From 1997 to 2003, the WWE put on a series of PPV's in the UK starting with "One Night Only". They included their own introductions, full commentary, live interviews, and backstage segments, so they were more than traditional house shows. There was even an additional Steve Austin v The Rock WWE Championship match in 2001 that occurred, to add to their classic rivalry with many more unknown gems through the years.
Related: WWE: Every UK Exclusive PPV, Ranked
The era of UK only PPVs lasted 6 years and came to a close with Insurrextion in 2003, with a total of twelve events. It would be 15 years until Saudia Arabia when the WWE held another PPV on foreign soil. Here is the breakdown of all the UK events that North American fans may have missed.
12 One Night Only (1997)
Shawn screwed Bulldog out of the European Championship, in the main event, bringing a ton of heat to DX in a match "you need to watch" and a great start to the PPV series. HBK politicked his way into winning the belt after Bulldog had promised his unwell sister the victory in the media. Bulldog was incredibly upset according to Bret but was reassured he would win it back at the next UK PPV.
HBK's later match on Raw with HHH in effect made a mockery of the Championship, as he laid down for the pin. The European Title should have been the new "Workhorse Championship" of the WWE, much like the TV Title in WCW and was now ruined. There is also a little-known lengthy (30 mins) Bret v Undertaker rematch from Summerslam as the co-main event.
11 Mayhem in Manchester (1998)
With Shawn and Bulldog out of the WWE, and issues over money sharing with the arena, broadcast plans changed as it was originally a larger PPV. It was later released on DVD and holds the distinction for being the last ever standard WWE event to use the "New Generation" Logo, blue steel steps and mats then red white and blue ropes.
Austin as Champion in his very first defence faced DX’s new leader HHH, a year before this rivalry played out on TV. Then Undertaker (complete in Biker/DOA clothes as his luggage was lost) met Kane in a very poor and short Wrestlemania 14 rematch, closing the show. This event was a default house show, and scheduling it so close to Wrestlemania 14 was a mistake.
10 Capital Carnage (1998)
WWE was fresh into the Corporation angle with The Rock as Champion post Survivor Series 1998. Vince McMahon drinks tea on stage, plus some classic Rock impersonations occur in an interview. It was originally The Rock v HHH, (WWE saved this match as it was too high profile) then switched to X-Pac, in a contest that is very underrated.
The main event was a fatal four-way between heavy hitters Stone Cold, Kane The Undertaker, plus Mankind. If you ever wondered why Ken Shamrock gets incredibly angry during his entrance and destroys the sign in rage, the other side reads “No Shamrock Zone”, and was created by this author! Classic heel work by the "world's most dangerous man".
9 No Mercy (1999)
Located during the "Russo Attitude Era" with Shane McMahon prominent in orchestrating events, right at the heart of the Corporate Ministry. Shane promised "no mercy" on X-Pac as he brought the title out of retirement for one night in a Wrestlemania 15 rematch.
The main event featured a Triple Threat "No Hold Barred" contest with Undertaker and HHH against Steve Austin. In the end, X-Pac and other faces get their revenge on the heels as the Corporate-Ministry angle dominated the show throughout and Austin was victorious.
8 Rebellion (1999)
Held in October 1999, during Triple H's Championship reign. The main event was an intriguing Steel Cage match against The Rock. Outside involvement from the recently returned British Bulldog, who was furious he did not get a WWE Title shot in his home country, added fuel to the fire.
Related: Triple H Vs. The Rock & 8 Other WrestleMania Matches HHH Should Have Had
Elsewhere, a four corners ladies match for the Championship took place. Ivory retained against Jaqueline, Luna and Tori and Kane conquered the Big Show. Usually, the UK PPVs had a large match number and this was no different with 11 contests on the card.
7 Insurrextion (2000)
The first-ever Insurrextion took place during the lengthy Wrestlemania 2000 fallout. Vince commented on the unfairness of HHH losing the title at Backlash, but had a plan and was upset in having to visit England then breathe the foul air of London.
Fans got a Triple Threat with HHH and The Rock plus Shane McMahon inserted, to keep it fresh, and ensure a family member won the title. Elsewhere Kurt Angle v Chris Benoit, and Eddie Guerrero v Chris Jericho are the standouts. The year 2000 was fantastic for wrestling so this show is actually a little disappointing in terms of overall matchups.
6 Rebellion (2000)
Post-Survivor Series when Kurt Angle was Champion he got to mix it up against Rikishi, The Rock and Steve Austin in a slimmed-down Armageddon PPV main event. Undertaker faced Chris Benoit, and Kane went up against Jericho, as the WCW signings were still paying their dues in the WWE.
The Radicalz were heavily involved in this PPV interfering in the main event, and the Undertaker match by attacking him backstage. Plus the European title was brought back to prominence with William Regal defending it against Crash Holly
5 Insurrextion (2001)
Only seven matches but the main event includes the Undertaker against "The Two Man Power Trip" of HHH and Austin (plus Stephanie) before the famous story got sidelined. Elsewhere a two out of three falls match involving Angle and Benoit occurs for wrestling purists.
Chris Jericho became the inaugural Queens Cup winner defeating UK favorite William Regal in his home country via submission, with some dastardly heel tactics at the end. The trophy did not make it back across the Atlantic.
4 Rebellion (2001)
Taking place just before the end of "The Invasion" angle in November 2001. All matches were WWE v Alliance and it felt like a rerun of the July PPV concept. Fans got an Edge v Christian Steel Cage Intercontinental title match, a WCW Tag Team Triple Threat with the Dudleys, Hardys, then APA. Jericho also defeated Angle for the WCW Title.
Related: The Rock vs. Steve Austin: 10 Things Most Fans Don’t Realize About Their Rivalry
Possibly the highlight of all the UK PPVs (plus Shawn v Bulldog) was next. Steve Austin defeated the Rock for the WWE Title in the main event. This contest may have totally slipped by North American audiences and lasted for over twenty minutes. It was a terrific card.
3 Insurrextion (2002)
This tour is notorious as the "plane ride from hell" occurred on the flight back to the States. Historically the PPV was the first-ever Raw branded event in WWE and is the last PPV to be listed under WWF, with the name change occurring 2 days later.
Another Triple H v Undertaker singles contest occurs to add to their rivalry, and RVD takes on Guerrero for the IC belt. While Austin takes on the Big Show with Flair as a special referee. All the noteworthy stuff happened on the journey back and is where the real story lies.
2 Rebellion (2002)
John Cena's first appearance in a UK PPV and Paul Heyman participated in a match with Brock against Edge for the WWE Title in a Triple Threat. This must have been an early test of the waters for the future "Rated R Superstar". It would definitely be worth seeing again today (minus Heyman).
Not too much else stands out on this nine-match card apart, from Angle and Benoit tagging against Los Guerreros, with only Rey Mysterio missing from the "Smackdown Six". It was also the first-ever Smackdown-only PPV by the WWE.
1 Insurrextion (2003)
The final ever UK PPV had some great match-ups in Jazz v Trish Stratus, Christian v Booker T, then Steiner v Test. While the main event was loaded as Triple H (with Flair) faced Kevin Nash (with Michaels) in a "street fight" for the Heavyweight Championship as it was Raw branded.
Related: WWE Reportedly Preparing To Hold SummerSlam 2022 In The UK
Then the era of the UK only PPV came to a close. WWE decided to tape Raw and Smackdown on tours for the future starting in 2004, after an 18-month break that continues to this day. Rumours have circulated again that a major show may be planned for the UK shores, similar to the famous SummerSlam from Wembley Stadium 30 years ago, to the excitement of many fans.
