This is certainly a late breaking, game changing type announcement from WWE. WrestleMania Axxess just became a more interesting destination for fans of independent and international wrestling, and those intrigued about what might be coming down the pipe for NXT’s title pictures, with four invitational title tournaments which will pay off in championship matches on Sunday before ‘Mania itself.

From the article on WWE.com, “multiple tournaments will be held, each with major championship implications”. The four tourneys are a WWE United Kingdom Championship Invitational, a NXT North American Invitational - which will give the men who pulls that belt down from above the ring on Saturday night his first defense on Sunday, a NXT Tag Team Invitational and a NXT Women’s Invitational.

These will take place over the four days of Axxess, Thurs., April 5 - 8. The announcement says there will be four title matches on the 8th, but the schedule doesn’t list a NXT Women’s title match. Which could be because that day will also have featured title matches Progress and WWN.

Here’s the current Axxess schedule:

Thursday at 6 p.m.

WWE U.K. Championship Invitational First Round

Lio Rush vs. Buddy Murphy

Dan Matha vs. Drew Gulak

NXT North American Invitational First Round

Fabian Aichner vs. Jason Kincaid

Akira Tozawa vs. Kona Reeves

NXT Tag Team Invitational First Round

Moustache Mountain vs. Tino Sabbatelli & Riddick Moss

Street Profits vs. Cezar Bononi & Adrian Jaoude

NXT Women’s Invitational First Round

Nikki Cross vs. Aliyah

Kairi Sane vs. Bianca Belair

WWN Championship Match: Keith Lee vs. Kassius Ohno

Plus action featuring 205 Live Superstars TJP, Kalisto, Gentleman Jack Gallagher and Buddy Murphy, Superstars from the Mae Young Classic, and much more!

Friday, 5 p.m.

WWE U.K. Championship Invitational First Round

Lince Dorado vs. Raul Mendoza

Mark Andrews vs. Zack Gibson

NXT North American Invitational First Round

Chris Dijak vs. Ariya Daivari

Hideo Itami vs. Wolfgang

NXT Tag Team Invitational First Round

SAnitY vs. Forgotten Sons

TM61 vs. Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch

NXT Women’s Invitational First Round

Dakota Kai vs. Lacey Evans

Candice LeRae vs. Peyton Royce

Plus matches featuring Superstars from NXT, the Mae Young Classic, PROGRESS and much more!

Saturday, 8 a.m.

Day 3, Session 1 will include semifinal matches from the WWE U.K. Championship Invitational, the NXT North American Invitational, the NXT Tag Team Invitational and the NXT Women’s invitational.

In addition, the session will include matches featuring Superstars from NXT, the WWE U.K. Championship Tournament, the Mae Young Classic and much more!

Saturday, 1 p.m.

Day 3, Session 2 will include the NXT North American Invitation Finals, the United Kingdom Championship Invitational Semifinals, an EVOLVE Tag Team Championship Match, as well as matches featuring Superstars from 205 Live, NXT, the Mae Young Classic and much more!

Saturday, 6 p.m.

Day 3, Session 3 will include the U.K. Championship Invitational Finals, the NXT Tag Team Invitational Finals and the NXT Women’s Invitational Finals, as well as NXT’s Kassius Ohno vs. PROGRESS’ Walter.

In addition, the session will include matches featuring 205 Live’s TJP, Kalisto and Gran Metalik, Superstars from NXT and the Mae Young Classic, and much more!

Sunday, 8 a.m.

Day 4 will include the following championship matches:

WWE U.K. Champion Pete Dunne vs. U.K. Championship Invitational winner

NXT North American Champion vs. NXT North American Invitational winner (First-ever title defense!)

NXT Tag Team Champions vs. NXT Tag Team Invitational winners

In addition, the session will feature a WWN Championship Match, a PROGRESS Women’s Championship Match, a PROGRESS Championship Match, a PROGRESS Tag Team Championship match and much more!

It’s a lot to process, and certainly seems like a way to convince fans to stick with WWE and away from WrestleCon and other independent shows/third-party events in the area.

Thoughts?