PWA Prize Fight Review (26/09/2026)

By Mick Robson

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Back at it with one of the top promotions in Australia, PWA! Pro Wrestling Australia recently returned to the Illawarra region- my neck of the woods- with PWA Prize Fight, debuting at the beautiful Anita’s Theatre. 

Apologies for the delay in reviews. Had some personal stuff to deal with, and with that in mind, for this next batch of reviews- which will include EPW, Integrity, and I’m thinking I may include my first look at Riot City Wrestling in this- I'm going to try and slightly streamline my writing of these reviews and see how it’s received. I’m going to cut down on the play by play- still noting key moments, but keeping the focus on the general story and analysis over recounting the moves in the matches. 

My current way of doing it means a single review can take 5+ hours to write, which I can make work when life is going perfect, but it also means that when things go sideways for any reason, finding that extra 5+ hours in a day to work on The Arena is difficult. 

With that said, we’ve got a big show to look forward to. This wasn’t 18+ Black Label, it was a family friendly event, but otherwise it’s been treated as a Black Label level show with commentary, YouTube broadcasting, and is canon in PWA storylines. I was there live, and reliving a couple of weeks later on the old YouTube should be fun. 

Let’s do this! 

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We open with a cheering crowd, Phil Collin’s “In The Air Tonight” blaring, and Kris Gale emphatically welcoming the viewers around the world to the show. “This is PWA. This is Prize Fight!” A real sense of occasion in the opening seconds. 

Ring announcer Diego sets up the opening contest- the first round in the Soul of PWA Premiership tournament! With the previous champion The Tuckman departing PWA to sign with WWE- and at the time of writing this week, wrestled a dark match at NXT against Brooks Jensen- PWA needs a new champion. Wishing Tuckman, and his Dropouts partner, Scott Green, all the best as they embark on this new adventure. 

Match 1: Soul of PWA Premiership First Round- Tony Sin vs. Jude London 

Kris generously describes the reaction to Sin as “mixed.” Jude has a very snazzy new tracksuit that he’s wrestling in, well the bottoms at least. Aura, as the kids say. Paris De Silva is sitting in on commentary with Kris. 

Classic heel bit to start as the bald Sin argues that Jude was pulling his hair. We quickly get serious and exciting as Jude ups the offence and athleticism, nailing a big plancha to excite this Thirroul crowd in the early going. Sin slows him down with a chop block and a boot, smart strategy to ground the high flier and take the legs out of the equation. Paris says, “I may not like the man, but the ring IQ is extremely high.” The leg attacks continue, and Jude is in agony with a single leg crab, but makes the ropes. 

Jude manages to create separation, sending Sin flying with a springboard tornado DDT. Phenomenal Forearm then gets him a 2 count. Tony gets desperate with an eye rake, leading to some smooth back and forth, and it’s a huge combo from Jude, nailing the springboard stunner and the Excommunicado kick in succession for the fatal 3 count! 

Winner: Jude London (at 7:18) 

Thoughts: Huge victory for Jude, advancing in the tournament. The stage was set really well for this by the commentary, nailing the key points to give both wrestlers credibility- both Jude and Paris are accomplished singles wrestlers too, reminding the audience of their successes in Colosseum a couple of years ago, and on Tony Sin’s side, he JUST challenged Tuckman in a Black Label main event a couple of months ago. 

In the context of this show, a fine opener- having the Velocities to kick off the show is always a winning formula, whether in tag or in singles, the acrobatic, high flying offense is a crowd pleaser, and that was certainly the case here. 

We get an on-camera with Kris and Paris, using live microphones rather than the headsets, which is a new production choice. I like it, feels more interactive with both the live crowd and the YouTube audience hearing what’s going on. 

The music of Benjamin and Mick Moretti interrupts proceedings. Mick Moretti is carrying the Golden Esky that the former Ben Braxton won last month at The Climb. 

Moretti has a mic, and asks how are “we” going to use the Esky- the heavyweight championship? The Soul? The tag team championship? Options are endless, says Moretti... I don’t know if 3 options constitutes “endless”, but here comes Rita Stone, Braxton’s former CBK teammate. 

Rita tries to speak reason to Braxton, saying that Moretti shouldn’t be making the decisions. She challenges Moretti to a match, but he baulks at that, inviting a good friend of his who wants a match- cue Robbie Eagles! We then get the arrival of Jessica Troy and Big Fudge to back up Rita... holy impromptu six person tag, Batman! 

Match 2: Rita Stone, Jessica Troy & Big Fudge vs. Robbie Eagles, Mick Moretti & Benjamin 

This is really an all-star battle here, six of my personal favourites! 

We start with what seems to be a physical mismatch between Jess and Benjamin, but she shows why she’s a former PWA Champion, taking him down with a top rope stomp to the arm. The next big faceoff is Rita Stone and Robbie Eagles, much better matched in size but not experience. Stone shows no fear of the tenured Eagles, taking it to the Sniper with blistering chops and keeping up pace. Fudge tags in and the babyfaces run amok on Robbie Eagles. 

Benjamin comes in as a massive difference maker and drills Fudge with a sky high spinebuster. This leads to a sustained beatdown on the beloved Fudge. The dreaded Butt Punch finally gives Fudge a chance, and Rita comes in throwing hands off the hot tag! The pace quickens as everyone is in and out, hitting some of their best stuff. Rita and Jess take down the human skyscraper that is Benjamin with a tandem DDT, absolutely spiking the big man!  

Moretti clears Rita by throwing her to the outside onto the other wrestlers. Jess looks to take it to the Rapscallion, but Benjamin trips her up. Moretti hits a Stomp, Benjamin with a big boot, and Moretti takes the glory with the winning pin. 

Winners: Robbie Eagles, Mick Moretti & Benjamin (at 11:52) 

Thoughts: While on the surface, this just seemed designed to get some big names on the show, it actually furthered stories in meaningful ways, particularly the ongoing CBK drama with Stone and Benjamin, while Moretti acts as puppet master. Stone is doing a great job being conflicted but starting to literally try and smack some sense into Braxton, whereas Benjamin is also doing his part showing glimpses of hesitation at times beneath the stoic exterior. Moretti is doing an excellent job as usual as the agent of chaos. On the other side, Jessica Troy taking the pin there lends her equity to help establish Benjamin further near the top of the PWA card. And outside of all of those ramifications, yes, it was a fun all action battle featuring some of PWA’s biggest stars. 

Our next match is a Soul of PWA Premiership first round match, but it’s also a personal grudge match, after Michael Spencer turned on his MK Plus Ultra teammates Cosmo Cooper and Kai Drake. 

Match 3: Soul of PWA Premiership First Round- Michael Spencer vs. Cosmo Cooper 

Cosmo comes out fuming, ready to rip Spencer apart for the bell even rings, and Spencer wisely jumps to the outside. 

Fists fly, and this resembles a punch up at the Dapto Leagues Club more than a wrestling match in the early going. Referee Jackie is back in the green and black and he’s got his hands full here. Thankfully, he’s not smiling and constantly checking the time.  

Cosmo shows tremendous athleticism in amongst the aggression too, countering a hip toss by landing on his feet and nailing a picture perfect dropkick. Spencer is savvy though, and counters a springboard attack by simply dumping Cosmo to the outside. Spencer displays his world-class athleticism with a Meteora and a pair of 619s, oozing arrogance the whole time.

Cosmo manages to rally, including hitting his trademark springboard stunner. In the end though, going back to that well is his undoing, as Spencer catches him and then nails a Spider German Suplex from the top- shout out to the wifey, Madison Eagles- and this one’s over! 

Winner: Michael Spencer (at 9:08) 

Thoughts: Strong fast-paced match with a blend of emotion and athleticism. Cosmo showed excellent fire, while Spencer was suitably obnoxious with a reason to be, as he often had the younger, less experienced Cosmo scouted, leading to a pivotal victory for the Morning Star as he embarks towards singles glory. 

Post-match, Spencer cracks a groggy Cosmo in the back of the head with a knee, leading to Kai Drake storming out. PWA security/young boys hold him back. Kai helps Cosmo to the back. This MK Plus issue isn’t over. 

Match 4: Tables Match- Mana & Manoush (Marley Peleti & El Phoenician) vs. The Influence (Carter Deams & Lachy McIntyre) 

Great vibes as Mana & Manoush enter, their rise in NSW wrestling has been meteoric over the past year or so. The vibes are definitely cut short with the arrival of social media mega-star Lachy McIntyre, and his 6’5” back up Carter Deams. Banger theme song though. 

Fists fly on the stage, and there’s no DQ in a tables match, so we’re underway! Takes very little time for tables to come into play, and damn, one of those tables looks solid as fuck! One of the table legs gets broken, so they awkwardly maneuver around that mishap, but they make it work. Phoenician ends up standing on the solid table as The Influence lift it, and his only way out is to dive to Peleti on the outside- apparently. 

Phoenician again uses the table as a launch pad to take Deams to the outside with a rana, it’s messy but they get there. Lachy impresses with a Grayson Waller-esque rolling Stunner- look, I feel like every month, I’m listing some impressive shit that Lachy McIntyre is doing. Love him or hate him, he’s absolutely putting in the work to be good at this. An errant superkick by Deams turns the tides towards their opponents... that’s also starting to feel like a monthly occurrence. Carter redeems (re-Deams?) himself by saving Lachy from getting double teamed, and sets Phoenician up for a top rope splash through the table, but gets nothing but wood. 

That leaves Lachy McIntyre all alone once again. He uses Phoenician’s headdress to blast the Lebo Lucha (don’t come at me, he calls himself that). Lachy sets the table, but the old adage “he who sets it, gets it” comes to fruition, as McIntyre is soon chokeslammed right through the table! Aww. Baby’s first table! 

Winners: Mana & Manoush (at 9:16) 

Thoughts: Crowd pleasing victory, a lot of fun, and kudos to all four guys for going out of their way to do some inventive stuff with the tables. It got a bit rough with the busted table, but no one panicked and they made it work. A great time! And Phoenician gets his headdress back.  

Intermission time! 

Robbie Eagles replaces Paris De Silva. “Who needs Rose?” Robbie asks. 

Match 5: PWA Tag Team Championship- Brotherhood of RANGA (Jack Bonza & EC Brownie) vs. North Shore Wrestling (Sam & Jack Osborne (c) 

Odd dynamic with it being heels vs. heels, but it’s four very talented wrestlers, hard-hitting and technical, and they lean right into all of that without necessarily trying to win the crowd over. Ref Rach reads both teams the riot act as we get underway and she gets chants. We love Ref Rach! 

Evenly matched in mat wrestling in the early going with Bonza and Sam continuously scrambling for holds and counter holds, not even wanting to concede a 1 count. Things get less refined but more devastating as EC Brownie tags in. Jack Osborne tags in as Robbie remarks “these guys are moving like junior heavyweights rather than heavyweights!” If I had to put it in perspective for a wrestling fan that only watches WWE and isn’t familiar with Aussie wrestling- Jack Osborne gives me strong Bron Breakker vibes. 

Sam Osborne goes deep into his bag with a standing hurricanrana right into a triangle choke on Bonza! Shows how formidable the challenge of RANGA is when you see moves like that. Bonza slams his way out and with tags on both sides, it’s wrecking ball vs. Wrecking ball as Brownie and Jack Osborne throw bombs! They hit their best stuff, as Brownie nails the Black Hole Slam, only for Jack to come back with a huge Spear moments later. Things get wild outside the ring as Bonza dives off the stage! That’s gotta be a first. 

After a brawl, champions and challengers return to the ring to slug it out some more, and also try and catch each other off guard with quick roll up attempts. RANGA drill Jack Osborne with a nasty powerbomb but Sam saves him by putting his foot on the ropes. Jack musters up the strength for one last Spear... and uses the ropes again to secure the win! 

Winners: North Shore Wrestling (at 13:53) 

Thoughts: A strong championship match between four of PWA’s best. North Shore Wrestling are PWA’s strongest force by now, if we use championships as the metric, and Brotherhood of RANGA, despite being not the most popular men on the roster, are absolutely a force in their own right, so this served well as a battle of titans with high stakes. 

Match 6: MJ Eagles vs. Ty Thayer (w/ Xander Sullivan) vs. Nikki Van Blair (w/ Charlton) vs. The Tradie 

Nikki immediately goes outside to get a drink from her sommelier Charlton, as Thayer jumps both MJ and Tradie. The Third Eye member clearly not looking to win any popularity contests here! 

Tradie avoids a Thayer senton and then plants Nikki with a flapjack. Springboard cutter on Thayer. Looking to impress in front of a home crowd in his Black Label debut! MJ fires back with the kicks on everybody- it's her hometown too, and she had a nice feature in the Illawarra Mercury promoting this show as well. 

Nikki dropkicks all three opponents down, and lets out a primal scream- shades of Melina- when the follow up pin attempts aren’t successful. Tower of Doom spot with a little assist from Charlton- what a legend. Drinks AND slamming service!  

Tradie builds momentum again, looking smooth as hell in this debut spot, but gets cut off by Xander, who is out of his wheelchair to boot Tradie down! This match is breaking down, but someone needs to seize the moment- and it’s MJ Eagles, who nails Eat Defeat for her first Black Label win! 

Winner: MJ Eagles (at 5:06) 

Thoughts: Big time moment for MJ Eagles, who has made a major impact since debuting at King of the Metro. The second gen star is doing a great job and building a following extremely quickly. The talent and charisma is very evident, and more outings like this will help make her star shine brighter. That said, I also think the future is very bright for Tradie, who looked great in his spots. Thayer is continuously establishing himself as an absolute menace of an antagonist, and Nikki’s Real Housewife character is turning out to be a blast in a post-PPK world (miss Frankie B so much already!) PWA’s roster is proving to have some serious depth, even with so many departing to chase their dreams in the US. 

Main Event: PWA Heavyweight Championship- Ricky South vs. Will Kiedis (w/ Sam & Jack Osborne) (c) 

First big time defence for Kiedis after winning the title via the Golden Esky cash-in. Will he be a transitional champion? 

Kiedis seems hesitant to engage in the early going, backing up into the ropes, dodging and weaving, looking for the best opportunity to strike. Significant size disparity here for the Anchorman. Ricky certainly wasn’t shy in giving his opinions on Kiedis in a recent interview with me, can Kiedis prove himself in this match? 

Ricky has early control as he calls for support from the Thirroul crowd, who respond politely. Kiedis has his first nice moment with a belly to belly into the turnbuckles! Weaponising South’s own momentum against him. Kiedis starts working over the leg to try and negate the size advantage, ramming it into the ring post. From there we get some attempts at signature moves- Kiedis with the Unprettier, South with the piledriver, but it seems these two need to wear each other down a bit more. 

Kiedis goes high risk with a top rope elbow, but that ain’t it as he gets nothing but canvas. Kiedis gets caught up in the top rope running the ropes- it snaps against his forehead and comes up with a welt almost instantly. Ouch! They recover and Ricky hits a massive avalanche Flowsion from the second rope! They almost lose it but pull it off in the end. It gets a very close 2 count. 

With the reserves exhausted, Kiedis turns to North Shore Wrestling, as the Osbornes make their presence known! Ricky disposes of them but the distraction allows Kiedis to hit a top rope rana, and finally the big elbow! But only 2. More North Shore Wrestling shenanigans ensue as Sam Osborne rings the bell at ringside for a distraction, allowing Jack to interfere, then Kiedis gets the final shot with a Shining Wizard... and Ricky kicks out! Excellent near fall. “He is built of the toughest stuff!” exclaims Robbie Eagles. Nice reference. South looks to hit a big boot, but mows down Ref Rach instead! She’s earning her money tonight. Ricky disposes of North Shore and hits Kiedis with the piledriver, getting the visual pinfall. North Shore get involved again, hitting a belt shot- cameras miss it- and the champ hits one more Shining Wizard. Kiedis retains! 

Winner: Will Kiedis (at 19:57) 

Thoughts: A good example of a wrestler winning a crowd over. I would describe the crowd at Anita’s Theatre as casual at absolute best, with a few of the Sydney fans coming down to the Gong, but otherwise they seemed largely unfamiliar with PWA. Ricky South got the people from polite applause to big “Ricky” chants, and you can’t undersell Kiedis and North Shore Wrestling’s influence as effective heels, infuriating the crowd to the point that they needed a hero. But on this night, it’s score one for the bad guys despite a valiant effort from The Example. 

Post-match, North Shore Wrestling gloat. They’ve got (pretty much) all the gold. We sign off with Kris Gale reminding us that the “metric of success is success”, and to join PWA for Kick-Ons on December 4th. 

And post-show live at Anita’s Theatre, Jax Jordan tells us that this is Jessica Troy’s last PWA show. She’s heading to the US to be with her husband Scott Green. The Dropouts are about to take over NXT, and it looks like Jessica Troy will be doing her thing in the States as well! She’s been such an incredible asset to PWA and Aussie wrestling as a whole, she’ll be missed greatly and I wish her all the success overseas, wherever she lands. Go show the world why you’re one of the best, Jess. 

Overall Thoughts 

This was a solid debut show in a new market. Thankfully, it looked to be far more successful than PWA’s last trip to Wollongong in 2022. Bigger crowd and a stronger show being in PWA canon. Kris Gale also described this show as “Black Label” despite being all ages, so has “Black Label” shifted away from being 18+? 

Anyway, funnily enough I’d say the highlight was probably the impromptu six person tag. But nothing on this show was a low point, everything was consistently good to very good, setting things up for the future. I’m not sure why PWA seem to be taking such a big break, promoting Kick Ons like it’s the next event even though it’s all the way in December. Might give me a chance to catch up on the review backlog.  

Overall Score: 7/10 

Up next, we’re likely looking at EPW or Integrity. See you guys for those ones! 

Until next time, take care.