Champions Downunder #9: High Stakes In Aussie Championship Battles!

Hitting the ground running here with a slew of championship happenings! It’s already the 9th edition of Champions Downunder, and while we’re heading into the winter months, the wrestling action remains hot!

Let’s do this!

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New South Wales

What’s Happened?

• At IWA Take No Prisoners (May 24), Ty Thayer won the One And Done Lottery, challenging Randal for the IWA Heavyweight Championship. He lost via submission, and is no longer allowed to compete for the title as long as Randal is champion.
• PWA Champion Charli Evans has recovered from her minor ankle injury, wrestling multiple UK dates over the past couple of weeks, notably at RevPro against Lizzy Evo on the 25th of May. She has since returned to Australia for upcoming PWA dates.
• Soul of PWA Champion Robbie Eagles ended his campaign for this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament in NJPW at 8 points, losing to El Desperado in Block B on the 29th of May. Eagles had stellar matches all tournament and represented PWA well.
• At All-Star Wrestling Australia (May 24), Jack Dullahan defended the Eastern States title against Chrstian Auciello, ending his unbeaten streak with a crushing Spear.
• At Integrity Headstrong (May 17), Mad Maxx Ramirez def. Scott Magnum to retain the Integrity Heavyweight Championship
• At Rock N Roll Wrestling’s Saturday Night Fights (May 24), RNR Middleweight Champion Morgan Rose def. Trainee Bobby in the latter’s debut match. It wasn’t without controversy though, as the champ required the use of a chain to win this non-title match.
• In other non-title action, RNR Tag Team Champion Killa Kye def. Andrew Vega with a crushing Swanton Bomb.

What’s Coming Up?

• At PWA King of the Metro (June 27), CHEVS defends the PWA Heavyweight Championship against Kai Drake. Kai recently exhibited his athletic prowess by winning in Episode 1 of the PWA Combine.
• Also, Robbie Eagles will defend the Soul of PWA Championship against Michael Spencer.
• All-Star Wrestling have booked a major Champion vs. Champion match, winner takes all, as Heavyweight Champion Keegan Brettle faces Eastern States Champion Jack Dullahan at Night To Remember 6 on June 14th.
• At Integrity’s Infinity show on June 13, the champ Maxx Ramirez will take part in a “High Stakes” tag team match, teaming with Torture to take on Luke Watts & Kai Drake.
• Also, the Infinity Championship will be introduced. A tournament features Paris De Silva vs. EC Brownie, and Jack J Bonza vs. Aaron Jake, with the winners of those matches facing off to determine the champion. The Infinity Champion must then win 5 consecutive matches- by pin or submission only- to then get a Heavyweight Championship match. The Infinity Champion may then choose the time, place and stipulation of the Heavyweight title match.

Australian Capital Territory

What’s Coming Up?

• At SLAM Pro Wrestling League on May 31st, it’s No Disqualification as Dan Archer defends the SLAM Heavyweight Championship against Caveman Ugg.
• Also, Rita Stone defends the SLAM Women’s Championship against Frankie B.

Victoria

What’s Happened?

• At MCW High Stakes (May 17) Caveman Ugg def. Ricky South to win the MCW World Heavyweight Championship
• Also, Adam Brooks defended the MCW Intercommonwealth Championship against Ryan Rapid in a Beat the Clock Challenge.
• Eugenie def. Aysha to retain the MCW Women’s Championship, as Erika Reid served as special guest referee.
• At Mayhem Pro’s Clash At Colac (May 10), the Physicals defeated Blacklisted to retain the Mayhem Pro Tag Team Championship
• Also, Erika Reid retained the Mayhem Pro Internet Championship against Nate Hunter with a flash roll up.
• In a wild King of Colac Championship Street Fight, Sketch put away Jake Navara to keep the title.

(Special thanks to JXT and Mayhem Pro for providing the footage to make this coverage possible)

• At Battle Championship Wrestling 63 (23rd of May), Levi Nixon def. Jordie Sparkles to retain the BCW Battle Express Championship.
• Also, Frankie B def. Tarlee to retain the BCW Women’s Championship
• For the Big Japan Tag Team Championship, Baka Gaijin def. Loose Bastards (Adam Brooks & Krackerjak)
• For the BCW Tag Team Championship, the Super Grouse Bogans def. The Natural Classics
• In the main event, Gore def. Famous B to retain the BCW Heavyweight Championship
• At Alpha Pro Apex (17th of May), Cousin Ali def. Mike Kaos to retain the Alpha World Heavyweight Championship.
• Also, The Oner Bros def. Rocco Reid and BOB to retain the Alpha Tag Team Championship.
• Finally, the Alpha Openweight Championship match between Johnny Della Rocco and Adam Crowe ended in a no contest after Krackerjak got involved.

What’s Coming Up?

• MCW holds their Ballroom Brawl event- heavy with championship implications- on the 5th of July
• Alpha Pro is holding Alpha vs. Energy on June 21st
• At MXW Let ‘Em Cook (May 31st), Terry Shaw defends the MXW Carnage Championship against Zedd Nitrox
• Also, JXT vs. Ace Shack goes down for the MXW Upload Championship.
• Mike Kaos defends the MXW Ascend Championship against Max “Bushranger” Kelly.
• At APW Winter War (May 31st), APW Breakout Champion Nova Nicholls defends against EVO.
• Also, Happy Fortune challenge B-Squared for the APW Tag Team Championship
• Josh Redfield defends the APW Heavyweight Championship against Will Walker in a Submission Match
• Tarlee challenges Natasha Valentine for the APW Legacy Openweight Championship

Queensland

What’s Happened?

• Craven def. Seth Tylors at PWL Doomsday (May 17) to retain the Openweight Championship

What’s Coming Up?

• At UPW Fight For Life 8 (May 31), UPW Featherweight Champion Jack Tucker steps out of his division to fight The Stockman in a grudge match!
• Also, Andre & Bones challenge The Sanctum for the UPW Tag Team Championship.
• Lil Marz challenges Axe Massacre for the UPW Women’s Championship
• At QWA Dominance on June 7th, Seth Tylors challenges Dick Riggs for the QWA Heavyweight Championship.

South Australia

What’s Happened?

• At ACW Behind Enemy Lines (May 17), ACW Champion Downunder & Tommy Knight def. RCW Grand Champion Chris Basso & Dean Brady.
• Also, for the APW Tag Team Championship, Stoked & Broke retained against The Heat.
• At Wrestle Rampage’s Misery At The Lion Arts Factory (May 24), Edward Dusk def. Havoc in a Dog Collar Match to become the new WR Australian National Champion
• Also, the WR Australian National Tag Team Championship match between Misery Loves Company and Kings of Ruin ended in a double count-out.

What’s Coming Up?

• Riot City Wrestling’s next event, titled Key To The City, takes place on May 31st, centred around a ladder match for a guaranteed title shot in the future.
• On May 31st, at RCW Key To The City, it’s Downunder vs. Chris Basso for the RCW Grand Championship.
• Also, RCW Emerald Crown holder Edward Dusk will take on Red Smash.

Western Australia

What’s Happened?

• At EPW Goldrush (May 24), Marcius Pitt def. James Hartness to retain the EPW Heavyweight Championship
• Also, Australian Takeover def. Bruno Nitro & Davis Storm to retain the EPW Tag Team Championship.
• In the EPW Coastal Title match, Rogan Karguis (c) def. Dustin Connors
• At NHPW Represent (May 24), The Great and The Gorgeous def. Kaitoa & Van Diemen to retain the SST Legacy Tag Team Championship
• Also, Jason Wingard def. WAR to become the new Warrior Rising Champion!

What’s Coming Up?

• At EPW Evolution (July 5th), Marcius Pitt defends the EPW title against James Hartness & Hayden Zenith in a triple threat ladder match!
• After the unfortunate cancellation of their last show, Southern Territory Wrestling have booked their next event, Destined For Victory, for June 21st.
• At that event, ATO challenge Bad Blood for the STW Tag Team Championship
• Aaron O’Malley has challenged Korvus to an AOF Championship match for June 21st- Guardians of Wrestling.

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With May set to finish with a bang with a few promotions tonight, and June seemingly loaded with major matches- including plenty on my birthday, June 21st- it’s a great time to be an Aussie wrestling fan! Get to a local show or support by watching online if you can’t get there. See some of our great champions do their thing!