The WWE television circus relocated to Quebec City to host its flagship show of the last 30 years, Monday Night Raw. Judging by the atmosphere created by more than 11,000 adoring fans at the Videotron Center, this great premiere won’t be the last.
• Also read: WWE Tag Team Champion: Quebec was a milestone in Kevin Owens’ journey
The world’s largest wrestling promotion has made a few stops in Quebec City in the past, but never for this large-scale television production.
Long before the doors opened, thousands of believers lined up outside. The lined up of 24 53-foot production trucks, like the great artists, testified to the internationality of the show.
It was then watched as the insatiable crowd clamored for Quebec favorites Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, who joined his partner after missing a few weeks with a rib injury and quickly realized the evening was going to be special .
In addition, the reigning team champions and proud representatives of Belle Province quickly caused an uproar when Owens, speaking in French from his home, assured the enemies of the Judgment Day group “that tonight we will… volley you”!
Great end to the evening
Anyone who keeps an eye on the results knows that the Quebecers, along with one of the company’s headliners, Cody Rhodes, lived up to their promise after a series of spectacular recordings that ended with the inimitable “stunner” made popular by “Stone Cold” at the time . Steve Austin and covered by Owens.
Sami Zayn entered the Videotron Center arena with the Quebec flag on his shoulders.
“I’m sorry for everyone around the world who doesn’t understand French, but the red here is for Canada and the blue is for Quebec,” Zayn concluded, showing off the belts, before giving a long ovation and a comfortable speech to the public received as soon as the cameras rolled are gone.
“I heard it was the first time there was television here in Quebec, but it won’t be the last,” Zayn said, before Owens paid tribute to his family and “that host… of redheads.” Zayn’s delight.
A simply magical moment of communion between the two locals and the audience, who had already enjoyed the rosary read by Owens!
Kevin Owens wowed Quebec viewers.
Lots of charisma
Of course there were also the Quebecers who cheered on the happy crowd, but also some other big names of the time.
There was the raw power of Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion who, after 437 days with the belt on his hip, is about to break the legendary Honky Tonk Man’s longevity record. He may have lost to Chris Gable, but the title never changes hands after 10 counts out of the arena. Old-timers know that…
There was the blatant arrogance of The Miz, the eternal “bad guy” getting sidetracked. There was Matt Riddle and his hilarious enthusiasm forming an unlikely tandem with the colossal Drew McIntyre. There was even the indefatigable Canadian Trish Stratus, who doesn’t look like her 47 years and who, in her new role as a vile person, has poked fun at the Quebec public by responding with slaps like “We don’t care.” “.
This is a tirade in the spirit of a lively evening between the wrestlers, the wrestlers and the audience, delighted by the smallest performances of this inimitable sports theater that we never tire of.
A return in time
Being a wrestling fan myself two or three ages ago I didn’t know what to think when I appeared on the cover tonight. My conclusion: the stitch comes back quickly!
In my early childhood it was Andre The Giant and Hulk Hogan who hosted my wrestling nights. The giant no longer exists and the Hulkster draws closer to the wanderer than his glory, but their legacy lives on. Later, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Steve Austin and The Rock captivated me. Since then it has been empty.
At Raw at the Videotron Center, the athletic prowess, impossible acrobatics, and skillfully executed choreography quickly recaptured my stunned childhood heart. It was just like the good old days, except now all of those antics are amplified to 1000 potency by exceptional athletes.
Laughing while claiming wrestling is “wrong”? Of course, everything is organized with the viewer, but the show is no less real and powerful.
Of course, in the course of the exciting stories that follow, a few very questionable scenarios creep in. Of course, TV and commercial breaks make for a bit of downtime in this three-hour mega production.
But in the end, Quebec audiences devoured the program with insatiable appetites.
When is WWE returning to Quebec for a major production? Ball falls to wealthy Vince McMahon’s band, but if there’s a return, the audience will be there. And I admit it without embarrassment, so do I.
The Battles (with winners in bold)
In the advance ticket
ricochet against Riddick Moss
Natalia (Calagary) vs. Nikki Cross
WWE RAW
Matt Riddle & Drew McIntyre v. The new day
Chad Gable vs. Gunter (Intercontinental) – Countout
Candice LeRae v. Rhea Ripley
Akira Tozawa vs. The Miz
Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs. Chelsey Green & Piper Niven
Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest, Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio (Judgment Day)