Andrew SpoorsAfter running successful Premium Live Events in the UK for the past two years, WWE is expanding its horizons and crossing into new territories in 2024…
Emanating from London in July, Money In The Bank set a new record for the highest-grossing arena event in WWE history and Friday Night SmackDown from The O2 became the highest-grossing SmackDown of all-time. The weekend generated a combined gate of more than $5.4 million.
With the European chapter of the WWE Universe both eager and willing to pack out live tours and PLEs, it came as little surprise that the sports entertainment giant will once again host a major event this side of the Atlantic.
In addition, our cousins down under can look forward to joining the road to WrestleMania with a Premium Live Event of their own in just a few short months.
Andy Spoors lays out all the details of a huge 2024 for WWE fans outside of North America…
WWE Elimination Chamber – Perth
Optus Stadium – Perth, Western Australia, Saturday, February 24, 2024
Expect thousands of Aussies to be in full voice when the brutal Elimination Chamber is lowered in the middle of Optus Stadium in Perth.
This marks the first Elimination Chamber event to be held in Australia and the third to be held outside of the United States, after the 2022 and 2023 events, which were held in Saudi Arabia and Canada, respectively.
This PLE will become WWE’s first event to be held in Australia since Super Show-Down in October 2018. The main event that night saw Triple H defeat The Undertaker in a No Disqualification match. It may have been less than five years ago, but WWE has come a long way when it comes to introducing real stakes to international events. Expect rivalries to be ignited with WrestleMania in Philadelphia taking place a little over a month after.
One of the company’s biggest stars will look to cement her place on the event’s card when Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley returns to her homeland. Fellow Aussie and Superstar Grayson Waller will also be hoping to make more than a fleeting appearance, recently teasing a potential match with current US Champion Logan Paul on social media.
Fans can purchase tickets for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth at www.ticketmaster.com.au
WWE Backlash France
LDLC Arena – Lyon-Decines, France, Saturday, May 4, 2024
After the overwhelming success of this year’s Backlash in Puerto Rico, WWE made the decision to once again move away from mainland North America for the next PLE after WrestleMania.
Usually packed with a mix of Mania rematches and the fallout from events at ‘The Grandest Stage Of Them All’, French fans will have to be on top of their game to top the deafening noise made by this year’s passionate Puerto Ricans.
It will mark the first WWE premium live event to be held in France. On May 3, WWE will also deliver SmackDown from the LDLC Arena, marking the first time it has broadcast from France.
The arena itself is set to open later this month and will become France’s largest indoor arena outside of Paris with a capacity up to 16,000.
As for previous French connections, the country is a mainstay on WWE’s live event circuits and is notably the birthplace of Hall of Famer, Andre The Giant.
Fans interested in an exclusive SmackDown and WWE Backlash France combo presale opportunity can register now at https://www.wwe.com/backlash-2024-presale
Additionally, Priority Pass ticket packages will soon be available from On Location, offering fans the chance to be ringside for every moment including premium seating, pre-show hospitality with WWE Superstar appearances, ringside photo opportunities, exclusive merchandise and more.
To learn more about Priority Passes, visit https://onlocationexp.com/backlash
WWE Bash In Berlin
Mercedes-Benz Arena – Berlin, Germany, Saturday, August 31, 2024
European fans have yet another summer event to look forward to when the newly created Bash In Berlin heads to the German capital next August. Nearly two years to the day that Clash at the Castle took place in Cardiff, WWE fans will flock to the 16,000 capacity Mercedes-Benz Arena for two nights of action in Berlin.
With the first ever episode of SmackDown to be broadcast from Germany on Friday August 30, there will be plenty of opportunities for fans to see their favourite Superstars. Member of Imperium and German national, Ludwig Kaiser will no doubt be afforded a hero’s welcome alongside Intercontinental Champion Gunther.
The country has long held deep-rooted links to professional wrestling, with top European promotion WXW and WWE Hall of Famer Buddy Rogers hailing from Germany. Fans will have to wait to see who and what to expect on the night, but tickets are set to sell quickly.
Presales for combo tickets will begin on Tuesday, November 28, at 10am CET. Fans can register now to receive an exclusive presale offer by visiting: https://www.wwe.com/bash-in-berlin-presale. General public sale for SmackDown and Bash In Berlin will be available on Thursday, November 30, at 10am CET at www.ticketmaster.de.
Make sure you stay tuned to rushonrock.com for all the latest wrestling updates, news and reviews, starting with this weekend’s Survivor Series…