Champions Downunder #2: Travelling Champions Putting Work In Around The Country!

Welcome back to Champions Down Under! My name’s Robbo, and we’re trying to build a one-stop shop of a championship calibre. Here we look at the activities of Australian pro wrestling champions, what they’ve been up to the past couple of weeks, and what’s coming up for them in the near future. If you happened to miss the first one, here it is for a bit of context and an idea of how this all works: https://www.pwdownunder.com/2025/01/15/champions-down-under-1-aussies-find-international-success-new-championships-introduced-to-kick-off-2025/

Now that 2025 is properly underway, let’s have a look at what’s been going down… down under!

New South Wales

What’s Happened?

• All-Star Wrestling Australia travelled south to hold the Bega Bash on January 18. In the main event, Keegan Brettle defeated Luke Watts to retain the ASWA title.
• One week later, All-Star returned home to the iconic Padstow RSL for Summer Spectacular on January 25. Keegan once again retained the title against rival Wes Williams in a brutal First Blood match. In other title action on that loaded card, Jack Dullahan def. Tony Cruise to win the ASWA Eastern States Championship, Jasmin Brettle retained the ASWA Women’s Championship against Tessa Armstrong, and in the opener, Sam Cannon & The Puppeteer beat Piracy to remain All-Star tag champs.
• At IWA St John’s Stockade on Jan 18, Jimmy Townsend (#2 in the PWDU Top 80 2024) defeated Randal to retain the IWA Heavyweight Championship in a match where Randal’s finishing move, the Kamikaze Cutter, was banned. However, behind the referee’s back, it would be TOWNSEND who used the Kamikaze Cutter en route to a tainted victory. Elsewhere on the card, Cosmo Cooper substituted for Trans-Tasman Champion Scott Green and successfully retained the title against Ricky South (#3 in the PWDU Top 80 2024).

What’s Coming Up?

• At All Star Wrestling’s Survival of the Fittest on Feb 22, Keegan Brettle will put the championship on the line against international star Austin Aries.
• Pro Wrestling Australia are having their first Black Label event of the year on Friday night (Jan 31). Titled Tag Race. One official championship match is scheduled, with the PWA Tag Team Championship on the line, as Aaron Jake & Bel Pierce defend against the Backslide Girlz. With tensions between Aaron and Bel high in recent times, could this be the crowning moment for the ultra-popular Kingsley and Shay Kassidy?
• While not an traditional championship, the highly sought after PWA Premiership accolade will be contested this year in a trios format, with the first round taking place at Tag Race.
• Newy Pro plays host to a champion vs. champion match at Fight Knight on Feb 1. The Middleweight Champion, Leo Tempest, takes on the beer-drinking, barely-thinkin’ Newy Pro Tag Champion, The Tuckman.
• And speaking of Newy Pro, their Heavyweight Championship will be contested at IWA Drifter’s Wharf 2 on Feb 2, as Randal challenges Ben Braxton for the gold.

Victoria

What’s Happened?

• At Alpha Pro’s Hunted event on Jan 18, the main event saw Alpha Tag Team Champions CGS (Kobe Reid & Will Walker) retain the title in a tie, as they went 5-5 in a 20 Minute Ironman Match against B-Squared.

What’s Coming Up?

• This Friday (Jan 31) will be a busy one, as Mayhem Pro are holding a Showcase event at the Relentless Gym in Melton. The tournament for the inaugural Mayhem Pro Tag Team Championship progresses, with first round matches between High Country and Happy Gas, as well as The Physicals vs. Team Relentless taking place.
• Additionally, on Jan 31, APW are having their Breakout 51 event. APW Breakout Champion Nova Nicholls laid out an open challenge, and it has been answered by Charlie Rose.
• New kid on the block Aus Pro Wrestling had a big announcement this past week, as they will play host to Erika Reid defending the OPW Women’s Championship against Tessa Armstrong on the 2nd of March!

Queensland

What’s Happened?

• Up in the Sunshine Coast, UPW held a big show on January 18th, with a big title change as the imposing Thirteen took the UPW Championship from The Gospel!
• In other championship action at UPW Sunshine Coast, Axe Massacre retained the Women’s Championship against Maddy Jay.

What’s Coming Up?

• Much of the QLD scene are gearing up for major events in the next couple of weeks, with QWA holding their Tropical Rumble on Feb 8, and of course the major AEW Grand Slam Weekend beginning Feb 14. So sure to be a lot to write about in Champions Down Under #3!
• Joining PWL/Renegades and Rock N Roll Wrestling for the AEW-related festivities, we have PWA on Feb 15 post-Grand Slam as part of AM/PM Emo Mania at the Brightside, with champions of PWA sure to represent in some fashion. On Sunday Feb 16th, we also have NJPW Tamashii. Talent announced for Tamashii so far include OPW Women’s Champion Erika Reid and QWA Tag Team Champions Kulture.
• PWL/Renegades continue to load their Super Show with champions and championship matches. Soul of PWA/NJPW Jr Tag Champion Robbie Eagles will face Mitch Ryder and Zeke Andino in a triple threat (seemingly non-title as of right now), Renegades World Champion Levi Nixon, Wrestlerock Champion Jake Taylor and UPW Champion Thirteen has been added to Team Champions , OPW Women’s Tag Team Champions the Backslide Girlz have issued an open challenge for the event, and the PWL Tag Team Championship are on the line in a four way ladder match, as Strong 94 defend against Team QWA, The Ambush and The Dropouts.

South Australia

What’s Happened?

• Riot City Wrestling held its Reanimated XX event on Jan 25, and in the top matches, a chaotic end saw Miki Fortune win by disqualification in the RCW Grand Championship match with Chris Basso, while Zak Sabbath retained the Emerald Crown against Dean Brady.

What’s Coming Up?

• Wrestle Rampage will host Clash at the Lion Arts Factory on Feb 8th. New match annoucements include Havoc vs Nick Armstrong for the Australian National Championship, as well as the previously covered (in CDU #1) Misery Loves Company vs. Istria & Graham for the Australian National Tag Team Championship.

Western Australia

What’s Happened?

• New Horizon Pro Wrestling held Reload on the 18th of January. In championship action, Korvus retained the NHPW Hybrid Title against Jason Wingard and Noah Greene in a triple threat. For the NHPW SST Legacy Tag Team Championship, The Great and the Gorgeous retained against Australian Takeover, and finally, in the main event, Lena Kross bested Sadie Gibbs to retain the IndyGurlz Australia title.

What’s Coming Up?

• EPW’s next event is A Hot Summer’s Night on the 8th of February. There will be an EPW Tag Team Championship match, as Australian Takeover put the gold up against The Pulse and DNT in a Three Way Riot Den Match. Also, The Great George will defend the EPW Coastal Championship against CJL.
• STW have announced an In Your Town event for the 1st of March at the Northam Rec Centre. Matches TBA, althought STW management has confirmed in an Instagram post that all champions will be involved in the event.

ACT

What’s Happened?

• SLAM! Pro Wrestling League held an event on the 25th of January at the Reload bar in Canberra. It spanned three sessions through the night, and saw SLAM Champion Dan Archer (#1 in the PWDU Top 80 2024) in action multiple times, notably against IWA standout Randal.
• In addition, SLAM! further expanded their reach by being part of a Market Day at the University of Canberra on the 29th on Jan, which saw Archer participate in a six man tag against the trio of Lee Morrow, Fly Guy and Cosmo Cooper.

What’s Coming Up?

• The SLAM Rumble is just around the corner on Feb 8, with major championship implications at play. Also, Dan Archer defends the SLAM Championship against Hugh Beauty and the SLAM Tag Team Champions The Dropouts defend against the King’s Court.

I hope you all enjoyed that look at what’s been happening with our Aussie champions and what’s to come! As you can see, we’re right on the brink of some massive events all over the country, so expect an even more loaded article than usual coming post-Grand Slam weekend!

Until next time, take care.