Perth, Australia: A Tale of Two Trips

For most of my life in Australia I have only known three states Queensland, Victoria and my home state New South Wales. I’ve never been to Nothern Territory, I’ve never been to South Australia, I’ve never been to Tasmania and up until two years ago I’ve never been to Western Australia.

Right now I reside in Sydney, Australia. I’ve lived here since 2002. I’ve had ups and I’ve had some downs. Right now i’m the father of a beautiful seven year old boy named Johnathan.I’m a single father, it ain’t easy, and I do my best. Like every Dad I need a break now and then. I need a chance to step out and pursue my interests. One of those interests is travelling. In February 2024 I flew to Perth, Australia for the first time. What took me so long? Why Perth? Well another interest. Wrestling. WWE Elimination Chamber. It’s been six long years since WWE had a show downunder. The last one was in Melbourne in 2018. This time a fallow australian Rhea Ripley was the headline. She was main eventing the night. A Heel at the time on the verge of becoming a Babyface. For those who don’t know a Heel is a Villain and the Babyface is the Hero. This was my first wrestling in six years I was not going to miss it. However a force of nature seemed to have other plans.

Round 1 Elimination Chamber

I had my WWE ticket, the plane ticket and my hotel booked, as the day drew closer it was all planned out. I was still with my partner and we were raising our kid together, unfortunately my partner could not look after Johnathan, so I had to ask a favour from my brother Andrew to look after him for the weekend. Andrew also has a son, one year older than Johnathan and they get along great. Andrew was more than okay helping out, he even offered to pick Johnathan(my son) up from school on the day and drop me off at Pymble station. I caught the train and it was off to the airport. Little did I know there were clouds brewing. That night at the airport there was a storm. The plane was delayed and then cancelled. I was traumatised and didn’t know what to do. I called my Mum. My Mum managed to calm me down and she got to work finding me another ticket. There was nothing on the night, it was all booked out. I called my hotel, to try and get a refund for the friday night. They used the 24 hours notice excuse. No refund, not even payback for the night I was missing. I was going to pay $675 for staying 1 night at the Ibis. Lovely. It did not stop there. My mother mamanaged to find me a flight. Two flights. Sydney to Melbourne, then Melbourne to Perth. I would get to get to Perth just three hours before thanks to timezones. Where was I going to stay for the night whilst I wait for those planes. Well all the hotels were booked, and my first flight was 6am in the morning. The staff opened up the terminal and we were able to stay there. Sleeping in a Terminal isn’t exactly comfortable. I ended up sleeping on the plane rides. First trip to Perth was looking mighty fine.

On Saturday I reached Perth, readjusted my watch and caught a cab(my first mistake) to the Ibis. That cab ride was not cheap, and as I found out on the Sunday a train ride is much cheaper. I got off at the Ibis, dropped my bags in my room, and headed off to Elmination Chamber. I managed to grab some food, and then I head off to join the line. I got floor seats and I felt mighty good.

Until I felt the rain dropping.I had no rain coat and there was no roof and for the first hour I was there watching the show in the rain. This was not my weekend. Thankfully the rain did stop and I enjoyed the show. I got some merch, listened to the thunderous ovation for Australia’s own Rhea Ripley…. And before I knew it the night was over. I was super tired, but I was also hungry. Stadium food is expensive. Got something to eat in the area, and then I went back to the hotel. The next day I was on my way back to the airport and then it was time to go home to Sydney Australia. Perth was not looking good. I barely got to see any of it.

Round 2 Crown Jewel

October 2025 it was time to do it all over again.Could I go though with it? Should I? Is it worth it. Well WWE sure knows how to play ball. Fore the first time ever in Australia. RAW and SMACKDOWN were live in Australia and we were also getting a PLE(Premium Live Event) Crown Jewel. I ended up giving in and I bought my tickets. Originally the plan was fly down on Thursday. Get tickets for Friday Night Smackdown and Crown Jewel on Saturday and fly back Monday. My son was back at school on the Tuesday. However WWE played a nsty rick and realleased the 3 Day Event Tickets first. I was so worried about missing out. I caved and bought the 3 day event tickets It was now 5 nights in Perth. My partner and I were separated this time and so I left Johnathan with my parents in Taree and his cousins were there too, so lots of fun for him hopefully. My ex would end up having him on the weekend though for her birthday and I’d pick him up from school that same week.

Now this time was very different.I got to the airport on the Tursday and no storm. YES! A slight delay, can’t have everything I guess.I still got to Perth in one piece. No Ibis tihs time. Staying at the Novotel and caught the train. I got to the hotel, dropped my bags off and hit the city centre. Got some merch from the store, and did some other shopping, went back to the hotel and had a nap. I went out on the night.

The next day was Friday, there was a press event, I met a few wrestling fans and I got to see wrestlers take the stage and talk about their matches. Then it was off to the RAC arena for the first show Smackdown. I waited in line, and got in just as the show was starting. It was a good show and I had fun. I cheered for the babyfaces and booed the heels. Rhea Pripley got a massive pop again and we got a few match freebies. I got some more merchandise. I was pretty happy how the night went.

Saturday. I did some more shopping. I decided this time to rock up to the arena early so I could line up at the front and hot have to wait too long. I was looking forward to tonight. We were in for a treat. The matches were Bronson Reed vs Roman Reigns in Streetfight, Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs Kabuki Warrior Asuka and Kair Sane, Tiffany Stratton vs Stephanie Vacquer, John Cena vs AJ Styles, and Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes. I was very excited for John Cena vs AJ Styles. I was a huge fan of both. I’ve followed John Cena’;s career more, but I’ve been a fan of AJ Styles for most of his time in WWE. We didn’t get much TNA in Australia but from what I saw AJ Styles was always Phenomenal. This match was special, because it was the last time John Cena was going to retire at the end of the year and AJ Styles announced that he will be retiring in 2026. It was special that Cena and Styles always put on a classic and this did not disappoint. It was amazing. Fans were on their seats. I looked around and I noticed there were so many John Cena shirts. Australia loved Cena but it didn’t stop them cheering for AJ Styles either. Both Wrestlers got a standing ovation after the match. They never missed a beat. The whole night was special. Australia got a massive treat. They didn’t have to give it to us. We got it and I am forever grateful the last match I saw Cena in was a spectacle and well worth the price of my ticket and made my weekend.

A great night. I enjoyed all the matches. A night to remember.

Sunday. I met up with some family friends. The Gills I hadn’t seen them in a few years. We had lunch. It was good, we talked about lots of things, can’t remember everything It was good to catch up. I got back and I checked out a few arcade bars. Played some old classics and then it was another day done.

On Monday there was one more show to attend that night. Monday Night Raw. Coming off the cusp of Crown Jewl news though there was talk of Seth Rollins being injured. A pivot was expected. The day was a normal typical day. I slept in and had a late morning. I did the normal stuff and then I headed off to the arena for the final show of the Crown Jewel Weekend.

From the start of the show I could tell something was off, Seth Rollins was obviously hiding a sling underneath his coat. He still did his promo and bragged about how he defeated Cody on his own and didn’t need any help and you could see than sitting well with the rest of his stable, so the breakdown was brewing, you just had to see the little touches. It was a good promo, a good start to the night and the crowd had fun with it. The night drove on, we saw some good matches, and had a few other wrestlers doing promos, advancing their stories, there was a rain of boos when the Kabuki Warriors took out fellow Australian Rhea Ripley and Iyo sky(not Australian, Iyo is Japanese, but she was a much loved Babyface).

The main event was Punk vs jey vs LA Knight for the no.1 contendership. CM Punk came out to a massive ovation, I believe it was his first WWE show ever in Australia. They sung his song and kept it going even after it finished and they were in the ring and he showed his gratitude. CM Punk won the match that night.

It didn’t take long for the bad guys to come out and beat up everyone though. Seth got on the mic again, did another promo and then out of nowhere Bron Breakker, his own stable mate speared Seth. The crowd lit up, roaring with approval and then Bron told Bronson the other stable member “you’re either with me or against me” Bronson looked at Bron, then looked at Seth. dragged him over to one side of the ring, climbed the turnbuckle and delivered his very Tsunami Splash onto Seth. It was the ultimate betrayal and being a fellow Australian Bronson was cheered like crazy, even though the broadcast was trying to sell them off as heels, the bad guys turning on their leader.

It was a great night with an amazing surprise and shocking end. Like I said earlier they had to pivot, because Seth got injured and he needed time off to heal, so he had to be writted off and this seemed like the best course. It was a great moment in execution but unfortunately as we saw in the coming weeks they fumbled it horribly, new members were introduced and Bron and Bronson ended up both being injured, causing another shift in the story they wanted to tell. Anyway, back to Monday night, I went back to the hotel and called it another day.

Tuesday was time to fly back. I really enjoyed my trip to Perth, I had a great time. I look forward to future trips. However I would prefer in future WWE to keep it closer to Sydndey. Much easier to plan and less expensive. The plane trip was fine, no delays, no problems, got home and got back to my life in Sydney, holidays were over and it was back to being a Dad. I was eager for the next round.