WWE has officially touched down in the UK, and while the main roster preps for Raw at The O2, the Performance Center across the pond is absolutely buzzing with suplexes, sweat, and stress dreams about promo class.
That’s right—WWE’s European tryouts have begun, and the roster of hopefuls reads like a mashup of PROGRESS, Love Island, and your cousin’s weekend rugby league. According to Fightful Select, Day One was stacked with notable names, indie favorites, and at least one human gladiator.
🔍 Who’s in the Tryout Gauntlet?
Among the attendees:
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Goldenboy Santos – Not to be confused with your favorite football announcer.
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Zozaya – Possibly part luchador, definitely part mystery.
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Man Like DeReiss – Kamikaze Pro Champion and standout performer who once faced Pretty Deadly back in NXT UK’s heyday.
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Bionic – Star of Gladiators, so yes, he’s already accustomed to fake fighting with real consequences.
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Nathan Angel, Rayne Leverkusen, Danny Jones – All indie warriors trying to trade their merch tables for catering at Gorilla.
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Adam Maxted – Former Love Island contestant turned abs-wielding powerhouse.
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Luke Jacobs – Current PROGRESS World Champion
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Rhio – Former PROGRESS Women’s Champion, looking to upgrade her résumé to include “WrestleMania Battle Royal eliminator.”
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Yago Rivera – A European Football League player, because WWE’s got a type: athletes who look good shirtless and can learn to fall.
🧠 What Went Down?
The first day included promo class, training drills, and practice matches, where hopefuls showed WWE’s talent scouts they could talk, tumble, and take a bump without crying on camera.
Notably, Man Like DeReiss reportedly impressed officials, making a strong case for why the man is more than just an entrance with rhythm. He’s already got WWE reps whispering like they’re at Gorilla during a false finish.
📍 What’s Next?
Tryouts continue today, and then the WWE caravan heads to London’s O2 Arena for Monday Night Raw—featuring IYO SKY vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Title, and Jimmy Uso vs. GUNTHER, aka a match that may turn into a Vienna Sausage vs. Brick Wall situation.
This round of UK tryouts could fuel the next batch of NXT recruits—or even future NXT Europe, if that dream ever crawls out of developmental limbo.