Perth gripped by wrestling fever as superstar readies farewell visit
A group of wrestling fans clamoring for the chance to own WWE merchandise took over Forrest Place in Perth’s CBD this morning.
The crowd reflects the fever gripping the city ahead of this weekend’s wrestling spectacular at the RAC called Crown Jewel: Perth. This wrestling match will feature none other than WWE superstar-turned-Hollywood star John Cena.
Wrestling fans took over a WWE ‘superstore’ that opened in Perth’s Forrest Place on Thursday.Credit: 9News Perth
A makeshift store set up in the basement of 166 Murray Street was packed on Thursday as Tourism Minister Reece Whitby and Sports and Entertainment Minister Rita Saffioti praised the economic boost of the wrestling promotional tour.
“We have people here who have just arrived from the airport with their luggage, and their first stop is here at the supermarket,” Saffioti said.
“As a government, we are very proud of our partnership with WWE and the entire company and partnering with them to ensure we can deliver these special events.”
Shouting over a blast of music at the pop-up “superstore”, Saffioti said thousands of people traveled to WA for last year’s Elimination Chamber and poured money into the state’s economy while they were there.
“And what you can already see today is how incredible the support WWE has in this situation,” he said.
Bringing the world’s best wrestlers west is part of the government’s tourism strategy, which focuses on big events that draw crowds to Perth.
Whitby was sure the proof was in the pudding.
“Look around you, I came here and saw people snaking around the road, on the corner, on Wellington Street. It was incredible,” he said.
“I’ve talked to people waiting in line. They’re coming from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, overseas.”
“I talk to a couple from Sydney who rented a car and went to the summits.
John Cena will make his final Australian WWE appearance at Crown Jewel: Perth on Saturday.Credit: WWE via Getty Images
“They spend their money, they visit the state.
“This is undeniable proof that this major event strategy works.
“It gets people to Perth to have fun, spend their money and support our economy.”
WWE will hold its weekly Friday Night SmackDown at the RAC Arena on Friday before Cena steps into the ring on Saturday in his final WWE appearance in Australia.
The weekend of wrestling will finally come to an end with the Monday Night RAW event on October 13.
