At a time when WWE is holding more international premium live events than ever, Grayson Waller has serious doubts about the company bringing its biggest annual event, WrestleMania, to his home country of Australia.
WWE has held three major events in Australia, starting with the Global Warning Tour: Melbourne in 2002, released on home video. They returned for Super Show-Down in 2018 at Colonial Stadium, marking their first live premium live event (PLE) in the country. This year, WWE returned once more in February to host the Elimination Chamber at Perth Stadium.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Waller explained why he doesn’t believe WrestleMania will ever take place in Australia:
“If I have to be honest, no, Australia, I’m sorry, it’s not going to happen. The time zone is rough, and I get that. WrestleMania is such a big show—it’s our showcase, and we want the most eyes on it. I think in Australia, that would be a very difficult process, especially with flying everything down. It’s a big effort. But I think having something like the Elimination Chamber there is massive. I don’t think people realize how big it was. That show sets up WrestleMania. All the things that happen on that show lead into the biggest show of the year.”
He continued, “So for me, I don’t think WrestleMania will ever be in Australia. Would I love it to happen? Obviously, it would mean the world to me, but I’m realistic. I think Australia has the opportunity to host more big shows. I’ve heard some whispers that we might be heading back somewhat soonish, and I think I’d rather have us stand alone and say, ‘Hey, this is Australia, and this is what we do.’ We have so many Aussies in WWE right now that we could almost fill a show with Australians.”
To date, WrestleMania has only been hosted outside the United States twice, with both instances in Canada. WrestleMania 41 is slated to take place in Las Vegas next year.
