Why NXT UK’s Women’s Division Is More Successful Than The Men’s

A massively underrated part of WWE’s current product is the burgeoning NXT UK women’s division. Since its inception in 2018, NXT UK has managed to put together a star-studded roster, mixing it up with relative newcomers and fresh faces that have made for one of the most exciting female wrestling scenes on the planet. Despite only existing for three years, NXT UK’s women’s division has managed to produce WrestleMania headliners and SmackDown show-stealers, something that the US’ NXT hasn’t quite been able to nail on a consistent basis.

When you look at the litany of NXT UK stars that have either gone on to be successful in NXT US and then the main roster, it’s a pretty impressive line-up that includes: Toni Storm, Kay Lee Ray and ‘The Nightmare’ Rhea Ripley, the lattermost being one of RAW’s top billed wrestlers in 2021.

Even though the number of successful call-ups are meagre in comparison to the amount of female talents brought up from the US sister-show, when thinking of the potential and hype that surrounds each of those names, it’s pretty clear which show has built a better roster with enough of an aura around them to make them seem like a major star.

With former champion Kay Lee Ray now supposedly wrestling at the WWE PC in Orlando, there’s a lot of speculation regarding her ‘call-up’ to either the main roster or onto US NXT. The American counterpart is very much in need of a bit of a boost in their women’s division, and Kay Lee Ray could very well provide them with that jolt. In the past, KLR has been given huge receptions by the US fans, despite predominantly performing in the UK. It shows that being crowned the NXT UK Women’s Champion holds significant weight across the pond, in the same vein as the NXT UK Championship and the elevated status it’s given to Tyler Bate, Pete Dunne and WALTER in the past.

It creates a buzz, something which few other debutants are warranted these days, and suggests that this particular wrestler has something about them that could make them a major threat to whichever star happens to be sitting atop the mountain. Just look at what happened when Rhea Ripley entered into the NXT women’s division. Immediately, she was positioned as a top contender to Shayna Baszler’s NXT Women’s Championship and started a season-long rivalry that included the first-ever women’s WarGames match and a triumphant title victory on the final episode of the 2019.

‘The Nightmare’ then went onto defend her NXT Women’s title against former NXT alumni, Charlotte Flair, at WrestleMania and has since debuted as a full-time member of the main roster, recently defeating Asuka at WrestleMania 37 to win the RAW Women’s Championship. It goes without saying that Rhea Ripley has experienced one of the most successful call-ups of any female wrestler, on par with the aforementioned ‘Queen’.

So whatever it is NXT UK are doing with their women’s division, they’re obviously doing something right. With Toni Storm now becoming one of the most talked about newcomers on the SmackDown Live roster, and Kay Lee Ray potentially moving to US NXT, there’s a lot of potential for former NXT UK Women’s Champions to lead the charge for women’s wrestling as a whole.

And that isn’t even considering the wealth of talent available currently on the NXT UK roster. With Joshi Legend Meiko Satomura currently heading the division as champion and the equally talented yet controversial Blair Davenport now staking her claim at championship fame, there’s plenty to be excited about coming through the NXT UK system. Who knows if and when those two superstars — as well as the rest of the young, up-and-coming talent —will break out into the wider WWE scene and fulfil their own potential.

All there’s left to say is: if you’re not already watching, then keep your eyes on the NXT UK women’s division.

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