WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is one of the most popular wrestling promotions in the world. They have toured many different countries over the years, including holding events in Wales multiple times. However, it has been several years since their last live event in Wales, leading many to wonder if they will ever return.
When did WWE last come to Wales?
The last time WWE held an event in Wales was back in 2015. On October 10th, 2015, a live house show was held at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. This was a non-televised event, but it featured many of WWE’s top stars at the time. John Cena, Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, and Bray Wyatt were among the wrestlers competing at the event. Approximately 4,000 fans were in attendance that night to see WWE’s larger-than-life superstars in action.
Prior to that show in 2015, WWE’s previous event in Wales was in 2014. A live event was held on November 7th, 2014 at Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. Top stars like John Cena, Kane, Dolph Ziggler, and Paige appeared on the card. The 2014 event drew around the same attendance as the 2015 show.
What events has WWE held in the UK recently?
Though they have not been to Wales in several years, WWE has continued to hold events in other parts of the United Kingdom on a regular basis:
- In 2022, WWE held 18 live events in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
- There were 4 pay-per-view events held in the UK in 2022 – 2 in Wales and 2 in England.
- Major stadium shows were held at Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Villa Park in Birmingham in 2022.
Here are the locations and attendance figures for WWE’s 2022 live events in the UK:
City | Venue | Attendance |
---|---|---|
Newcastle | Utilita Arena | 8,000 |
London | O2 Arena | 12,500 |
Cardiff | Principality Stadium | 62,000 |
Birmingham | Villa Park | 45,000 |
Glasgow | OVO Hydro | 10,000 |
As you can see from the table, WWE continues to draw huge crowds when they tour the UK. Their two massive stadium shows in Cardiff and Birmingham brought in over 100,000 fans combined last year.
Why has WWE not returned to Wales recently?
There are a few potential reasons WWE has not brought one of its events back to Wales since 2015:
- Scheduling conflicts – Finding available dates to book arenas can be challenging with WWE’s busy calendar.
- Focus on bigger markets – Cities like London and Manchester have larger populations WWE can draw from.
- Logistics – Wales can be more difficult for WWE to travel to compared to England and Scotland.
- Demand – Other UK cities may have greater demand with bigger fan bases requesting WWE events.
Running a full schedule in the UK with lots of tours while also putting on weekly TV shows and monthly pay-per-views keeps WWE extremely busy. With limited dates to go around, they have chosen to focus their efforts on the English and Scottish markets in recent years when touring the region.
Is there still demand for WWE to return to Wales?
Even though they have not been there for a live show in many years, there appears to still be demand among Welsh fans for WWE to make its return. Here are some positive signs:
- WWE’s previous live events in Cardiff in 2014 and 2015 each drew around 4,000 fans. This suggests there is a base audience in Wales.
- When WWE visits areas close to Wales, such as Bristol, many Welsh fans will travel to see the shows.
- Social media activity – When WWE posts about the UK, many Welsh fans reply asking for events in Cardiff or other parts of Wales.
- TV ratings – WWE programming airs in Wales and draws reasonable viewership that is steady year-to-year.
While the demand may not be at the level of major UK cities like London and Manchester, there does seem to be a loyal fan base in the Welsh market that WWE could likely draw from for a live event if they chose to return.
Does Wales have suitable venues for a WWE show?
When determining where to tour, WWE requires indoor arenas that can accommodate the unique setup of a wrestling event. This includes a ringside area, extensive lighting/sound, and capacity for thousands of fans. There are a few venues in Wales that meet these needs:
- Principality Stadium (Cardiff) – Home of Welsh rugby. Can be configured for ~65,000 fans for wrestling.
- Motorpoint Arena (Cardiff) – Hosted WWE events in 2014 & 2015. 12,000 capacity.
- Campion Park (Neath) – Outdoor rugby stadium. Converted for ~7,000 fans for wrestling.
Principality Stadium in Cardiff stands out as the premier venue in Wales for WWE. The retractable roof and massive capacity make it an ideal location for a major pay-per-view event. Motorpoint Arena is a great option for smaller live shows. Campion Park could potentially hold an outdoor summer event.
Will logistics and costs factor into WWE’s decision?
Whenever WWE tours internationally, logistics and costs are always significant factors in the planning process. Running events in Wales would present some unique challenges and expenses:
- Travel – Getting WWE’s crew and equipment into Wales from England/Scotland would require hours of ground transport or charter flights.
- Local staff – Many staffers needed to run shows are based in WWE HQ (US). More costs for transport/lodging.
- Currency – Wales uses Pound Sterling. Financial exchanges from USD to GBP introduce volatility that makes budgeting difficult.
- Taxes – Wales has higher tax rates than many parts of the US and UK. This impacts WWE’s bottom line profitability.
That said, WWE is a global company very adept at managing logistics. If they wanted to make it work, they have the resources and expertise to handle the challenges of bringing a tour to Wales. At the end of the day, it comes down to whether WWE sees enough financial incentive to offset the higher costs.
How could a Welsh rugby legend like Taulupe Faletau impact WWE’s decision?
Signing a superstar with strong local ties can definitely influence WWE’s decision to tour specific international markets. A prime example would be Welsh rugby player Taulupe Faletau transitioning to a career in WWE wrestling.
Faletau is one of the most popular players on the Welsh national rugby team. If he joined WWE, he would immediately become a marquee star with immense fan interest in Wales. WWE would likely recognize his potential box office appeal and book him on live events in Cardiff, Neath, etc.
His presence on local shows would heighten enthusiasm and ticket sales during the initial tour. He could give media interviews drumming up excitement for WWE coming to Wales after a long absence. Over time, Faletau would continue to be a key anchor keeping fan interest high on future tours.
Superstars like Drew McIntyre (Scotland) and Finn Balor (Ireland) have certainly increased WWE’s popularity in their home countries. Faletau could have a similar impact if he can successfully cross over from rugby to wrestling down the road.
Table of superstars with local ties that have drawn for WWE:
Superstar | Home Country | WWE Events Held |
---|---|---|
Drew McIntyre | Scotland | Several per year |
Finn Balor | Ireland | 1-2 per year |
Taulupe Faletau | Wales | ? |
How has the success of Welsh wrestlers in WWE impacted interest there?
WWE’s roster has featured numerous Welsh wrestlers over the years. The popularity and success of these local stars has certainly increased WWE’s profile within Wales:
- Mason Ryan – Powerful superstar from Wales who had runs on RAW and SmackDown from 2011-2014.
- Tegan Nox – Currently performs on WWE NXT UK. One of the top female stars from Wales.
- Mark Andrews – Talented high flyer from Cardiff signed to NXT UK.
- Flash Morgan Webster – Popular ‘Modfather’ character on NXT UK programming.
Having Welsh wrestlers featured regularly on WWE programming gives local fans personalities to support and rally behind. It reinforces that Wales is a hotbed for wrestling talent.
In recent years, the massive success of Drew McIntyre has demonstrated how impactful it can be when a local star rises to become a headliner in WWE. His main event run has sparked a lot of interest in bringing major shows back to the UK. A Welsh breakout star could have a similar effect.
Will Cardiff’s history as a marquee wrestling city influence WWE’s decision?
As the capital and largest city in Wales, Cardiff being a prime wrestling city in the past will absolutely factor into WWE’s consideration. Some key points:
- Cardiff has hosted major WWE events in the past at Principality Stadium, including WrestleMania in 1999.
- The city hosted WCW events back in the 1990s when pro wrestling was booming.
- Wales (and Cardiff specifically) has produced a number of major wrestling stars over the years like Mason Ryan.
- Media/fans view Cardiff as the go-to city for wrestling events in Wales similar to Dublin in Ireland or Glasgow in Scotland.
WWE looks very closely at proven markets with strong wrestling histories when planning its live event tours. Even though they have not been there recently, Cardiff’s pedigree as a marquee pro wrestling city will make it an attractive option for WWE if they look to return to Wales.
Conclusion
While WWE has not held an event in Wales since 2015, there are reasons to be optimistic they might return in the future:
- Faithful fan base in Wales likely to buy tickets
- Cardiff and other cities offer suitable venues
- Local stars could increase interest and draw bigger crowds
- Rich wrestling history in Wales is attractive to WWE
That said, challenges like travel logistics and lower demand compared to other UK cities may hinder WWE’s desire to return. Much could hinge on WWE signing a major Welsh superstar to capitalize on local support and drive ticket sales.
In the end, Wales remains a potential market for WWE live events. But it may require the right circumstances and business factors aligning favorably to make it happen.