FORMER WWE cruiserweight and tag team champion Paul London has promised fans a unique night of entertainment at The Zone Complex on Saturday night when the world of wrestling comes to Bendigo.
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London and fellow former WWE superstar Orlando Jordan are the headline attractions of a seven-match card being put on at The Zone Complex by Outback Championship Wrestling, in conjunction with Wildkat Sports.
“For the people who come along on Saturday night, they’re going to see something they perhaps haven’t seen before,” London said yesterday.
“They’re going to see feats of courage and athleticism, but they are also going to be taken on a ride and witness a physical story being told.
“We’re not actors, we’re athletes and performers. We do it healthy and we do it clean.
“There’s no cussing or anything like that in the show that may turn people away. It’s a great chance for people to come and see in person some of the best wrestling they may get to see.”
London, 33, has travelled the world wrestling, but the high-flyer is best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment between 2003 and 2008.
There he won the WWE’s cruiserweight title in 2006, and also partnered Brian Kendrick to capture the tag team titles in a record reign that lasted almost a year.
“I’ve been very fortunate and done very well for myself,” London said.
“I was at the WWE for about six years, and when I was younger it was all about, can I get there?
“The challenge was more so getting there, rather than setting out to be a champion.
“So when that came along – I was the cruiserweight champion and three-time tag team champion – it was a real accomplishment.”
London debuted on WWE TV in an infamous match against then WWE champion Brock Lesnar in October of 2003 in Hartford.
London was pulverised around the ring for two-and-a-half minutes by Lesnar in a match 10 years on he still vividly remembers the severe beating he took.
“I think I must have ticked the boss (Vince McMahon) off because he threw me straight into the lion’s den that night,” London said.
“It was against the champion at the time Brock Lesnar, who outweighed me by 200-plus pounds.
“Some people may call it a match, but it was more of a slaughter.
“It was very much a David v Goliath story, but with a different ending.
“I grew up in Texas around twisters, sidewinders and dust devils, but that night against Lesnar was by far the closest I’ll experience to ever being in a tornado.
“The F5 (Lesnar’s finishing move) is no joke and he is pound for pound the toughest human being I’ve met in my life.”
London will feature in a three-way bout with Irishman Andy Phoenix and Australian Ryan Rollins on Saturday night.
“They are both outstanding talent and are looking to prove themselves at my expense,” London said.
“When you’ve obtained a level of notoriety you have a target on your back each night and the guys always bring their A-plus game to you.”
Joining London in Bendigo will be Orlando Jordan, a former WWE United States Championship winner.
Jordan, 39, spent 2003-2006 in the WWE and now runs a professional wrestling school in Melbourne.
Jordan opened his training school a year ago.
“My purpose of coming down here is to help build the wrestling circuit into a wrestling industry here in Australia,” said Jordan, who has also wrestled in what is now the second biggest American promotion behind the WWE – TNA.
“Ultimately, it would be fantastic to create Australia’s own touring wrestling company, with the ultimate goal being to produce a televised wrestling company.
“I loved my time in the WWE and everything else I’ve done and wrestling has been my career, but developing wrestling here is my passion.
“I get my joy from creating new talent here.”
Jordan’s wrestling students include Bendigo’s Cadman Turner, who will feature on Saturday night’s show.
“Cadman is coming along really well. When the Bendigo people see him on Saturday night, they will be really impressed and proud of him,” Jordan said.
“Saturday night will be an amazing spectacle.
“To have international names in Bendigo in myself and Paul London, who I think is the best high-flyer in the world, is a great thing.
“But we also have fantastic Australian talent, as well as Bendigo’s own Cadman.”
Jordan remained coy on who he would be facing on Saturday night.
“You never know... there’s a lot of guys on the roster who would love to get me in the ring and make a name for themselves,” Jordan said.
“But whoever it is, when they get in the ring they will be stepping in with one of the best in the world.”
Doors open on Saturday night from 6.30pm, with bell time 7.30pm.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids at the door, or contact 0432 798 904.