WWE in Melbourne: Wrestling superstars John Cena, Ronda Rousey, Triple H to take over MCG in epic showdown event
THE biggest wrestling event ever staged in Australia will see WWE superstars John Cena, Ronda Rousey, The Undertaker and more take over the MCG in a sporting coup for Melbourne’s major event calendar. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GET FREE TICKETS.
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EXCLUSIVE: THE biggest wrestling event ever staged in Australia will see WWE superstars take over the MCG in a sporting coup for Melbourne and Victoria’s major event calendar.
Global wrestling stars John Cena, Ronda Rousey, Triple H, The Undertaker and many more will take part in the historic WWE blockbuster a week after the AFL Grand Final.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal “WWE Super Show-Down’’ will be held before a sellout crowd in Melbourne on October 6.
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One of the greatest casts of WWE superstars and legends assembled will “tap in’’ for the sports-entertainment showpiece expected to make attendance and ratings history.
In a win for the state economy, fans are expected to flock from interstate and overseas as well as Victoria for the live stadium spectacular.
And global pay per view status will be given for the first time at an Australian WWE event, beaming the event from Victoria to 180 countries around the world in 24 languages.
Sports and Major Event Minister John Eren said Melbourne had staved off interest from other capital cities to land the drawcard.
“The eyes of the world will be on the Melbourne Cricket Ground in October when thousands of visitors from across Australia and the world descend on our great city for WWE Super Show-Down,” he said.
Visit Victoria chief executive Peter Bingeman said the event would deliver an economic boon with a comparable show at Etihad Stadium in 2002 pouring $22.3 million into the state economy.
But October’s event will be much bigger and is expected to lure tens of thousands of visitors to Victoria.
“WWE Super Show-Down is a coup for our city, further enhancing Melbourne’s reputation as a global event mecca and adding to a deep and broad major events calendar unrivalled in Australia, or indeed the region,’’ he said.
Hours after this year’s AFL premiership team is crowned at the MCG, WWE chiefs will transform the home of football into a “WrestleMania-style’’ venue never before seen in Australia.
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A ring will be built in the centre of the stadium for the first time, thousands of seats installed on the hallowed turf and big screens, lighting and speakers brought in for the show.
A huge entry stage and walkway for stars to strut their stuff will run from one end of the MCG to the ring and bands, fireworks and light shows will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
The spectacle will see wrestling legends Triple H and The Undertaker face off in the ring for the first time in more than six years and the last time ever.
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About 70 wrestlers in total will compete in the live stadium spectacular, booked strategically to fill a void on Victoria’s events calendar between AFL season and the Spring Racing Carnival.
WWE chairman and chief executive Vince McMahon said it would be “an epic event”.
“I’m proud to say that WWE will be making history in Australia,’’ he said.
The multimillion-dollar production will use the same design and production team from WrestleMania, WWE’s version of the Superbowl.
It will take more than 400 crew four days to build and two days to dismantle infrastructure from 50 semi-trailerloads of equipment used in the show.
Rousey will return to Melbourne for the first time since losing her UFC crown to Holly Holm at Etihad Stadium in 2015 and crossing to WWE.
Other stars on the card include Shane McMahon, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Randy Orton and AJ Styles.
Promoter Paul Dainty said the deal was 10 years in the making and would bolster Melbourne’s major event prowess over Sydney.
“They would love to have it but … Melbourne is a great supporter of WWE plus the MCG is the greatest sports stadium in Australia,’’ he said.
“It makes sense to put an event of this status in the best sports venue.
“There is no question that Melbourne is the event capital.’’
A ticket rush is expected for the blockbuster with about 70,000 seats to be sold and the rest of usual venue capacity taken up by the stadium fit-out.
Fourteen-time world champion Triple H said the event would be viewed around the world.
“So it’s exciting, not just locally for Australia and for the city, but globally,’’ he said.
“Tt will bring a lot of eyes there to show the beautiful country off and show the world what you have to offer.’’
The previous biggest WWE event staged in Australia was also in Melbourne when 56,743 fans packed Etihad Stadium in 2002.
Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 28 at 10am via ticketek.com.au.
Click here or go to www.tegdainty.com/wwe to join the WWE ticket waitlist.
An exclusive pre-sale for Telstra customers starts Friday, June 22 at noon AEST until Tuesday, June 26 at 5pm AEST.
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