MEMORIES of professional wrestling for most fans of a certain age will feature Steve Austin and The Rock trading insults and fists in the ring.

While there was not a Stone Cold Stunner or Rock Bottom to be seen at the BIC on Wednesday night, the current crop of WWE superstars delivered a gripping show to kick off the company’s European tour.

Growing up the World Wrestling Federation’s (WWF) range of supercharged high-flying action was a staple part of my weekly television viewing.

Admittedly my following of the current World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) universe – the company changed its name in 2002 - is by no means routine, an evening of punches, kicks and body slams did not disappoint.

The WWE Live event provided fans of the franchise, past and present, old and young, with more than two hours of textbook ‘sports entertainment’ action from inside the squared circle.

An eclectic selection of match ups showed off the full range of talent currently occupying the Raw rooster, which is viewed as WWE’s flagship arm.

The main event encapsulated what the evening was all about, with a fatal four-way contest for the Intercontinental Championship, with Seth Rollins defending his title.

WWE fans from older generations, who will recall the industry’s controversial but popular Attitude Era, were treated to a throwback with veteran superstar Matt Hardy kicking off the billing in a tag team championship match alongside the eccentric Bray Wyatt.

Throughout the night the progress which has been made in building a strong and credible field of women’s wrestlers was clear to see.

Ember Moon, Natayla and Sasha Banks took on the Riott squad in an enthralling six-woman tag team match, after Nia Jax put her Raw Women’s Championship on the line in a triple threat match against Alexa Bliss and Bayley.

Other highlights from the show included the pantomime villain of the WWE Universe Roman Reigns taking on Samoa Joe and the duo of Braun Strowman, who recently won the first ever 50-man match at the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, and Bobby Lashley facing off against Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, in a repeat of their clash at pay-per-view event Backlash last Sunday.