New era of pro wrestling dawns in NZ

Children of the 90s will remember WWE's hard-hitting drama, but a new player, New Japan Pro Wrestling Tamashii, has entered the arena, with regular events and a growing talent pool.

Earlier this month, South Auckland hosted the inaugural NJPW Tamashii Oceania Cup final at Otāhuhu’s Fale Dojo.

Australian and New Zealand wrestlers put their blood, sweat, and tears into entertaining the nearly sold-out crowd.

Jamie Tagataese and Pat Schischka entered the ring to the sound of Pasifika metal band Shepherds Reign to face The Pretty Boys, Sāmoan heavyweight duo Magic Mark and Pretty Richie.

Against Tagataese and Shischka, the Pretty Boys used their larger-than-life characters, agility, and tag team chemistry to win.

Internationally ranked Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale failed to take out the overall win against Australia’s Jack Bonza, who then beat Punch Drunk Istria to take the Oceania Cup.

Growing interest

Toks Fale is the head trainer at Fale Dojo, which runs kickboxing, wrestling, and professional wrestling classes. The goal is to develop talent worthy of the international stage.

Among the trainees were The Ungrateful Ones Trent Hooper and Tyler Illes. Their passion for pro-wrestling began as volunteer ring hands at New Zealand’s first NJPW show in their hometown of Christchurch.

Hooper soon became a regular performer at the weekly Dojo house shows.

"I really do feel like I came to the dojo at the perfect time. As l've continued to grow as a wrestler l've been able to see Tamashii grow into the beast it is now.

Tyler Illes (left) from the Ungrateful Ones duo performs a flying leap. Photo/Cameron Walter

“Every step forward I take, a new opportunity presents itself for me to challenge myself to step up even further, starting from ring duties to competing as a young lion on our lion’s den shows, then on to Tamashii, to now competing as a fully fledged tag team with TJ and even entering the Oceania Cup.”

Fale Dojo’s final house show for 2024 will feature the Pretty Boys against the Ungrateful Ones on Saturday, 30 November, at 7pm, with tickets available at the door or online.

Memphis Luke (Te Tai Tokerau; Ngati Kahu) is an entertainment and music-focused freelance writer and producer- raised in Ōtahuhu, South Auckland.