Before the new UFC U.S. media rights deal on Paramount begins in 2026, the two brands are already expanding on it.
Announced on Tuesday, Paramount (via parent company Skydance) and UFC (via parent company TKO) revealed a new seven-year media rights deal that will add Latin America and Australia to the mix via the Paramount+ streaming service, aligning them with the U.S. rights.
Like with the U.S. rights, the deal begins this January.
While the Latin America rights are identical to the U.S. which includes 13 numbered (formerly PPV) events and 30 Fight Night cards, the Australia portion includes just the Fight Night shows and prelims for the UFC numbered shows. That is because UFC PPVs are available on Kayo Sports via a multi-year deal announced in January 2024.
At a WWE house show in Melbourne on Wednesday, AJ Styles took a moment to thank the Australian fans for the support they’ve given him throughout his career.
Styles defeated El Grande Americano at the October 15 live event. It’s likely the last time Styles will ever compete in Australia, with him planning to retire from the ring at some point in 2026. The 48-year-old Styles gave a brief speech today expressing his gratitude for all the Australian fans.
“I just want to thank you guys for cheering and being some of the best fans in the world. Because, here’s the truth, I’m probably not going to see you again in a singlet like this anymore,” he said. “So I just wanted you to know — from the bottom of my heart — thank you very much.”
Styles now heads to Japan for WWE house shows this Friday and Saturday. They are expected to be the last matches Styles will have in Japan — a country that holds special significance to him given that his NJPW run was such a highlight of his career.
There has not been a timeline put on when Styles will retire in 2026. He does not have any concrete plans for what he’ll do after stepping away from in-ring competition, but Styles believes he’ll likely remain with WWE in a role like coaching.
Styles renewed his rivalry with John Cena in a loss at Crown Jewel: Perth last weekend. Next Monday on Raw, there will be a Tag Team title match with Styles & Dragon Lee challenging Finn Balor & JD McDonagh.
WWE has announced a new event for its trip to Australia in October.
The promotion has already announced that the October 10 SmackDown, Crown Jewel on October 11, and the October 13 edition of WWE Raw will air from the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia. They’ve now announced a live event on Wednesday, October 15, will take place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Victoria.
“WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), announced its return to Melbourne, Australia, for the first time in six years at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, October 15.
Fans attending WWE SuperShow Australia will see their favorite WWE Superstars in action including Australia’s own Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, AJ Styles, IYO SKY, World Tag Team Champions Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh, The New Day, and many more*.”
The event does not yet appear on WWE.com’s ticket page. Following this show, WWE has both a live event in Tokyo and SmackDown in San Jose on October 17, and another live event from Sumo Hall on October 18.
The news comes after AEW revealed on Thursday that it will return to Australia in 2026. TEG Sport has opened pre-sale registration for the event, which currently does not have a date or location announced.
AEW was last in Australia on February 2, 2025, for Grand Slam Australia, which saw Toni Storm capture the AEW Women’s World Championship from Mariah May. WWE’s most recent Australian event was Elimination Chamber on February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium, headlined by Rhea Ripley retaining the Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax.
While WWE’s return to Perth, Australia, for a premium live event this year was already known, the show now has both a month and its first major star confirmed in John Cena.
Announced during Sunday’s WrestleMania 41, WWE will head to Perth in October with the exact date still to be revealed later this month. The PLE will be sandwiched by SmackDown on Friday and Raw on Monday, all at the RAC Arena with pre-sale signups available now via a QR code in the video below.
Appearing for his final time in the country as an active wrestler will be Cena, possibly in tow with the WWE Championship he competes for in the main event of Sunday’s show.
WWE last held a PLE in the country in February 2024 with Elimination Chamber from Perth’s outdoor stadium, drawing an announced 52,590. It was their first show in the country since 2018.
WWE returns to PERTH this October! Don't miss JOHN CENA's last-ever match in Australia! 🇦🇺
An announcement regarding AEW’s Australia debut could be coming soon.
At the start of his pre-All In media call on Thursday, Khan confirmed that AEW is looking to make its Australia debut in 2025. The promotion is scouting “various locations” in Australia, and Khan teased that more information will be coming soon.
“I just wanted to address some reports regarding AEW potentially running an event in Australia,” he said. “We can confirm that we’re currently looking at various locations in Australia to potentially run an event sometime next year in 2025. We’ll have more information about this in the near future. 2025 is going to be a milestone year. Just as this is a milestone year, I think 2025 [there will be] even more great milestones to come.”
The Sporting News Australia first reported last week that AEW had “well-advanced” plans to make its Australia debut with a stadium show next year. Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, and Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane were mentioned as potential locations.
AEW already has one stadium show confirmed for 2025. Next year’s All In will take place from Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, July 12. All In will then return to the United Kingdom in 2026.
In a surprise development reported Wednesday, AEW is looking at running a stadium event in Australia in 2025.
According to The Sporting News out of Australia, the plans for the company’s debut in the country are “well advanced” and that “AEW powerbrokers have been scouting venues along Australia’s east coast.”
The report states that three venues could be in play — Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium — with live entertainment company TEG backing the show.
AEW’s programming airs on ESPN in the country.
The news comes as AEW prepares to hold its second-ever international stadium show at London’s Wembley Stadium with All In a week from this Sunday. It also comes amid rumors they have been evaluating running a stadium show in Arlington, Texas, where the Texas Rangers of MLB play.
While AEW has never run Australia before, WWE certainly has including this past February’s Elimination Chamber in a Perth stadium which drew an announced 52,590. That was preceded by Super ShowDown at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in October 2018 that drew an announced 70,309.
No Bryan, no other people, just Vincent Verhei reviewing WWE’s Elimination Chamber show from Perth, Australia.
The show had few surprises but lots of good wrestling, especially with the help of fast-forwarding. WrestleMania matches are set for Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and Rhea Ripley, with clear plans for Bianca Belair, Randy Orton, Logan Paul, and LA Knight as well.
We also have reviews of the brilliant Will Ospreay-Michael Oku match from Revolution Pro, one of the best matches you’ll see in all of 2024, and Bryan Danielson’s Dream Match of the Week, this time against Jun Akiyama on Collision. A fun show as always so check it out~!
WWE is reportedly bringing a stadium show to Australia early next year.
The West Australian reported on Saturday that WWE is “just days away” from announcing that it will be holding an event at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia in early 2024. According to the report, the show will stream live around the world. It’s expected to take place prior to WrestleMania 40.
WWE and the local government have been in negotiations regarding the Perth event. In March of this year, Dave Meltzer wrote about those negotiations:
The state government of Western Australia is negotiating with WWE to run a major stadium show. This would be similar to when the city of Melbourne made a deal with WWE twice to run stadium shows, one of which was a PPV show. The likely city would be Perth, which recently hosted a UFC show and many of the UFC shows outside the U.S. are basically local governments bringing in UFC for tourism or other reasons.
WWE presented a pay-per-view from Melbourne, Australia in 2018. That Super Show-Down event was headlined by a match between Triple H and The Undertaker.
Optus Stadium has a capacity of more than 60,000 seats.
The West Australian’s report says top WWE talent will fly into Perth within days to be part of the formal announcement.
FITE has revealed that both of Impact Wrestling’s upcoming Australian shows will air as live pay-per-views.
Impact first announced in May that they would be making their debut “Down Under” on Friday, June 30th and Saturday, July 1st in Wagga, Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. It will be part of a four-day, two show tour that includes a live Conrad Thompson podcast and fan events.
Impact is replacing NJPW on the shows who had to pull out due to talent scheduling issues.
FITE announced a $24.99 bundle for the events. When first announced, Impact stated the shows would be available on their “broadcast platforms, digital and social media.” As FITE was the one to make this announcement Friday, it’s unknown if the shows will also be made available to Impact’s Ultimate Insiders subscribers live and, if not, when.
It will be Impact’s first shows outside North America since a September 2018 event in the United Kingdom.
Current Impact World Champion Steve Maclin, Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo, current Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Ace Austin, current Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry and the Motor City Machine Guns have already been announced.
Impact Wrestling will make their debut in Australia this summer as part of a four-day, two event tour.
The promotion will head to Wagga, Wagga, New South Wales, Australia, for events on Friday, June 30th and Saturday, July 1st at the Equex Centre in addition to two days of fan events. Conrad Thompson will also be on hand to host a live podcast on Sunday, July 2nd.
The events will be available on FITE in addition to Impact’s broadcast platforms, digital and social media. Specific details weren’t announced in the release.
It will be the company’s first shows outside North America since a September 2018 event in the United Kingdom.
Impact is replacing NJPW who had to withdraw due to “scheduling and talent availability issues.” The previously announced NJPW Oceania Cup has been postponed.
According to the release, the events will feature Impact wrestlers, title matches and “special challenge matches “against the best Australia-based wrestlers.”
The promotion is able to hold the shows thanks to the $40 million NSW Government Regional Events Acceleration Fund.
WWE and Foxtel Group have announced a new partnership for Foxtel properties to become the exclusive home of WWE content in Australia.
In a press release, WWE announced that Foxtel will be creating a 24/7 WWE channel to air all WWE premium live events, as well as weekly WWE programming beginning in December 2022. The FOX8 channel will also continue to air WWE programming.
Foxtel’s BINGE streaming service will exclusively house the WWE Network content in Australia, with “selected content” also available on the company’s Kayo Sports streaming service. Premium live events will also air on BINGE.
The WWE press release:
Partnership Marks New Chapter With the Foxtel Group Becoming the Exclusive Destination for WWE® Content in Australia
BINGE to Become New Streaming Home of WWE Network in Australia
Foxtel to Launch a Dedicated 24/7 WWE Channel Including All Premium Live Events With Major Events Also Showcased on FOX8
STAMFORD, Conn.STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– The Foxtel Group and WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced a major new multi-year partnership that will see Foxtel Group’s portfolio of entertainment brands become the home of WWE in .
The new deal will deliver the biggest line-up of WWE’s live and on demand content to Foxtel Group’s 4.5 million subscribers, on Foxtel as well as the rapidly growing streaming services, Kayo Sports and BINGE.
Foxtel Group-WWE Partnership Key Points:
BINGE will become the new streaming home of WWE Network in from January 2023 with all WWE Premium Live Events, including Royal Rumble® and WrestleMania® 39, and entertainment content available with a BINGE subscription, starting from just per month.
WWE Network’s original programming and vast collection of archived content will be available on BINGE.
WWE will continue to be available to all Foxtel subscribers on both the FOX8 channel and on a new, dedicated 24/7 WWE channel to launch from December 2022. The Foxtel Group will broadcast on both these channels all of WWE’s Premium Live Events, previously only available through pay-per-view, at no additional charge to subscribers, plus Weekly Live Episodes of Raw®, SmackDown® and NXT®.
Selected content will continue to be available via Kayo Sports.
Foxtel Group Chief Content and Commercial Officer, Amanda Laing, said: “We are thrilled to remain the long-term partner of WWE, and be part of what will be an exciting new chapter for WWE in .
“The reach of the Foxtel Group is a game-changer for our partners such as WWE. It’s why sport and entertainment partners in and around the globe, including major studios and world-leading sports and now WWE, continue to choose the Foxtel Group to showcase their content and build their audience reach in . We are particularly pleased to offer all our Foxtel subscribers access to WWE’s Premium Live Events, that were previously only available on a pay-per-view basis for up to per event, for no extra cost.”
BINGE Executive Director, Alison Hurbert-Burns said: “For generations WWE has delighted fans across the globe and we’re thrilled this expanded partnership makes BINGE the new streaming home of WWE in Australia.”
“We can’t wait to bring WWE’s unpredictable drama, larger-than-life personalities from past and present including Roman Reigns®, Rey Mysterio®, Ronda Rousey, John Cena® and The Undertaker®, along with all the world-class WWE action to passionate Australian fans.
“It’s a great fit to welcome WWE and its year-round entertainment, including all WWE Network content and Premium Live Events, to the home of the world’s best shows on BINGE.”
WWE Chairwoman and co-CEO, Stephanie McMahon, said: “With its far-reaching and engaged audience, the Foxtel Group has been a trusted and long-standing partner of WWE for more than 20 years. We look forward to expanding our partnership with the Foxtel Group, and welcoming BINGE as the new streaming home of WWE Network in the region.
“Together we will continue to provide our unique blend of action-packed, family-friendly entertainment to fans and grow the WWE audience throughout Australia.”
We’ve got yet another double issue of the Observer out this week covering both the creative changes in WWE and a long bio on Johnny “Mr. Wrestling II” Walker, as well as a number of other features.
The move to Bruce Prichard as creative head of Raw and Smackdown and the steps leading to this process change. We look at who appears to be safe and who isn’t. We look at what was tried on Raw and what wasn’t working, and notable key recent moves. We also look at the problems of comparing Raw with Smackdown.
We have a long look at the life and career of Mr. Wrestling II, Johnny Walker. We look at his heyday, his connection with President Jimmy Carter, the birth of cable and his role in popularizing pro wrestling on cable, how babyfaces changed in the 70s, his 1980 feud with Harley Race, his checkered past, his wrestling debut, his coming mainland, interactions with the toughest guys of his era, his first good run in Tennessee, how his life was notable in both pro wrestling and country music, his first masked gimmick and his planned retirement. Having the right gimmick in the right place at the right time made him one of the biggest stars in the country. We look at the Georgia wrestling war and the creation of Mr. Wrestling II. We look at the Mr. Wrestling vs. Mr. Wrestling II feud and all of II’s biggest feuds over the next decade. We look at II’s meetings with the president’s mother, his biggest matches at the Omni, his runs in Mid South, feud with Magnum T.A., his WWF tenure, and his life after wrestling in Hawaii.
We also cover:
New Japan Pro Wrestling returning to business this week, scouting out the New Japan Cup, directions for fans attending the Osaka shows and why the matches won’t have traditional heat, and the complete schedule.
Economics of Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, Jon Jones and Henry Cejudo and how the ESPN deal has removed fighter leverage. We look at comments by the fighters, response from Dana white and realities of he situation.
An enormous donation made by John Cena, Paul Levesque talks a signature match, WWE canceling over shows due to the pandemic, weekly sports ratings, Edge movie, DVR viewership, Canadian ratings, twitter feuds, Arn Anderson on Sami Zayn, funny story on the first time Adam Cole heard from WWE, what happened to Chris DeJoseph, plus upcoming TV bouts.
Fight Island and the next UFC PPV show
UFC 250, with business notes, popularity notes, poll results and match-by-match coverage.
NXT Takeover In Your House with a rundown, booking notes, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Backlash and story behind Edge vs; Randy Orton.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
Garrett Gonzalez and I will be doing a show tonight covering the creative changes with WWE and also talk with Andreas Hale.
Thanks to everyone for their comments regarding the last three issues and the Mr. Wrestling II feature this week. We will have more on that next week, hopefully. The new issue also runs down a lot on the WWE creative changes.
New Japan starts up with its first show in months on Monday, which starts at 6 a.m. Monday morning Eastern time on New Japan World.
Weigh-ins for tomorrow’s UFC show that will be airing on ESPN starting at 6 p.m. Eastern:
Christian Aguilera (170.5) vs. Anthony Ivy (171)
Tyson Nam (135.5) vs,. Zarrukh Adashev (138.5)
Julia Avila (135) vs. Gina Mazany (136)
Charles Rosa (155) vs. Kevin Aguilar (155.5)
Mariya Agapova (125.5) vs. Hannah Cifers (125)
Jordan Espinosa (135.5) vs. Mark De La Rosa (136)
Andre Fili (145.5) vs. Charles Joudain (145.5)
Merab Dvalishvili (139) vs. Gustavo Lopez (140)
Karl Roberson (190.5) vs. Marvin Vettori (186)
Jessica Eye (126.25) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (126)
A few notes. Eye missed weight by 0.25 pounds and she was very shaky leaving the scale, not looking at all healthy. Roberson missed weight by 4.5 pounds which is kind of ridiculous. Because Lopez took the fight yesterday, both men agreed to fight at 140 so neither missed weight. Adashev also missed eight. Both Mazany and Eye have dabbled in some pro wrestling. Derrick Minner, who was to face Jordan Griffin, pulled out today. He said he woke up and started violently throwing up. The doctors pretty much advised him not to fight.
Bryan Alvarez turned 45 today. Somehow he has remained younger than the median age of a viewer of every pro wrestling show during the pandemic.
Starting in July, Australia, which has barely been hit by COVID-19, really be easing restrictions on live shows. The limit of 100 people for indoor gatherings will change but there is a one person every four square meters rule in place on indoor shows and stadiums will be open to 25 percent of capacity (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
WWE
These are the odds from www.BetOnline.ag for Backlash:
Drew McIntyre -950 vs. Bobby Lashley +500
Asuka -600 vs. Nia Jax +350
Randy Orton -160 vs. Edge +120
Braun Strowman -1250 vs. Miz & John Morrison +550
Bayley & Sasha Banks -175 vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross +200 vs. The Iiconics +250
Apollo Crews -550 vs. Andrade +325
Jeff Hardy -140 vs. Sheamus +100
Smackdown tonight has the A.J. Styles vs. Daniel Bryan IC title match, Heavy Machinery & Braun Strowman vs. The Miz & John Morrison & Dolph Ziggler plus a Sheamus and Jeff Hardy contract signing for Sunday. It’s the go-home show for Backlash.
Sports Illustrated talked to Mustafa Ali on his experiences as a police officer and racism.
Shawn Michaels was part of a conference call to promote WWE Backlash and he was asked by Inside The Ropes about The Last Ride documentary and the Crown Jewel tag match. Here’s what he had to say: ‘The year after we had my last match (in 2010), we were sitting at baggage claim and we’re waiting on our bags where I’m gonna get inducted into the Hall of Fame and he looked at me and said “you made the right choice. Perfect time to go out” Fast forward to the tag match, I had no idea that in his mind, had it gone well that he would have possibly been able to retire on that. I assumed that he was more looking towards that WrestleMania moment. I just looked at that match as another tag match. I looked at that just as a chance to go out there with my buddies and have some fun and not take anything too seriously. I didn’t know that was a situation that had it gone better, it would’ve made it easier for him to walk away. I assumed in his mind it needed to be the same as me where it needed to be a WrestleMania moment.”
UFC
A fight between Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba has been added to an 8/15 PPV show.
A fight with Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo has been added to the 7/11 PPV show.
MISCELLANEOUS
Not so good news for Matt Striker who was eliminated from FOX’s “Labor of Love,” a reality show that is tanking badly.
MLW announced that Salina de la Renta has returned to the organization with a new deal.
CWE runs tonight in Winnipeg at Rookie’s Sports Bar. The event is limited to just 100 tickets sold and wearing a mask is recommended.
Michael Facciani at [email protected] is selling his collection of wrestling magazines that dates back to the 80s.
There will be a two-day seminar with Les Thatcher, Tom Prichard and Rudy Boy Gonzalez on 8/8 and 8/9 at the All-American Wrestling Academy in Knoxville, TN. There are limited spaces available and you can email [email protected] for more info.
We are sad to report the death of Jon Southerland, a longtime correspondent to the Observer who passed away on 6/10 from cancer. He was still watching wrestling in the ICU unit this past week. Southerland used to regularly drive to this area from Fresno for shows.
Esther Leon de Moreno, the mother of Esther, Alda, Cinthia and Rossy Moreno, passed away during surgery. Esther and her husband built the Arena Azteca Budokan in Neza nearly 60 years ago. Esther Moreno was one of the stars during the early 90s glory days of All Japan Women’s Wrestling.
Televisa will be airing the 2014 Juicio Final show tomorrow. The show features a Volador Jr. vs. La Sombra (Andrade) match.
Rick Bassman is teaming with Cameo and charities National Cares Mentoring Movement and Live FreeUSA to host an event called BeGood which will include Sting, Lou Ferrigno, Butterbean, Benny “The Jet Urquidez, Mike O’Hearn and Bas Rutten for a Facebook event on 6/20 at 5 p.m. to talk tolerance, unity and reconciliation.
On The Turnbuckle has a Indigenous Australian roundtable podcast for how the Black Lives Matter movement has resonated in Australia, as well as covering the wrestling side (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
The UFC officially announced their June 6th date in Perth, Australia, has been postponed.
“Due to the current state and national restrictions on public gatherings and travel, UFC 251 originally scheduled for Perth, western Australia on Sunday, June 7, has been postponed. UFC looks forward to returning to Perth in the near future with a PPV event in partnership with Tourism Western Australia. Fans can register their interest to receive date, ticketing and bout information at UFC.com/Perth.”
However, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported Tuesday that the organization is planning on moving ahead with a pay-per-view on June 6th in a yet-to-be-announced American location featuring featherweight champion Amanda Nunes (seen above) defending against Felicia Spencer. Cody Garbrandt vs. Rafael Assuncao has also been rumored for that show.
The UFC wll kick off a three show, seven day stretch this Saturday with their UFC 249 PPV followed by two ESPN shows on Wednesday and Saturday, respectively, all in Jacksonville, FL. They are also still planning on moving forward with a May 23rd show, but the location has yet to be announced.
They are awaiting clearance from Nevada to resume operations at their APEX facility in Las Vegas. Florida became an option as they added pro sports to their essential businesses list last month.
Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair are now set for two high profile matches in the next couple of months.
WWE announced today on their website that Becky Lynch will face Charlotte Flair for the WWE SmackDown women’s title at WWE Super Show-Down. This is in addition to their match that has been announced for WWE Hell in a Cell later this month.
The two have been feuding since SummerSlam, when Charlotte took advantage of a prone Lynch and pinned her to become SmackDown women’s champion. Lynch didn’t like the outcome and jumped Charlotte, throwing her over the announcer’s table. The two have exchanged tense words since then and are first scheduled to meet in a title match at Hell in a Cell on September 16.
Here is the current card for WWE Super Show-Down, which will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia on October 6:
The Undertaker vs. Triple H
AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE title
John Cena and Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens and Elias
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz – winner gets a WWE title match
The Shield vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre
Ronda Rousey and the Bella Twins vs. The Riott Squad
Cedric Alexander vs. Buddy Murphy for the WWE Cruiserweight title
The New Day vs. Cesaro and Sheamus for the WWE SmackDown tag team titles
Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch for the SmackDown women’s title
Mario Milano, who came to Australia in 1967 for a three month tour and for the most part, never left, passed away earlier today at the age of 81.
Milano, because of his tenure in the country, may have been the best known pro wrestler in the country, and certainly would be to people over the age of 45. He had more different title reigns than any wrester in the history of the World Championship Wrestling office.
Milano, born Mario Bulfone, was from Italy, but grew up in Venezuela.
He started pro wrestling as a teenager in Venezuela in 1953, and first came to the United States in 1962 as Mario La Pantera, where he held the International TV tag team titles in California with Count Billy Varga. He worked in Tennessee and WWWF during the 60s, as a tag team with Jackie Fargo in Tennessee, where he headlined for years, and with Victor Rivera in the WWWF, where at times they were the top babyface tag team in the promotion.
Jim Barnett, who once told me that Milano was one of the three biggest long-term drawing cards for his World Championship Wrestling promotion, which was the best paying and considered by many the top group in the world during the 60s. Barnett brought him to Australia in 1967 and on his first show in Sydney, Milano won a Battle Royal main event and was established as an immediate main eventer. He remained largely a main eventer until the end of the promotion in 1978.
Milano was billed as being 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, with a good physique, who had the size to be believable in fighting the monsters, but also was a good seller. In Australia, he had strong rivalries with the likes of Killer Kowalski, Pat Patterson, Skull Murphy, Killer Karl Kox, King Curtis Iaukea, Gorilla Monsoon, Cyclone Negro, Toru Tanaka, Don Leo Jonathan, The Spoiler Don Jardine, Bobby Shane, and Ernie Ladd.
Milano’s three month run in Australia was extended, and he captured the IWA world title twice later that year, once from Kowalski and also from Ripper Collins, as well as held the IWA tag team titles with Red Bastien.
He garnered more popularity in 1968 when Monsoon came to Australia and had a $2,000 bodyslam challenge, and Milano slammed him. He did a heel run, managed by Gary Hart, but eventually turned face after Hart slapped him in the face.
In the 70s he was the older veteran who held the World Brass Knux title.
Because he stayed in Australia after his retirement, while the other WCW stars returned home, he became the elder statesman of the industry, often doing matches on small shows or being aligned with wrestling in some form for two more decades.
