Despite wrestling all over the world, there’s still no place like home for Brook Duncan.
The All Star Wrestling Champion defends his title tomorrow night in the main event of Valiant Pro’s All Star Wrestling in Nelson.
“Nothing can quite compare to wrestling in front of a home town,” Duncan told NZPWI, “especially when it’s a place that’s starved of wrestling.”
The appetite from Nelson fans has been ferocious. Valiant Pro announced Tuesday all seated tickets for Saturday’s event – the first in Nelson since 2019 – had sold out, leaving only a limited number of standing tickets available.
Duncan expects he’ll recognise a majority of the audience – comprised of family, friends and rugby club members – including some who were initially sceptical about pro-wrestling.
“One of the coolest things is I’ve had a few instances where people who aren’t that keen on wrestling, at all, decide that they’ll come just to support me,” Duncan said. “They’re not really that keen on it but then those are the same people that are the first to buy tickets to the next show.”
It’s motivation for Duncan to deliver a memorable result, and the All Star Champion is convinced he can do so with the support of the crowd.
“The Denver Nuggets have an insane winning percentage at home,” Duncan said. “The All Blacks at Eden Park. It’s the same, Brook Duncan in Nelson. I’m a whole different wrestler to what the rest of the country gets.”
While the majority of fans are expected to be in Duncan’s corner, some will be rooting for his challenger. Duncan defends the All Star Wrestling Championship against Chalky Murdoch, another South Island staple, who is expected to have a travelling contingent of supporters turn out in Richmond.
“Chalky, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated wrestlers,” Duncan said. “He’s the Southern Juggernaut, he’s the biggest and baddest wrestler in the whole South Island if not the whole country.
“And at the same time, somehow he’s quite an underachiever. How is it that someone like that has never held a singles championship? Not a single one to his name in his whole career.
“He gets the opportunity to rectify that this Saturday night… but not if I’ve got anything to do with it.”
Valiant Pro All Star Wrestling takes place this Saturday, August 26, at Club Waimea in Nelson. Limited, standing only, tickets are available from Eventfinda.
Valiant Pro All Star Wrestling Card:
- New Zealand All Star Wrestling Championship:
Brook Duncan (c) vs. Chalky Murdoch - The Knights of Mayhem vs. Spartan & Taylor Adams
- No. 1 Contender’s Over the Top Rope Battle Royal to the Wellington Heritage Title:
??? vs. ??? vs. ??? vs. ??? - Wellington Heritage Championship:
Jade Priest (c) vs. ??? - James Shaw vs. Luke Clementson
- Sal’s Pizza Body Slam Challenge:
Adam Avalanche vs. ???
