10 Observations From WWE Live In London 2016
An indie dream match headlines the 02 Arena.
WWE Live in London 2016 was a weird one. Taking place just over two months before WWE return to the very same arena as part of their fall tour of the UK and Europe, this was a one-off live event before the crew travels for a tour of Asia with shows in Hong Kong, Manilla and Shangai. Then, after all of that, they head back to America to continue business as usual. All told, it's four countries and three different continents in nine days.
So was it really worth them coming across the pond to jolly old England for a solitary show? It's not a quick flight and, considering the event wasn't even taped to be broadcast on the WWE Network (as originally advertised), the crew must have been wondering whether or not it was necessary. With an estimated 16,000 selling the arena out and many of those flocking to the merch stand, I'd say WWE would probably be calling it a success.
As for the show itself, we were treated to the fourth match in the Best of Seven series between Sheamus and Cesaro, a three-way between Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn for the Universal Title, along appearances by the UK's own Neville, Chris Jericho, New Day, Roman Reigns, Sasha Banks and others.
Unfortunately, Enzo and Cass, Rusev and a couple of other notable Raw names were absent but that didn't put too much of a dampener on proceedings. Here are ten observations from what we did see.
10. The New Day Are Over (But Sadly No Promo)
Several of the night's performers - including Neville, The Shining Stars and Chris Jericho - took time to say a little something to the crowd either before or after their matches. I (along with WCPW General Manager Adam Pacitti, interview below) expected New Day would rile up the 02 Arena in their own imitable way but, sadly, it was not to be.
There was plenty of trombone playing, gyrating and t-shirt throwing antics but it would have been nice to see a short promo either before or after they retained their Tag Team Titles over The Club's Anderson and Gallows. The match itself was good and New Day were so incredibly over, with many evidently taking time to purchase Booty-O's t-shirts from the merch stalls.
This was the perfect choice to start the show as it got the crowd warmed up and kicked things off with a well-received babyface win.