WWE has announced the launch of NXT Europe for 2023, the latest step in the growth of the NXT 2.0 brand.

After weeks of speculation about the future of NXT UK, WWE has confirmed what the future holds for the brand, as well as NXT as a whole.

FOX Sports reported this afternoon that WWE is set to launch NXT Europe next year, another developmental brand with a strong focus on the European market.

The NXT brand is set to grow even more come 2023 with the creation of NXT Europe. According to the company on Thursday, NXT Europe will "reimagine the brand and talent pipeline" with a renewed focus on Europe.

In advance of the launch of the new brand, WWE also announced that NXT UK is set to go on hiatus for a few months before turning into NXT Europe.

In making the announcement, Shawn Michaels confirmed that WWE is working with staff and talent to ensure that NXT Europe will be "bigger and better" than NXT UK.

The planned launch of NXT Europe means NXT UK will go on a "brief hiatus," Michaels said, adding the final NXT UK event will be at Worlds Collide. Shawn Michaels said the company will work with the staff and talent to launch NXT Europe "bigger and better."

NXT UK is one of WWE's developmental brands

In more big news, it was announced that a Premium Live Event entitled 'Worlds Collide' will take place on September 4, pitting the best NXT stars against their NXT UK counterparts.

This was kicked off on WWE NXT 2.0's special Heatwave show this week, with NXT UK Champion Tyler Bate coming out to confront NXT Champion Bron Breakker.

Elsewhere on the show, Gallus' Mark Coffey, Joe Coffey and Wolfgang showed up, as did female star Blair Davenport.

WWE will run the premium live event Worlds Collide featuring the current crop of NXT and NXT UK superstars. Tyler Bate, the NXT UK champion, confronted NXT champion Bron Breakker at NXT Heatwave earlier this week while Gallus came out and ambushed Diamond Mine.

NXT UK helped produce the likes of WALTER and Pete Dunne (now Gunther and Butch respectively), as well as Rhea Ripley, all of whom now ply their trade on WWE's main roster.

WWE will be hoping to replicate and even improve that talent pathway with the new NXT Europe brand when that eventually launches next year.

For more news on what WWE has in store for NXT Europe next year and the future plans for NXT UK, please make sure you stay tuned to GiveMeSport.