8 Times WWE Rewarded Its UK Audience

5. NXT Takes Over London

Finn Balor TakeOver London
WWE

After the introduction of NXT Arrival in February 2014 began to mark the WWE’s ‘developmental brand’ out as one of the most must-see wrestling products around, WWE finally decided to throw some love at its UK fanbase by serving up NXT TakeOver: London in December 2015.

TakeOver: London was one of NXT’s very best shows to date. And even now, that SSE Arena show holds up as amongst the gold and black brand’s finest collective outings.

Headlined by a stunning Finn Bálor vs. Samoa Joe NXT Championship match, a 20-minute barnburner complete with a Jack the Ripper-inspired entrance for reigning champ Bálor, the rest of the show featured a brilliant and compelling battle between NXT Women’s Champion Bayley and Nia Jax, a frenetic tag match that perfectly showcased The Revival’s cohesion as they beat Enzo and Big Cass, a great showing by both Asuka and Emma in a match that The Empress of Tomorrow emerged victorious in, and, err, Baron Corbin besting Apollo Crews.

Even more rewarding for those in attendance for TakeOver: London, WWE treated them to the non-broadcasted offerings of Sami Zayn vs. Tye Dillinger, Elias vs. Bull Dempsey, and American Alpha vs. The Vaudevillains vs. The Hype Bros. vs. Blake & Murphy.

Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks/Saints, Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is co-host of the Fearless in Devotion podcast, which won the Club Podcast of the Year gong at the 2024 FSA Awards.