Valiant Pro Wrestling is attempting something not seen in over 30 years: an arena-sized wrestling event, All Star Wrestling: Porirua, this Saturday (October 11) at Te Rauparaha Arena.
While Porirua Rocks featured wrestling in equal billing with craft beer and rock music, All Star Wrestling organiser Paul Sayers says this will be the first standalone pro-wrestling event of its size in Greater Wellington since 1991 and The Bushwhackers’ Thunder Down Under tour.
Valiant Pro is targeting 800 fans, says Sayers, with the ability to scale for demand. Half of all floor seating has already sold out.
All Star Wrestling: Porirua features six matches, and will be headlined by a Fatal 4-Way – taking precedence over two title bouts, including one of Sayers’.
“We are trying to create a spectacle of a wrestling event similar to things I have seen and been a part of in the United Kingdom,” Sayers told NZPWI. “I really wanted four of the best to close out the show.”
The main event will pit Big Frank (New Zealand’s tallest wrestler) against Chad Howard (20 years of experience), Jamie Tagataese (“arguably the best in the country” – Sayers), and D-Hoya.
“Part of me deep down felt like I owed this to D-Hoya, who has been around wrestling for 20 years,” Sayers said.
“He was on one of the first live shows I ever saw, and to have him, in his hometown of Porirua, be in the main event, I think is pretty special.”
Valiant Pro has held events around the Wellington region, but Porirua specifically means something to Paul.
“Porirua’s always been a second home to me, and through some connections we got an opportunity to put on this event at Te Rauparaha Arena,” he said.
“You know me, I just jump at opportunities and see what will happen. It’s happened a lot quicker than what I first thought.
“Being given the opportunity to bring something to Porirua that I love—to a community that I love—having had the success of two shows at Mungavin Hall a few years ago that I helped promote and run… trying to rekindle that.
“I think Valiant Pro are doing good things and very similar to how I like wrestling shows to be, so we’re a good match there.”
Valiant Pro All Star Wrestling: Porirua takes place this Saturday, October 11, at Te Rauparaha Arena. Tickets available from Ticketspace.
