WWE Raw - O2 Arena - Mon 16th April 2012

[mattlarge]

Good evening all,

Would just like some advice from those of you that have been to wrestling events in the past - any help will be much appreciated.

I have got a couple of tickets for me and a friend to go and watch Raw at the O2 Arena in London on 16th April 2012 - got my tickets through and it states on them the show starts at 7.30pm.

Now, the tricky bit is organising my travel! As I live in Norwich the easiest way would be to get the train there and back, however the last train leaves Stratford at 10.30pm. I really want to be leaving the O2 Arena at 10pm to catch the underground.

I know Raw lasts 2 hours and you usually get one or two dark matches before/after - could anyone confirm whether I should be comfortably leaving before 10pm or is it likely I will miss some of the event? When it states a start of 7.30pm I hope that means the actual live Raw event but can anyone clarify?

Thanks again! I really don't want to miss any of it as it's my first live event and I'm really looking forward to it, but on the other hand i'm not missing the last train home!!!

[Joel]

You may miss a bit of the dark match at the end.

[Ziss]

Be wary that leaving the venue the same time as most others (who may not want to stay for the dark match) so you will be with 15,000 or so other people trying to get to the tube. Half hour is VERY ambitious. If you're going with a driver (or several) consider doing that. You can park on someone's driveway down Tunnel Avenue (via parkatmyhouse.com) for only a £10, and then walk up to the O2 from there (10-15 minute walk).

From experience it takes 10 minutes just getting out of the O2 (from the standing exits the other side of the place), and then you've got to get through to the tube. 20 minutes won't be enough to make your train, I don't think :(

[mattlarge]

Thanks Ziss, Im pretty sure most will stay for the dark match so I think that'll be the best time to leave. However still there will be a lot of people leaving. I may have to seriously consider driving, thank you for the website, looks very useful. I really don't want to drive down there though!

[Ziss]

I'll post up a link to the guy I often use, when I'm at my PC.

[Joel]

Are you upstairs or on floor level Matt? Because if you're upstairs it's even harder to get out.

[mattlarge]

I'm on Level 1 - which I believe is bottom tier. Thankfully. Didn't fancy the heights of the top level! Has any of you guys been to watch a wrestling event at the O2? Any idea what the view/arena is like? Think I am just to the right of where the cameras are stationed (i.e not camera facing) so a decent view I expect.

[Joel]

I've been a few times. Upper and lower tier. The view is good for the most part. The fans are usually good there, so hopefully it comes across well on TV.

[Ziss]

Matt, here's a link to the place we usually park when we drive up to the O2:

http://www.parkatmyhouse.com/uk/driveways/london/s/10-min-walk-2min-bus-from-north-greenwich-tube-london/

[mattlarge]

Cheers Ziss, that looks quite a plausible option at the moment and my date is free.

Just realised that NXT airs before Raw, now slightly concerned that this will take up the first hour of the show and then 2 hours of Raw on top of that...hmm...

[mattlarge]

Checked the entrances and it looks like I'm entrance B which is situated in front of the main entrance, on the lower tier, that's a good result anyway :)

[Joel]

That's strange. They usually tape NXT with Smackdown.

[mattlarge]

That's what I thought, perhaps it is last weeks they're showing tonight. Given Raw at the O2 is only 2 weeks after Wrestlemania, I'm really hoping for a WM rematch and no injuries beforehand!

[Top Gun]

I wouldn't risk it and just drive, that way you can just enjoy it and not have to worry about time. We just go to the bar outside the arena and wait for the traffic to die down.

Unless you have to be back for a reason of course.

[Hunter]

I wouldn't risk it and just drive, that way you can just enjoy it and not have to worry about time. We just go to the bar outside the arena and wait for the traffic to die down.

Unless you have to be back for a reason of course.

Yeah. It might cost you a little extra for petrol, but you might as well just fully enjoy the night as Top Gun has mentioned.

It's not as if these moments come along on a regular basis, so take advantage of it and really cherish every minute of being there and seeing the Superstars.

[Ziss]

Get there early, have a bite to eat and watch a movie. That's what we did back in April.