmly behind Dempsey, waving British flags. Morris leans into being cocky but valiant, motioning for Dempsey to “bring it” after surviving a regalplex. Morris goes for the Tiger Fang Driver, but Dempsey floats over and pulls him into a rear naked choke transition. Morris rolls out and lands a running knee but it’s not enough. Morris climbs for a 450 splash, but Dempsey moves, snatches the arm mid-fall, and locks in a Fujinami Arm Trap STF! Morris fights, claws forward but fades and the referee calls the submission. Dempsey rises slowly, refusing the referee’s raised hand. He looks directly into the hard camera and says, “This is what European wrestling was always meant to be. One more match. One more sacrifice.” The on-screen graphic confirms the final will be tomorrow night: Luke Jacobs vs. Charlie Dempsey!

The Main Event

DarkState’s Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars and Osiris Griffin have been decimating recent NXT returnees New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate), with a 6-man tag match set for tonight but who will be Bate and Dunne’s tag partner?

Trent Seven makes his return to WWE and British Strong Style is back to fight DarkState. Trent Seven starts against Shugars, but bey have classic veteran vs the young up and comer exchanges. Shugars shows off slick counters, but Seven clobbers him with a backfist and tags in Bate. Bate and Shugars exchange kip-ups, reversals, and explosive arm drags. Osiris tags in, and the dynamic shifts, he bulldozes through Bate with a Pounce, then flattens Seven on the apron. DarkState isolate Seven, hitting quick tags, corner splashes, and taunting Dunne. Lennox hits a uranage backbreaker and screams, “These are your legends?” Seven finally lands a snap dragon suplex and dives to tag in Dunne, the hot tag explodes the crowd. Dunne breaks fingers, stomps arms, and hits a rebound lariat on Shugars. He tangles Lennox in the ropes and hits a triangle moonsault off the apron. A triple tag brings in Bate, who clears house with Bop & Bang, airplane spin on Shugars, and a top-rope European uppercut on Lennox. Bate hits the Tyler Driver ’97 on Shugars, but Griffin breaks the pin. Dunne takes out Griffin with the Bitter End, but Lennox returns and flattens Dunne with a turnbuckle bomb into knee strike. Lennox tries for his Dark Verdict, but Bate counters with a rolling kick. Everyone brawls in the middle of the ring and the crowd is on their feet. Bate and Shugars are legal, Bate flips out of a cutter, tags Dunne and hits the rebound lariat into Dunne’s Bitter End for the win. British Strong Style soak in the standing ovation. Dunne grabs the mic, “Still here. Still the foundation. Still running this.” Lennox stares them down from the ramp, flanked by Shugars and Griffin, unbowed, but visibly frustrated. A rematch looms…

…Sooner than you think! (February 22nd 2026)

I didn’t mention this but Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars are the NXT Tag Team Champions so it is announced at the convention on Day 2 that they will be opening Night 2 in a title defence against Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate. Trent Seven is found laid out backstage so he will not be present for this match. Dunne and Shugars start. They have technical sequences with wristlock counters, but Shugars mocks Dunne’s finger snaps, so Dunne snaps them for real, and hits a grounded stomp. Bate tags in and uses his explosive strength to overwhelm Shugars, including a deadlift suplex from the apron into the ring. Lennox tags in and changes the tone with brutal body blows, a capture suplex, and a spine-shattering lariat on Bate. DarkState isolates Bate, cutting the ring in half. Shugars shows slick footwork and cheap shots behind the ref’s back. Bate finally escapes with a double backflip kick and tags in Dunne. Dunne lights up both opponents with joint manipulation, step-up enziguris, and a German suplex on Shugars into Lennox. Dunne nearly locks the Bitter End on Lennox, but Shugars saves it with a springboard lungblower. Osiris Griffin storms down the ramp, looming like a shadow. Dunne knocks him off the apron, but the distraction opens the door for Lennox to low-bridge Bate into the steps. Inside the ring, Dunne hits Bitter End on Shugars but Lennox pulls the referee out of the ring to stop the count. The referee goes to call a DQ but Bate pleads with him not to do that. Bate recovers and lifts Shugars for the Tyler Driver ’97, but Griffin yanks his boot from the floor, and Bate crashes. Lennox tags in, hits the Dark Verdict, then hoists Dunne into a pop-up back elbow from Shugars. That’s enough to get the win and for DarkState to retain the titles. Osiris Griffin steps into the ring, towering over the fallen Bate and Dunne. DarkState stands tall, all three men raising their fists over their fallen challengers. Shugars mouths at the camera, “We’re not the future. We’re the now.” Dunne looks gutted as Bate is slumped against the ropes. Seven comes hobbling down to stand with his friends. The crowd chants “Thank you, Strong Style!” as the trio exit.

The Road to Lyon

Leon Slater and Jack Morris (as the men who were unsuccessful in their semi-final matches) will battle with LJ Cleary (who won a fan vote earlier in the convention) in a triple threat match to earn a shot at the winner of the NXT European Championship match tonight at NXT Europe’s first PLE, NXT Europe Ascension coming in May 2026 to Lyon, France. Slater and Morris double-team Cleary early, targeting the man they believe doesn’t belong. Cleary evades, turning it into a speed game with dropkicks for both, then a springboard crossbody to the floor. Morris takes control with a Falcon Arrow on Cleary, and a sit-out spinebuster on Slater for a near fall. Slater returns with pace, hitting a springboard cutter on Morris and a Poisonrana on Cleary. The crowd comes alive as Cleary stuns both men with double jumping knees, then a reverse Spanish Fly on Slater! Morris powerbombs Cleary off the top rope into Slater for a double KO spot. Morris lines up the Tiger Fang Driver on Cleary, but Slater breaks it with a 450 splash! All three collapse in the middle of the ring as “This is awesome!” chants echo. Cleary dodges Slater’s Superkick-450 combo, counters into a roll-up, brainbuster and a running knee. Morris tries to steal it with a roll-up, but Cleary kicks out, then launches Morris into the turnbuckle. Cleary hits The Northside Driver on Morris and gets the upset win. Cleary celebrates with the Manchester crowd going wild.

Meanwhile from the USA

Channing Lorenzo comes down to the ring with his NXT North American Championship, stating he’s the champion of the superior continent and wants to see any man from outside North America step up to him, whether that man be from London or Paris or Tokyo…

Say his name (well his theme song lyrics more so) and he’ll appear… Manchester believes in Joe Hendry (who may not be TNA World Champion by this point or even still signed to TNA). Hendry starts strong with mind games, dodging tie-ups, blowing kisses to the crowd, and posing after hip tosses. Stacks fires back with stiff European uppercuts and a corner enzuigiri, showing he’s serious. Hendry slows the pace with mat power offense, including a stalling suplex, delayed gutwrench slam, and a snap spinebuster for a near fall. Hendry yells “Say my name!” as he slaps Stacks around, but this wakes up the champ. Stacks hits a running knee, spinning back elbow, and a codebreaker from the second rope, firing up the crowd. Hendry nearly steals it with a low blow fake into a pop-up cutter, but Stacks kicks out at 2.8. Stacks hits the Omertà Driver, but Hendry rolls to the ropes. Hendry catches Stacks mid-air with Standing Ovation but a foot on the rope saves the champion. Suddenly, the screen glitches, a second custom Joe Hendry video begins to play during the match, this time saying: “Stacks got stacked, and Manchester’s been Hendried.” Hendry laughs, but it gives Stacks time to recover. Hendry goes for the Standing Ovation again, but Stacks reverses into a sunset bomb into the corner, followed by a second Omertà Driver for the win! Hendry claps on the ramp, smiling slyly, not angry, but amused. He mouths to the camera, “That was the beginning…” A mysterious figure in a suit watches from the crowd as Stacks leaves with his title…

After decimating Je’Von Evans at NXT New Year’s Evil to win the NXT Championship, Hammerstone enters a feud with a returning Oba Femi, who looks to reclaim the title he once held and he wants to do it here in Manchester, England. The two bulls collide with heavy lock-ups, shoulder blocks with no movement, and staredowns. Hammerstone tries to overwhelm Femi early with clubbing forearms and a suplex into the turnbuckles. Oba fires back with a deadlift vertical suplex and a spinning backbreaker, showing off freakish strength. Hammerstone slows the pace with knees to the ribs, a big boot, and a swinging powerslam. He yells, “You’re in my house!” Oba hits a huge corner splash and a fallaway slam, before tossing Hammerstone clean over the top rope in a show of power. On the outside, Oba goes for a running tackle, but Hammerstone counters into a powerslam through the announce desk. Back inside, Hammerstone hits the Nightmare Pendulum but Femi kicks out just in time. Oba powers up, no-selling forearms, and hits a chokeslam, followed by Oba’s Wrath but Hammerstone gets his foot on the bottom rope. Oba climbs the second rope, looking for a super Oba’s Wrath. Hammerstone counters with headbutts, lifts Oba onto his shoulders, and hits a top rope avalanche Nightmare Pendulum for the win. Hammerstone stands tall but doesn’t gloat, he nods at Oba, who’s being helped up, showing a rare flash of respect. Cue the lights dimming… and Je’Von Evans’ music hits. He’s back and he walks onto the stage, pointing at the NXT Title as the crowd erupts.

Rhio gets her shot!

After her victory last night, Rhio gets her chance to step to Jaida Parker and challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship. We open with an intense staredown and huge crowd support for Rhio. Jaida smirks, and shoves her. Rhio fires back with a strong lock-up, winning the early grappling. Rhio hits a series of suplexes and a shoulder tackle, popping the crowd. Jaida takes control by targeting Rhio’s midsection with body kicks, rope-assisted stomps, and a springboard bulldog. She poses arrogantly between spots, yelling “Y’all better cheer your failure!” Rhio starts mounting a comeback with a running lariat, a sit-out spinebuster, and a fisherman’s suplex for a near fall. Rhio goes for a top-rope superplex but Jaida counters with a sunset bomb into the turnbuckles, nearly scoring the win. Rhio lands a pop-up backbreaker and calls for her finisher The Lancashire Lifter. As Rhio lifts Jaida, Jaida rakes the eyes while the ref is slightly out of position, slips out, and hits a roundhouse kick to the jaw followed by the Glamsterdam Slam for the win. Jaida stands tall, taunting the Manchester crowd, “Europe can’t touch me!”But as she exits the ring, Amale appears on the ramp, face-to-face with Jaida, staring her down in silence. The crowd pops hard at the thought of seeing this match.

The Tournament Final!

It’s now time for the main event of the weekend – Charlie Dempsey vs Luke Jacobs to crown the Inaugural NXT European Champion. We open with chain wrestling brilliance, technical lockups, transitions, headlock counters. Dempsey takes early control with catch-style holds, working the arm and shoulder. Luke explodes with a massive pounce and stuns the crowd with a deadlift German suplex. Dempsey targets Jacobs’ left knee with dragon screws, kneebar attempts, and a leg-trap suplex. Jacobs sells the leg but continues landing huge offense, a lariat, corner exploder, and a pop-up powerbomb. Dempsey attempts the Regal Stretch as the crowd pops, but Jacobs rolls through and nearly catches him in a kneebar of his own. Jacobs hits a top-rope powerslam but delays the cover due to the knee damage and only gets a 2.8 count!Dempsey fires back with a spinning European uppercut into a bridging Tiger Suplex for a 2.9! The crowd are on their feet with duelling chants flying around. Dempsey looks for a Regal-Plex, but Jacobs elbows free and hits a short-arm lariat. Dempsey stumbles up into a Cradle Piledriver from Jacobs for the victory! William Regal presents Jacobs with the inaugural NXT European Championship. Dempsey, frustrated but proud, nods and shakes Jacobs’ hand. Jacobs celebrates with the belt held high as the Manchester crowd sings his name.

Full Results:

Night 1:

• First Round match: Luke Jacobs def. Adam Maxted to advance in the NXT European Championship Tournament
• First Round match: Jack Morris def. Zozaya to advance in the NXT European Championship Tournament
• First Round match: Leon Slater def. Man Like DeReiss to advance in the NXT European Championship Tournament
• First Round match: Charlie Dempsey def. Goldenboy Santos to advance in the NXT European Championship Tournament
• Rhio def. Stephanie Maze to earn an NXT Women’s Championship match on Night 2
• Semi-Final match: Luke Jacobs def. Leon Slater to advance in the NXT European Championship Tournament
• Semi-Final match: Charlie Dempsey def. Jack Morris to advance in the NXT European Championship Tournament
• British Strong Style (Pete Dunne, Trent Seven and Tyler Bate) def. DarkState (Dion Lennox, Osiris Griffin and Saquon Shugars)

Night 2:

• DarkState (Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars) (c) def. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship
• LJ Cleary def. Jack Morris and Leon Slater to earn an NXT European Championship match at NXT Europe Ascension
• Channing Lorenzo (c) def. Joe Hendry to retain the NXT North American Championship
• Alexander Hammerstone (c) def. Oba Femi to retain the NXT Championship
• Jaida Parker (c) def. Rhio to retain the NXT Women’s Championship
• Tournament Final: Luke Jacobs def. Charlie Dempsey to win the Inaugural NXT European Championship

What’s Next for NXT Europe?

May 2026 – NXT Europe Ascension in Lyon, France

August 2026 – NXT Europe Revolution in Madrid, Spain

November 2026 – NXT Europe Unity in Berlin, Germany

February 2027 – NXT Europe Kingdom in Manchester, England

Special shout out to my good friend James Woods for helping me select some of the top names on the British independent scene! He’s attended a number of OTT and RevPro shows with me in the past so I appreciate the help!