From the WWE Rumor Mill: Two top UK indy wrestlers reportedly sign for WWE
What's the story?
According to Dave Meltzer and the most recent addition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the WWE have signed top UK-based talent Zack Gibson and Joe Coffey into UK deals.
In case you didn't know...
Zack Gibson is from Liverpool, England and is one of the more prominent wrestlers in the country, appearing as the top guy for 5 Star Wrestling and he's a top guy in Stu Bennett's (Wade Barrett) Defiant Wrestling.
Joe Coffey is a top talent most notably from ICW where he's been their top champion twice. Coffey is also the first Scottish wrestler to perform in the legendary Korakuen Hall for Pro Wrestling Zero1
The heart of the matter
Zack Gibson is a fantastic heel, which made it no surprise that he was used as the top guy for British based 5 Star Wrestling. However, they announced on 8th March, 2018 that he was leaving the company for a 'new venture in Sports Entertainment'.
Whilst many assumed this was WWE, Dave Meltzer confirmed this in the recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter and that Gibson was signed for the UK project, which we provide an update on here, not NXT. Meltzer went on to add that signing Gibson was a calculated business move as well as the acquisition of a top talent.
Gibson was the top U.K. guy on the 5 Star show, which made him valuable because WWE doesn't want any TV promotion getting off the ground and wants to dominate the indie scene with its relationships with ICW and Progress. Gibson was told what promotions he can still work for and which ones he can't, with 5 Star being the key one that he can't.
Related: WWE renew contracts for top UK stars including Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate
As for Joe Coffey signing with the WWE, Meltzer suggests that it has happened, but currently Coffey himself is denying it.
In the U.K. dressing rooms the word has been passed around that Joe Coffey has signed a U.K. deal, but Coffey himself has personally denied it. The problem is the immediate counter is that he has to say that until WWE announces it, but as a story, this has already spread in different places.
What's next?
Gibson and Coffey have yet to announce their WWE signings, and WWE have yet to make any such announcements either, so we'll have to wait and see.
Author's take
Whilst the additions of Gibson and Coffey are fantastic, if true, I won't be truly happy with the WWE's expansion into the UK scene until they snap up Session Moth Martina, one of the UK's most entertaining female stars!