On Friday, WWE held its first show in India since 2017.
GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad played host to WWE Superstar Spectacle 2023. The live event is not being televised in the United States.
Here are the results from the show:
– A message from Becky Lynch played with Lynch apologizing for not being able to appear. Earlier this week, Lynch noted that a “tiny tear” in her passport prevented her from being able to board the plane to India.
– Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Drew McIntyre defeated Indus Sher (Veer, Sanga & Jinder Mahal)
This originally started as a tag team match with Owens & Zayn facing Veer & Sanga. It was turned into a six-man tag when Mahal got involved.
McIntyre, Mahal, Zayn, and Matt Riddle danced in the ring after the match was over.
– Rhea Ripley defeated Natalya to retain the Women’s World Championship
– John Cena & Seth Rollins defeated Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci)
Following the match, Cena gave a speech and said this moment was far greater than he could have ever imagined. This was the first time Cena has ever wrestled in India.
Due to a passport issue, Becky Lynch isn’t able to travel to India for WWE’s Superstar Spectacle live event.
Lynch posted a message on Wednesday night announcing that she won’t be able to wrestle at Superstar Spectacle. Lynch had a “tiny tear” in her passport and wasn’t allowed to board the flight to India.
“I’m sorry to all the fans in Hyderabad, India,” Lynch wrote. “I was so excited to perform for you – but as there was a tiny tear in my passport l have not been allowed to board my flight. @qatarairways”
Lynch also apologized to a fan from India who called Lynch their role model and was excited to see her wrestle in person for the first time ever:
I’m so sorry I can’t make the show anymore 🥺 thank you for all your support. We will rock again ❤️ https://t.co/HLnqqh4GIR
Superstar Spectacle is WWE’s first event in India since 2017. The show, which is taking place this Friday, isn’t airing in the United States.
The live event is slated to feature John Cena & Seth Rollins teaming up against Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci. Rhea Ripley vs. Natalya for the Women’s World Championship is also set for the show, along with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. Indus Sher (Veer & Sanga).
Lynch ended her rivalry with Trish Stratus by defeating Stratus in a steel cage match at Payback last weekend.
John Cena will be in action when WWE heads to India next month.
Cena’s match for WWE Superstar Spectacle has been announced. He will team with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins against Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci on the show.
The event takes place on Friday, September 8 from the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, India, and is part of WWE’s deal with the Sony Sports Network. It was originally scheduled for January but postponed until next month due to Sony’s merger with Zee.
One other match has been announced for the show thus far. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against Indus Sher’s Veer & Sanga, who will have Jinder Mahal in their corner. Rhea Ripley, Gunther, Drew McIntyre, Becky Lynch, Natalya, and Matt Riddle are also advertised for the event.
WWE Superstar Spectacle September 8, 2023, lineup:
John Cena & Seth Rollins vs. Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci)
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens defend against Indus Sher (Sanga & Veer) w/Jinder Mahal
WWE has announced a house show in India for September.
The company announced Monday evening that they will make their debut at the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad, India on September 8. It will be the first house show in India for WWE since 2017, when a show in New Delhi was headlined by Triple H defeating Jinder Mahal.
Tickets will go on sale for the event starting at noon IST this Friday, August 4 at bookmyshow.com. An early presale will also take place on bookmyshow.com a day prior, also at noon IST, with fans being able to pre-register now.
WWE talents announced for the show in the press release include Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, GUNTHER, Jinder Mahal, Veer, Sanga, Drew McIntyre, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Matt Riddle, Ludwig Kaiser, and “many more”.
The company previously taped a Superstar Spectacle event back in 2021 at the Thunderdome in Tampa, Florida, celebrating India’s Republic Day. The WWE Network special featured Drew McIntyre and Indus Sher (Veer & Sanga) defeating Jinder Mahal and The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil & Samir Singh) in the main event.
A WWE show scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, India next month has been postponed.
It was reported last month that WWE would be running a major show in India on January 18, 2023. The event would have taken place two years after 2021’s WWE Superstar Spectacle, a show filmed at the Thunderdome in Tampa Bay but produced for the Indian market. It aired January 26, 2021, on India’s Republic Day.
Our own Dave Meltzer reported in Friday’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the 2023 show has been postponed. WWE’s Indian broadcast partner, Sony Six, is merging with Zee and decided to put off the live event until after the merger has been completed.
Meltzer wrote:
“The 1/18 show that was scheduled for Hyderabad, India where Sony Six (WWE’s television partner) was bringing in WWE for a big live event to be built around the Indian talent and some of the other major stars, is now off.”
“The decision was made by Sony Six, which is merging with Zee in India, to hold off the show until the merger is finalized. The merger is expected to go through in April, so the show would take place after April.”
Meltzer continued to say that an NXT angle involving Veer & Sanga vs. The Creed Brothers was originally postponed in order to ensure Veer would be healthy for the big show in India. He has been dealing with a minor hand injury in recent weeks.
Live events in India are part of WWE’s deal with Sony Six. The two sides signed a five-year extension in 2020 that included an agreement for the company to return to India with “bigger live events” and for WWE Superstars to tour the country and engage with fans.
A major WWE show in India is reportedly in the works for early next year.
According to a report from Sportskeeda, WWE is planning to run a show “on a grand scale” from Hyderabad with the most likely date being Wednesday, January 18.
The event would come almost a year after WWE Superstar Spectacle was filmed for the Indian market on January 22, 2021. The event featured Drew McIntyre teaming with Indus Sher and defeating Jinder Mahal & The Bollywood Boyz in the main event. It was filmed with no fans in attendance from Tropicana Field and aired on India’s Republic Day four days later on January 26.
Superstar Spectacle was part of the company’s deal with Sony Pictures India. WWE and Sony announced a five-year extension in 2020 and revealed the deal would also involve the company returning to India with “bigger live events” and “Superstars will visit the region for promotional tours to engage with fans.”
WWE will present their first-ever Superstar Spectacle today on the WWE Network — an event designed to celebrate and recognize India’s Republic Day, a holiday that honors when the country’s Constitution was officially put into action in 1950.
Taped last Friday in the Thunderdome in Tampa, Florida,, the show features current WWE talent in matches with developmental wrestlers of Indian descent.
In the main event, WWE Champion Drew McIntyre returns for the first time since his COVID-19 diagnosis, teaming with Indus Sher against the returning Jinder Mahal and the Bollywood Boyz. NXT Champion Finn Balor is also in action against Guru Raaj while AJ Styles takes on Jeet Rama. Charlotte Flair is also on the card teaming with Sareena Sandhu against Bayley and Natalya. Ricochet, AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Ric Flair and more are also scheduled for the show.
Our live coverage starts at 9:30 AM Eastern.
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The show began with a video package showcasing both WWE’s history in India and the success of Indian superstars in the company and a sweeping camera shot showed off the digital crowd made up of Indian fans on their Republic Day.
Shahroz Ali joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Throughout the show, video packages ran before the matches that highlighted the Indian stars’ path into WWE.
NXT Champion Finn Bálor defeated Guru Raaj in a non-title match
Bálor and Raaj traded the advantage in the early moments and a hip toss allowed Raaj to pull away from the NXT Champion. Raaj connected with a high elbow and a dropkick before celebrating. Bálor later took advantage and took control.
Bálor connected with a sling blade but was interrupted by a resilient Raaj before he could follow up. Raaj unloaded with high kicks and a crossbody resulting in a near fall. An elbow from Bálor stopped Raaj’s momentum. Bálor connected with a Coup de Grâce followed by 1916 to pick up the win.
Ricochet, Rey Mysterio, Giant Zanjeer & Dilsher Shanky defeated Dolph Ziggler, King Corbin, Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura
Shanky started the match by successfully taking on both Nakamura and Ziggler. Zanjeer tagged and added Corbin to the list of controlled competitors.
The screen faded to black before the match picked back up with Cesaro in control over Mysterio. The entire heel squadron hit the ring to force everyone but Ricochet off the apron. Mysterio succeeded in getting a hot tag to his one remaining partner.
Ricochet connected with some offense, but a zig-zag left Ziggler still in control. Ricochet was forced to tag Zanjeer into the match who took back the advantage with the help of Shanky. The heels hit the ring again, but Zanjeer disposed of them all by himself. Zanjeer then hoisted Ricochet over his head before launching him into the heels regrouping outside of the ring.
Back inside, Cesaro was struck by Shanky, falling into perfect position for the 619. After hitting the move, Mysterio climbed onto the shoulders of Shanky and jumped to deliver a splash. Mysterio then pinned Cesaro for the win.
— A short backstage Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns promo played a quick backstage where they celebrated Reigns’ success as Universal Champion and wished everyone a happy Republic Day.
AJ Styles (w/ Omos) defeated Jeet Rama
Rama took control in the early moments, working Styles on the mat for some time. Styles gained some advantage for himself by sending Rama to the outside and connecting with a forearm. After a commercial, Styles had full control in the middle of the ring. Rama powered through Styles, connecting with a triad of suplexes. Styles broke up the pin that followed with a rope grab.
A boot from Styles created some separation, allowing Styles to scale to the top rope. Rama met Styles at the top, only to fall after Styles pulled out his legs. A backbreaker left Styles with a two count. Styles then locked Rama in the calf crusher which Rama eventually forced a break on by slamming Styles into the mat.
Back standing, Rama’s strength overwhelmed Styles as he connecting with a throw. Rama set Styles on the top rope, aiming for a finishing throw but Omos grabbed Styles’ tights, saving him from sure disaster. Styles then jumped from the top rope, connecting with the phenomenal forearm for the pin and win.
— The New Day (Xavier Woods and Big E) and the Street Profits welcomed Indian dance company Spinning Canvas, who performed a song and dance number in the ring.
— The Great Khali cut a short promo, wishing everyone a happy Republic Day.
Sareena Sandhu & Charlotte Flair defeated Bayley & Natalya
Flair, dressed in the colors of the flag of India, took on both Bayley and Natalya in the opening moments. Sandhu tagged in to deliver a crossbody before celebrating in the center of the ring with Flair.
After a fade to black, the match picked back up with Natalya in control. Flair and Natalya both tagged out following a Flair exploder. Sandhu took advantage and Bayley was forced to tag Natalya back into the match.
Natalya took advantage of the debuting Sandhu. The action spilled to the outside where Bayley dropped Sandhu by targeting her leg. Back in the ring, Natalya locked in a sharpshooter. Flair hit the ring to break the hold with Natural Selection, leadimg to Sandhu pinning Natalya in the center of the ring. She celebrated her colossal debut victory with a Flair strut.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre & Indus Sher (Rinku & Saurav) defeated Jinder Mahal & The Bollywood Boyz (Sunil Singh and Samir Singh)
Before the match, Ric Flair cut a promo in the center of the ring. He declared the WWE brings the world together like no one else. After wishing everyone a happy Republic Day, he was interrupted by Mahal and the Boyz. Playing the heel, Mahal declared all of Inda’s population tuned in to see him. McIntyre then interrupted Mahal before introducing Rinku and Saurav of Indus Sher.
McIntyre started the match, but none of the intimidated heels wanted to face the WWE Champion. Eventually, Samir began as the legal man. McIntyre and Indus Sher dominated both Singh brothers leading up to a commercial break.
As the break concluded, Rinku was being overwhelmed in the heel corner. Mahal, now legal, began clubbing Rinku, setting him up for a flying elbow from Sunil. Both the Bollywood Boyz kept Rinku grounded long enough for Mahal to target his arm. Rinku overpowered Mahal and tagged in McIntyre.
McIntyre unloaded on Mahal. Mahal was able to stick out a knee to block the spear. Saurav tagged in, taking out both Singh brothers. At the same time, McIntyre connected with a claymore kick to lay out Mahal. Rinku tagged in and in tandem with Saurav, landed a combination slam and elbow drop. Rinku hooked the leg before successfully pinning Sunil.
After the final bell, the spotlighted Indian talent and Triple H shared the ring for the closing shot.
Set to air this Tuesday in celebration of Republic Day in India, WWE taped their first-ever Superstar Spectacle event at the Thunderdome in Tampa, Florida, Friday afternoon.
The 9:30 AM Eastern Tuesday special that airs on the WWE Network throughout the world and Sony Media Channels in India will feature current WWE talent in matches with several WWE-signed wrestlers of Indian descent.
Here are the spoilers from the taping courtesy of ITN WWE.
Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Shoraz Ali were on commentary and several India-specifc videos aired prior to the taping. Additionally, Jinder Mahal, The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) and The Street Profits were part of separate in-ring segments that included a dance routine by Spinning Canvas. It’s unclear what will be aired Tuesday on the Network version and what was shot for the Sony version in India.
Show results:
NXT Champion Finn Balor defeated Guru Raaj
Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, Dilsher Shanky and Giant Zanjeer defeated Dolph Ziggler, King Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro
AJ Styles (w/ Omos) defeated Jeet Rama
Charlotte Flair and Sareena Sandhu defeated Bayley and Natalya
Ric Flair came out for a promo but was interrupted by Jinder Mahal and Bollywood Boyz which led into the final match.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Indus Sher (Rinku and Saurav) defeated Jinder Mahal and the Bollywood Boyz (Sunil and Samir Singh)
