{"id":23036,"date":"2018-07-31T15:05:10","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T19:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=23036"},"modified":"2018-09-25T02:37:06","modified_gmt":"2018-09-25T06:37:06","slug":"this-month-in-aussie-wrestling-august-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2018\/07\/31\/this-month-in-aussie-wrestling-august-report\/","title":{"rendered":"This Month in Aussie Wrestling: August Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

“This Month in Aussie Wrestling” is a new monthly series by LWOPW’s Lance Larson, who covers the Australian and New Zealand wrestling scene on the site. It features all the monthly news you need to know to stay in the loop, plus interviews and other exclusive content.<\/em><\/p>\n

Melbourne City Wrestling Set Historic MCW 100<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: MCW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On Saturday, August 18th, at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW)<\/strong> is set to do the largest independent wrestling show on the continent in decades. MCW 100<\/strong><\/em>, an apt name for the company\u2019s one hundredth show, is just the largest show in a series of record setting developments in that part of the world. In April of this year, PROGRESS Wrestling<\/strong> from England ran a joint show in Sydney with Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA)<\/strong>, where over 1,000 fans pack the Star Casino, marking the first time the four digit attendance mark was surpassed by an Australian company since the 1970\u2019s. Then, two weeks ago in Invercargill, NZ, Southern Pro Wrestling (SPW NZ)<\/strong> jammed over 1,200 into the ILT Stadium for the Southern Rumble<\/strong><\/em>, setting the largest attendance record for an indie show in New Zealand in 27 years. Now, MCW is set to top both of those, with an 1,800 seat arena for their biggest show ever. This year indicates all the places that the Australian and New Zealander wrestling scenes are going. In addition to all of these record setting indie figures, international companies are also taking notice. The aforementioned PROGRESS joint show in Sydney was merely one stop on an Aussie tour in April. WWE<\/strong> is hoping to do 100,000 in attendance at their Super Show-Down<\/em><\/strong> on October 6th<\/a> at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. And New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW<\/strong> did their own tour of the country in February, running four shows, and is looking to return in the fall. Both domestic and foreign companies recognize the opportunities for wrestling there.<\/p>\n

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Photo: MCW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While MCW 100<\/em> is a significant moment, one should expect that this is merely one step on the way to greater fame for the wrestling scene in this part of the world. Presently, 1,800 is quite the achievement, and in order to draw that many, the brass at MCW have booked the headliner as \u201cThe King of Monsters\u201d Jonah Rock<\/strong> to go one on one with the Tranquilo one himself, Tetsuya Naito<\/strong>. This is Naito\u2019s first appearance for the company, and marks Rock\u2019s return after his eight month hiatus. Naito obviously is best known for his high quality work in NJPW as the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon<\/strong>, and Rock, in addition to making his mark on the Aussie indie scene, has spread out to other promotions world wide, including Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG)\u00a0<\/b>and PROGRESS. The semi-main event is Will Ospreay<\/strong> challenging for the Intercommonwealth title against \u201cThe Business\u201d Slex<\/strong><\/a>. Ospreay had a fantastic run with the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship earlier this year in NJPW, and has made his commitment to improving Australian wrestling very clear. Slex, a much less known name, is technically sound in the ring, and works very hard to make his matches all they can be. He deserves much more recognition than he\u2019s getting. Just officially announced, Dowie James<\/strong> challenges Gino \u201cMr. Juicy\u201d Gambino<\/strong> for the MCW Heavyweight Championship by invoking his rematch clause, after Juicy turned heel to take the title from James in June.<\/p>\n

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Photo: MCW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Around the Continent<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: PWA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

PWA:<\/strong> Their next event on August 11th, Call to Arms<\/strong><\/em>, features the heavily anticipated Will Ospreay versus Robbie Eagles<\/strong><\/a> rematch, as well as a cage match between Jonah Rock and Caveman Ugg<\/strong> for the PWA Heavyweight Championship. Not to mention Shazza McKenzie<\/strong> versus Madison Eagles<\/strong>, and Bea Priestley<\/strong> versus Ricky South<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Newy Pro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Newcastle Pro Wrestling (Newy Pro):<\/strong> The fourth annual Newy Pro Rumble<\/strong><\/em> is taking place on August 18th. With six names announced so far, including Jack Bonza<\/strong> and Mick Moretti<\/strong> from World Series Wrestling (WSW)<\/strong> fame, expect new announcements most every day.<\/p>\n

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Photo: EPW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Explosive Pro Wrestling (EPW)<\/strong>: At Vendetta<\/strong> <\/em>on August 25th, \u201cThe Don\u201d Michael Morleone<\/strong> defends the EPW Heavyweight Title in a rematch against EPW 2017 Wrestler of the Year Gavin McGavin<\/strong> in a cage match. Look for McGavin, a vastly underrated performer, to take the title in this one.<\/p>\n

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Photo: RCW<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Riot City Wrestling (RCW)<\/strong>: Former RCW Champion, Aussie native Adam Brooks<\/strong>, whose been on an excursion in Europe (and PWG), announced via pre-recorded video that he\u2019ll be returning at RCW 200<\/strong><\/em> on September 1st.<\/p>\n