The first ever WWE Live Dune Bash event hurtles into Dubai this weekend with two nights of action-packed wrestling on offer at the city’s tennis stadium in the Irish Village.
It arrives in the Middle East on the back of the roaring success in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi over the past 12 months that reflected the enormous popularity of sports entertainment’s premier company.
This time around it is the UAE’s second city that plays host as it joins the WWE Universe in welcoming its Superstars to their shores.
The action begins on Thursday and is rounded off tomorrow evening at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium with two packed cards.
Seven matches feature on both days with the Intercontinental and United States titles up for grabs. Those four matches with the gold on the line are the ones to watch but as is the case for WWE contests outside of televised coverage do not expect either to change hands, especially with a Payback pay-per-view with the current champions booked into on the horizon.
There are also a couple of repeat matches across, but this should not take away from the experience as those wrestlers will look to install a bit of rivalry and invention that keeps both single and double entry fans entertained.
Intercontinental champion The Miz puts his title on the line in two slated triple threat matches, first against Dean Ambrose and Sami Zayn tonight and then tomorrow as Dolph Ziggler replaces Zayn.
Zayn is always a popular figure among the local fans due to his Middle Eastern heritage and his matchup against old WWE NXT foe Kevin Owens is a mouth-watering prospect on Saturday.
US title holder Kalisto also puts it all on the line across the double header, taking on Ryback and Alberto Del Rio. Other notable appearances come in the larger than life size of the Big Show, King Barrett, Goldust and Los Matadores who take on Damien Sandow and Fandango in what are likely to be light hearted warm-ups to proceedings.
Possibly the most intriguing arrival though is in the shape of AJ Styles. The Phenomenal One will be in the Middle East for the first time on the back of joining the company at the beginning of the year. For many it will be the first sight of one of the most exciting talents in wrestling.
If it can replicate the successes of the previous two events in the Middle East then there is no doubt that this will be a treat for everyone in attendance and will prove a hit with kids and adults alike.
“WWE is delighted to come to Dubai as the UAE and the wider Middle East region continue to be a significant priority for WWE,” said Gerrit Meier, WWE president, International. Tickets are available at www. platinumlist.net for Dh350 per person.
VENUE: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium
WHAT: WWE Live Dune Bash
WHEN: Thursday at 20:30 and Friday at 19:00
VERDICT: There’s a reason why wrestling is so popular in the region. Come and check out what the hype is all about for yourself and see some of the sport’s biggest stars.
CONTACT: Visit www.platinumlist.net for tickets and www.wwe.com for more information
