It has a cult following for sure, but professional wrestling will make an emotional return to Maitland this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Club Maitland City, which has been hosting wrestling since 2014, will hold its last Kingdom Wrestling Entertainment event on Sunday - renovations will make the venue unsuitable for future events.
"It will be said to leave there, because it has been a favourite venue," said Fergus Ferguson, who will be in action in one of the tag team events. "When we started there it was only going to be a one-off, but here we are seven years later.
"In that time every year we've invariably had a capacity crowd of about 300, but this year with COVID restrictions it's obviously a little different. I have no doubts there'll be a great atmosphere all the same ... there always is.
"It's a really packed card too, so it will be a fitting send-off. Local guys like The Buccaneer will be show, and Grant Linstrom will be taking on Tyler Gunn ion what should be a beauty."
Ferguson laughs at people who think wrestling is easy.
"Yes, there are theatrics for sure, but don't be fooled, it's hard all right," he said. "I've seen too many people hurt in the ring that says otherwise ... it's physically really demanding."
Tickets start at $15 with front row seats at $22. Doors open at 3pm.