Another huge coup for Co-op Live as they have announced that WWE Live has chosen the brand-new venue for the return to Manchester.
The global wrestling phenomenon last came to the city back in 2021 and it looks like our shiny new arena has done enough to beckon them for some more Manc hospitality.
Confirmed on Friday, 14 June, WWE Live – a night of house wrestling shows that aren’t part of the annual televised programming – is set to land at Europe’s biggest indoor entertainment venue this fall, with the date currently scheduled for 16 October.
In case you’re not a wrestling fan and don’t understand the gravity of the fan base all over the world, this is going to be absolutely massive and is exactly why the arrival of Co-op Live is huge for Manchester.
Fans attending will see their favourite WWE Superstars in action including Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, WWE Women’s Champion Bayley, Randy Orton and many more.
As detailed in an official press release from WWE UK, “Fans attending WWE Live will see their favourite WWE Superstars in action, including Undisputed WWE Champion, ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes and Women’s Champion, Bayley.
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Other wrestlers performing on the night include WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill, industry legend Randy Orton, as well as LA Knight, AJ Styles and ‘Queen of the Ring’ Nia Jax; Kevin Owens, The Bloodline, Bobby Lashley, The Street Profits and many more.
The best part of all is that those going along to WWE Live in Manchester will be the only people to witness the action inside the stadium as these shows aren’t broadcast anywhere.
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Just think, you’ll get to watch an exclusive night of one of the biggest sporting events on the planet that nobody else will ever have the pleasure of seeing. Not often you can say that.
If you’re a Manchester-based wrestling fan, we don’t think we even need to convince you to grab a seat for this one, so we’ll just tell you the details and leave you to it.
Though the Manchester date isn’t live yet, you can be ready to grab yours HERE and further information can be found on the WWE events page.
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This is just the second sporting event to be confirmed for the arena, with fights fans are already excited to see the UFC returning to Manchester for the time since 2016, but not everyone is so happy about the start times.
Tommy Fury announces huge fight against former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall
Daisy Jackson
Tommy Fury has announced his next major boxing match – against a rather unlikely opponent.
The Manc boxer and former Love Island star will face Eddie Hall, who once reigned as the World’s Strongest Man and was the first person on the planet to deadlift 500kg.
The match, billed as Beauty vs The Beast (we’ll let you decide who’s who…), will take place at the AO Arena this summer.
Tommy Fury and Eddie Hall will be facing off in Manchester as part of the Misfits Boxing series, a sports promotion company founded by YouTube sensation KSI.
26-year-old Fury – younger brother of heavyweight legend Tyson Fury – remains unbeaten, seeing off all-comers in the crossover boxing world.
As for 38-year-old Eddie Hall (nicknamed The Beast), he retired as a strongman competitor, where he’s previously been crowned the World’s Strongest Man, and has now pivoted into combat sports.
The pair have collaborated recently on several videos online, taking on challenges like a One Punch Knockout and a breakfast eating competition.
But this will be the first time they’ve publicly faced off in the ring.
Misfirst Boxing has once more delivered the biggest match-ups possible in the crossover boxing space, with Fury vs. Hall promising to be a titanic tussle that will captivate fans around the world.
Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall, Beauty vs The Beast, will take place on Saturday 13 June at the AO Arena in Manchester – you can get tickets HERE.
Corey Blackett-Taylor ruled out injured for the rest of the season
Danny Jones
Bolton Wanderers winger Corey Blackett-Taylor has been ruled out for the rest of the season following injury.
With not that long left in this year’s campaign and the playoff scrap set to ramp up even further in the coming weeks, it’s an unfortunate twist of fate for the Trotters.
Despite still being only a relatively recent signing, having just joined Bolton in the most recent January transfer window, it didn’t take long for him to make a good impression.
Scoring on debut in a 1-0 away win against AFC Wimbledon, the 28-year-old is now set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 term, letting supporters know the news on Friday, 27 March.
Blackett-Taylor was forced off in the game against Rotherham United after pulling up in the wake of taking a shot, ultimately being subbed in the first half.
It was quickly confirmed to be a thigh injury, and while the specific nature and severity of the damage haven’t been fully detailed, he has now informed fans that his season is over.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Instantly from arriving at the club, I felt the passion and support from the fans, club, staff and players.
“I have no doubts [about] the club achieving their targets of promotion – I want to say a huge thank you for making me feel so welcomed and comfortable. Unfortunately, my season is concluded due to my injury, but I’ll be here supporting the team to the very end.”
He isn’t the only impactful League One player at a side eyeing up the Championship to have been hampered by setbacks on the physio bench, with rivals Stockport County also confirming an absence at this crucial point in the campaign.
Not ideal for either of the Greater Manchester hopefuls.
Once again, while the recovery period for both of these players has already begun, the exact timelines for their return remain to be seen.
That being said, chances are we’ll see the Derby County loanee back in action before Hills, though we’ll have to wait to find out whether it will be at the Toughsheet Stadium or back with his parent club.
Who do you think is going to clinch that third promotion place at Wembley come this May?
Danny Jones -
14th June 2024 
