NXT UK roster adds five new signees

WWE announced that its NXT UK brand will welcome five new signings to the roster: Ilja Rukober, Kay Lee Ray, Jazzy Gabert, Oliver Sauter and Jay Melrose. All five will report to the WWE UK Performance Center to start their WWE journey.

Rukober is 25 years old and was born in Russia and raised in Germany. He participated at a WWE tryout in Cologne last year and was one of the standout participants.

The Scottish Ray is 26 years old and was a participant in the first Mae Young Classic tournament. She has been wrestling professionally for 10 years and won several titles in the United Kingdom.

Gabert, also from Germany, participated in the first Mae Young Classic tournament and although she was eliminated in the first round, she was an instant hit with the fans. She was meant to sign a WWE deal afterward but required surgery and was told to get healthy before trying again. Both Gabert and Ray were at the NXT UK: Takeover: Blackpool event sitting at ringside.

24-year-old Sauter is from Switzerland and also attended the Cologne tryout last year. Before entering the world of professional wrestling, Sauter was a football (soccer) player.

Melrose made his NXT UK debut in December, wearing an ape mask. The Newcastle native is a former soldier in the British Army and also served on the British Household Cavalry team which provides protection for the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace.