WWE could return to Western Australia every year as thousands flock to watch Smackdown, Crown Jewel and Raw

WA could become the home of WWE in Australia, with the State Government promising to bid for more events in a bid to make the wrestling extravaganza a permanent part of the calendar. Thousands of fans have flocked to Perth to watch their wrestling heroes in action across three nights at RAC Arena. It followed more than 50,000 people attending Elimination Chamber at Optus Stadium in 2024. Tourism Minster Reece Whitby said the success meant they would start discussions with WWE to bring the global juggernaut back every year. “Absolutely, we want a year round spectacle,” he said. “We had the event last year. We want another event next year. We want to be the destination for big events in South East Asia all the time. “The success of this event this weekend is going to mean it’s an obvious thing to keep replicating this experience.” WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes summed up the opening night of a three-night wrestling extravaganza when talking to passionate Perth fans at the opening of Smackdown’s broadcast at RAC Arena on Friday night. “You guys sound like you’re gonna have fun tonight,” he yelled. That was quickly followed by, “This is going off the rails”, as chants bellowed out. This was a celebration of WWE being back in Australia. The passion and excitement were obvious earlier in the night when Forrest Place was packed with people for WWE’s Kick Off Show. The public got to witness stars such as Seth Rollins, Bron Breaker, Rhea Ripley, AJ Styles, Grayson Waller, Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer speaking on stage. Waller, Ripley and Iyo Sky topped that event off by doing a Shoey. But the big question was what would happen during Smackdown? The lights, the pyrotechnics and massive screen covering an entire end of the stadium were everything WWE is famous for. Fans got more than just the two hour TV show. Waller again received a hero’s welcome in his green and gold gear. He held up the Aussie flag to the crowd, who chanted his name repeatedly in the dark match before Smackdown began. The crowd went nuts and Yeeted with delight at Jey Uso and got the ultimate send home present from their beloved Rhea Ripley when she followed Uso with a second match, tag teaming with Iyo Sky, after the TV broadcast had ended. In between, Perth got an intriguing program with major storyline swings, stars returning after long absences and immense hype. It started with entertaining US title match that ended in a sneak attack from returning beast Tama Tonga. Athletic freak Tiffany Stratton put on her usual show of flipping as “Tiffy Time” attracted mass approval. Phone lights then lit up as Wyatt Sicks entered the ring to face the Street Profits and strobes flashes as Tonga, Sikoa Solo and the MFT crew stared them down at the end. Damian Priest and Aleister Black then took their match all around the venue with a superb spectacle that ended with fire. WA’s beloved tourist attractions were shown throughout the broadcast, putting the state in worldwide focus and several Matildas were sitting ringside enjoying the show. Whitby described the WWE as “one of the worlds great spectacles.” He declared the impact of having WWE in Perth and drawing so many people to the state could not be understated. All three shows – Smackdown, Crown Jewel and Raw – will be broadcast around the world on Netflix and fans have travelled from around Australia to witness the action. “This has an amazing impact on our local economy. More than half of the crowd who will be watching the crowd at RAC arena are from outside Western Australia,” he said. “They’re coming here, they’re spending millions of dollars. They’re going to restaurants, clubs, pubs, staying at accommodation and having tours. It’s a fantastic boost for our state economy.” Friday was a night of fun, frivolity and entertainment. And there’s two more shows to come. One thing is certain – the WWE know how to entertain and Perth fans are ready to enjoy every single second.