As the WWE gears up for it’s second WWE UK Championship Tournament, tentatively called King of the Ring UK, the WWE road crew was in London, England the past two days taping their episodes for last night’s Monday Night Raw and tonight’s Smackdown Live and 205 Live. WWE used various UK wrestling stars for a variety of roles in the three programs, from side characters to performing in the ring. Here’s a quick rundown of the UK talent that were used, many of whom are potential entrants in the UK Championship Tournament or possibly the much rumored UK brand television show. Please note, this article contains spoilers on who will appear on tonight’s episodes of Smackdown Live and 205 Live but match details or outcomes will not be revealed.
MONDAY NIGHT RAW
No Way Jose‘s conga line, much like Adam Rose‘s Rosebuds, has primarily been portrayed by a rotating cast of local indie wrestlers, and last night in London, England was no exception. Except they featured some pretty prominent UK indie stars and a few champions.
Charlie Morgan
The current Pro Wrestling: EVE Champion got her start with WAW, trained by Saraya Knight and coming up in the business with Smackdown Live GM Paige. Originally known as Penelope, she changed to Charlie Morgan and has become a commanding presence in the UK indie scene, working for PROGRESS, RevPro, SWE and others.
Dean Allmark
Preston City Wrestling (PCW) Cruiserweight Champion Dean Allmark was also spotted by UK fans as a part of the conga line. A 16-year veteran of the UK indie scene, he was a regular for All Star Wrestling (ASW) out of Liverpool, where he’s a 2x ASW British Heavyweight Champion and 3x ASW Mid-Heavyweight Champion.
Nina Samuels
A four year veteran of the UK scene, Nina Samuels is another Pro Wrestling: EVE regular, who has also worked for PROGRESS, RevPro, OTT, PCW and many other UK indies.
Jack Sexsmith
The UK’s “Sexually Frivolous, Morally Ambiguous Pansexual Pro Wrestler”, the flamboyant Jack Sexsmith has been a PROGRESS staple since his debut in 2015. This past year, he’s stepped up with more regular appearances with IPW:UK, as well as making his Defiant Wrestling debut.
Rhio
#Bow down to me 😈💅🏽 pic.twitter.com/JK5TEpLURE
— Rhio リオ (@rhio_wrestler) August 21, 2017
Only 21-years old and only three years into her career and the young upstart is already a 2x (and current reigning) PCW Women’s Champion.
SMACKDOWN LIVE
Andrade “Cien” Almas’ Debut Opponent: Jake Constantinou
As advertised, former NXT Champion Andrade “Cien” Almas made his Smackdown Live in-ring debut tonight in London, England and his opponent was a British MMA fighter. While many reports listed his name as Ric (or Rico) Constantino, it’s actually Jake Constantinou (Rico Constantino is the real name of former WWE Superstar Rico, best known as the mutton chopped valet for Billy & Chuck). The 27-year old from Leicester, England is 2-0 in his short MMA career and a big wrestling fan.
https://twitter.com/BigBadTinou/status/981899368566439936
Backstage: Kay Lee Ray
While she didn’t appear on camera, Scottish superstar Kay Lee Ray was backstage visiting friends (and supporting a few of the UK stars who appeared), as reported by Squared Circle Sirens. Kay Lee Ray has worked for the WWE numerous times in the past, as enhancement on NXT and as an entrant in last summer’s inaugural Mae Young Classic.
205 LIVE
Tyler Bate
Ok, so this is kind of a cheat. After all, Tyler Bate has practically become a recurring cast member on NXT television and is the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion.
Kenny Williams
A 3x ICW Zero-G Champion, Glasgow’s Kenny Williams is one of the UK’s best Cruiserweight talents. He’s been one of ICW’s regular stars since he debuted in 2014 and according to those in attendance, the commentary team referred to him as one of the “newest members of the WWE UK Division”, so it would appear that Williams has signed a WWE UK deal. Whether it’s for the impending show or a slot in this year’s UK Championship Tournament is unknown, but the latter is probable.
Flash Morgan Webster
An 8-year veteran of the UK scene, Wales’ Flash Morgan Webster, “The Modfather”, also made his WWE televised debut for 205 Live tonight. A regular with Wales’ ATTACK! Pro Wrestling, he’s also a standout with PROGRESS as well SWE, RevPro and most of the top UK promotions. Some may also recognize him from appearances with PWG at Battle of Los Angeles 2017, or his appearances at PWG All-Star Weekends 13 and 14. Like Kenny Williams, his name was also apparently mentioned as one of the new UK Division members by commentary.
https://twitter.com/BulletClubItal/status/996481346120962049
James Drake
One half of the Grizzled Young Veterans, Drake has been part of the WWE UK Division since the division was launched at last year’s WWE UK Championship Tournament. He’s also wrestled for the WWE once on this tour, facing another UK star, Mark Andrews, at a WWE Live Event this past weekend in Bournemouth, England. He has appeared on 205 Live once before, last November, when WWE filmed in Manchester.
Joseph Conners
Another UK division original, Conners makes his second 205 Live appearance tonight at the London tapings.
UK SIGNINGS UPDATE
To add to yesterday’s report on potential UK talent signing to UK deals (like what Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, Trent Seven, etc. are signed to), Squared Circle Sirens and Developmental Central founder Casey Michael reported today that not only is Joe Coffey confirmed for the UK Division, but that PROGRESS World Champion Travis Banks has also inked a deal with the WWE.
https://twitter.com/ifyouseekcasey/status/996520299171598336
