Sport

WWE Live is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena this year

'Can you smellllllll what the Co-op is cooking!?'

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 14th June 2024

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.

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.

WWE live manchester 2024
wrestling in manchester
Credit: Miguel Discart (via Flickr)

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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.

Manchester MMA star Tom Aspinall slams ‘unfair’ start times for UFC 304 at Co-op Live

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — WWE Live/Co-opLive

Sport

Mary Earps is set to leave Manchester United and join PSG on a free transfer this summer

Danny Jones Danny Jones Mary Earps is leaving Man United on a free

After much speculation over her future, Lionesses keeper Mary Earps is reportedly set to leave Manchester United and join French giants PSG on a free transfer this summer.

The 31-year-old has been at Man United for nearly five years after joining from German side VfL Wolfsburg back in 2019 and has gone on to become not only the Red Devils’ number one but England’s too, emerging as one of the national team’s biggest leaders over the past few years.

Having picked up the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year among multiple other awards following her heroics at the Euros and World Cup, along with her campaigning on behalf of women’s sport, her stock has never been higher, but deliberations surrounding a new contract have dragged on for months.

Unfortunately for Man United Women fans, it looks as though the two parties have in the end failed to reach an agreement and they’ll have to big goodbye to Mary ‘Queen of Stops’.

As per multiple outlets, there has been no resolution between Earps and the WSL club despite lengthy negotiations and the fan-favourite player is now expected to leave Manchester when her contract expires at the end of the month.

The shot-stopper – who picked up the award for FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper in 2022 and the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2023 – is also said to have already chosen Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as her next destination.

According to the Evening Standard‘s Simon Collings, United are “understood to have made the goalkeeper a strong offer to stay, but she is keen for a new challenge elsewhere”, though Earps herself said the decision would ultimately be “up to the club” – the suggestion being it wasn’t a big enough deal.

It’s fair to say this will be a big loss for the club and not the only instance in which they won’t receive any kickback from the move, having similarly let a first-team star and fellow Lioness Alessia Russo go for free and join title rivals Arsenal at the end of her contract last summer.

But it isn’t just money the supporters fear has influenced the decision.

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As you can see, there is now fear that other members of Marc Skinner’s squad could also be on their way out because of the other decisions made by higher-ups, with Spaniard Lucía García having also confirmed her exit on Wednesday, 26 June.

The club has faced huge backlash following their decision to move the female players into portable facilities for the benefit of the men’s team whilst the Carrington Training Complex undergoes a reported £50 million revamp. Admittedly not a great look for parity throughout the club.

Kick Off podcast host and producer, Bruno Quinney, reacted to the news by calling it “unbelievable” and claiming that the women’s team “is going backwards” since Sir Jim Ratcliffe came in as co-owner.

“So much for a world-class sporting operation”, he added, posing the valid question: “Why can’t the serially underperforming men’s team move into portable buildings?

Earps is yet to issue a statement on her imminent departure but she’ll certainly be sorely missed by the United faithful.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — James Boyes (via Flickr)

Sport

68-year-old raises nearly £14k for The Christie in epic coastal trek

Danny Jones Danny Jones Peter Walker fundraising page Pembrokeshire The Christie fundraiser

In a wholesome bit of news that has left us both moved and inspired, a 68-year-old Brit has raised nearly £14,000 for The Christie Hospital in Manchester by completing a truly epic coastal journey.

Peter Walker, originally from Birmingham, was set to embark on the famous Land’s End to John O’Groats challenge last year with his friend Nick Slevin, but sadly his walking partner’s wife Carrie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and admitted to The Christie last year.

As a result, the journey had to be postponed but Walker still wanted to do his bit to try and raise some money in the meantime and so decided to take on a different challenge: the well-trodden but mammoth Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.

For context, this designated National Trail runs for a whopping 186 meals and Pete managed to finish the whole thing alongside some special company earlier this month.

pembrokeshire coastal path
Peter starting at Amroth in the north.
The Witches’ Cauldron
The Witches’ Cauldron near Ceibwr Bay
Credit: Peter Walker/GoFundMe

As if the distance wasn’t enough – we’re talking nearly 300km – the challenge was even more gruelling as the Pembrokeshire local had to train pretty intensely to be fit enough for the voyage and carry a 20kg backpack every step of the way, losing over a stone in weight during his preparation.

Climbing more than 10,000 metres in total (that’s more than Everest by the way) ‘r Pete lost lover 3kg during the walk itself, which started at Amroth towards the north of the route on 3 June.

So, why take this on? Well, his mate Nick, who recently retired from The Christie after 30 years of service, was a Professor of Oncology specialising in head and neck cancer and is still the Chair of The Christie Charity.

The pair met way back in 1973 whilst Nick was at medical school and have been firm friends ever since. They both sadly lost their fathers to cancer more than four decades ago and his partner Carrie is a well-known teacher in the Didsbury area and similarly experienced fell-walker.

To make things even more heartwarming, Pete, his wife Helen, Nick and Carrie were all able to reunite for the last leg and the finish line at St Dogmaels just under a fortnight later.

peter walker nick slevin
Pete and long-time friend Nick
St Dogmaels Pembrokeshire Coast Walk
Smashed it.

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Peter followed the Cicerone guide and camped at designated campsites or stayed with friends along the route, even noting how he “met a current Christie patient who was extremely complimentary of the care and expert treatment she’s received” on the very first day of the incredibly charitable undertaking.

Speaking on the achievement, he said: “It was a challenging but wonderful experience taking on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, and I learned a lot about backpacking after years of running and cycling… I’m extremely pleased to have been able to support The Christie, especially as they’re looking after Carrie.”

For many years Pete also organised and took part in the Tour of Pembrokeshire cycling event, so he’s no slouch but to still be doing these kinds of challenges at 68 and all for a good cause right here in Greater Manchester, he has our utmost admiration.

If you can still donate to his fundraising page HERE if you want to help do your bit for a medical institution that does so much for our area.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Christie (supplied)

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