A few hours ago, Oriental Wrestling Entertainment (OWE) announced that the company will be expanding into the UK. From September they will launch a sister brand – OWE United Kingdom. Many will know OWE and their stars from their working relationship with All Elite Wrestling.
Through their Instagram account, they announced that there would be an OWE United Kingdom Champion and OWE United Kingdom Tag Team Champions too.
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OWE issued a press release to accompany this announcement. Here are some highlights:
SHANGHAI (June 26, 2019) – Oriental Wrestling Entertainment (OWE), the China-based wrestling promotion headlined by members of the Stronghearts, today unveiled the UK Championship Tournaments.
Hot on the heels of All Elite Wrestling’s Double or Nothing event in Las Vegas featuring OWE’s Stronghearts, OWE is pleased to announce that they are expanding to the UK.
OWE is looking to raise the bar even higher as they aim to not only tour in the UK but also launch OWE United Kingdom. This sister promotion will feature not only OWE China talent, but also those from Japan, Taiwan, United Kingdom and further afield.
Dragon Fu, President of OWE will reveal spectacular new signings, exciting new partnerships, ticket on-sale information and surprise special guests over the coming weeks. “We have today signed two of the UK’s top talent to OWE contracts “Filthy Gorgeous” Rob Sharpe and Scotland’s own Lou King Sharp; they will travel to China today to begin touring with us and get a better understanding of our Kung-Fu style of professional wrestling. In addition, we have appointed Sean McMahon as SVP of OWE United Kingdom and Jay Apter as Head of Creative.”
Sean McMahon added “This is an incredible opportunity for the UK. In true OWE style, fans can expect a slice of the unexpected with all this talent on one stage. The United Kingdom is a hotbed of pro-wrestling and OWE United Kingdom will bridge the gap between the East and West. One thing is for sure, the dream matches that everyone thought not possible will now become a reality.”
“We will change the wrestling landscape in the United Kingdom,” said Michael Nee, OWE Executive Vice President. “Our international roster is growing every day with recent signings including Rob Sharpe, Lou King Sharp, and Shigehiro Irie. We are gathering incredible momentum among our fanbase, and we’re poised to release tickets to our UK events very shortly We plan on holding Championship Tournaments to crown our first tag team champions, UK champion, and women’s world championship. I cannot wait to unveil who will be joining us for these events, it’s incredible. Tickets are now available online at orientalwrestlingentertainment
Michael echoed the OWE tweet sent out earlier today “This is an open challenge to the world and to the United Kingdom to bring your very best, your elite, to compete against OWE China in the UK as East meets West.”
Blake’s Take: There had been rumblings that OWE would be holding a UK tour later this year. Especially when established UK talents such as “Filthy Gorgeous” Rob Sharpe and Lou King Sharp had been announced as traveling to China this week. But a brand was definitely not thought about. I’ve been lucky enough to watch OWE over the past few months, and the action is hypnotizing. Strong style with an athletic twist, this brand could do very very well here in the UK.
