WWE Live

Brighton Centre, Brighton, Friday, November 9

THERE is always a certain buzz when the superstars that make up WWE bring their high octane show to any city, and Brighton is no different.

Throughout the day my Twitter feed is filled with people out in town trying to nab a selfie with their favourite wrestlers.

I’ve been to a few house shows in the past that have been fantastic.

But in comparison, this one failed to live up to expectation.

My first major disappointment came at the merchandise table.

WWE have made a big deal of putting female wrestlers on a much deserved level playing field with their male counterparts.

These woman have scratched and clawed for their opportunity and thoroughly deserve that shot.

However you wouldn’t know it looking at the merch; I fail to spot a single T-shirt for sale for any of the eight women on tonight’s show.

As for the show itself, it starts strongly with Jeff Hardy and United States champion Shinsuke Nakamura warming the crowd up well.

Then, from WWE’s UK division Trent Seven and Zack Gibson show why British wrestling is having quite the resurgence.

Some fun and fast tag team action involving the quartet of Asuka, Naomi, Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose bring a needed comic element to a good match.

Before the break the tag titles are on the line and crowd favourites the New Day shine with their comedy stylings, it’s impossible to not be amused by them.

The second half fails to live up to the first as a mixed tag match between the hip-hop duo of R-Truth and Carmella and Lana and Rusev tries to be funny but ends up just being the wrong type of cringey.

Sanity start their tag match strong, attacking The Club before the bell rings, but still end up losing as the good guys go over.

The women’s title is then put on the line and Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are having a decent match until interference from other wrestlers really halts the momentum.

The main event is the saving grace of the second half.

Three of the finest wrestlers on the planet – AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan – put on a solid match that sees the crowd leave happy.

I know exceptions need to be made at a house show like this.

I know the wrestlers aren’t expected to go all out when they have other, bigger commitments.

But I also know that I have been to far better WWE house shows in the past.

If I had been one of the people that had spent upwards of £50 each on tickets for this show then let’s just say I may not feel as if I’d got my money’s worth.

Jamie Walker