Professional wrestling expanding globally; International push on for WWE, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling, U.S. and U.K. promotions doing well to solid says Media Man agency Media Man Int

Professional wrestling expanding globally; International push on for WWE, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Progress Wrestling; U.S. And U.K promotions doing well to solid says Media Man agency, by Greg Tingle - February 2018

United States may be over exposed; Seeking new and increased audiences at events and via online subscription models

Australian may be solid market, Japan good, India mixed messages; Sports Entertainment WWE king pin promoters Triple H, Vince McMahon fight for hearts, minds and wallets with Japanese counterparts

World getting smaller due to internet could be a good thing for pro wrestling industry

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Could the often misunderstood world of pro wrestling aka sports entertainment, be undergoing a kind of resurgence both in its traditional home of the United States, and well as in markets such as down under in Australia.

Judging by the somewhat aggressive marketing and media campaigns exhibited by New Japan Pro Wrestling, followed up by Progress Wrestling (set for the Sydney Star), and will WWE slated to once again tour Australia late in the year, it would appear so.

The internet is a double edged sword. Exposure is at an all time high as far as reaching a global audience, and new viewers. Everyone is online.

In Australia the WWE once again renewed its business agreement with Nine Entertainment company where it provides a free one hour version of both WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown weekly via 9NOW and 9GO!

Japanese born Shinsuke Nakamura is now one of the hottest pro wrestling stars in the world, and he's rumoured to have a very strong chance of winning the WWE Championship at this April's WrestleMania 34 card. NAK ATTACK is popular in all parts of the world including the U.S, Canada, U.K, Australia, and of course, Japan.

NAK ATTACK's popularity may have been a spark to nudge New Japan Pro Wrestling to tour Australia (on now), followed by Progress Wrestling booking the venue formally known as Star City Casino aka The Star Sydney.

Some Australian promoters have been able to plug into the Japanese invasion, while others don't know what to do, having preciously been tipped off on the growing popularity of the Strong Style that the Jap's present.

Last month former UFC champion and WWE I/C champion Ken Shamrock discussed fans appreciation of stiff ring work along with a realistic submission style that Shamrock helped popularize across the globe. WWE's Brock Lesnar, also with a very strong track record of success in MMA (UFC) and amateur wresting also exhibits a more realistic style, often mixing it up with a brawling style and too many suplex's throw in to count (as much as manager Paul Heyman, ring announcers and fans may try).

The important numbers are currently being tabulated as New Japan checks and re checks ticket sales and WWE keeps a tab on social media scores and television / advertising and merchandise numbers. Rest assured Progress Wrestling will be crunching numbers.

Should New Japan do well enough on Australian soil this may temp other Japanese promotions to tour down under. The Media Man agency helped promote Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling into Australia in the mid 90s culminating in a show at the UNSW on the Randwick / Kensington border in Sydney's eastern suburbs. It's well documented that Australia wasn't quite ready for the more stiff and realistic style at the time, nor was the Australian news media all over it the way they are for the UFC. Japanese promotion, Bellator MMA, is also striving to build upon their brand name, but for the moment the UFC remains the dominant MMA promotion, despite numerous fighters and former fighters pushing for a rise in pay. New Zealand fighter Mark Hunt has had a long running disagreement with UFC promoter Dana White, and other promotions will be hoping to avoid talent conflicts of that caliber.

Pro wrestling veteran and self proclaimed 'Best In The World' Chris Jericho, a Canadian native, recently switched between the WWE for a initial one off appearance with New Japan, and if you believe Jericho, he may be responsible for an extra 15 to 25 thousand tickets been solid based on his semi main event with Kenny Omega 'The Cleaner'. Jericho also closely monitored the New Japan Pro Wrestling network sub numbers which he also offered a major boost to. Jericho and Omega stock grew considerably following the mega boost in crowd attendance and network subs, not to mention considerable worldwide news media coverage, both mainstream and hardcore (we sit somewhere around the middle of that, learning on the mainstream side), but rest assured we are fans.

Both pro wrestling and MMA have become a lot more pro active regarding the protection of talents brains and bodies, and the WWE Wellness Policy is now world renown. WWE's Daniel Bryan endured a number of concussions over the years, and WWE has yet to clear him. Bryan is strong rumoured to wrestle outside the WWE eventually, should he not get clearance.

Pro wrestling, MMA and amateur are strenuous sports, something that everyone from Brock Lesnar to outlaw and blackballed pro Dr D. David Shultz has been outspoken about. Most normal human beings couldn't even complete a pro wrestling training session, let along hit the road doing their craft for over 200 dates a year. Most would wind up in a wheelchair, despite the open secret that (most) punches are pulled.

It's an exciting time to be a pro wrestling fan, or a promoter.

Will Australia be able to capture some of the glory days of the old Jim Barnett WCW, or will the fire down under just be a flash in the pan.

Support your favorite wrestlers (and promotion) when they come to your city.

That's all there is. There isn't any more. The fans have gone berserk (thanks Jack Little).

To be continued...

Other Key Points

John Cena is arguably still the WWE's most famous star in the current era

Roman Reigns popularity and street cred has built in the WWE despite not currently having a championship. His movie star looks appear to get some male fans offside!

Long time pro wrestling fans and wrestling legend Ric Flair have been lobbying for the return of The Hulkster. WrestleMania would be an ideal time and place

Brock Lesnar may possibly return to the UFC for one or two more matches, or could this be a ploy for a WWE pay rise, which would fit in nicely with the return of pro wrestling and MMA bad boy Bobby Lashley, who was even involved in a pro wrestle angle / stunt with President Donald Trump (as was Stone Cold Steve Austin).

Vince McMahon has handed more control of the WWE over to Triple H. Hunter looks after NXT, 205 Live and then some! Way to go champ.

Most pro wrestlers are big on social media. WWE legend Booker T needs to be mindful of this and public image when engaging in a war of words and even threats of sorts against WWE announcer Corey Graves. Not a good look Booker, even though you are not happy about being out of pocket less the announcing payday.

WWE tipped to do another Australian Global Warming Tour in late 2018. Melbourne would be the likely city and they would be aiming to draw at least 50,000 fans, but may get towards 80 or 90 thousand should the card and promotion be strong enough.

Network Nine's 9NOW and 9GO! have helped the WWE gain pop culture and mainstream buzz and awareness into Australia. It's not quite at NWO (New World Order) levels, but WWE is portably discussed as much as the UFC at work, in pubs and at school et al.

Worldwide wrestling and MMA companies closely monitoring Australian ticket sales and news media coverage.

Ric Flair. Pro actively pushing for a Hulk Hogan return for WWE. Hogan does not need the money. Sydney, Australia

Shinsuke Nakamura. Former NXT Champion and soon to be WWE Champion? Stay tuned for WWE WrestleMania 34

Ronda Rousey signs with WWE. AJ Styles thinks Rousey could be the WWE's next Kurt Angle! The next Brock Lesnar would also be cool. WWE's needs to carefully manage Rousey, be it with or without wrestling genius Paul Heyman

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