A new WWE United Kingdom Championship Special on WWE Network will now premiere on Friday night in line with British audiences.

The 90-minute show, starring the company's top UK and 205 Live cruiserweight talent, will feature action from tapings in Norwich on May 6 and 7

The special, which could pave the way for a regular WWE Network show emanating from the UK, was originally set to premiere at 1am BST.

But the Mirror can now reveal the first broadcast of the programme has been changed to the UK audience-friendly time of 8pm BST.

It will see the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Champion Tyler Bate defend his title against the Welsh high-flyer Mark Andrews.

Meanwhile, Midlands duo Pete Dunne and Trent Seven battle to become the number one contender to face the UK Champion at NXT TakeOver: Chicago this Saturday night.

Scottish brawler Wolfgang faces Nottingham's Joseph Conners and a WWE UK/205 Live crossover sees Rich Swann and Dan Moloney take on TJ Perkins and The Brian Kendrick in tag team action.

Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, WWE executive vice president of talent, live events and creative, said: "The WWE United Kingdom Championship Special will showcase some of the best talent from the UK.

“This is an opportunity to super-serve our fans in the UK, as well as fans anywhere who appreciate the UK style.”

Legendary commentator WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross returns to the announce booth for the first time since WrestleMania 33, alongside colour analyst Nigel McGuinness.

WWE commentator Jim Ross

The 65-year-old, affectionately known as 'JR', made his WWE comeback last month, when he called The Undertaker's main event defeat to Roman Reigns and apparent retirement in Orlando, Florida.

English grappling veteran McGuinness was part of the WWE UK Championship Tournament coverage back in January and now features regularly on WWE NXT.

HHH confirmed WWE's plans to air a weekly UK show earlier this year, following the success of a 16-man tournament in Blackpool, when Bate was first crowned WWE UK Champion.

Fans can stream the WWE United Kingdom Championship Special by signing up at WWENetwork.com.

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