The people's elbows have been dropped and the pedigrees delivered, the party is winding down and Wrestlemania is over. We have new champions, a new women's division championship belt and a host of new additions to the WWE roster. One might easily think that it is a time for sadness with more than 350 days until the next Wrestlemania but fear not! WWE is, as always, looking after it's universe of supporters and so here's five reasons why sports entertainment fans in the UK can feel suitably happy.
1) NXT Is Coming
That's right, the big news is that NXT is making its UK return in June. Fans were informed during the Wrestlemania weekend that NXT will be making its way back to these shores and debuting at the Download Festival, followed by a five-stop tour of the UK and Ireland. For those that watched 'Breaking Ground' on the WWE Network, you'll know that the stars of NXT have entertained their millions of fans in stadiums, arenas and excitingly at music festivals in the USA. This year, from Friday 10 until Sunday 12 June, they'll be doing just that at Donnington Park. Thereafter, the tour will stop in at Dublin (13 June), Belfast (14 June), Liverpool (15 June), Bournemouth (16 June) and Plymouth (17 June). For those that have never been, Download is the UK's premier rock festival and so if you're an Iron Maiden or Black Sabbath fan make sure to get along and indulge in twin passions as Finn Balor, American Alpha and Shinsuke Nakamura amongst others 'takeover' Donnington. If you were in Wembley or watched Takeover:London on the WWE Network, you'll know just how good this is set to be. Tickets are available from www.downloadfestival.co.uk or for WWE Presents NXT Live from here.
2) WWE Is Coming
Whilst fans wanting to see NXT shows will have to wait until June, the good news is that those wanting a more immediate WWE fix need not wait at all. The WWE 'Wrestlemania Revenge' Live experience is coming our way from 16 - 23 April, calling at stops from Glasgow to Plymouth with a set of Raw and Smackdown tapings at London's O2. In addition, there are a series of panel events and workout experiences that fans can get tickets to with talent including Dolph Ziggler, the Dudley Boys and the New Day. The WWE Universe UK can head over to ticketmaster and take a look. Of course that's not all. The main roster will also be back for a one-off special on 7 September at the O2. Play your cards right and it could be a full year of WWE live excitement.
3) You Can Watch It Again!
The disappointment of Wrestlemania ending is quite easily remedied by rewinding and watching it from the beginning! Of course, the whole extravaganza remains online for subscribers to the WWE Network. What's more, the Wrestlemania seasons was a good opportunity for WWE to announce a raft of new programming for fans. So we have a second season of 'Swerved' to look forward to, original content from Mick Foley and the Global Cruiserweight Series.....
4) The Cruiserweights Are Coming
In a very exciting move, WWE announced plans to bring together more than 30 cruiserweights from across the world for a tournament at the Full Sail University in Orlando, home to NXT. Competing for bragging rights as the best cruiserweight in the world, these international stars will be on show on the WWE Network from July 13. Triple H recently announced the first few names for the tournament which included NXT competitors Rich Swann, Tomasso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano along with UK standouts Zack Sabre Jr. and Noam Dar. A series of qualifying matches will be held including here in the UK with Revolution Pro Wrestling and PROGRESS Wrestling.
5) Space For You Next Year:
Despite insisting on having Wrestlemania in the USA (we're still waiting for a UK 'Mania!) the WWE announced that it had attracted fans from 35 countries to the show numbering a staggering total of 101,763 people. This smashing the previous record of over 93,000 fans in 1987 at Wrestlemania 3. In addition, the event became the highest grossing live event in WWE history, pulling in more than $17 million. WrestleMania 33 takes place on Sunday, April 2, 2017 from the Orlando Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Ticket information will be announced later this year but there are tens of thousands of tickets going on sale and lots of space so you can go along yourself and revel in the atmosphere in 2017.
