– While Chris Jericho signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) might not have been the biggest surprise, he was certainly a statement that the wrestling business is about to change. For anyone who missed it, the AEW rally ended with Jericho appearing and becoming the biggest name to sign with the new promotion. 

During the Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted how Jericho inked a deal for three years. Jericho would call it the best contract he as ever signed, which is saying something considering how he is one of the biggest stars who has competed for the top promotions around the world.

WWE were speaking with Jericho a few weeks about returning to the company. Those plans are scrapped and Jericho has already been removed from the opening promo of WWE. While Jericho will not be working with WWE, he is allowed to wrestle on his cruise and continue working with New Japan Pro Wrestling.

– A major tournament is set for WWE titled Worlds Collide. WWE announced that talent from 205 Live, NXT and NXT UK will take part with the winner getting a future title shot.

Below is the official announcement. 

NXT, 205 Live and NXT UK Superstars to battle in the first-ever WWE Worlds Collide Tournament at Royal Rumble Axxess

The Superstars of NXT, NXT UK and 205 Live are set to battle in the first-ever WWE Worlds Collide Tournament, one of the most unique tournaments in sports-entertainment history, and it all goes down at Royal Rumble Axxess in Phoenix.

Brand-versus-brand dream matches will become a reality as 15 Superstars in total — five from NXT, five from NXT UK and five from 205 Live — will compete over the course of two days, with the tournament winner receiving a future NXT, NXT UK or 205 Live Championship Match of their choosing. That means anyone can become a champion on any brand!

The WWE Worlds Collide Tournament, which will be taped for a WWE Network special, kicks off with a 15-Superstar Battle Royal on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the 8 a.m. session of Axxess. The order of elimination in the Battle Royal will then determine the First-Round Matches for a 15-Superstar, single-elimination tournament beginning later that session. The Battle Royal winner will receive a first-round bye.

The tournament will continue at Saturday’s second session of Axxess, taking place from 1-5 p.m., before concluding at the final Axxess session on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Featuring a veritable who’s who from all three brands, the tournament will include the following Superstars:

From NXT

Adam Cole
Velveteen Dream
Dominik Dijakovic
Keith Lee
Otis Dozovic

From NXT UK

Mark Andrews
Tyler Bate
Travis Banks
Jordan Devlin
Zack Gibson

From 205 Live

Cedric Alexander
Humberto Carrillo
Tony Nese
Drew Gulak
TJP

Given the format of the tournament, there’s no telling who will fight whom when the brands collide. Which Superstar will rise to the occasion, beat out the best of his brand (and others), and claim a future title opportunity — and what championship will he choose to go after?

Royal Rumble Axxess, which takes over the Phoenix Convention Center Friday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Jan. 27, will also feature NXT UK tapings on Friday and Sunday, as well as Superstar meet-and-greets, the WWE Superstore, photo opportunities, other live matches and much more throughout the entire weekend. Tickets are available now at Phoenix.Ticketforce.com.

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