Blair Davenport set for WWE NXT UK debut after release of teaser video
Blair Davenport is set to step foot in NXT UK after a video was released hinting at her impending debut on the developmental brand.
The NXT UK roster continues to develop after recent arrivals of Mila Smidt and Laura di Matteo. The company filed for a trademark of the name in May, but did not link it to any Superstar. It is now known that Davenport is the new name of Bea Priestley, who previously was one of the best wrestlers on Stardom and a rising star onAEW.
Priestley was recently released by AEW after unable to fulfill obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The caption for the video sent out by NXT UK also called the brand as sports entertainment’s fastest-growing brand.
Kay Lee Ray, the longest reigning NXT UK Champion is possible to move up to either RAW, SmackDown or NXT after an impressive spell. Priestley will be looking to fill the void left by her predecessor.
Davenport (fka Priestley) is an English-New Zealand professional wrestler, who has appeared in numerous promotions during her time. She began wrestling at a young age and began with Progress Wrestling in 2016. Davenport spent three years with the promotion where she feuded with Toni Storm and Millie McKenzie.
She simultaneously appeared in What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW) in 2016, where she won the WCPW Women’s Championship and the Defiant Women’s Championship. This was the start of her budding career, as she faced some of the names who have made it big in the wrestling industry including Viper and Kay Lee Ray.
Her spot in the spotlight came when she joined World Wonder Ring Stardom. Her establishment as one of the promising talent was completed, after she won the World of Stardom Championship beating Kagetsu.
Davenport joined AEW in 2019 and was part of an impressive roster, but was released due to the inability to fly from Japan. The COVID-19 restrictions came at the wrong time in her ever-growing career.
Davenport has been in a relationship with fellow wrestler and two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay since 2017. They have also wrestled together in the past against Ricochet and Tessa Blanchard.
Ospreay also shocked the world after his New Japan Cup victory this year, delivering the Oscutter to his girlfriend Priestley. He later revealed on the Two Man Power Trip podcast saying: (h/t Fightful)
“I understand the triggering that can have with a lot of people, but people need to realize that me and Bea are still together. Everyone realizes this, right? She’s just gone home. She realized she was done and going home.”
Ospreay vacated the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after suffering a neck injury, but will be excited to see his girlfriend Priestley debut in WWE as Blair Davenport.
Davenport also revealed that she had undergone a brain tumour surgery in 2014. Her recover was hard as she could not participate in any physical activity for upto six months. The painful journey was worth the wait as she fought back to make a dream entry into WWE.
Davenport’s entry is a sign that WWE is pushing hard to make the developmental brand into one of the best places to hone the best talents in the world. The signing of Davenport is a sign of intent from Vince McMahon and he will be hoping to see her get started as soon as possible.
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