WRESTLING in the UK has an odd reputation. Post World of Sport, it's often seen as a kiddie's distraction - somewhat bizarrely, since across the Atlantic World Wrestling Entertainment's turned it into a multi-billion dollar TV extravaganza. Fans in the UK have felt starved of good grappling action as a result.

So when WWE announced they were staging their first foreign Raw and Smackdown tapings in Manchester, anticipation was understandably high.

It wasn't quite the full Raw experience, for instance. Thanks to time differences, the taping for the show (which normally goes out live in the US) was lengthy, staggered and featured big gaps as the next segment was prepared.

Also missing was the familiar Raw set - replaced with a cut-down, but no less spectacular, backdrop utilising a scaffolding Union Jack to support the big screen over the entrance way.

And it also takes some getting used to watching the matches without the aid of the TV commentary. But at least fans at the sold-out event weren't short-changed in the ring - well, for quality, at any rate.

Warming things up with a match between cult favourite and reality TV star Maven Huffman and Liverpool veteran Robbie Brookside was a good idea on paper - the Scouser is a veritable magnet for boos and abuse. Unfortunately, the majority of the 15,000 or so watching weren't sure who he was, and only old school World of Sport fans and watchers of the current UK grappling scene would have recognised him.

It was the appearance of the WWE's own British superstar, Blackpool legend William Regal, that saw the arena come alive. Taking the phrase "fan favourite" to ridiculous extremes, when it looked as though Regal and tag partner Eugene had scored a championship victory the roof almost came off the place, such was the cheering - only to see the duo conned out of their rightful win by Raw general manager Eric Bischoff.

Still, it was heartening to see just how respectful the British crowd was of a local star - and how much Regal clearly loved the reaction. Indeed - poor Robbie Brookside apart - the crowd was one of the hottest the WWE's had in ages and showed a deep respect for the legends on show, such as Benoit, Regal and especially Ric Flair.

The WWE's fond of claiming in its TV shows that "nothing beats the experience of seeing WWE live" and, it turns out, they were right. A packed out, energised crowd, some solid TV matches, a few star names and the feeling that, for once, their bouts on UK soil actually mattered, and this was a genuinely remarkable experience.

Results from the show:

Dark match:
Maven d. Rob Brookside

Heat taping:
Victoria and Nidia d. Molly Holly and Gail Kim
Shelton Benjamin d. Stevie Richards
Tajiri d. Chuck Palumbo

Raw taping:
Trish Stratus d. Stacy Keilber to retain the women's title.
La Resistance d. Eugene and William Regal to retain the tag titles
Hurricane and Rosey v Val Venus and Stevie Richards went to a no contest.
Chris Jericho and Rhyno d. Christian and Tyson Tomko after restart.
Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels and Edge d. Evolution.

Were you at Raw? What did you think of the show? Have your say.

Tweet