WWE DVD Review - Live in the UK November 2012

With each UK tour the WWE keep pushing the envelope as they try to give their loyal fans even more value for their money. This past November saw the company roll into Birmingham, here they would not only put on one heck of a show, but they would also record episodes of the Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown shows before thousands of lively and excited fans. 

Another bonus here is the complete (unaired in the UK) WWE Main Event show that was recorded in Birmingham too.

Live in the UK saw many of the Survivor Series 2012 combatants and teams in action, as they embarked on the road to that Pay-Per-View.

So what can you expect from this two disc set? First up there are some nice features on the UK's own Wade Barrett and William Regal. Irishman Sheamus is also given the spotlight treatment. 

On the match front we have a great many to choose from. Highlights of which are CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler versus John Cena and Ryback. Wade Barrett teaming with Big Show to combat hard-hitters William Regal and Sheamus. Elsewhere Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio have a well-paced Falls Count Anywhere encounter. Kofi Kingston and The Miz face-off for the Intercontinental Championship and the colourful combo of Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio tackle the fun duo of The Primetime Players.

WWE Live in the UK November 2012 is a very good DVD set indeed. Fans who attended will love this memento of their time there, others will enjoy seeing their heroes on UK soil and adapting their styles etc to suit them. These UK releases are very popular indeed and this is one of the best yet.

Extras wise we get two WWE Championship matches that were held in the UK. One is the near-classic Randy 'Macho Man' Savage and Ultimate Warrior scrap from Summer Slam 1992. The other is the very inventive match between The Rock and X Pac from the 1998 Capital Carnage PPV.

WWE Live in the UK November 2012 is available now on two disc DVD.

RRP £17.99

www.wwedvd.co.uk

www.wwe.com

By Phil Allely

William Regal: I'm celebrating my 30th year in wrestling on the UK 2013 Raw Tour

William Regal: I'm celebrating my 30th year in wrestling on the UK 2013 Raw Tour

BY Phil Allely

WWE superstar William Regal has revealed he is set to celebrate his 30th year of wrestling by participating in the upcoming UK/Ireland tour.

Regal (Darren Mathews) is currently a commentator of WWE show NXT and has had a memorable in-ring career to date. The 44 year old has overcome battles with drugs, illness and heart issues to become a very valuable part of the WWE family. 

Many fans would love to see Regal take his mic work to either Smackdown or Raw and inject some of his humour and knowledge into those programes too. Fans have also been vocal about the fact that the veteran has been taken off the active roster (unless he is needed to fill-in for an injured star).

Those UK-based fans will be relishing this new announcement by Wiliam on twitter 'I've been told I will be on the UK Raw tour this April. Spoil yourselves and come see my almost 45 year old carcass in trunks. I'm thinking of having a 30th year anniversary (it will be 30 years since my first match this coming August) T Shirt made for this tour.'

Veteran Regal worked his way up from low-paying UK shows in the golden age of ITV wrestling, to taking up an offer by WCW, there he made a name for himself with countless hard-hitting matches against many of the companies top names. His feud with Ireland's Fit Finlay and Chris Benoit are stuff of legend.

Regal progressed to the WWE where various substance abuse problems unfortunately halted his progress. Regal did however get the opportunity to return to WCW and rebuild his career. This time when WWE came calling again he was fit and ready to join their roster. Although he has never won a world title Matthews has held gold in in the WWE, WCW and for UK promotions. Many of his matches have gone down in the history books and he is still a very valuable member of the roster. 

You can catch up with William Regal on WWE NXT shows and as part of April's WrestleMania Revenge UK/Ireland Tour.

More Jim Ross Blog Highlights

Jim Ross is back with another blog over on jrsbarbq.com. Here are a few highlights from this entry:


Jerry Lawler and his match with The Miz:

"Any one who thinks that it's simply not possible for Jerry Lawler, at age 61 and on a week where he buried his 90 year old mother, to win the WWE title against the Miz this Sunday at the Elimination Chamber needs to rethink their position. It is possible and it damn well could happen. I agree that the King is the underdog going in but what a story for the ages it would make if the WWE HOF'er did win the title. I'm not saying bet the farm on it but IF Jerry Lawler were to somehow, by hook or crook, defeat the Miz Sunday it would be one of the hottest topics around the WWE water cooler in years.



I admit that I legitimately have an emotional investment in this one because of my friendship with Jerry and after seeing first hand what he went through this week.



At least can we all agree that stranger things have happened in WWE over the years can we not?



Miz might not realize it today but Miz will be a better wrestler over the long haul after the learning experience that he will have Sunday night competing with the King."



The underrated William Regal:

"William Regal's brief yet effective cameo on the vintage (ugh) Khali Kiss Kam Monday night on Raw was yet another example of how talented the Brit truly is and why I consider Regal one of the most underrated talents in WWE. He's also a legit tough dude let me assure you."

WWE Royal Rumble 2011 First 21 Names Revealed

The following 21 WWE Superstars have been announced by WWE.com as competitors in the first-ever 40-Man Royal Rumble Match, which takes place Jan. 30 in Boston.




* Alberto Del Rio

* CM Punk

* Cody Rhodes

* Daniel Bryan

* Darren Young

* David Hart Smith

* David Otunga

* Husky Harris

* John Cena

* John Morrison

* Mark Henry

* Michael McGillicutty

* Primo

* R-Truth

* Rey Mysterio

* Sheamus

* Ted DiBiase

* Tyson Kidd

* William Regal

* Yoshi Tatsu

* Zack Ryder

William Regal to Retire!!!

WWE Star William Regal to Retire!
By Phil Allely

At London's O2 Arena last night WWE superstar William Regal (real name Darren Matthews) told the capacity crowd this would be the last time they would see him perform in the UK.
In a nice speech he said: "I've been doing this now for almost 30years. We've got an incredible, new crop of WWE superstars coming through. Maybe this is my last tour, thank you very much."
"This was the way I wanted to end it all. Thank you." Said the UK legend.
Regal never won a world heavyweight championship in any of the US promotions he worked for, although his haul of belts comprises almost everything else including WWE Tag Team, Intercontinental, Hardcore and European gold, as well WCW's Television Title. Regal also netted some titles across the globe on his travels.
Regal was also the 2008 King of the Ring. Regal worked with everyone from Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks in the UK and covered the globe to pursue his grappling, winding up as a popular and talented member of the WCW and WWE rosters through his sheer determination and in-ring ability. Facing most of the top stars in those promotions at one time or another, during his career, including HHH, Shawn Michaels and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
He also takes credit for training many of today's top stars, including WWE standouts Daniel Bryan and CM Punk and TNA's Samoa Joe.
The 42-year-old recently signed a new three-year contract with WWE, it's expected he will now move into a behind-the-scenes role similar to the one held by close friend Fit Finlay.

William to Face Daniel Bryan??

William Regal has been dropping hints that he is set for a feud with Daniel Bryan when they return to the states after the current WWE European tour.

Regal has been facing Bryan on UK house shows and even went as far as to say that he is highly impressed by his in-ring abilities and style.

Many now think this will mean that Regal will step into CM Punk's shoes for the proposed series between Punk and Bryan.

Punk's injury may be Regal's gain as he gets one more good run in the WWE.