WWE: NXT to hold tournament for interim cruiserweight title

Travel restrictions have kept Jordan Devlin out of the United States and the WWE will hold a tournament to crown an interim champion in his absence.

Using the term current circumstances to describe a global pandemic, William Regal took to WWE’s The Bump to announce an upcoming tournament to crown a new NXT Cruiserweight champion. The former champion, Jordan Devlin is currently outside of the United States and is unable to perform for the organization at this time.

“Due to current events, Jordan Devlin is in Ireland and he cannot defend his NXT Cruiserweight championship,” Regal said. “In the meantime, we will hold a tournament for the NXT Cruiserweight interim champion. The competitors and the execution of this tournament, I will let everyone know over all NXT social platforms over the next coming days.”

Devlin won the title back in January at NXT Worlds Collide where he defeated Angel Garza, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Travis Banks in a fatal four-way match. Since then he’s successfully defended the title twice, once against Banks and against Lio Rush. Devlin took to social media to offer his response.

“So, I got word from WWE today that due to the worldwide travel ban the powers that be have decided that they will hold a tournament to determine an interim NXT cruiserweight champion,” Devlin said. “Whichever one of you frauds pick up the interim title, whenever I’m legally able to be there I’m going to prove that there is only one NXT Cruiserweight champion.”

The NXT cruiserweight division features several talented individuals that could take part in this tournament. Former champions such as Garza and Cedric Alexander have both continued to appear on WWE content as the promotion has moved to empty arena shows during the pandemic. Kushida is known as one of the best wrestlers in the world, regardless of size and he’s also been on WWE television in recent weeks. Plus, Ricochet, a former NJPW Junior Tag Team champion and the 2014 Best of the Super Juniors tournament winner would be a great surprise entrant as well.

Stay tuned to WWE content outlets for more news on the men that will be entered into this tournament for a chance to become the NXT Cruiserweight champion.