Predicting WWE’s next brand from the least to most likely 

WWE’s roster is the largest its ever been, and if reports are to be believed, it’s going to get bigger.

Triple H said earlier this month that there would be a Performance Centers in “India, the Middle East, Latin America, and many other places.”

The primary reason why WWE is adding more brands has to do with the WWE Network. The service – which just celebrated its 5th anniversary - has not been the blow away success that WWE hoped for when they launched it in 2014. The service is still the same $9.99 price that WWE referenced continuously. There have long been rumors that the company wants to increase the cost.

Netflix periodically raises its prices, claiming its ever-growing catalog of original programming as justification. Similarly, if WWE keeps adding weekly wrestling content, they could then justify a price hike.

Let’s look at which prospective brands WWE could launch, ranked from least likely to most.

#5. NXT Mexico

Mexico could serve as WWE’s base to launch into Latin America

Geologically, this would be the easiest to implement. WWE could send main roster and NXT talents over the border much easier than sending them on a long-distance flight to another continent

Logistically, it wouldn’t be so simple. While WWE runs tours in the country once or twice a year, launching a brand would be another story. WWE would be entering an already loaded field; CMLL, AAA, The Crash and other companies run shows in the country multiple times a week.

While WWE does have a plethora of Mexican and Spanish speaking talent such as Rey Mysterio and Andrade - who have drawn big in Mexico in the past, they only have one backstage staff who has extensive knowledge of the Mexican scene; Sarah Stock who competed in the country for years as Dark Angel.

WWE’s best bet would be to ally with a Mexican promotion; however, most of them are already in relationships, (CMLL’s with ROH, AAA’s with Impact Wrestling & AEW and so on).

Perhaps most crucial of all is the style; if WWE tries to present something other then Lucha Libre, it would be a disaster.

NXT Mexico looks as likely as Trump’s Wall.

#4. A women’s show

Last year’s Evolution show was a critical and commercial success

After the success of the Mae Young Classic in 2017, the idea of an all-women’s weekly show was floated about.

Since then, we’ve seen the first Women’s Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and most recently, the return of the Women’s Tag Team Championships.

Those belts could serve as the focal point of a weekly 1-hour women’s show. The programme would be a middle-ground for the multi-brand titles.

However, as WWE wouldn’t want to overwork the top women such as Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, the show would end up becoming an all women's version of Main Event.

Plus, the number of women on the main roster is thin already, adding in another show would risk overexposing the women. Perhaps in a few years, when more females are added to both Raw and Smackdown, this idea would be feasible.

#3. NXT Australia

Could we see this logo soon?

Australia has supplied WWE with a few talents in recent years; Toni Storm, Buddy Murphy, and The IIconics being the most notable.

The country has a burgeoning independent scene, and after The SuperShowDown at Melbourne Cricket Ground in October, WWE is keen to continue doing business down under.

While the indies in Australia are now growing, it wasn’t always the case. For years, top independent stars in Australia and New Zealand would jump to the UK to further their careers. Toni Storm, Travis Banks, Jay White, and others all headed over. Due to this, the current scene is not nearly as developed as the UK’s.

The distance to Australia from the United States is another huge factor. It would be impossible for Triple H and his staff to oversee the events physically. The brand would have to be almost autonomous.

The writers, producers, the television crew and all of the other staff, would have to be local. The infrastructure to deliver a weekly programme is not there yet.

#2. NXT Japan

Rumors are swirling about an NXT Japan

NXT Japan looks to be WWE’s next project. It was reported that WWE had staff over in the country and former NJPW star Kendo Ka Shin was spotted at WWE Performance’s Center, possibly being trained as a coach for the Far East brand.

Before launching NXT Japan, many hurdles have to be overcome.

Firstly, the market is overloaded. In Tokyo, there are wrestling shows daily. The legendary Korakeun Hall - where most of the pro wrestling matches take place in the capital, is fully booked.

If WWE does manage to find a suitable date for a show, they’ll have problems filling up the roster; all the top talent is signed to one of the many promotions in the country.

WWE could send over a few of their many Japanese talents such as Shinsuke Nakamura, Asuka, and recent signee, Kushida. Performing in their home country though may end up being a demoralizing experience for WWE’s Japanese talent. The reason why they signed with WWE was so they could perform on a worldwide stage. Returning to Japan to wrestle on a lowly show on the WWE Network is not what they envisioned

The best option for WWE would be to form a partnership with an existing Japanese promotion or to purchase a Japanese company outright and absorb their talent.

Pro Wrestling NOAH would’ve been a good option, but they just got sold themselves, and their new owners are unlikely to sell so soon. The once mighty All Japan Pro Wrestling would be another choice; however the company has recently bounced back from a rough period, and it’s unlikely the fanbase would accept WWE taking over their hallowed promotion.

Another obstacle is the language barrier. Former jobber Funaki has become a major asset for WWE, he’s been ever-present around the Japanese WWE talent. However, WWE can’t rely on Funaki to help them with everything. Finding bilingual English and Japanese speakers are tough already; finding one who can explain the intricates of pro wrestling is even tougher.

Just like Mexico, the Japanese market is very different to the west, WWE can’t expect to succeed by just transplanting their form of wrestling to the country. A great amount of due diligence would have to be done to assure this brand is viable.

#1. NXT Germany

Would Walter stay with NXT UK or jump to the German brand?

WWE recently held their first ever tryout in Germany where over 40 men and women attended. The large attendance left many to believe that WWE is planning on expanding into mainland Europe.

The German wrestling scene has been on fire for years; The WXW promotion has attracted hot crowds and worldwide attention for their major shows. The appeal is there, as is the talent.

If NXT Germany were to launch, there’s the fear that the German brand would take away from NXT UK, especially considering the UK brands biggest acquisition was the big Austrian, Walter (who made his name in Germany). Is there enough talent in Europe for WWE to fill two brands?

The launch of NXT Germany could be to combat the effects of Brexit. EU competitors may find it harder to compete in the UK whenever Brexit occurs. If NXT Germany were to open, WWE would have an alternative home for Walter, Killer Kelly and other EU nationals.

The best option would be a talent trade agreement between NXT UK and Germany. A ‘European Union’ of sorts, but one where all parties work together...hopefully.