Review for WWE Live in the UK May 2014

I feel like every six months I write the same review and make the same comments. This is when WWE decides to release their 'Live in UK' set. Every time I comment that the average fan doesn't want to watch a random episode of a WWE show and that unless you were there these shows will mean nothing to you. And every six months WWE release them?

The two disks feature Raw, Smackdown, Main Event and Superstars.

Raw features a number of good matches, but watching the full show makes me realise just how long and dragging three hours is. Surely, someone must realise that if they cut all the fat from Raw it would be a much punchier and better show? It includes a great match between Sheamus and Cesaro, a nice mixed tag match between R-Truth and Naomi against Fandango and Layla which didn't actually happen, but always great to see Summer Rae and Layla. Paige vs. Alicia Fox is not a bad match, but with Paige being from the UK I can understand it being on here. Could have ben better, but Paige always looks good.

There are a number of Beat the Clock matches including a pretty good one between RVD and Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler and Mark Henry and an awful one between Big E and Ryback. It's just one of those lumbering matches that really should have been better... or over in ten seconds.

We do get our fix of Stephanie McMahon which is a pretty good Heel promo, but no actual Daniel Bryan which is a shame. Batista vs. Seth Rollins could have been good, but it takes so long to set up. The match itself is nothing special, but then I didn't expect much. Cena vs. Luke Harper is actually better than I expected and the sight of all the fans with the lamps is so awesome and creepy.

Main Event only two matches an an arm wrestling contest. All three are nothing special with R-Truth vs. Damien Sandow fine despite Sherlock Sandow taking too much time, Naomi vs Aksana almost unwatchable and the arm wrestling between Mark Henry and Cesaro a nice idea only made watchable by the appearance of Paul Heyman.

Superstars again only features two matches between Big Show and Titus O'Neil and Cody Rhodes and Jack Swagger. There's not much I can say about these. They are watchable, but nothing special.

Smackdown is a much better show than Raw and not just because it is shorter. It features a great promo and return to the UK by Hulk Hogan. This is worth watching it for in general.

The rest of the show is full of some great matches between the likes of Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio and an almost PPV quality match between The Usos and The Wyatts. This is a great tag match and one of the few times I can recall a show main eventing with a tag match that doesn't involve John Cena (though he does accompany The Usos to the ring).

There is still far too much recaps and talking with only five matches throughout the show, but it is still much more enjoyable to watch than the overlong Raw. There is even a passable Divas match between the Funkadacytls vs Nikki Bella and Eva Marie and Summer Raw as referee. This is worth watching for the eyecandy alone.

The only reason why anyone who wasn't there would want to own this (other than being a 'must own everything' fan) is the inclusion of a rare Hulk Hogan vs. Macho Man match from 1989 in London. This includes a classic 'Let me tell you something Mean Gene' promo from Hogan and a pretty good match between the two. However, again I feel this is a sneaky way for WWE to lure old skool fans like me who are curious about this match. I do feel (I've probably said this before) that if they did release a 'Best of WWE in UK' set I would buy that without question.

They also include a few extras which is nice, including a feature on Paige which is pretty good. Segments of the Raw and Smackdown Kickoff and Raw Backstage Pass show that if you do want to know more it is there on the network (if we ever get it in the UK), but most feels very kayfabe and old skool which is a little odd.

Watching this set which is over six hours of footage I feel that if you are a WWE or wrestling fan then you will enjoy the fact that there is so much content on here. With the four shows, plus all the extras and the rare Hogan match it does have a lot to offer. If you were at the event, I'm sure you could spend time watching to see if you can spot yourself in the crowd and it is a good momento of the day you spent there.

However, I do feel that WWE could have edited the shows to a 'Best of WWE in the UK May 2013' and made it much more enjoyable. Rewatching some of the endless promos made me sit there hovering over the fast forward button and there is very few of them that I would want to relive. If they did this it might be a better DVD. Though I will admit the inclusion of more backstage elements and features makes it a lot more enjoyable and if you are a WWE fan you will find much that you will like. I still think the set is unnecessary, but it's getting better.