Experiencing WWE Live in Oberhausen
I would have loved to show you guys the pictures i took, but due to the EU General Data Protection Regulation of 2018 (effective on May 25th) pictures of people other than me are not possible anymore. This is also why you can not comment or direct share the blog anymore. I know this takes away a large portion of visualisation and fun for you and for me. I am deeply sorry, the future of CatchChat remains unknown, but i really want to continue writing about wrestling. I will keep you up to date. Follow @Walu2go on Twitter for news.
Arriving at the Veltins Arena in Oberhausen:
I have visited WWE events in Oberhausen before, but never was there so much security. I felt uncomfortable entering the arena. They even closed down certain paths to the building. Odd!
Inside was the usual sea of huminaty, everybody waiting in line for overprized drinks, food or t-shirt (which were not overprized, but in order to get one you might just have missed the first match).
The Troubles of a Passionated Fan:
I ended up in the 'casual block'. While the seats right and left to me got empty after the first match (the ticket prize was 100 €. Some people just have to much money!), i screamed out of the top of my lungs among others in the arena when The Usos, Bludgeon Brothers, Daniel Bryan, The Miz and others arrived. And it was fun to get people used to the usual wrestling vibe, especially in Germany, where people often hesitate to show emotion. Taking pictures or watching submission moves was challenging at times when little boys where lifted up by their fathers to see more. But being able to chant again was worth every trouble.
The Matchcard:
Triple Threat for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship:
Bludgeon Brothers(c) vs. The New Day vs. The Usos
Usos got an enormous pop after seemed surprised by the love they were getting. The match was worked on a very slow pace if you look at their other bouts in the past. Harper and Rowan waited outside the ring until Usos and New Day lost their steam. After WWE's Hammer Bros entered the ring, the match pretty much over.
Shelton Benjamin vs. Sin Cara
People did not care for this match (i did). Shelton made quick work out of Sin Cara. People behind me said that they wanted the Lucha Dragons back.
Asuka, Becky Lynch & Naomi vs. Billie Kay, Peyton Royce & Naomi
I loved the opportunity to see Asuka and Peyton Royce live. That was a blast. A great 6-Women Tag, the crowd was hot for Becky during the entire match. The babyfaces won.
Big Cass & The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan & Tye Dillinger
By far the match of the night. While The Miz got a huge reaction by himself, Daniel Bryan (as you can see on WWE's YouTube Channel) blew the roof of the place. The YES-Chants dominated the match. Bryan and Miz tried to bring the crowd down with some promos, but that didn't helped, the crowd remained strong throughout the entire match, when Bryan won we, once again, exploded.
WWE United States Title Match: Jeff Hardy(c) vs. Rusev w/Aiden English
Again a pretty loud reaction for both gentlemen. One of the best matches of the night and incredible outside work of English, who even learned some german for the event. Hardy retained while crowd chanted 'Delete'.
SmackDown Women's Title Match: Carmella(c) vs. Charlotte Flair
This match went in another direction as planned. Most of the times i was not able to see the competitors, it later turned out that Charlotte lost her teeth during the match. Carmella somehow retained by DQ.
The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Sheamus actually was wearing some lederhosen. In Oberhausen. What a heel. It was awesome to see AJ and Nakamura wrestle live. Might never happen again. An explosive match which The Club won by landslide.
Looking for people
Twitter went down midway through the show, after that i saw that the people i was looking for, including on of the german commentators, asked where i was at. To late. I will always hate Twitter for that (not really). It was said, but wrestling is awesome, it bring people together AGAIN for sure.
Review
The show felt a lot shorter than in past years and there was no instant classic one-on-one that past years had like (for example) Sheamus vs. Cesaro a couple of years ago. But the feeling was great, i've got my money worth. I heard some people did not feel like it, but i don't think there is not much more you could ask for. Samoa Joe was missing, yes. The Womens TItle Match and Benjamin's match felt a little bit short, yes. But that's about it. Fine little houseshow.
Houseshows: Where the world is still alright.
