Titles stay put as Filipino fans get real treat in thrilling WWE Manila return

WWE Live returns to Manila with a thrilling card. Photo by Mark Giongco

MANILA, Philippines—The WWE superstars promised to put on a show in WWE’s return to Manila after three years and they delivered a spectacle.

Filipino fans many of whom braved the heavy rains and bad traffic on a Friday night did not leave Araneta Coliseum disappointed.

Four titles were on the line and not one changed hands.

Kofi Kingston retained the WWE championship after finishing off Daniel Bryan with a Trouble In Paradise on the counter in the main event.

The Revival also successfully defended their SmackDown Tag Team titles against The New Day after Scott Dawson had Big E pinned off a hit on an exposed turnbuckle.

In a Street Fight, Bayley secured the three-count against Charlotte Flair to keep her SmackDown Women’s belt.

Bayley sent Flair crashing head first into a well-placed steel chair in between two turnbuckles off a failed Spear attempt that led to the pinfall.

“The Big Dog” Roman Reigns interacting with his Filipino fans after beating Sami Zayn during last night’s WWE Live Manila. Fans certainly got their money’s worth after a thrilling show. pic.twitter.com/RLm4yRxju5

— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) September 21, 2019

But it was “The Queen” who dealt the final blow.

Flair tried to put Bayley through a table twice—first via a Frogsplash then a Powerbomb—but on both times the table remained intact and Bayley got the worst of it.

The familiar chants of “This is awesome” broke out at the Big Dome when Intercontinental champion Shinsuke Nakamura and Ali squared off in what turned out to be the most exciting match of the night.

With the help of Sami Zayn, Nakamura got the better of Ali, who got caught with a Kinshasa, to keep his belt.

Zayn, however, couldn’t make it a double celebration after he got more than what he asked for when he spontaneously called out for a challenge just shortly following Nakamura’s victory.

Accepting the challenge was no less than Roman Reigns himself, who had Filipino fans into a frenzy.

Reigns delivered a Spear to dismantle Zayn, who was down for the count.

Kicking off the night was Kevin Owens, who hit Andrade with a Stunner to seal the win.

Also victorious were Chad Gable, who submitted EC3 with an Ankle Lock, and Mandy Rose, who defeated Carmella.

R-Truth, the reigning 24/7 Champion, served as guest ring announcer during the match between Gable and EC3.

Truth briefly lost his belt after he was caught off guard by EC3 before reclaiming less than a minute later with the help of Gable.

After a highly-entertaining night, the Filipino fans were the real winners with WWE superstars such as Reigns, Kingston and Owens taking time to sign autographs and pose for pictures especially with the kids at ringside after the match.