WWE India Superstar Spectacle Highlights: Cena, Rollins beat Imperium in thrilling main event; Gunther, Rhea win too

A fitting conclusion to the three-hour WWE Superstar Spectacle as the beloved crowd favorites, John Cena and Seth Rollins, secure a hard-fought victory in the main event. They now join the ranks of Gunther, Rhea Ripley, Natalya, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Bronn Breakker in the list of winners for the evening.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for joining us, allowing us to bring you live action from Hyderabad. We sincerely hope that you enjoyed following the event as much as we relished delivering it to you. Your support and enthusiasm are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting WWE action in the future. Thank you and good night!

John Cena's parting words: "Thank you for allowing me to be here in front of you all tonight"

Throughout the contest, The Imperium held the upper hand, but ultimately, it's Cena and Rollins who clinch victory. After a grueling battle with Vinci, Rollins managed to make the tag to Cena. The Cenation Leader entered the ring with a burst of energy, swiftly executing his signature moves - the running shoulder thrust followed by the Five Knuckle Shuffle.

Cena then hoisted Vinci onto his shoulders and delivered the Attitude Adjustment (AA). As Ludwig Kaiser attempted to intervene, he found himself on the receiving end of a devastating stomp from Rollins. With Vinci pinned to the mat, the referee's count reached 1, 2, 3, and Cena emerged triumphant in his debut match in India.

It's that pivotal stage in the tag team match where one competitor seems to be absorbing all the energy from the opposition, and in this instance, it's Seth Rollins who finds himself in that role. The Imperium has delivered a strong and cohesive performance thus far, effectively preventing both Cena and Rollins from gaining the upper hand. In particular, Rollins has struggled to find moments of dominance during the contest.

Ludwig Kaiser has been relentless in wearing down Rollins, taking moments to taunt Cena with his iconic 'you can't see me' gesture.

Rollins initiates the match but promptly tags in Cena. After a series of offensive maneuvers, Vinci gains the upper hand over Cena. It's a familiar sight, isn't it? How many times have we witnessed Cena begin a match with some uncertainty, only to transform into the formidable "Super Cena" during the closing stages and secure a victory? The fervent crowd will undoubtedly be hoping that tonight's narrative unfolds in a manner consistent with this iconic pattern.

Our man at the venue reports that the stadium practically erupted when Cena's iconic entrance music hit, and the volume levels in the arena skyrocketed even further as he made his grand entrance. He describes the crowd's reaction as unlike anything he has ever heard before, and it's hardly surprising, given that we're talking about none other than John Cena.

Reflecting on unforgettable moments in WWE history, such as Stone Cold Steve Austin's assist to Mankind, Daniel Bryan's dramatic turn on Bray Wyatt inside a steel cage, or Cena's return at the 2021 Money in the Bank, it's evident that this ovation ranks right up there with the most iconic and memorable crowd reactions in WWE history.

And here we go! It's the match we've all eagerly anticipated for the past month. In one corner, we have John Cena and Seth Rollins, gearing up to face the formidable team of The Imperium. It's safe to say that this marks Cena's first and final appearance in India, making it all the more special to secure a victory on this unique occasion.

Teaming up with Cena is the reigning World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, a title Cena himself has held three times, albeit under a different championship belt. The stage is set for a showdown of epic proportions, and the anticipation in the air is palpable as these elite superstars prepare to dazzle the Indian audience. 

A dominant performance by the RAW Women’s champion. Rhea showed tremendous strength to break herself out of the sharpshooter and hit Natalya with the Riptide to pick up the win. In between the match, Natalya seized a small advantage but a missed a spear to ram right into the post which halted her momentum. Rhea landed the German Suplex, as the crowd erupted into 'Suplex City’ chants and built on it to pick up the 1, 2, 3

The match we believed had been cancelled is, in fact, taking place. Natalya, who is competing in her second match of the evening, is vying for the RAW Women's title, having earned the opportunity to become challenge for the championship after her victory over Zoey Stark earlier this evening. However, Natalya's pursuit of championship glory appears to be an uphill battle, as Rhea has asserted her dominance right from the outset.

Rhea initiated her offensive with a sneak attack while the referee was announcing the competitors, seizing control of the match. She relentlessly pummeled Natalya with devastating knee strikes and forcefully rammed her opponent into the steel steps.

After many years, India's beloved Great Khali has made a remarkable and unexpected appearance within the WWE fold. We use the term "visit" rather than "return" because Khali is no longer under contract with the WWE. Nonetheless, it's essential to acknowledge his significant contributions in putting India on the global WWE map.

Indeed, without Khali's pioneering contributions, the prospect of WWE organizing a live event in India with a multitude of Indian talents would have remained a distant dream. His impact and influence on the world of professional wrestling have been instrumental in paving the way for the thriving Indian wrestling scene we see today.

Odyssey Jones, who was recently elevated to the RAW main roster, displayed early promise in the match before Bronn Breakker swiftly extinguished his momentum. The NXT champion snapped Odyssey's neck against the ropes and followed it up with a powerful slam. This combination left Odyssey groggy and vulnerable, allowing Breakker to execute a devastating spear and secure the pinfall victory.

Yime for some NXT talents to showcase their skills to the Indian audience. We're well aware of Bronn Breakker's capabilities, especially considering his recent actions on last Wednesday night's NXT episode. He produced quite the shocker when he ruthlessly smashed Von Wagner's head with steel steps, sending him to the hospital.

let's take a moment to recap the exciting action thus far at the WWE India Superstar Spectacle. The show kicked off with an impromptu six-man tag team battle, featuring former 3MB comrades Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal, who offered their support and eventually joined forces with Sami Zayn-Kevin Owens and Indus Sher, respectively. Matt Riddle's interference offered distraction, and it was the team of McIntyre, Zayn, and KO that emerged victorious in this thrilling contest. It was followed by a pretty average match between Natalya and Zoey where the former Divas champion who picked up the win. Next up, local boy Shanky tried to pull an upset win over Gunther but the Imperium leader came out on top to extend his year-long dominant run as the Intercontinental Champion. 

Contrary to the originally scheduled showdown between Gunther and Drew McIntyre, WWE surprised the audience with another unplanned matchup, as Shanky stepped in to replace the Scottish Psychopath. The match began with Shanky delivering some powerful blows, momentarily gaining the upper hand. However, Gunther, with his immense strength, quickly turned the tide, sending Shanky sprawling out of the ring. To the crowd's amusement, Gunther even broke into a spontaneous dance.

Shanky valiantly attempted to hold his ground, but the sheer power of Gunther proved to be overwhelming. Gunther sealed the match by laying Shanky flat with a vicious chop, followed by a daring maneuver off the top rope - a flying clothesline that left Shanky reeling. The referee's count followed, 1… 2… 3, signaling Gunther's victory, and solidifying his legacy as the longest-reigning Intercontinental champion of all time.

A brief contest concludes with Natalya securing the victory by executing a roll-up on Zoey Stark. Our man at the venue reports that it was a rather lackluster match, characterised by a lot of running around the ring and only a few impactful blows exchanged inside it.

WWE fans are known for their passionate voices, and when it comes to the audience in India, you can always expect the unexpected. During the Stark vs Natalya match, the spirited crowd in attendance couldn't resist breaking into "CM Punk" chants.

As the match progressed, the Punk chats vanished as "RCB" echoes filled the arena. Our correspondent on the scene even speculates that it wouldn't be a surprise to hear the iconic "Sachin-Sachin" chants filling up the arena, underlining the deep-rooted connection between cricket and wrestling in the hearts of Indian fans.

In the evening's second surprise, contrary to the initial plans of Rhea Ripley defending her RAW Women's Championship against Natalya, it's Zoey Stark who has stepped in to take the place of the Judgment Day member. In a back-and-forth start to the match, both athletes have had their moments of dominance. Zoey initiated the action with a fierce offensive onslaught, taking control of the match before Natalya evened the odds. However, in a blink of an eye and a moment of uncertainty, Zoey seized an opportunity to catch Natalya off-guard with a powerful clothesline, sending her tumbling outside the ring.

Just as the tension was reaching its peak, the familiar strains of Matt Riddle's entrance music reverberate through the arena. This unexpected distraction proves to be the turning point, catching Jinder Mahal off guard. In that crucial moment of vulnerability, Drew McIntyre seizes the opportunity and delivers a resounding Claymore kick to his former 3MB teammate, securing the victory for his team.

As the dust settles and the bell rings, an infectious spirit of camaraderie takes over. All six members of the match set aside their rivalries and break into an exuberant dance, showcasing their best Bhangra moves. A heartwarming display of unity and celebration, much to the delight of the electrified audience in attendance.

India's very own, Veer Mahan and Sanga, find themselves performing in front of their home crown, but to their surprise, are not receiving the expected hometown support. Instead, the passionate fans are firmly backing and chanting for the beloved duo of Zayn and Owens, the "good guys" in this scenario. Oh! And did we mention that Drew McIntyre made quite the entrance, sporting an India jersey as he joined the fray.

Incredible drama unfolds early in the match! Just two minutes in, a surprise appearance by Jinder Mahal completely disrupts the proceedings. Mahal forcefully intervenes by launching an attack on Zayn and Owens, leaving the referee with no choice but to signal an unexpected disqualification.

However, before the disappointment can fully settle in among the crowd, Drew McIntyre storms into the ring, turning what was initially a four-man tag match into an electrifying and impromptu six-man showdown. The ring is set for an even more intense battle now, with Zayn, Owens, and McIntyre facing off against the formidable trio of Veer, Sanga, and Jinder Mahal.

And here we go! The evening's excitement kicks off with the first thrilling match as former WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn step into the ring to take on the formidable Indian duo of Veer Mahan and Sanga, better known as The Indus Sher. Zayn and KO might be nursing the wounds of their recent loss at Judgment Day on RAW, but make no mistake, they remain a dominant force to be reckoned with.

Their opponents, Veer and Sangha, are rising talents on the wrestling scene, showing great promise and potential. Tonight, they find themselves in the midst of a monumental challenge, as they prepare to go head-to-head with the experienced duo of Zayn and Owens. It's a clash of experience against youth.

Listen to that deafening ROAR! We're just a mere 10 minutes away from showtime, and the electrifying energy radiating from the crowd is simply unparalleled. WWE has enjoyed an immense and dedicated fanbase in India for years. Even this writer, a lifelong WWE enthusiast, fondly remembers growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, during the iconic Attitude and Ruthless Aggression Eras.

Many of the stars from that era have called time, and it's precisely why the presence of John Cena holds such immense significance for the multitude of fans filling the stadium tonight. His appearance is nothing short of a monumental moment, reigniting the nostalgia and excitement that made WWE an integral part of the childhoods of countless enthusiasts in India and around the world.

They may be team mates tonight but John Cena and Seth Rollins have a pretty solid history. In the height of of 2015, Cena and Rollins had engaged in a series of back-and-forth matches. Rollins infamously broke Cena's nose, and in a 'Winner Takes All' match, the Architect defeated the then-United States champion to clinch the title at SummerSlam that year. As part of the Authority, Rollins was a thorn in Cena's eyes for months before the rivalry came to a fruition at WWE's biggest event of the summer. Ever since, although Cena and Rollins have crossed paths, their encounters were relatively brief, and their interactions became scarcer after Cena ventured into other opportunities outside of WWE. Now, after years of separate journeys, these two former rivals are reuniting to form a formidable alliance. Their goal: to take on the formidable tag team duo of Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci, better known as The Imperium.

Our man at the venue, Shivam Saha with some scintillating visuals. Wow! Take a moment to soak it all in - the awe-inspiring Titantron, the electrifying lighting, and the grandeur of the wrestling ring. It's a visual spectacle - no pun intended - that leaves fans in sheer amazement. Folks, this is the essence of the thrill that comes with witnessing a WWE Live event firsthand.

With just 45 minutes remaining until showtime, the arena is already filling up with eager fans who have eagerly taken their seats. Anticipation is running high, and as the minutes tick away, you can expect the remaining seats to be quickly filled as well.

With just one hour left before the event kicks off, the atmosphere is buzzing with anticipation as the crowd steadily grows in numbers. Enthusiastic John Cena fans have converged in the arena, their excitement palpable, as they eagerly await the arrival of the leader of CENATION, the GOAT, for his first match on Indian soil.

"Super excited! I've been waiting for this moment since I was a kid. And finally, John Cena is here in India. He's one of the greatest of all time and my absolute favorite," exclaimed Shubham, who traveled all the way from Delhi to Hyderabad to witness the legendary Dr. of Thuganomics in action. The passion and devotion of fans like Shubham exemplify the profound impact and universal appeal of Cena, promising an unforgettable evening of wrestling entertainment.