Aussie ready for next ‘level’ in AEW

As a basketball player, Buddy Matthews makes a top professional wrestler, and that’s good news for fans attending February’s AEW Grand Slam Australia event at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Matthews, the Melbourne-born performer rising the ranks in All Elite Wrestling, was a special guest at a Brisbane Bullets training session on Tuesday.

“It took me 60 or 70 shots before I got one in – but I got one in,” a relieved Matthews said.

However, in the squared circle Matthews feels much more at home, and is thrilled to have another chance to showcase his wrestling talent at a major event in Australia on February 15.

“Last time I had the privilege of coming over here to perform in front of Australians was in 2018 (at the MCG with the WWE), and it was definitely something that I’d probably claim as the moment of my career thus far,” he said.

“Once you have one of those moments, you have that itch to do it again, so on February 15, with AEW this time, I’m going to generate that moment again.

“There is nothing better than Australian fans getting behind their own. They’re not going to be silent, they’re not going to be sitting on their hands, and they’re definitely going to let you know who they are rooting for.

“AEW fans are wanting to see me move a level up, and I think they want the people in power to know. I’m willing to grab that ball and run with it.”

Matthews – a former WWE cruiserweight champion who is married to fellow Australian and current WWE star Rhea Ripley – said the decision to move AEW Grand Slam Australia from Suncorp Stadium to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre would ensure a better atmosphere.

“Smaller arenas are more intimate for a crowd. They are so much closer, and you can really feel that electricity,” he said.

In Australia until next week, Matthews will also make a special appearance at Sunday’s Melbourne City Wrestling’s End Game event at the Melbourne Pavilion.