Ten years in the past, Matt Silva left Australian wrestling. Ten years later, Buddy Matthews got here again to return to the highest of the mountain.
Matthews – nee Buddy Murphy in WWE – claimed probably the most prestigious title within the nation on Saturday evening, regaining the Melbourne Metropolis Wrestling world heavyweight championship in a brutal battle with Mitch Waterman on the Thornbury Theatre.
A packed home cheered on rising younger star Waterman in addition to Matthews, who now works for No.2 US promotion AEW, because of the real-life story that introduced the pair collectively.
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Waterman was a younger fan when Matthews first left MCW. As a pre-fight build-up package deal confirmed, he might be noticed within the crowd throughout Matthews’ ultimate match in opposition to long-time buddy Adam Brooks, wrestled on April 13, 2013 in Tullamarine.
Matthews misplaced that match – as anticipated when a wrestler leaves a territory – earlier than transferring to Florida to take up a WWE developmental deal, that noticed him spend eight years on this planet’s greatest professional wrestling firm. His profession peaked (fittingly) on the MCG when he gained the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.
However, by no means actually spotlighted on WWE TV apart from in that second, Matthews left the corporate in 2021 and has since wrestled around the globe – as permitted below the phrases of his far more open AEW contract.
Returning to MCW late final 12 months, Matthews has now regained the title he final fought for nearly precisely a decade in the past (February 16, 2013).
“It’s a type of issues the place you realise the journey you’ve gone on over the 10-plus years,” Matthews defined after his win on Saturday evening.
“It’s taken its time, but it surely’s additionally been very very quick. It’s cool to come back again and be remembered – type of share the knowledge I’ve gone and located. It’s full circle.”
Whereas Matthews defined he wasn’t in a position to observe each MCW present whereas primarily based within the US – they now stream main reveals on the Fite.TV platform, together with Saturday evening’s occasion – he had “heard again within the day about Mitch, and that he was gonna be the place he’s in the present day” due to his promise.
“To be an inspiration to him over these years, to make him need to be a wrestler on my approach out – and now he’s just like the poster boy of MCW. To return again and blend it up with him, new expertise, it’s enjoyable for me, it’s difficult for me,” Matthews mentioned.
“I get pleasure from passing on that knowledge. Making my thoughts assume; I’ve received a thoughts, if I don’t share it, I’m egocentric. So I believe MCW is the head of Australian wrestling, and if I might be right here and assist present that on a much bigger stage – I’ve received the flag now, let me run.”
MCW has been an enormous participant nationally for a while. Earlier than the pandemic they labored with New Japan Professional Wrestling and featured superstars like Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito, however since a change of administration – and with the issue of world journey in recent times – that relationship has slowed.
As a substitute they’ve centered on extra on working with the largest firms in Australia’s different capitals, equivalent to Sydney’s Professional Wrestling Australia (PWA) and Adelaide’s Riot Metropolis Wrestling (RCW), and reserving their stars.
The latter was the place current Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley received her begin; Foxsports.com.au understands she was in attendance at Saturday’s MCW occasion to cheer on her companion, Matthews.
“The reveals have gotten quite a bit higher. It’s a real full spectrum of leisure, as you noticed tonight – it had a mix of every little thing, for everybody,” he mentioned.
“They’re taking these steps forwards. So drawing me in, and realizing the route they need to go, I need to be aside of that. I need to leap on the prepare.
“Finally my objective is to point out Australian wrestling on free TV – the expertise’s right here, the manufacturing’s right here, so dream massive.”
Matthews’ look on Saturday actually helped draw one of many greatest and hottest crowds MCW has had since earlier than the pandemic, and as champion he’ll clearly be coming again.
A post-match angle noticed native stars Slex, Tommy Knight and Mick Moretti, together with ex-champ Waterman, showing all to problem Matthews for his newly-won title. The champion was cagey as as to whether his first defence can be on MCW’s subsequent present on April 8.
“It’s all concerning the journey – it’s what number of instances I need to leap on a airplane and journey 30 hours,” he defined of his appearances again dwelling.
“To see my household is every little thing, and my WWE schedule was very hectic. Not that this one isn’t, however AEW – I’m very lucky to work for a corporation that enables me to go and see my household. Pop over, and assist these guys. It’s actually cool to come back and try this.
“In the long run, I’m Australian. As a lot as I’ve lived in America and I’m type of an American now, it’s dwelling, and it’s good to get away.”