Shane Thorne Replaces Otis Dozovic In WWE Worlds Collide Tournament

Otis Dozovic has been removed from the WWE NXT team for the Worlds Collide tournament that will take place during the Royal Rumble Axxess sessions this coming weekend, likely due to his main roster call-up. Otis has been replaced by Shane Thorne.

WWE has also confirmed that the tournament will begin taping on Saturday afternoon during the second Axxess session. It will conclude at the final session on Sunday. As noted, a 15-man Battle Royal will determine the first round matches and that Battle Royal will take place on Saturday morning.

Below is the updated announcement for the Worlds Collide tournament, which will be taped for the WWE Network:

NXT, 205 Live and NXT UK Superstars to battle in the first-ever WWE Worlds Collide Tournament at Royal Rumble Axxess

The Superstars of NXT, NXT UK and 205 Live are set to battle in the first-ever WWE Worlds Collide Tournament, one of the most unique tournaments in sports-entertainment history, and it all goes down at Royal Rumble Axxess in Phoenix. Axxess tickets are available now at Phoenix.Ticketforce.com.

Brand-versus-brand dream matches will become a reality as 15 Superstars in total ? five from NXT, five from NXT UK and five from 205 Live ? will compete over the course of two days, with the tournament winner receiving a future NXT, NXT UK or 205 Live Championship Match of their choosing. That means anyone can become a champion on any brand!

The WWE Worlds Collide Tournament, which will be taped for a WWE Network special, kicks off with a 15-Superstar Battle Royal on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the 8 a.m. session of Axxess. The order of elimination in the Battle Royal will then determine the First-Round Matches for a 15-Superstar, single-elimination tournament beginning later that session. The Battle Royal winner will receive a first-round bye.

The tournament will continue at Saturday's second session of Axxess, taking place from 1-5 p.m., before concluding at the final Axxess session on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Featuring a veritable who's who from all three brands, the tournament will include the following Superstars:

From NXT
Adam Cole
Velveteen Dream
Dominik Dijakovic
Keith Lee
Shane Thorne

From NXT UK
Mark Andrews
Tyler Bate
Travis Banks
Jordan Devlin
Zack Gibson

From 205 Live
Cedric Alexander
Tony Nese
Drew Gulak
TJP
Humberto Carrillo

Given the format of the tournament, there's no telling who will fight whom when the brands collide. Which Superstar will rise to the occasion, beat out the best of his brand (and others), and claim a future title opportunity ? and what championship will he choose to go after?

Royal Rumble Axxess, which takes over the Phoenix Convention Center Friday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Jan. 27, will also feature NXT UK tapings on Friday and Sunday, as well as Superstar meet-and-greets, the WWE Superstore, photo opportunities, other live matches and much more throughout the entire weekend. Tickets are available now at Phoenix.Ticketforce.com.