Over a week ago, I received a WhatsApp message from my running buddy, Sujartha Kumar.
It read: “Wanna go for a viewing party? Manchester United vs Liverpool? It’s on Sunday (Sept 1).” She then added it was at The Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
I immediately jumped at the chance, as watching a game in the cinema was on my bucket list – I have simple, easy-to-accomplish wishes – ever since watching Wrestlemania in Sunway Pyramid six years ago (more on that later).
Now, I’m not superstitious, but I prefer to sit in my ‘lucky’ chair for Liverpool games. However, I decided to bite the bullet, as I had never been to TRX, even though Twentytwo13’s office was nearby.
The home minister and I arrived at the GSC Cinema at 8.45pm, more than two hours before kickoff, but the place was already packed with football fans, many decked out in their favourite football kits.
We mingled around, played some foosball, witnessed some cheerleaders perform, got temporary tattoos, and took part in quizzes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to join a contest to win a football jersey.
It didn’t matter, as I was only interested in the match.
At 10.45pm, the ‘doors opened’ to the two viewing halls. We made our way to our seats – plush recliners with a port to charge mobile phones. Fancy!
On ‘normal days’, you can order food and beverages via a QR code, but on this occasion, we had drinks, a choice of burgers or hot dogs, and popcorn in a ‘goodie bag’.
It was a surreal experience watching the game on the IMAX (Imagine Maximum) screen with its “12-channel sound that creates an all-rounded, immersive, heart-pounding audio combined with crystal-clear images”.
It was as if we were sitting inside Old Trafford.
Trent Alexander-Arnold gave Liverpool the lead in the sixth minute, but Mohamed Salah was offside. Liverpool continued to dominate and, before halftime, struck twice via Luis Diaz. Salah added a third in the second half.
The hall was relatively quiet as there were more United than Liverpool fans – it was the opposite at the other viewing party.
It was a thrilling experience, made even better by the outcome.
As we made our way out, I couldn’t help but think back to Wrestlemania in 2018.
Having missed the action when WWE visited Malaysia in 2002 and 2014, I was determined not to miss the opportunity to see what we thought would be The Undertaker’s last ride in the cinema. As it turned out, he only retired two years later.
Due to the time difference, we had to be at the cinema by 6.30am on Monday morning. We didn’t expect much of a crowd, but not only were the tickets sold out, the concession stands were doing roaring business.
I wonder how many took sick leave that day!
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has convinced fans that it is the finest show on television, even though the late award-winning sports journalist James Lawton once described wrestling as “finely orchestrated fake violence”.
How did WWE do it?
Well, wrestling has more:
- Unexpected plot twists than The Blacklist
- Laugh-out-loud moments than Only Murders in the Building
- Drama than anything the BBC could ever produce.
Oh, and better acting than all the Kardashians combined!
Having the ‘best scriptwriters’ on television means WWE can hook its viewers despite having a show where the outcome of a ‘fight’ is predetermined – sometimes months in advance.
Five-and-a-half hours later – yes, it was that long – we walked out of the cinema with smiles on our faces.
Since then, I had always wanted to watch a football match in a cinema – and I finally did last Sunday.
