Wrestling.net.au

Invest in Australia
By Rohan Herbstreit

International Wrestling promotions should invest in Australia instead of treating the country like another town, and both WWE and TNA should lead the way to make the future a success for everyone.

When TNA announced an Australian tour last year, they had everything going for them, sponsors, TV, Fox8 on board and one of the greatest publicity stunts I have ever seen.

Setup a ring in the middle of the city and invite people to “try out” for a wrestling contract with arguably the 2nd biggest wrestling company in the world.

Whoever came up with the idea was a genius, the company received publicity across every major TV network, newspapers, Sports Tonight and Fox Sports. ">VIDEO

However when push came to shove and tickets went on sale it obviously wasn’t meant to be as the tour was later cancelled.

But what everyone should learn from this is that this country could be a huge market for both companies if they invested the time and resources into it, so next time a tour is announced it won’t be cancelled, and it won’t take WWE 9 months of selling tickets to fill a venue they could have sold 10 times over back in 2002.

Hulk Hogan’s tour wasn’t a success, a recent “International Assault” tour was cancelled, WWE has yet to announced the tours this week have sold out and TNA has yet to announced new tour dates. Yes it seems we are a “dead” market but it really doesn’t have to be.

Why doesn’t WWE establish an official training school in this country and have one of the trainers permanently based in Australia ?

Why doesn’t WWE give 2 local wrestlers a dark match before every show this week ?

Why didn’t TNA follow up on the “Search for a Superstar” promotion or fly in one person to the states for a tryout ?

TNA could easily open an office in this country and have someone build the brand in this country on a full time basis, so next time a tour is planned half the work has already been done instead of hotshoting it and then having to postpone.

Each state currently has atleast one training school, it wouldn’t take too much work to use the local resources in each state to help promote and use local promotions to build a base on, the “International Assault Tour” could have quite easily saved money by using talent in each state instead of flying talent in from different states.

It certainly isn’t just talent I am referring to either, memberships, databases, street teams and promotion, ring, equipment and resources, it’s already here now, in every state.

It has happened so often in the past, from Superstars of Wrestling, High Risk Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling All-Stars, Hulkamania, the list goes on. And each time the same mistake is made where the promoter thinks they know the market better than those who are already setup and working the same market without the financial resources of an International touring company behind them.

Both TNA and WWE will need to find new ways to build their respective brands in Australia in order for any tour to be successful.

A recent UFC press conference in Sydney had over 6 fighters in attendance and even a demonstration fight and basic holds that wowed the media in attendance. And now UFC are using Geelong fighter "George Sotiropoulos" to try and hold events in Victoria. ARTICLE

Something quite small like setting up a ring in the city or holding a demonstration can have a huge media impact, but it only helps in the short term.

Let’s hope Australia doesn’t become the “dead market” for everyone and those in charge can see the long term benefits of investing in this country before it is too late.

Comments: