Aussies Abroad: Reed’s Rampage and AEW showdowns
This week saw Aussies bring the heat across the world of Pro-Wrestling
Welcome back to another week’s installment of Aussies Abroad, where we shine the spotlight on the Aussies making waves and kicking ass overseas.
Let’s start this week off with a look into the ongoing drama between Adelaide’s claim to fame Rhea Ripley and the rest of, what once was, The Judgement Day. SummerSlam saw an epic display of betrayal by Ripley’s on-screen romantic partner Dominick Mysterio with a kiss to Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan after the defeat of Ripley. This week’s RAW saw things heating up even further within the faction, with both Rhea Ripley and the former champ Damien Priest clearly being excluded from the group. Morgan felt Ripley’s wrath later in the night when she made a surprise entrance to help her ‘terror twin’ Priest from a hard beating from the “new Judgment Day”. Ripley was able to score a few hits on Morgan before she escaped with Mysterio and the rest of the crew. Ripley and Priest then shared an emotional hug in the ring, with a fresh fire sparked in both the former champions. At the time of publication, there are rumors that Priest and Ripley are teaming up against Morgan and Mysterio for Bash in Berlin. We can’t wait to see the OG’s put the “Judgement Day from Wish” in their place.
Also on the red brand, South Australia’s Big Meat Bronson Reed took matters into his own hands last week when he seemingly randomly ambushed Seth Freakin’ Rollins. After hinting via social media that he was not overly happy about his current bookings in the WWE, Reed made sure his name was known to the international audience, hitting Rollins with six massive tsunamis in the middle of the ring. A hoard of staff was not enough to stop the Aussie giant, who continued to push through security to hit Rollins again and again, leaving the former champ in a pool of his own blood. Backstage, Reed told the world he was not playing around. “I’ve been telling the whole world I’m one of the best in this business week after week, and it’s fallen on deaf ears,” he said. “I did what I had to do… The killer is unleashed and Bronson Reed is at the very top of this business.”
The Aussies however didn’t see much luck on the blue brand, with the Aussie icon Grason Waller losing a match to the Street Profits on Smackdown last week. The match kicked off the WWE Tag Team Title Tournament to find the No.1 contender for the belts. Things were looking okay for Waller and his tag team partner Austin Theory when the pair managed to hit a double impact fist to Montex Ford followed by some nasty work outside the ring when the ref was distracted. But it was a massive super blockbuster from the top rope by Ford that saw Theory down for the three count.
Over in AEW, Kyle Fletcher once again showed what Aussies are made of when he went head-to-head with the American champion MJF. Fletcher produced some match highlights hitting an impressive orihara moonsault from the top rope, followed by an intense pile driver later in the match. The extremely physical match was able to show off both men’s hardcore wrestling styles, with the audience heating up and enjoying the match while getting behind the Aussie legend. It was however a brainbuster by MJF that unfortunately saw Fletcher out for the three count.
AEW Collision saw the return of Melbourne’s Buddy Matthews, with the superstar making a surprise appearance alongside his House of Black faction. The House of Black, now back to full force with Matthews by their side, and the Bang Bang Gang confronted AEW World Trios Championship belt holder Nick Wayne. The champs were chased off the ring by Matthews and his crew.
Things in AEW have also been heating up for Toni Storm and Mariah May’s ongoing feud. Storm delivered a special gift to May in the form of a large print of the two embracing when they were on good terms. However, the back featured a message for May: “Die Mariah, Die”. Storm then ambushed May in the ring, with not even half the locker room staff and security able to keep the two from throwing some gnarly punches. The two will go head to head for the Women’s World Championship later this month at All In.
Over in Japan, Adelaide’s Kira Summer has continued to bring the Aussie heat overseas with her work with Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling. Summer has been showing off some impressive moves in the TJPW Tokyo Princess Cup across Tokyo and Osaka. Aussie’s Xena also brought the heat to a match against the Cosmi Angels at Stardom in Shizuoka.
Till next week folks!
News Writer + Aussies Abroad. Based in Adelaide and winner of the 2023 CPA Young Journo of the year, has been a news and arts journalist for a number of years working across radio and print, but has decided to take her wrestling addiction to PWDU. You can find her at any local wrestling night across the state with a beer in-hand and a front-row ticket to the action.
