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WWE has pulled contracted stars from an up-coming independent show in U.K.
NXT UK stars Joseph Connors, El Ligero, and NXT UK Women’s Champion Kay Lee Ray were pulled from Southside Wrestling’s final event on 10/26.
Southside Wrestling Entertainment didn’t provide reasoning behind WWE’s decision, but did issue a statement.
WWE PULL TALENT FROM 9AS
It is with much sadness to announce that WWE have pulled all announced and unannounced talent from our final show.
We asked permission in advance and accepted all conditions . We have spent a small fortune on posters / flyers / banners for the show which are now unusable.
El Ligero and Joseph Conners are possibly the two biggest stars in our 9 year history and Kay Lee Ray built the womens division on her back. With out any of the 3 of them Southside would never have gotton so big with all 3 regulary giving world class matches to the fans.
It also means Brady Philips misses out on a personnal dream match with Dragonov and that former tag champion Xia Brookside and Southside regular Saxon Huxley will also not be able to compete.
Although this is business we have personally taken this badly. 9as was our goodbye and we wanted to say it with the stars who made us what we are , our previous champions and most importantly our close friends.
Sorry guys , we hate this
Let me see if I can help… https://t.co/p71ALnHdcY
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) September 26, 2019
Following the announcement, All Elite Wrestling stepped in and offered to send talent to the event. Shawn Spears, MJF, Cody Rhodes, and Brandi will be appearing in lieu of the WWE stars being pulled from the show.
THANK YOU @AEWrestling@Perfec10n and @The_MJF will be at 9AS , more news coming soon. pic.twitter.com/fXZ6pry7sY
— Ben (@SouthsideWE) September 27, 2019
One more thing @SouthsideWE
…
Brandi & I will be there as well! 🇬🇧🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/zcrCQSRkim
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) September 27, 2019
Thanks to Wrestlezone for the quotes.