Latest news with #NXTUK
Metro
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
WWE champion Lyra Valkyria reveals star's horror injury was 'worst she's ever seen'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video WWE superstar Lyra Valkyria has hinted at the devastating extent of a recent injury. On Raw last week, Zoey Stark landed awkwardly and screamed in agony before being carried backstage, and it's not just fans who are concerned. Lyra, 28, exclusively told Metro that the painful moment was 'one of the worst injuries' she's ever witnessed. 'Everyone saw that. That was very, very shocking. I think that was one of the worst injuries, live, I've ever seen. And so my heart did break for her – and I've done my ACL. I know how tough it is,' she said. The current, and inaugural, Women's Intercontinental Champion – who is targeting a hometown moment in Dublin during WWE's Road To Clash In Paris Tour this summer – admitted the rest of the roster are waiting on an update. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. 'I don't know the extent of her injury. We haven't heard what the actual diagnosis of it is,' she added. 'Just going based off what it looks like, I really hope that she's okay mentally and physically coming through this.' Dublin-born Lyra has been through her own setbacks, tearing her ACL in 2021 on NXT UK against wrestling legend Meiko Satamura. 'I hope [Zoey] knows that the whole locker room is supporting her and hoping that she comes through this and somehow comes back,' she said. 'I can tell you from doing it once, my knee, that it's one of the hardest things that you'll ever go through mentally. Like, it's not even a physical thing.' For a wrestler, it's 'horrible' when you 'can't do the thing that you love'. She added: 'You're looking at everyone, you're dying to get back in there. When you feel like you can't do the thing that you were born to do, it's really horrible. But it also puts such a fire under you to come back better.' Lyra did just that, and made history as the first ever Women's IC Champ, before her short-lived WrestleMania dream team with Becky Lynch descended into an increasingly personal rivalry between the two Irish stars. They'll face off again at Money In The Bank on June 7, after a thrilling and physical battle at Backlash. 'That's probably the sorest I've been after any match,' Lyra laughed, reflecting on a bout that ended in victory, and a bloody nose. The clash was arguably match of the night on a stacked card, headlined by a 'last time ever' match between John Cena and Randy Orton. 'I'm getting extremely used to that feeling now of just knowing it's fight or flight, biggest show, biggest opportunity. I either have this or I don't, but I gotta just go,' she said excitedly. 'Randy Orton and John Cena [was a] full circle moment, considering they were two of the most highlighted people when I was growing up, two of the best to ever do this. 'But I was just looking at that card thinking, 'I have to hold my ground here and prove that I'm worthy of being on this. And then to have so many people saying 'match of the night', and to be commending it, I'm very proud of that one.' Lyra had no qualms about how real things got with Becky as they both went all-out in the ring, and she knows no other way. 'I'll sleep well at night if I know I've left everything I have in the ring,' she said. 'There's a certain level of confidence with that. When you know you're doing absolutely everything you can, it's almost like a peace of mind.' More Trending She's focused on building the Intercontinental Title's legacy, and August's SmackDown in Dublin, where she grew up watching house shows. 'Now, to be broadcasting live on Netflix, the 3Arena, it's going to be huge,' she beamed. 'I know exactly what it's like to be on the other side of the barrier. I hope I get to be a part of it.' View More » WWE returns to the UK & Ireland this August for the Road to Clash in Paris Tour, featuring SmackDown in Dublin on August 22 and Raw in Birmingham on August 25. Tickets are now available here: Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Lindsay Lohan quits Netflix rom-coms for good after 'manifesting' her next role MORE: The new Harry Potter child stars have confirmed my worst fears MORE: Grammy-winning 70s rock guitarist Rick Derringer dies aged 77
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE NXT show changes location while NXT Europe moves forward
NXT (Image via WWE) WWE is making some serious moves that could change the future of NXT . Fans were expecting a big NXT show in Tampa after Battleground, but WWE has changed that plan. At the same time, there is exciting news about the long-awaited NXT Europe . WWE seems to be working on big things, both in the U.S. and in Europe. The next episode of NXT was first planned to happen at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida. But WWE has now canceled that event. They didn't say why, but only around 1,700 tickets were given out, and the venue holds almost 10,000 people. Instead, the show will now take place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. This is the usual location for many NXT shows. WWE plans to start NXT Europe soon The bigger news is about NXT Europe. WWE had spoken about starting it back in 2022 after NXT UK ended. But nothing happened for a long time. Now, reports from PWInsider Elite say WWE is finally working hard on it and wants to launch NXT Europe by the end of 2025. WWE has been spending time and money to find new wrestlers across Europe. This shows that they are serious about starting the new brand. Triple H and Shawn Michaels are said to be in charge of this plan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo It's not clear yet where NXT Europe will be based, it could be Germany, France, Spain, or another country. Starting NXT Europe will give young wrestlers from Europe a chance to perform in their own countries. WWE has done this before with NXT UK, and it worked well. Stars like Rhea Ripley , Gunther , Tyler Bate , and Toni Storm started there and are now big names. Triple H said earlier that he still believes in the idea of NXT Europe and thinks it has a bright future. The pandemic may have delayed things, but now the plan is moving forward again. WWE already does many live shows in the UK and other parts of Europe, so this new brand could be a great success. Florida NXT show back at the Performance Center Back in the U.S., WWE is now focusing on the NXT episode after Battleground. It was supposed to be in Tampa, along with other shows like RAW and Battleground. But the NXT event didn't sell as many tickets, so WWE canceled it. During this week's NXT show, commentator Vic Joseph announced that the new episode will be filmed at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. When NXT is not traveling, this is where most of their shows are taped. This change might help WWE focus better on its next steps. The Performance Center is where many top WWE stars are trained. Now, as WWE prepares for a big future with NXT Europe, the company is making smart moves on both sides of the world. Also Read: "Keep it at home"- John Cena addresses future WWE Hall of Fame induction plans Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
WWE reportedly set to launch NXT Europe by late 2025
Image via WWE WWE is gearing up to expand its global footprint with the much-anticipated launch of NXT Europe , expected to go live by the end of 2025. The brand will serve as a major step in the company's international development strategy, coming years after the conclusion of the NXT UK era. NXT Europe: A new chapter for WWE The new brand will mark WWE's return to the European wrestling scene following the hiatus of NXT UK, which officially went off-air in 2022. That brand produced several future stars, including Rhea Ripley and Toni Storm, who now feature prominently in WWE and AEW respectively. According to PWInsider, internal conversations have resumed with serious intent to launch the new brand. WWE has been actively recruiting European talent over the past several months, with reports suggesting names like Mike D Vecchio and Aigle Blanc have already been signed. — WrestleOps (@WrestleOps) The relaunch was originally planned for 2023 but was delayed due to the Endeavor acquisition and shifting priorities within the company. Now, WWE seems ready to move forward with an eye toward long-term international growth. A boost for talent and creative expansion The return of a Europe-based brand is expected to open new doors for wrestlers outside the United States. WWE has conducted international tryouts, including during its Road to WrestleMania tour in March, and plans to further invest in talent development across Europe. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Fans and insiders are excited about the fresh creative direction this could bring. Some are already envisioning cross-brand rivalries between NXT Europe and the U.S.-based NXT, reminiscent of the brand warfare between Raw and SmackDown. Others speculate the new roster could appear in events like the Royal Rumble 2026 or WrestleMania, helping to seamlessly integrate the brand into the wider WWE universe. This isn't just a European experiment. WWE's leadership has long hinted at expanding further into Japan, Australia, and other markets. Triple H, who now leads creative efforts across WWE, has previously discussed a vision involving multiple global performance centers feeding into the company's main roster. While the official launch date and broadcast platform for NXT Europe remain undisclosed, expectations are that more information will surface in the coming months. The success of this brand could be a critical test of WWE's global model in the Endeavor era. As WWE looks to shape the future of wrestling on a global scale, NXT Europe might be just the beginning. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Legendary wrestler Meiko Satomura retires after iconic final match in Tokyo
Image via WWE Meiko Satomura , one of the most cherished names in women's wrestling, has officially retired from in-ring competition, drawing the curtain on a career that spanned over three decades. The 45-year-old Japanese legend ended her wrestling journey at Tokyo's iconic Korakuen Hall, bringing an emotional close to a path paved with accolades, global recognition, and immense respect from her peers. Satomura teamed up with Minami to defeat Aja Kong and Chihiro Hashimoto in a special tag team match at a Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling event. Before the bell rang, Satomura was presented with a bouquet by wrestling great Kenta Kobashi — a gesture that underscored her stature in the sport. Post-match, in a heartwarming twist, longtime rival Aja Kong proposed teaming up with Satomura. The two then joined forces for a five-minute exhibition match against a team featuring Mika Iwata, Takumi Iroha, and others, symbolizing mutual respect and the passing of the torch. The wrestling world Reflects on Satomura's impact While her legacy was built in Japan, Satomura left a permanent impression in WWE as well. A former NXT UK Women's Champion, she was widely praised for her in-ring skills and mentorship to younger talent. Her WWE farewell came in July last year when she faced Bayley in a non-televised match during WWE's tour of Japan. Tributes poured in from top wrestling stars, highlighting the admiration Satomura commands. WWE Superstar Asuka shared a heartfelt message, saying, 'I'm really sad that you're retiring… but relieved to know you will continue training and managing.' Asuka emphasized Satomura's importance in shaping the future of wrestling. IYO SKY also reflected on her journey with Satomura, calling her 'the person who got me to WWE.' She recalled using Satomura's strength as a benchmark whenever she hit career roadblocks, saying, 'What would Meiko Satomura do?' was the question that always led her forward. Shinsuke Nakamura, KAIRI, and others sent in video messages, while Sadie Gibbs shared memories of working alongside Satomura, calling her career 'incredible' and 'legendary.' Although Satomura has retired from competing, she isn't stepping away from wrestling entirely. She is expected to focus on training the next generation of talent, continuing her role as a guiding force for women's wrestling worldwide. With grace, grit, and decades of excellence, Meiko Satomura leaves behind not just a celebrated career - but a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Express Tribune
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Gunther signed new WWE deal in 2024, talks WrestleMania 41 match against Jey Uso
As he prepares for WrestleMania 41, World Heavyweight Champion Gunther is on the verge of breaking records. Heading into the biggest event of the year with 249 days as champ, Gunther also confirmed his commitment to WWE, having signed a new contract at the end of 2024. Gunther's reign as World Heavyweight Champion has been a dominant force in WWE, and as he heads into WrestleMania 41, he's poised to break even more records. With 249 days under his belt as champion, Gunther is just 67 days away from surpassing Seth Rollins' record for the longest World Heavyweight Championship reign, which currently stands at 316 days. Win, lose, or draw at the event, Gunther's future with WWE is secure, having signed a new contract at the end of 2024. "I'm set where I am," Gunther told Ariel Helwani in a recent interview. Reflecting on his journey since signing with WWE in 2019, he shared his appreciation for the trust the company has shown him. "Since I signed in 2019, I've been champion like 85-90% of the time. So obviously they always saw me a certain way and gave me that trust, and I enjoyed it." Gunther's dominance in WWE began with his record-breaking reign as NXT UK Champion, which was followed by another milestone: the longest reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion, a title that had stood for over 30 years. In 2023, he added the World Heavyweight Championship to his impressive list of accomplishments after defeating Damian Priest at SummerSlam, with an assist from Finn Balor. Looking ahead to WrestleMania 41, Gunther's path to even more history is clear. Should he defeat 2025 Men's Royal Rumble Winner Jey Uso at the event, he will not only defend his World Heavyweight Championship but will also solidify himself as one of WWE's most dominant champions, holding the record for the longest reign in all three titles he's won. Gunther's dedication to his craft and satisfaction with WWE's faith in him reflects his commitment to both the company and the sport. As his title reign continues, fans eagerly await his next milestone, which could very well come at the biggest stage of them all: WrestleMania.
