Wresttling With Numbers

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Wrestling With Numbers In WrestleMania Week!

NBA Ballers In Vegas Get Bullish! Bet On Pop Culture Biz!

April 15, 2026

Tuesday Rises In New York
Wednesday Down Under

Sydney, Australia to Wall Street, New York, and beyond the Blackstump and Internet Matrix Of Things!

Pop Culture themes

"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (Cannonball Adderley)
"Gold" (Spandau Ballet)
"The Wall Street Hustle" (10cc)
"Bulls on Parade" (Rage Against the Machine)
"Down Under" (Men at Work)
"From Dusk Till Dawn" (Tito & Tarantula)

Markets

ASX 200 futures up 43 points/0.5 per cent: 9047

AUD flat to US71.26¢

Bitcoin $74,131.87 -0.86%

Wall St:

Dow +0.7%
S&P +1.21%
Nasdaq +2.0%

VIX down 0.68 to 18.44
Gold +2.2% to $US4,844.23 an ounce
Silver 79.285 -0.19
Brent oil -4.2% to $US95.21 a barrel
Iron ore -1.1% to $US103.50 a ton
10-year yield: US 4.26% Australia 4.95%

Coffee 296.25 -1.35

Cocoa 3623.13 - 22.86

Numbers Double Check

April 15, 2026 (Sydney, Australia)

Australian Dollar: $0.7120 USD (up $0.0028 USD)
Iron Ore: $103.50 USD (down $1.10 USD)
Oil Price (West Texas): $92.07 USD (down $5.90 USD)
Gold Price : $4,841.42 USD (up $100.18 USD)
Copper Price: $6.0815 USD (up $0.0805 USD)
Dow Jones: 48,535.99 (up 317.74 points)

News

ASX up, traders hopeful of further Iran talks

The Australian sharemarket posted a solid gain on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.5 per cent to close at 8,970.8 points. Investor sentiment was bolstered by indications that the Trump administration could seek further peace talks with Iran before the temporary ceasefire ends next week. BHP was up 3.2 per cent at $56.10, Deep Yellow rose nine per cent to $1.93 and WiseTech Global advanced 3.8 per cent to $38.56. However, Santos was down 0.9 per cent at $7.96 and Westpac fell 2.6 per cent to $41.48. (RMS)

News Lead Up (24 Hours Ago)

ASX ends lower as Hormuz blockade weighs

The Australian sharemarket lost ground on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 shedding 0.4 per cent to close at 8,926 points. Energy and coal stocks rallied after the Trump administration's threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz boosted the price of Brent crude oil; Woodside Energy rose 2.6 per cent tp $34.15 and Whitehaven Coal was up 2.6 per cent at $8.33. However, Evolution Mining fell 2.4 per cent to $13.22, Life360 shed 8.1 per cent to end the session at $17.91 and EML Payments was down 35.7per cent at $0.37. (RMS)

News

Biz/Industry (Australia)

'We may be out of business': suppliers issue plea for help

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO John McLean says the company's diesel fuel bill has increased by nearly 40 per cent since the start of the Iran war. He adds that Bundarberg may ask customers such as Coles and Woolworths to accept a temporary surcharge that can be removed quickly when the situation improves. McLean emphasises that Bundaberg wants to avoid any increases in the price of its products for consumers. However, he warns that Bundaberg and many other businesses may no longer be viable unless they can recover the rising cost of fuel and other inputs. (RMS)

News

PwC, Viva red-faced as ASIC spots $25m error

Fuel refiner and petrol station owner Viva Energy Group included $559m worth of impairment charges associated with its retail outlets in its financial accounts for calendar 2025. However, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission has reviewed Viva Energy's full-year accounts and found that it had made an error in how it accounted for a $25 million impairment expense; as a result, the company will have to book an extra $25 million in write-downs for the year. Viva Energy's auditor, PwC, has indicated that it does not comment on client work. (RMS)

News

Shares: NYSE

Alphabet Inc Class A
$332.91
+11.60 +3.61%
Lead Up
$321.24
+3.97 +1.25%
Lead Up
$317.26
-1.21 -0.38%

TKO Group Holdings Inc
$195.37 -0.100 -0.051%
Lead Up
$195.47
-1.90 -0.96%
Lead Up
$197.37
+0.30 +0.15%

Netflix Inc
$106.24
+3.08 +2.99%
Lead Up
$103.16
+0.15 +0.15%
Lead Up
$103.03
+0.94 Today +0.92%
(0.17%)+0.18
After Hours: $103.21

Tesla Inc
$364.16
+11.74 +3.33%
Lead Up
$352.42
+3.42 +0.98%

Palantir Technologies Inc
$135.70
+3.33 +2.52%
Lead Up
$132.37
+4.26 +3.33%

Wynn Resorts Ltd
$105.59
+2.53 +2.45%
Lead Up
$103.06
-0.94 +0.90%

Rio Tinto Ltd
$173.82
-0.470.27%
(ASX)

Elders Ltd
$7.43
-0.12 -1.59%
Lead Up
$7.64
+0.040 Today +0.53%
(ASX): Australian Stock Exchange

Paramount Skydance Corp
$11.08
+0.35 +3.26%
Lead Up
$10.73
+0.11 +1.04%

Warner Bros Discovery Inc
$27.37
-0.020 -0.073%
Lead up
$27.39
-0.050 -0.18%

Media Man Peg-On: Play the long game. TKO and Netflix are staples of entertainment/media, and audience numbers, media and marketing creative will help keep them at the high level in most regards. Tesla has the Musk magic and X factor. Aussie miners are frequently strong given the nature of the biz. Gina R took a financial hit re legal as per Australian Financial Review news story. Media remains volitile.R

News

Sports/MMA

Ulberg Knocks Out Procházka on One Leg to Win UFC Title

At UFC 327 in Miami's Kaseya Center, underdog Ulberg overcame a likely ACL tear from Procházka's leg kicks, hobbling through Round 1 before countering with a signature strike at 3:45 for the knockout. Procházka later called his 'stupid mercy' moment—easing off and taunting—the reason he lost, vowing to destroy that part of himself and return stronger. Ulberg dismissed the excuse, saying he never counted himself out, while his 9-12 month recovery delays any rematch talk. The upset has fans debating warrior honor versus no-mercy fighting. (Media Man: The power of the human spirit. Never say die. It ain't over till it's over sport)!

News

Combat Sports/UFC/Trump

Trump Cheers Ulberg's Shocking UFC 327 Title Win in Miami

At a packed Kaseya Center, underdog Ulberg claimed UFC gold at 3:45 of the first round despite a mid-fight knee injury, marking one of the promotion's most unlikely victories. Paulo Costa stormed back for a third-round TKO over Azamat Murzakanov, then leaped the cage to thank cageside President Trump, who grinned and joked about his looks. Trump arrived with Dana White, Marco Rubio, and family for his first public sports event since the U.S.-Israel conflict, while Josh Hokit upset Curtis Blaydes to earn a White House fight announcement against Derrick Lewis on June 14. (Media Man Peg-On): It's a Win-Win-Win!

News

Sports/Entertainment/WWE

Joe Tessitore's Top 5 Breakout Stars for WrestleMania 42

ESPN's Joe Tessitore ranks Oba Femi No. 1 for his raw power, including a big win over Brock Lesnar, followed by Trick Williams' charisma, Je'Von Evans' high-flying at age 21, Lash Legend's athletic tag team reign, and Dominik Mysterio's heel evolution. The NXT-heavy list highlights WWE's youth movement ahead of the two-night event at Allegiant Stadium on April 18-19. Stephen A. Smith joked about turning down an on-screen manager role, comparing himself to Pat McAfee. (Media Man Peg-On): Seems like Joe Tess is too much of a nice guy than to turn heel like Pat McAfee. Just saying.

News

Gaming/Pop Culture/Vegas Strip

$10 Billion Vegas Arena Complex Proposed Near the Strip

Starr Vegas Development revealed plans Sunday for a 63-acre complex two miles south of the Strip, featuring a convertible arena for NBA, hockey, soccer, and concerts, plus a casino resort, 752-foot tower with 2,605 hotel and condo units, retail, offices, and halls of fame for boxing and combat sports. CEO Chuck Haifley of Big Vision LLC announced $6 billion in private funding with no taxpayer money needed, backed by partners like ticketing exec Lou Weisbach and local landowners. The bid arrives as the NBA explores expansion to Las Vegas by 2028-29 amid seven competing proposals, with fans excited about the city's sports growth and skeptics noting tourism challenges and soccer rivalries. (Media Man Peg-On): Good to see that at least a few folks are still bullish on and in Vegas. NBA is the thick of things. Big Balls-Ers!

News

Pop Culture/WWE RAW/Wrestling

CM Punk Faces Roman Reigns in Final Raw Showdown Before WrestleMania 42

Fans gear up for Monday Night Raw in Sacramento, where World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk meets Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns ahead of their Night 2 title clash at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on April 18-19. The rivalry ignited when Reigns won the 2026 Rumble in Saudi Arabia, leading to heated exchanges like Punk's pipe bombs and Reigns' intense stares. Night 1 brings Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi, an Intercontinental ladder match with Bron Breakker, Rey Mysterio, and Dragon Lee, plus title bouts, as one devoted fan pushes through health challenges to attend in Kevin Owens gear.

Pop Culture/WWE/Gaming

WWE 2K26 Season 2 Launches with Borderlands Crossover and Free Stars

Ringside Pass Season 2 drops April 15 for WWE 2K26, featuring a bold Borderlands crossover that transforms Rhea Ripley into a cybernetic dominator, CM Punk into a spiked Psycho mask-wearer, and Becky Lynch into a fiery Firehawk. Free additions include NXT powerhouse Oba Femi with his tribal beads and commanding entrance, plus Kelly Kelly's nostalgic return in pink Diva gear that Barbie Blank herself hyped. While some fans love the creative mashup for custom modes, others call it mismatched slop and crave pure wrestling content.

News

WWE/Lucha LIbra AAA Worldwide/TKO Group

Two El Grande Americanos Brawl into Mask vs. Mask Showdown

At Lucha Libre AAA's Mexico City event on April 11, WWE's Chad Gable returned as the original El Grande Americano, unmasking Octagon Jr. before sparking a wild post-match brawl with Ludwig Kaiser, who took over the character after Gable's injury. Kaiser suplexed Gable through the barricade amid refs and security pulling them apart, then grabbed the mic to challenge him to a Mask vs. Mask match. The high-stakes clash, overseen by Triple H and The Undertaker, is reportedly set for AAA's May 30 event in Monterrey, where the loser unmasks in lucha libre tradition. Fans and insiders hailed the electric brawl as one of the year's best angles.

News

WWE/Pop Culture

Liv Morgan Drops 'Trouble' Music Video Ahead of WrestleMania 42

WWE released the 2:35 music video on YouTube Sunday, where the 2026 Women's Royal Rumble winner teases her title match against champ Stephanie Vaquer. The pop track matches Morgan's troublemaker vibe with wild lyrics, leather jackets, and high-energy dancers in gritty urban settings. Fans split between praising the fun visuals and roasting the vocals, as their heated feud builds to WrestleMania 42 this weekend. (Media Man Peg-On): Hot. Eye Ball Grabber!

News

Becky Lynch Launches AMO Coffee at WWE World

After teasing a big announcement, WWE superstar Becky Lynch announced her AMO coffee brand launches at WWE World powered by Fanatics, inviting fans to her booth for the first taste and priority box access. The playful promo matches her boastful style, linking to her 'Greatest Female Wrestler of All Time' T-shirt and tying into WrestleMania 42 season amid her feud with AJ Lee. Built with husband Seth Rollins, AMO positions itself as the top brew, drawing excited replies from fans ready to grab a cup. (Media Man Peg-On): Cheers Seth and Becky, so, I guess we have no choice but to now cover the news via our Cafe News Media brand also. Cheers to hard and smart work.

News

News/Pop Culture/Sports Business/Streaming

Netflix Announces Fury vs. Joshua Heavyweight Clash This Autumn

Netflix announced Saturday that Fury and Joshua will fight this autumn in the UK, live exclusively on the streaming service, right after Fury's unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fury, back from retirement with a 36-1-1 record, demanded the long-teased all-British showdown, while Joshua, 28-5 and seated ringside, dismissed him as a 'clout chaser' but hinted at readiness on his terms. No exact date or venue is set yet—Wembley is speculated—but Fury insists it's Joshua or nothing, capping a decade of buildup between the rivals. (Media Man Peg-On): This match up has the potential to break some sort of streaming records, maybe just outside Mike Tyson sort of numbers.

News

Pop Culture/Gaming/WWE

Fortnite Teases Stone Cold Steve Austin Skin for WWE Crossover

Epic Games dropped a hype video showing WWE legend Steve Austin in his iconic gear, grabbing a green canister for a Fortnite-style stunner before chugging beers amid shattering glass and fireworks. The skin arrives in the Item Shop on April 16, 2026, with the v40.20 update, joining past WWE stars like John Cena and Roman Reigns in this Wave 3 bundle that may include Liv Morgan. Fans love the nostalgic nod to Austin's Attitude Era catchphrase, complete with skull back bling and beer bash emotes, priced around 1,500-2,000 V-Bucks. (Media Man Peg-On): The gamification of sports and pop culture legends like Stone Cole continues. Stuns the gaming world is a good way.

News

Pop Culture/WWE/Wrestling

Sami Zayn Faces Boos and Lays Out Lil Yachty on SmackDown

On Friday's SmackDown, United States Champion Sami Zayn shrugged off heavy boos and vowed to defend his title against Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42 unchanged, no matter the fan backlash. Tensions peaked when Lil Yachty, Williams' celebrity ally, yanked Zayn from ringside only to take a Helluva Kick over the barricade, helping Williams win his match. Meanwhile, Carmelo Hayes revealed plans to rehab his knee injury and skip WrestleMania for a second straight year, drawing fan frustration over WWE's direction for homegrown stars.

News

Pop Culture Dream Matches: Fantasy Booking

Trump vs The Hood
Jake Paul vs Dana White
Sami Zayn vs WWE Universe
Danhausen vs Cody Rhodes
Killer vs The Missing Link
The Masked Superstar vs Mr X
Michael Saylor vs Bears
Mr FOX vs Mr VOX
Joe Tessitore vs Pat McAfee: Special ref: Michael Cole (fantasy booking)
Claudio CSRO vs Seth Rollins - Cafe Shop Brawl For All
Becky Lynch vs Alexa Bliss - Cafe Shop Brawl - Special Ref: CSRO. Special Enforcer: John Cena
Team TKO vs TEAM WWE

News

AI News (Aust)

Copyright holders ready to do AI deals under existing laws

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland has told an event hosted by the media and creative sectors at Parliament House that Australia's existing copyright regime has served it well for many years. She said the federal government had said for some time that it has no plans to weaken copyright protections when it comes to artificial intelligence, while Australia's creative and media sector have made it clear that they are prepared to do licence deals with AI firms, and that existing copyright laws enable them to do just that. (RMS)

News

The miners to own in diesel crisis

Bell Potter's survey of Australian-listed mining companies concluded that diesel fuel accounted for up to 15 per cent of their operating costs prior to the start of the Iran war. Stuart Howe from Bell Potter says the war and the surge in crude oil prices will result in higher costs for much of the mining sector, while production could be impacted by the availability of diesel. Bell Potter recommends that investors rotate into mining stocks that are less exposed to diesel prices. Analysts note that miners with large-scale open-cut operations are most at risk of a supply crisis due to their heavy reliance on diesel-powered truck fleets. (RMS)

News

Batteries, coal push out east coast LNG shortage to 2029

The Australian Energy Market Operator now expects any gas supply shortage in the south-eastern states to occur in 2029, compared with its previous forecast of 2028. AEMO says gas shortfalls in 2029 are now regarded as a risk only during "extreme peak day demand conditions". It has cited a number of factors for its revised forecast, including expectations of lower demand for gas for power generation, an extension of the Eraring coal-fired power station's operating life and the estimated 30 gigawatts of battery storage projects that are currently being developed. Energy Minister Chris Bowen says the improved outlook shows that the federal government's "balanced" energy plan is working. (RMS)

News Lead Up

Streaming News Watercooler

Netflix CEO allegedly won’t speak to Meghan Markle on phone without lawyer

Meghan Markle is caught in a fresh Netflix storm with rumors claiming CEO Ted Sarandos is refusing to take her calls without a lawyer. Netflix denies everything but whispers of canceled deals and rising tension have fans questioning the truth!

News

A.I News

Australia

Watchdog warns against 'dangerously' positive AI advice amid crypto trading spike

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has expressed concern about the growing tendency for young Australians to use artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT for financial advice. Its figures show young people are following 'dangerously' positive AI recommendations about investing in risky investments such as crypto, with their faith in what has been referred to as 'unverified, risk-averse digital advice' occurring as many Australians are struggling with major cost of living pressures; ASIC's figures also show that 23 per cent of Gen Z now hold crypto assets – up from just 9 per cent in 2023. (RMS)

News

Resources

Drill, baby, drill: Boom for mineral, petroleum explorers

Advisory firm BDO has calculated that ASX-listed mineral and petroleum explorers raised a record $5.63 billion in the final quarter of last year. It broke the previous record for fund raising of $3.75 billion that was set in the same period in 2021, with the $5.63 billion in fund raising leaving mineral and petroleum explorers with record cash reserves of $12 billion. It comes as the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that spending on mineral exploration hit a two-year high in the final quarter of 2025, while spending on petroleum exploration was at a decade high. (RMS)

News

A.I News

Global giants join Australia in fight to make AI companies pay for content

Both the US and the UK appear to be backing the stance of the federal government of wanting AI companies pay for their use of content that has been produced by artists, musicians and journalists. In a document released on Friday that was titled 'Respecting Intellectual Property Rights and Supporting Creators', the White House stated that US copyright laws - under which content theft for the training of AI models, or any other use, is illegal - will remain. For its part, the UK government stated last week that it no longer had a "preferred option" on copyright reform, which comes after it last year endorsed a proposal that would have allowed tech companies to use copyrighted work without permission unless rights holders 'opted out' of the process. Its change of stance follows a longrunning campaign – led by artists including Elton John and Thom Yorke from Radiohead – which warned that the unlicensed use of copyrighted material for training AI models was threatening the livelihoods of people working in the creative industries. (Roy Morgan Summary)

News

Bitcoin News Byte

Despite a 47% Price Drop, Bitcoin Traders Aren’t Selling:

A survey of U.S. Bitcoin holders and crypto subreddit posts found that despite anxiety and market turbulence, most investors (69%) held onto their Bitcoin, with only 8% panic selling.

Bitcoin faced a dramatic market correction in early 2026, plunging 46% from its $126,000 all-time high and briefly dipping below $61,000 on February 6.

The drop erased over $1 trillion in market value and prompted headlines warning of a defining crypto moment. Social media feeds filled with reactions, yet most holders remained on the sidelines.

A survey by Oobit of 1,006 American Bitcoin holders and sentiment analysis of 117,630 posts across 10 major crypto subreddits reveals that fear did not translate into widespread selling.

News

X Newsfeed

WWE

Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona Dish on Indie-to-WWE Return

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes hosted Matt Cardona on 'What Do You Wanna Talk About?', where Cardona detailed his path back to WWE after six years as the 'Indy God.' It started with his wife Chelsea Green nudging President Nick Khan during a TNA spot on NXT, leading to Cardona's direct text and a January 2026 SmackDown deal. They fantasy-booked a fun ladder match in WWE 2K26, and Cardona shouted out indie standouts Big Trouble Ben Bishop and Richard Holliday as future WWE stars, sparking excitement online about their friendship and the indie-WWE bridge. Media Man Peg-On: Cardona'a indi matches and feud with Killer Kross was excellent. Our Cardona indy highlight. Vs Holliday was great too, as was Kross vs Holliday.

News

25 Years Since WCW Nitro's Final Episode Ended Monday Night Wars

On March 26, 2001, WCW Monday Nitro aired its last show from Panama City Beach, Florida, capping five and a half years of intense competition with WWF Raw. Key moments included Booker T winning the world title, a dramatic simulcast announcement of WWF purchasing WCW's assets for $4.2 million, and Sting defeating Ric Flair in the main event that echoed the show's debut. Fans today share live memories of the surreal night, clips of the McMahon surprise, and thoughts on WCW stars like Booker T and Sting who later succeeded in WWE.

News Flashback

Last Week

Gold News

Gold is back in focus as markets react to geopolitics

The market is fixated on the threat of accelerating inflation driven by high energy prices. As a result, central banks are expected to adopt a tighter monetary policy, keeping rates at high levels or even raising them. This has a positive impact on fiat currencies and strips gold of its key feature as a store of value amid currency debasement. It is no surprise that the precious metal, which had got off to a strong start, has been losing out to Bitcoin and the US dollar since the start of the armed conflict in the Middle East. Although gold is generally regarded as a safe-haven asset, in the early stages of financial market turmoil, investors often choose to flee to liquidity. They favour fiat currencies and are far more willing to buy US dollar-nominated short-term treasuries.

Gold prices usually recover only if market shocks worsen, fears of recession or stagflation rise, and central banks start adding liquidity. Bank of America believes that the markets are still underestimating the scale of the potential consequences of geopolitical tension. They are fixated on the threat of accelerating inflation and are not considering a global economic downturn. Therefore, the longer the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran lasts, the better it is for the precious metal.

UBS Global Wealth Management notes that gold serves as a hedge against currency devaluation, rising budget deficits and recession. All of these could result from a geopolitical shock. The firm therefore maintains its bullish outlook on gold. In its view, the precious metal could rise to the $5,900-$6,200 range before the end of this year. However, gold must first weather the storm of numerous central bank meetings. The RBA has already raised its cash rate to 4.15%. Investors now expect ‘hawkish’ rhetoric from the rest. The ECB and the Bank of Japan are ready to tackle inflation, and the futures market expects them to tighten monetary policy. The Fed and the Bank of England are most likely to talk about prolonged pauses in their cycles.

Thus, gold appears to be a win-win option. It will gain if the conflict in the Middle East drags on, and will not lose if it ends. Investors just need to be patient for a little while. (FxPro)

News

Roy Morgan wins Media Man 'Media Services Company Of The Month' award

The Australian Financial Review wins Media Man 'Newspaper Of The Month' award; Runner-up: The Australian

Google wins Media Man 'Search Engine Of The Month' award

Netflix wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award

WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Month' award

UFC wins 'Combat Sports Brand Of The Month' award; Runner-ups: Most Valuable Promotions, Everlast, BKFC

Mack Trucks wins Media Man 'Truck Brand Of The Month' award

CAT wins Media Man 'Heavy Industry Brand Of The Month' award

Dynasty: The Murdochs wins 'Streaming Show Of The Month' award (Netflix)

Media Man

Wrestling with violence, by Gabriella Coslovich - 3rd August 2002
(Credit: The Age)

To the uninitiated, The Backyard may seem remarkably like a film about testosterone-charged, IQ-deficient, white-trash American teens with nothing better to do with their leisure hours than set themselves alight, smash fluoro tubes over each other's heads, hurl themselves into makeshift graves filled with mousetraps, pound each other over the head with bats wrapped in barbed wire, charge at each other with flaming rubbish bin lids, and generally make out like The Three Stooges on steroids.

But for film maker Paul Hough, the antics of backyard wrestlers are akin to a less cultivated form of Shakespeare, a kind of beat-me-up Bard for the masses, where the audience gets more pounds of flesh than they bargained for. Wrestling, he says, ripples with drama, spectacle, and larger-than-life characters.

Those expecting a sermon on the perils of screen and actual violence should avoid Hough's first feature documentary, The Backyard, showing at the Melbourne International Film Festival. A disturbing, often repulsive insight into the world of backyard wrestling, the documentary steers clear of passing judgment on the young men and women who stage Fight Club-style matches for friends and family in the hope of one day graduating to the professional ring.

"I wanted to make a documentary that was as honest as possible," says the London-born Hough, speaking from his adopted home, the United States. "The only conscious decision I made early on was to try and show it from the backyard wrestlers' point of view. It's a world that nobody knows."

Hough discovered backyard wrestling while working for a professional wrestling television program in the US. He was given a homemade video showing the usual routines of barbed-wire beatings and wrangles in pits of broken glass.

"That's the first time that I realised that there must be all these kids out there who imitate their wrestling heroes," says Hough.

He found the Internet was choked with backyard wrestling associations, e-mailed 100 of them, and so unearthed his bizarre cast of small-town, pro-wrestling wannabes - from the strangely endearing, gap-toothed "Lizard", to the odiously homophobic and racist Chaos.

Hough travelled from the Nevada desert, to suburban Arizona, upstate New York and back to England, filming this motley crew, who provoke a myriad of reactions, from disgust to sympathy.

Their parents' take on backyard wrestling is equally fascinating to observe.

If there's one thing that riles about The Backyard, it's the seemingly gratuitous violence. The documentary runs for almost 90 minutes, and repeatedly shows thrashings, long after we've got the picture. "I am not a fan of violence in real life, but I am a fan of film violence," says Hough. "That's one of the major reasons I wanted to do this.

"There are two audiences for this film. One is the person who likes documentaries and the other, maybe even a bigger audience, is wrestling fans.

"Wrestling is so big all over the world that I felt it important to leave a lot of the violence in, partly due to that audience but partly because I enjoyed watching it myself." Like his documentary, Hough is brutally honest.

The Backyard screens at the Greater Union, Russell Street, tomorrow at 5.15pm, as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival. The Age is a sponsor of the festival.

Links:

Media websites

The Age

Official websites

The Backyard

Melbourne International Film Festival

Articles

The other extreme

What Is Alternative?

Websites

Backyard Wrestling

Rob Van Dam official website

Mick Foley official website

Mick Foley tribute

Matt Hardy official website

WWE official website

AWF Pro Wrestling

Interviews

Paul Hough - 21st November 2003