Fighting with my Family film boosting interest in wrestling on the Gold Coast

Wrestling on the Gold Coast is thriving thanks to a little help from Hollywood, with one business in particular enjoying the extra attention.

WRESTLING on the Gold Coast is thriving thanks to a little help from Hollywood.

Gold Coast company Impact Pro Wrestling has seen a surge in interest off the back of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s new film Fighting with my Family.

Based on a true story, the film follows siblings Saraya and Zac Bevis working towards their wrestling careers in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and on the British independent wrestling circuit.

COAST'S WRESTLING PRODIGY COULD BE NEXT PRO STAR

From left to right, cast members Florence Pugh, producer and cast member Dwayne Johnson, and WWE's Paige pose at the premiere of the film Fighting With My Family. (Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)

With the spotlight on independent wrestling, Impact Pro Wrestling owner Josh Ives said his company was seeing a surge in interest.

OTHER NEWS:

‘Swearing, abusive’ parents harass Coast teachers

Motorists warned after screws scattered on Coast’s roads

Coast residents treated ‘like second class citizens’

Mr Ives has had 10 new rookies sign up this year for Impact, which performs shows the first Saturday of every month and has a training academy.

“I’ve had constant calls asking about wrestling, constant messages from people wanting to wrestle for our company,” he said.

“We get messages from all over the world — Africa, China, Scotland.”

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

IMpact Pro Wrestllers (L-R) Jesse Love, LFB, Luxford, CJ and Zeek Andino at Ashmore PCYC. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

Zeke Andino is the heavyweight champion for the company’s internal bragging rights.

The man behind the persona, Liam O’Donnell, spent four months in the US in 2017 training at the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy under WWE stars Seth Rollins and Marek Brave.

Mr O’Donnell, who has been wrestling for three years said he was glad to see more interest in the sport.

“There’s a lot more scouts and international talent coming to perform.

“It’s great for the industry and I hope it helps us grow and get noticed,” he said.