Thursday, August 18, 2011

WWE Events in Manila

1994: WWF Manila Mania
Location: Cuneta Astrodome (Thursday), Araneta Coliseum ( Friday)
Stars: Bret Hart, Undertaker, Yokozuna, Owen Hart, Hacksaw Jim Duggan,  The Bushwackers Etc...

Side Notes:
A few months before the actual date, the Bushwackers doing guestings on the PBA and Inday Badiday's Eye to Eye. The Sabotaged the set and did a stage fight with Anjo Yllana.
 

The Wrestlers from "Pinoy Wrestling" (Joe Pogi, Smokey Mtn Boys etc) Had an in ring participation. It is kind of nostalgic back then since it was at least 3-4 years since Pinoy wrestling went off the air.  


Bret Hart was the biggest draw of this card and was very appreciative of the Filipino fans. However, according to his book, My Life in the Cartoon world of wrestling, he had a bad experience sightseeing in the streets of Malate/Roxas Blvd. From the Kalesa ride of a horse nearly passing out to people peeing on the streets and pimps offering him underaged kids. 


When Undertaker faced the late Yokozuna, They started off the match by a staredown, however the crowd started chanting "Kiss!, Kiss" This incident will repeat 12 years later with Triple H and Ric Flair.





1995: WWF Mayhem in Manila
Location: Araneta Coliseum, Cebu City Coliseum
Stars: Shawn Michaels, Lex Luger, Doink, Duke, Adam Bomb, Undertaker, Bam Bam Biggelow, Smoking Guns, Yokozuna, the Godwins, Mabel/ MoM, Man O War.

Side Notes: 

Shawn Michaels Endorsing Colt 45 which was the main sponsor back then.

This was the first and only time the WWF/WWE perofmed at Cebu
The event in Cubao held on for 3 nights but was not as successful due to the stormy weather and the absence of Bret Hart.  



2006: Raw Live Tour
Location Araneta Coliseum
Stars: John Cena, HHH, Big Show, Edge, Ric Flair, RVD, Snitsky, Tomko, Trish Stratus, Viscera, Val Venis,  Mick Foley, Shelton Benjamin, Lita and Torrie Wilson

Side Note: 

 
This was the first time WWE was back in over a decade. Mick foley did promotional tour which guested in Wowowee, S files and Mall tours in Megamall and Gateway.

Their arrival marred by an idiot pinoy journalist disobeying the rules and still being arrogant when tried to be reprimanded by the bodyguards. The sensationalist tabloid reporter/ liar even had the audacity to petition to blacklist Foley even though he was at fault. 



This was also the first time that fireworks and a steel cage match was brought in the card.

Gloria announced a state of rebellion which even shown during the event date. It was even shown at WWE.com that the superstars have been inside a politcal turmoil. 






-HHH Front page of Phil Star
-Eugene Wearing Team Pacquiao Jacket
-Carlito Calls Filipina Women "Manny Pacquiaos with long Hair"
-Foley shouts Out Mahal kita to her sponsored child

2006: Smackdown Survivor Series Tour
Location: Araneta Coliseum
Stars: Batista, Undertaker, King Booker, Lashley, Benoit, Finlay, Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Vito, Chavo Guerrero, Shane Helms, Matt Hardy, Jummy Wang Yang, The Miz

Side Notes:
 

Batista did a pre promotion and was treated as a national hero.
 

Security was a bit loose on this event. The wrestlers actually moved around the metro for 2-3 days.  You can see Hardy and Helms loitering around the foodcourt of Robisons Galleria, Mr. Kennedy on a Mr. Softee Ice Cream Stand, Booker T playing golf at southwoods and The Miz buying bananas at farmers market.

Mr. Kennedy's Immortal Quote "Tahimik! Tahimik! Tigil! Tigil! Tahimik!" This was epic and turned some pops within the crowd for him despite being a heel. The night before, he garnered major heat by stating Eric Morales will beat Manny Pacquiao.

2009 Smackdown/ECW Tour
Location: Araneta Colliseum
Stars: Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Tommy Dreamer, Great Khali, Gail Kim, Maria Kanellis, Mark Henry, Dolph Zigler, Christian

Side Notes:
 

Christian and Evan Bourne made guest appearances in eat bulaga.
 

Evan Bourne donning a "Greenhills Exclusive" Dondon Hontiveros Team Pilipinas 2007 Jersey.
 

Batista did pre-promotion of the event but was not at the event itself. They had a promotional tour months before the event known as "The Animal in Manila2" where he visited malls and other landmarks in the country like Fort Santiago.


Edge was supposed to be part of the card but was injured.

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