Wrestling fans have descended on Cardiff ahead of a bumper weekend of WWE mania in the city which is hosting its first major wrestling event in 30 years. The Principality Stadium will be packed to the rafters as Clash at the Castle is staged on Saturday night.
On Friday morning fans rolled into St David’s WWE superstore, which closes on Sunday, in their droves for an early shopping spree, and there was no end of wrestling merchandise to get your hands on. As fans of all ages browsed the shirts, masks, figures and belts and met their wrestling heroes at the store at the John Lewis side of the shopping centre, we scoured the shelves - and you might not be surprised to see some of the eye-wateringly high prices.
If you’re a proper WWE nut and are planning to splash out in style this weekend you could go for a special edition, realistic wrestling belt. They vary in price from £275 - those that are under special promotion, to £375 and £450. Mini belts with Clash at the Castle designs on the front are £150 and £100. Less realistic plastic belts are £28.
Plenty heading to the stadium tomorrow were perusing the array of professional-looking sports shirts in the store for the big event, but there weren’t many queuing up to buy them. A WWE American football style top with a Union Jack on the front could be yours for £80, as well as a Wales Clash at the Castle sports shirt.
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More affordable items include a smart Clash at the Castle hoodie in black, which is £60, the ever-recognisable Rey Mysterio mask for £50, or the Clash at the Castle long-armed shirts in both black and white for £45 each. The cheapest T-shirts in the store are £35 and vary from Clash at the Castle shirts to Acknowledge Your Daddy and The Bloodline. All hats including Wales Clash at the Castle bucket hats, WWE flat caps and snapbacks are £30.
If you’re quite pleased with your wrestling fan attire and would rather remember the event with something on the mantelpiece, a D-Generation X bobblehead set is £40, while single bobbleheads are £15. All figures - including Roman Reigns and John Cena - are £15 each. A plastic “I was there” ornament in the shape of a castle is £20.
Toys including a teddy dragon and the like were all priced at £30, while you could impress your drinking buddies with a Clash at the Castle pint glass for £20. A “Never give up” sweatband is also £20, while a programme for the event is among the cheapest gifts in the store at £15.
Many fans could be overheard discussing the prices of the items on offer, before deciding to buy them anyway as a one-off treat to remember the weekend WWE took over Cardiff.
Damian Priest will be at the store for meet and greets from 5pm. You can find information on wristbands for that as well as other opportunities to meet the wrestlers here. The store is back open from 9.30am to 7pm on Saturday, including a meet and greet session with Madcap Moss at 10am. The store is also open from 11am until 5pm on Sunday.
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