WWEis two shows into their Road toWrestleMania 41, and the energy is unlike it’s been in recent years. With so many storylines needing some additional ammunition, the crowds in both Spain forSmackdownand Belgium forRaw on Netlfixwere both incredible. ThisMonday’s episode ofRaw on Netflixhadso many moments that were carried by the crowd in Brussels, Belgium.
Every city in every country islouder than even the best crowds in the United States. European crowds just bring an intensity and excitement that the U.S. doesn’t. Whatever the reasoning behind it is, the recent shows have provided some extra anticipation to several storylines that desperately needed it.
Several Feuds on Raw Were Elevated By the Crowd in Belgium
The Crowd in Brussels Brought the Noise
The anticipation across the world for John Cena’s first promo as a heel onRaw on Netflixwas extremely high. It was the first timeWrestleMania 41opponents Cena and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes would face each other sinceCena’s vicious attack atElimination Chamber. For twenty minutes to start this week’sRaw on Netflix, Cena degraded the crowd in Brussels and everywhere in the world. The loud, deafening chants of, “John Cena sucks” echoed across the Forest National. This moment helped add even more heat to Cena and his feud with Rhodes.
John Cena Unloads Unrelenting Attack On WWE Raw Crowd
Cena dished out 25 years of frustration on the WWE Universe.
In addition to Cena-Rhodes, it appears we’re headed for atriple threat for the Women’s World Championshipbetween Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, and Bianca Belair atWrestleMania 41. Initially, Sky and Belair were preparing for their contract signing with Raw general manager Adam Pearce, until Ripley crashed the party and attacked both of them. From the moment she came out,Sky was flooded with “You deserve it” chants from the Belgian crowd. That moment helped separate Sky from the other two as the favorite to win the WWE Universe. Moments like that are what help add extra significance to predictable outcomes.
We cannot talk about these recent European crowds without mentioning the main events from bothSmackdownandRawfrom this past week. Obviously,Spanish sensation Axiomwas acclaimed by his home crowd in a standout match with Gunther. Then, we witnessed an overpowering ovation for The Street Profits on Friday, when they dethroned D.I.Y. to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions. A reaction they likely wouldn’t have gotten from a crowd in the U.S.
Then, WWE followed it up with Bron Breakker defeating Finn Balor in the main event of Raw to retain the Intercontinental Championship.The crowd’s reaction to Dominik Mysteriograbbing the belt during the match and looking at it as if he wanted a chance at the belt was awesome. Even as a heel, it felt like a huge moment. But, the ending with Penta and Breakker staring each other down, with Breakker holding the title in the air with the crowd chanting along with Penta, “Cero Miedo,” was a phenomenal way to end the show in Brussels and add some firepower to the midcard title scene.
European Crowds Are the Best Way to Install Energy Into the Product
Since WWE decided to take their shows across the world more often, it has shown not only how much those European countries love the product, it also proves how often they watch it. We’ve witnessed organic growth for so many superstars over the past year, originating from shows in Europe. One example that instantly comes to mind iswhen Jey Uso came out atBacklashlast year in France. It almost felt like the presence of Bray Wyatt was in the stadium. Also, look at the way current WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was received from the WWE Universe at last year’sElimination Chamberkick-off show in Perth, Australia. That was the beginning of the “Tiffy Time” era.
The formula has been created by WWE to help add some extra excitement to their product heading into their biggest season. After seeing what it’s done for WWE over the past couple of years, it has become the norm. A big reason Europe craves the product so much could be because they’re not accustomed to seeing it in person as often as the U.S. Whatever the case may be,WWEhas found a great way to boost the excitement forWrestleMania, and it should continue with this formula for years to come.
