WWE have recently completed their first European tour of the year, making another action packed and memorable stop in the city of Liverpool this past Wednesday night.
Featuring several Championship matches and a huge warming welcome for a superstar recently back from retirement.
Match 1: SDL Tag Team Titles: New Day vs Usos vs Bludgeon Brothers
This match was a great way to kick off the show, Frog Splashes and super kicks a-plenty, New Day dancing the night away, very solid match-up for the WWE SmackDown Live Tag Team Titles to get the energetic and electric crowd going for the night ahead. The Bludgeon Brothers retained their SDLive Tag Team Titles after hitting their finishing move The Reckoning on New Day’s Xavier Woods.
Match 2: NXT Title: Aleister Black vs SaNitY’s Alexander Wolfe
NXT Champion Aleister Black made a welcoming appearance in a quick but hard hitting bout against SmackDown Live and SaNitY member Alexander Wolfe, trading fast blows and kicks, it was some great wrestling from these 2 before Black hit the Black Mass on Wolfe, pinning him in rapid fashion to retain the NXT Championship.
Match 3: United States Title: Rusev vs Jeff Hardy
Aiden English came out to a big round of Rusev Day chants, he proclaimed that Wednesday was indeed Rusev Day, before introducing the man himself, the Bulgarian Brute, Rusev, cheers quickly turned to jeers as Rusev made his way out in a Real Madrid t-shirt.
Jeff Hardy soon had cheers filling the Echo Arena again as he defended his United States Title against Rusev, it was a short match, but Rusev taunted the crowd with his Real Madrid shirt, Rusev almost won a couple of times but Jeff Hardy hit the Whisper In the Wind followed by his Swanton Bomb finishing move, pinning Rusev to retain his US Championship.
Match 4: Andrade Cien Almas vs Sin Cara
This match was another quick but fast paced, action paced match, SmackDown Live’s newest member Andrade Cien Almas made his way to the ring accompanied by his business associate Zelina Vega, they came to Liverpool to win, and win they did, making fairly quick work of luchador Sin Cara, pinning him following a hammerlock DDT.
A fantastic showing from Almas and Sin Cara in their time given.
Match 5: James Drake, Dan Maloney & Sam Gladwell vs Tyler Bate, Mark Andrews & Wolfgang
It was time for UK action now as Superstars from WWE’s UK division made their way to the ring, this match was one of the shortest of the night, it was as always full of action though, as Tyler bate hit his Tyler Driver 97 finishing move on Dan Maloney.
It was just a taste of WWE’s growing UK division. Any wrestling fan should do themselves a favour and check out of the UK division for much more of what they can do.
Match 6: Daniel Bryan vs The Miz
This match was match of the night by far, it was a euphoric and emotional return to the UK for Daniel Bryan, he got injured in 2015 and was forced to retire in early 2016. He made his return to WWE TV in summer of 2016 when he was appointed General Manager of SmackDown Live.
WWE Superstar The Miz, teased him relentlessly on WWE TV over the next 2 years, calling him a coward, stealing Bryan’s moves, urging Bryan to quit his job and WWE altogether, knowing full well Bryan could not retaliate.
It wasn’t until late March 2018 that Daniel Bryan got the phenomenal news that he was cleared to return to in-ring competition, once again becoming a member of the active roster on the blue brand, SmackDown Live.
A few weeks later, at Bryan’s own request, The Miz found himself back on SmackDown Live after being traded from RAW in the Superstar Shake-Up.
After years of torment and not being able to retaliate, Daniel Bryan got his moment in Liverpool, the match was an encounter worthy of a PPV.
The crowd erupted with Yes chants from Bryan’s entrance and all throughout the match. Bryan got the upperhand on Miz right away, with running dropkicks in the corner, before The Miz turned it around and gave Bryan a taste of his own medicine, trading blows with Daniel Bryan before being able to lock in the Figure 4-Leg Lock, Bryan managed to reverse it though, inflicting agonising pain on Miz, much to the crowd’s delight.
Miz soon again gained the upper hand with more dropkick and whips into the corner. Daniel Bryan mounted an emotional comeback like only he can, hitting Miz with his famous Yes Kicks, Miz managed to regain composure, hitting Daniel Bryan with his finishing move, the Skull Crushing Finale. Fan favourite Daniel Bryan kicked out though, in a amazing near-fall.
Daniel Bryan quickly got back to his feet, nailing The Miz with a running knee for the victory.
Match 7: Tye Dillinger vs Big Cass
Following a brief intermission, and everyone making their way back to their seats, it was time for more action, 7 footer Big Cass faced off against Tye Dillinger.
Cass did seem to be having knee trouble, limping around, still feeling the affects of Daniel Bryan’s attack on him the previous night on SmackDown Live.
Big Cass did manage to pick up the win after nailing Tye with a Big Boot and pinning him for the three count.
Match 8: Naomi, Becky, Charlotte & Asuka vs Sonya, Mandy, Lana & Carmella w: Naomi, Becky, Charlotte & Asuka
It was time for women’s action next. 8 women-tag team action as Naomi, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Asuka teamed up to face the team of Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, Lana and SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Carmella.
The crowd came alive for Naomi’s glow filled entrance and Charlotte Flair’s royal aura.
This was fairly action packed, everyone getting great spots in and doing a little bit of damage to their opponents.
Women’s Champion Carmella managed to get some fast offense in, but ultimately, it was Asuka locking in the Asuka Lock on the Ravishing Russian Lana, picking up the win for her team.
Match 9: WWE Title: AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura
After an already incredible night of action, it was main event time, The Artist known as Shinsuke Nakamura made his way to the ring to challenge AJ Styles for his WWE Championship.
Trading and countering hits to begin the match, they made their way to the outside, brawling on the entrance ramp. Superstars Sheamus & Cesaro ran to the ring attacking WWE Champion AJ Styles, AJ fended them off, re-entering the ring as The Bar and Shinsuke slowly made their way up the ramp.
It was at this point that Gallows & Anderson made their way to the ring in support of AJ Styles, together they form The Club. Styles challenged The Bar and Shinsuke to re-enter the ring, making the match a 6-man tag team match.
The match was almost all taken over by The Bar and Shinsuke, with Sheamus almost clinching the win, just missing hitting a Brogue Kick on WWE Champion AJ Styles, Styles countered it before heading to the apron, nailing Sheamus with a Phenomenal Forearm to grab the win for his team.
All in all, it was a brilliant and electrifying night of WWE action, it’s always an experience like no other, when WWE come to town. This event was probably the best show WWE have put on at the Liverpool Echo Arena.
WWE’s next European tour is scheduled for November 2018, for full details, visit wwe.com
Purple Revolver rating: 5/5
Photography used: ©2018 WWE, Inc. All Rights Reserved