WWE
****
Sat 4 Nov, Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
The WWE returned to Cardiff this weekend on the opening night of their UK November tour, with former champions Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio, and Daniel Bryan all on display in front of a sold-out Motorpoint arena. The fans – many of whom queued for hours to get a glance at their favourite superstar – eagerly packed in to their seats at the opening bell.
Promising a night of dramatic entertainment mixed with the energy of a rock concert, the show certainly lived up to expectations, providing a spectacle that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
We started off with a bang as global superstar Randy Orton faced off with former champion Jeff Hardy. Though he was eventually defeated by Orton’s infamous RKO finish, Hardy received one of the loudest cheers of the evening from the passionate Cardiff crowd, proving he is still one of the more popular athletes on the roster.
Shortly after another WWE icon, Rey Mysterio, made his way to the ring, displaying the variety of high-flying stunts the masked luchador has become famous for. Despite some time away from the organisation it’s safe to say that Mysterio is back better than ever, giving an electric performance that sent the audience into frenzy.
Further down the card Wales’s own Mike Hitchman and Mark Andrews locked horns in a home-town battle for the ages. This was a high-paced match-up that gave us the chance to see some home-grown talent mix it with the best in the world. It was Andrews who eventually took the bout, pinning Hitchman to the mat and making himself the unofficial king of Cardiff.
At the top of the bill was a brace of title matches, beginning with Becky Lynch’s defence of her Smackdown championship over Charlotte Flair. This was followed by the main event of the evening as WWE champion AJ Styles took on long-time rival, Samoa Joe. This bruising encounter was in the balance for some time, however it was Styles who held on to his belt after the Samoan sent himself clattering through a table, rendering himself defenceless.
A night filled with fast paced action, from some of the biggest stars in the world of wrestling. The evening was certainly a treat for the fans who will now be waiting with a high sense of anticipating at what next year’s tour will bring.
words Lewis Smith