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This is certainly a late breaking, game changing type announcement from WWE. WrestleMania Axxess just became a more interesting destination for fans of independent and international wrestling, and those intrigued about what might be coming down the pipe for NXT’s title pictures, with four invitational title tournaments which will pay off in championship matches on Sunday before ‘Mania itself.
From the article on WWE.com, “multiple tournaments will be held, each with major championship implications”. The four tourneys are a WWE United Kingdom Championship Invitational, a NXT North American Invitational - which will give the men who pulls that belt down from above the ring on Saturday night his first defense on Sunday, a NXT Tag Team Invitational and a NXT Women’s Invitational.
These will take place over the four days of Axxess, Thurs., April 5 - 8. The announcement says there will be four title matches on the 8th, but the schedule doesn’t list a NXT Women’s title match. Which could be because that day will also have featured title matches Progress and WWN.
Here’s the current Axxess schedule:
Thursday at 6 p.m.
WWE U.K. Championship Invitational First Round
- Lio Rush vs. Buddy Murphy
- Dan Matha vs. Drew Gulak
NXT North American Invitational First Round
- Fabian Aichner vs. Jason Kincaid
- Akira Tozawa vs. Kona Reeves
NXT Tag Team Invitational First Round
- Moustache Mountain vs. Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss
- Street Profits vs. Cezar Bononi & Adrian Jaoude
NXT Women’s Invitational First Round
- Nikki Cross vs. Aliyah
- Kairi Sane vs. Bianca Belair
WWN Championship Match: Keith Lee vs. Kassius Ohno
Plus action featuring 205 Live Superstars TJP, Kalisto, Gentleman Jack Gallagher and Buddy Murphy, Superstars from the Mae Young Classic, and much more!
Friday, 5 p.m.
WWE U.K. Championship Invitational First Round
- Lince Dorado vs. Raul Mendoza
- Mark Andrews vs. Zack Gibson
NXT North American Invitational First Round
- Chris Dijak vs. Ariya Daivari
- Hideo Itami vs. Wolfgang
NXT Tag Team Invitational First Round
- SAnitY vs. Forgotten Sons
- TM61 vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch
NXT Women’s Invitational First Round
- Dakota Kai vs. Lacey Evans
- Candice LeRae vs. Peyton Royce
Plus matches featuring Superstars from NXT, the Mae Young Classic, PROGRESS and much more!
Saturday, 8 a.m.
Day 3, Session 1 will include semifinal matches from the WWE U.K. Championship Invitational, the NXT North American Invitational, the NXT Tag Team Invitational and the NXT Women’s invitational.
In addition, the session will include matches featuring Superstars from NXT, the WWE U.K. Championship Tournament, the Mae Young Classic and much more!
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Day 3, Session 2 will include the NXT North American Invitation Finals, the United Kingdom Championship Invitational Semifinals, an EVOLVE Tag Team Championship Match, as well as matches featuring Superstars from 205 Live, NXT, the Mae Young Classic and much more!
Saturday, 6 p.m.
Day 3, Session 3 will include the U.K. Championship Invitational Finals, the NXT Tag Team Invitational Finals and the NXT Women’s Invitational Finals, as well as NXT’s Kassius Ohno vs. PROGRESS’ Walter.
In addition, the session will include matches featuring 205 Live’s TJP, Kalisto and Gran Metalik, Superstars from NXT and the Mae Young Classic, and much more!
Sunday, 8 a.m.
Day 4 will include the following championship matches:
WWE U.K. Champion Pete Dunne vs. U.K. Championship Invitational winner
NXT North American Champion vs. NXT North American Invitational winner (First-ever title defense!)
NXT Tag Team Champions vs. NXT Tag Team Invitational winners
In addition, the session will feature a WWN Championship Match, a PROGRESS Women’s Championship Match, a PROGRESS Championship Match, a PROGRESS Tag Team Championship match and much more!
It’s a lot to process, and certainly seems like a way to convince fans to stick with WWE and away from WrestleCon and other independent shows/third-party events in the area.
Thoughts?