{"id":26941,"date":"2018-09-27T14:17:44","date_gmt":"2018-09-27T18:17:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=26941"},"modified":"2018-09-27T14:23:06","modified_gmt":"2018-09-27T18:23:06","slug":"australian-wrestling-kellyanne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2018\/09\/27\/australian-wrestling-kellyanne\/","title":{"rendered":"This Month in Aussie Wrestling: October Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday, October 6th, WWE returns to Australia for Super Show-Down<\/strong><\/em>, in Melbourne, Victoria at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. This is the first time WWE has done a PPV level show in the country since 2002, where they did Global Warning<\/strong><\/em> at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, drawing almost 50,000 fans. Since then, WWE has returned almost every year for a house show tour. This year, however, is completely different. WWE will most likely top the attendance of Global Warning<\/em>, making it the most attended wrestling event in the history of the continent. But it\u2019s been sixteen years since WWE even attempted a large show Down Under. Why now? Well, it\u2019d be na\u00efve to overlook the fact that earlier this year, other international companies have toured Australia, and WWE no doubt would want to corral interest in any other company into itself. WWE is notoriously territorial when it comes to things like this. It was rumored that one of the main motivators of launching NXT UK<\/strong> was to quell World of Sport<\/strong>, a homegrown wrestling show in England, so that they don\u2019t have competition in that market, and it looks to be a similar case in Australia as well. In this situation, it\u2019s New Japan Pro Wrestling<\/strong> instead of World of Sport. In February of this year, NJPW ran a tour of Australia, and used plenty of local talent or their shows. Dave Meltzer reported that NJPW officials considered the tour a success, and are considering returning later this year for a second tour. PROGRESS Wrestling<\/strong>, based out of the UK, also ran a tour of Australia in April, but since they have a business relationship with WWE and are much smaller than NJPW, they are not considered competition there. Despite the reasons, however, all this foreign interest in the Australian wrestling market is a sign of the health and strength of the Australian wrestling scene as a whole. The homegrown Australian wrestling scene is the best it\u2019s been in forty years: developing its own stars in Robbie Eagles<\/a>, Jonah Rock, Madison Eagles<\/strong>, and Adam Brooks<\/strong>; drawing international stars to local promotions, like Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, The Young Bucks, Joey Ryan, Tessa Blanchard, Cody<\/strong>, and Will Ospreay<\/strong>; and more promotions popping up all the time<\/a>, like New Valhalla, Mayhem Pro<\/a><\/strong>, and Iron Fist Pro<\/strong><\/a>, all of which have debuted in this year alone, not to mention Pro Wrestling League<\/strong> which is starting up this November. All of these things, from WWE Super Show-Down to a new local indie getting started, indicate a slow boom in Australian wrestling. Super Show-Down<\/em> is a big deal, and will draw a lot of attention to pro wrestling, and according to a local, they may even have a try out for local talent while they\u2019re there, so obvious WWE coming to town for a large show is healthy for the business there. Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW)<\/strong> is running an event the night before, New Horizons<\/strong><\/em>, and on the day of the show is joint-promoting WrestleBrunch<\/strong> with WrestleRock<\/strong>. It\u2019s like a mini-Wrestlemania<\/strong> weekend for Melbourne. What this means for WWE\u2019s long term presence in Australia, or much Aussie talent they\u2019ll sign and use, we\u2019ll have to wait and see. But in terms of the level of interest in pro wrestling as a whole, this will boost the already surging boom in that part of the world.<\/p>\n

Around the Continent:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW)<\/strong>: At New Horizons<\/em> on Friday the 5th, Robbie Eagles is challenging \u201cMr. Juicy\u201d Gino Gambino<\/strong> for the MCW Heavyweight Championship, and it seems like a prime situation for a title change. Also on the card is The Untouchables<\/strong>, Damien Slater<\/strong> and Marcius Pitt<\/strong>, which is a pleasant surprise as they are one of the best tag teams in the country, but don\u2019t often work Melbourne.<\/p>\n

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It's official! @MrGinoGambino defends the MCW Heavyweight Championship against @RobbieEagles_<\/a> on Friday 5 October at #MCWHorizons<\/a>
Tickets on sale now: https:\/\/t.co\/A9nJ4RHYyv<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/mcIjxQzh7p<\/a><\/p>\n

— Melbourne City Wrestling (@mcitywrestling) September 12, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n