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With the exception of the Greatest Royal Rumble that took place in Saudi Arabia last month, it has been 15 long years since WWE has hosted a pay-per-view outside of the North American continent. There are a number of reasons why the WWE should start broadening the horizons with their locations for their monthly pay-per-views, and why the United Kingdom should have the honor of regularly hosting one of the big four.
#5 A historical night in Manchester
AJ Styles’ victory against Jinder Mahal on the 7th November 2017 was historical for two reasons. It was the first time the WWE Championship had changed hands outside of the United States in over 8 years, and it was also the first time this prestigious title changed hands in the United Kingdom – ever!
The reaction from the Manchester crowd was a combination of joy and shock; but irrespective of whom the fans were supporting, they were all in the same boat knowing they’ve witnessed WWE history. If WWE decides to bring a big pay-per-view to the United Kingdom again, the fans will be overjoyed and will look forward to such moments and cheer for their favorite wrestlers.
#4 The British and Irish are coming
From Raw to Smackdown, NXT to 205 Live, there are wrestlers from the British Isles spread across every brand showcasing their talents to the WWE Universe. Whilst the number of wrestlers may pale in comparison to the number of American wrestlers on the roster, there are a number of wrestlers making their mark, with Finn Bálor, Becky Lynch, Sheamus and Neville all capturing gold at some point at in their career at the WWE.
The possibility of being able to perform at their hometown in one of the big four pay-per-views once every blue moon would definitely be worthwhile for both the wrestlers and the company.
#3 Love Thy Neighbour
Outside of America and Canada, the United Kingdom tops the field for most pay-per-view show event locations with 12, not including NXT: London in 2015 and the United Kingdom Championship tournaments.
This proves that the WWE has trusted the United Kingdom a number of times in the past, including having two exclusive recurring pay-per-views in the United Kingdom with Insurrextion and Rebellion, which happened every year for four years.
The United Kingdom has also hosted Raw and Smackdown in back-to-back years during the European tours - so the WWE definitely has a soft spot for their neighbors across the pond.
#2 Location
It has got to be said that WrestleMania aside, the pay-per-views in the United States are yielding generally low numbers - and that’s not because the American fans are losing interest in the WWE. Their weekly chants on Raw and Smackdown is proof that they’re as loud and passionate as ever - the problem with the numbers is more likely due to the number of pay-per-views that happen all over America.
The novelty of having a pay-per-view in another country is proven to bring in bigger numbers – take for example, the Royal Rumble pay-per-views in 2018. There is a difference of over 40,000 fans in attendance between the annual event in January and ‘The Greatest Ever Royal Rumble’.
The reason behind the vast difference in the numbers is not because of how many wrestlers were in the Royal Rumble, nor the matches that were scheduled - it was the fact that the WWE had brought a pay-per-view to somewhere it never had before. This brings me to my last point…
#1 SummerSlam 1992 is still among the Top 5 with largest attendances
With the exception of WrestleMania 29, WrestleMania III and WrestleMania 32, of all the hundreds of pay-per-views that the WWE has hosted in its 30+ year history, SummerSlam 1992 comes fourth in terms of numbers.
Whilst the argument can be made that some of the past pay-per-views in the United Kingdom didn’t generate huge numbers, history suggests that if the WWE brings one of the big four pay-per-views to the UK again, WWE can attract audience numbers that only WrestleMania can – without it having to be at WrestleMania.
