We have had 3 WWE PLE in UK in recent times,
WWE Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales on 3 September 2022 was the first WWE PLE since WWE Insurrextion on 7 June 2003.
This was then followed by WWE Money in Bank at 02 Arena on 1 July 2023.
The most recently installment WWE Clash at The Castle Scotland from OVO Arena, Glasgow on June 15 2024.
Today i'd like to focus on WWE Clash at The Castle PLE's and after two of them in recent years what legacy is it creating in the UK.
Everyone remembers Summerslam 1992 at Wembley and how much that meant to wrestling fans in the UK and what it did to shape fans of wrestling.
To have a full PPV authentic from America with the biggest stars, from the biggest show - it was one of the biggest moments for UK Wrestling fans ever.
Alot of those fans who attended later becoming, wrestlers and personalities in the wrestling business today both in the UK and abroad. It help shaped a future generation to have a love and a passion for something that seemed so far out of reach for us - but suddenly was so close and in living colour.
Fast forward to 2022, 30 years after that event - and WWE are coming back with their next huge stadium show.
I went to WWE Clash at the Castle 2022 in Cardiff, Wales the first Stadium show since Summerslam in 1992 - over 62,000 people attended Clash at The Castle and being there live i enjoyed the show, the atmosphere beforehand was incredible, the bars were packed, people were chanting and singing it was a tremendous atmosphere and nothing like i'd ever seen for wrestling in the UK.
WWE coming back reignited wrestling fans here in the UK and more importantly made new fans, people who hadn't ever seen it live got to see what WWE was all about - it helped increase WWE reach and their influence in the UK for people to see WWE live on a huge scale.
Being there with your friends, enjoying the moment together there is nothing like it. The show itself looking back now had some incredible moments, despite people criticizing the show beforehand and the matches, but being there live it was excellent. Highlights of the show
Dom Mysterio turned on his father and Edge after they were victorious vs The Judgement Day,
Gunther and Sheamus beating the Hell out of each other in an incredible IC title match, a match with I believe took Gunther to a whole new level in WWE.
Solo Sikoa debuts in WWE to Help Roman Reigns retain WWE Championship by defeating Drew Mcintyre.
Triple H was quoted as stating after this show that "Clash at the Castle was the number one international PPV in WWE history, the highest rated UK PPV in WWE history, and the best-selling non-WrestleMania event in WWE history"
Following that successWWE then returned with Clash at The Castle this time from Glasgow, Scotland on 15 June 2024.
Highlights from this show included
Hometown Wrestlers Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn winning WWE Women's Tag Team Titles
Bayley defeating hometown girl Piper Niven
Drew Mcintyre getting "Screwed Again" at Clash at The Castle losing to Damien Priest due to CM Punk interference.
Creatively You may have noticed that two things that happened seem very similar - Drew Mcintyre has had two World Title Matches and lost them both at both Clash at The Castle PLE's. While it made sense storyline wise - WWE need to remember at some point that UK fans want to see "their guy" win.
WWE gave Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre their moment but Drew Mcintyre treatment is becoming a bit of a trend - i hope this is something that WWE don't continue with - fans want to see their guy eventually get their moment and to have that moment of joy that they pay their money for, sometimes doing the obvious thig isn't so bad.
Don't lose the craziness, loudness and the passion of the fans, the chanting for who they love, the chanting for who the don't - it doesn't stop al night, it what sets UK fans apart they will always be honest and tell you what they think.
Where does WWE Clash at The Castle Go Next? WWE still have plenty of places they can go next I would look at Dublin, Ireland at the Aviva Arena Stadium (pictured above) and also WWE have not had a Clash at The Castle in England so they could also have PLE take place there also - they have plenty of options to continue to build and strengthen WWE brand and continue to make new passionate fans and to continue to entertain existing fans, break attendance records and give us the tremendous WWE product we crave to see.
I hope the legacy of WWE Clash of The Castle is one that fans talk about in the same way as they do Summerslam 1992 in many years to come - events which they had fun at, made new friends, and gave them a passion and a drive to do what they love - creating new fans,embracing fans and giving them a love for Pro Wrestling which lasts forever.
Thanks
@jon422002 on X (Twitter)
Jonathan Orchard
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