PWA Black Label Hottest 100 Party Review (17/01/2026)

One thing that Pro Wrestling Australia does better than many promotions is giving each event a strong sense of identity, with its own unique themes and names. A strong illustration of that was the branding for its latest 18+ Black Label event, PWA Hottest 100 Party. An Aussie take on WWE’s “Biggest Party of the Summer”, referencing the yearly list of songs put out by Triple J, the promo photos that came out leading into the event gave me massive Summerslam 2006 vibes, with The Dropouts, Jessica Troy and Charli Evans hanging out at an Aussie backyard BBQ. Classic Aussie summer vibes. 

Unfortunately, on the actual day, the weather had other plans. Torrential rain flooded much of the Greater Sydney area. I made the trip to watch the show live from Wollongong, and conditions were that bad that I wondered if I could make it to Marrickville. Got there in one piece, and the pre-show entertainment included DJs and face painting down in the beer garden at the Factory Theatre. Hey, there’s a lot of people with my name painted on their face... oh, it’s for Mick Moretti. My bad. Can’t imagine how much things would’ve been rocking without the miserable weather though! 

The chaos didn’t stop there, as right before doors, we got word that one of the ring ropes had broken. Sure enough, once we were let in, the ring only had two ropes, and after a bit of scrambling around, Jax Jordan got into the semi-constructed ring to give us a blunt update- “look guys, it’s fucked”. After a slight delay, the show started with a two rope ring! Well, this’ll be interesting. 

For this review, I’m watching back on YouTube so I can give my thoughts on the full production, mixed with comments from my live experience last night. 

Let’s do this! 

---------------------  

The opening video recaps recent happenings in PWA, and the build for the big matches on the show- the Soul of PWA Championship fatal four way, the dumpster match between Scott Green and Tik Tok star Lachy McIntyre, Ben Braxton vs. Mick Moretti, and finally, the PWA Championship match, with North Shore Wrestling’s Chevs defending against the beloved Big Fudge! 

A stacked card, and the production on this video package wouldn’t look out of place on Channel 10, just saying! 

The crowd is red hot as we go live inside the Factory Theatre, and so is Nick Wray on the ring announcements! 

Match 1: Dumpster Match- Scott Green vs. Lachy McIntyre 

Lachy looks in incredible shape for this! Kris Gale says it’s an honour to have an internet superstar like Lachy in a PWA ring. A natural born heel- must run in the McIntyre family- Lachy plays cat and mouse in the early going, avoiding the barrage from a fired up Scott Green. Lachy eventually draws him into a shot from a “Wet Floor” sign of all things- I'm told these signs are often needed when the ladies are around Scott Green and Lachy McIntyre. Hey yo! 

Lachy continues to wear down Scott with the sign, bits of plastic flying off it. Scott blocks a shot and blasts Lachy down with a blistering chop. Scott grabs the sign and returns the favour! I believe we call that a receipt. Loud “You deserve it” chants from the invested crowd. After some brawling on the outside towards the dumpster- the only way to win is to throw your opponent in there and close the lid- Scott comes back for the rolling stunner, but Lachy avoids it and hits him with a picture-perfect headscissors! Scott- and everyone in attendance- is stunned. Scott gets his bearings and says alright, it’s go time. Lachy does a leapfrog and his knee buckles on landing. Shades of Shane O Mac at WrestleMania!  

This is looking serious- and they draw it out just long enough. I was calling bullshit in the moment, but as JT Robinson and other personnel came on the scene, and minutes after minutes ticked by, I started to buy in. As they get towards the stage, Lachy hits a low blow and rams Scott into the dumpster. That scoundrel! 

Green battles back and powerbombs Lachy into the dumpster, but before he can close the lid, Carter Deams runs out and boots Scotty in the face! Deams dumps him into the dumpster, drags a lifeless Lachy out of it, and the TikTok star somehow gets his wits back enough to close the dumpster. A successful singles wrestling debut for Lachy McIntyre! 

Winner: Lachy McIntyre (at 11:57) 

Thoughts: A fun, wild opener. Lachy’s character work was on point, having zero problems antagonising the crowd. He physically looked the part of a pro wrestler and delivered athletically- that said, being that he still had no proper wrestling matches under his belt, they smartly worked in believable ways for him to get the upper hand over the far more experienced Scott Green, who brought great energy as always. The Dropouts are easily the most over act in PWA right now. 

A promo airs for Round 1 of the 2026 Colosseum tournament, Friday Feb 13 at the Metro Social (the day before AEW Grand Slam Australia). Rose and Gale put over the importance of the Colosseum tournmant in a quick on-camera. 

Match 2: Soul of PWA Championship- The Tuckman (c) vs. Shay Kassidy vs. Paris De Silva vs. Hari Singh 

Shay has a great entrance, coming out to Olivia Dean’s Man I Need. I had to look that up, I guess I’m officially unc status now? 

Hari Singh’s not mucking around, immediately blasting Shay out of the ring with a big boot. We’ve still only got two ropes, although Rose has told us a third rope is on its way. Paris brings the speed, reversals, kicks and pin attempts. We get a series of submissions, broken up by Shay, who throws her teddy bear Barnaby at the tangled pile of bodies. Greatness.  

Paris and Tuckman have a fun rapid fire exchange, ending with Paris hitting the champ with a satellite DDT. Shay immediately takes him to Suplex City with a devastating German. Backstabber on the Girlypop Sensation by Singh. Spin kick by Paris on the Pom. Tuckman in looking for a cutter, but Paris blocks it. Backslide by Shay but Singh breaks it up. Cutter by Tuckman on Singh- and it’s over! 

Winner: The Tuckman (at 2:45) 

Thoughts: Holy hell, that was a sprint! Wish it ran longer but it was all action for every second it lasted. Normally, Tuckman would finish things with a springboard cutter- guess he wasn’t keen for it on this night with the rope mishaps that have already happened. 

There’s a bit of a moment between Tuckman and Paris post-match. Now that’s a title match I’d love to see- one on one.  

Match 3: Brotherhood of RANGA (Jack J Bonza & EC Brownie) vs. Mana & Manoush (Marley Peleti & El Phoenician) 

The Black Label debut for Mana and Manoush, who come out to a live drum entrance and a huge ovation from the crowd! From Day 1 at the Beer Shed, their family and friends have come out in force to support them- a great atmosphere, and they’ve won over everyone else with their hard work, skills and charisma. 

There’s an obvious size disadvantage here for the rookies, and Brownie and Bonza are happy to assert dominance in the early going. Phoenician uses some agility to flip out of some Bonza offence and drop him with a dropkick, and we get a tag to Peleti! Phoenician launches Bonza with a rana, they double dropkick Brownie- who just absorbs it! Big boot to Peleti. Fall away slam on Phoenician. EC Brownie is a force! 

A chop/suplex combo by the RANGA gets a near fall. The beat down continues on El Phoenician, and things look especially dire when Bonza applies the ankle lock, but Phoenician makes it to the middle rope. Bonza follows up with a surfboard, into a Brownie scoop slam, and the Brotherhood are a well-oiled machine here. Not long after that though, a Bonza chop accidentally hits Brownie! Bit of miscommunication gives an opening, and we get the hot tag to Peleti! A huge flurry follows to both Bonza and Brownie, followed by a double DDT that drops them both. Phoenician back legal to wipe them out with a double cross body!  

Mana & Manoush with a double suicide dive, but they are caught and slammed on the apron. Phoenician in trouble in the ring in a deep Bonza Boston crab. He makes the ropes and kicks Bonza in his bald head shortly after. Peleti tagged in but knocked off the apron on the way in. A pop up powerbomb on Phoenician follows, but Ref Rach rules that he’s not legal, allowing Peleti to get back in. Peleti leapfrogs a Brownie spear, and Bonza gets taken out! A roll up follows, and the rookies do it in their Black Label debut! 

Winners: Mana & Manoush (at 12:06) 

Thoughts: Excellent tag team match! Clear story, great action, a molten hot crowd. Pro wrestling at its best. Huge statement and stamp of approval for Mana and Manoush, getting such a major win to kick off their 2026 campaign. And the Brotherhood doesn’t look too bad in defeat, given their dominance through the match and the finish coming off Brownie’s own Spear. Loved it! 

Intermission time since the third rope has arrived! 

Match 4: North Shore Wrestling (Will Kiedis, Sam Osborne & Jack Osborne) vs. MK Plus Ultra (Michael Spencer, Kai Drake & Cosmo Cooper) 

MK come out to Thirsty Merc’s “In The Summertime”- this one I know- dressed as lifeguards! It’s definitely not beach weather, but ah well, we can pretend. Rose sings along, and I’m immediately deducting 4 points from this show. 

The chant of “wanker” rings out to serenade Sam Osborne, starting things off for North Shore Wrestling. My friend Danielle, attending her first PWA show with me, noted that she thinks Sam looks like his day job is banking or real estate, and the “Man In Finance” song popped into her head when she saw him. Now that’s going to happen to me every time I see him wrestle. 

Sam avoids a Kai Drake kick, and after a shove from the apron by Jack- the illegal man- all six men get in there to throw down. Poor Referee Hannah trying to maintain control! MK Plus Ultra clear the ring and wipe out North Shore Wrestling with a trio of suicide dives. Jack Osborne is a difference maker soon after with a massive spinebuster on Cosmo. The holder of the Golden Esky- and latest Colosseum entrant- Will Kiedis tags in with a body shot on Cosmo. All the Body Biz in the world won’t stop that from hurting.  

Kiedis continues to work over Cosmo as he reaches for a tag. The Osbornes tag in for a Russian Leg Sweep/clothesline combo for a near fall. If that move needs a name, may I suggest Crazy Train? North Shore Wrestling continue to work over Cosmo until he finally gets space and tags in Kai Drake, who immediately starts launching bodies! Spencer in next and he surfs Kiedis’ back in the corner before dropping the double knees. North Shore Wrestling take a triple 619, followed by a Buckshot Lariat on Jack for a great near fall.  

Jack fires back with a double suplex on Kai and Cosmo, but Spencer drops him with a swinging DDT. Kiedis drills him with a knee, then assists Sam in hitting a cutter for a North Shore near fall. Bodies fly everywhere and Sam hits a diving elbow drop on Cosmo which drives the air out of him. Kai enters the fray to launch some kicks but is cut in half by a Jack Osborne spear! Bodies keep flying in and out of the ring, but Cosmo gives MK the advantage by hitting a springboard stunner on Jack! Someone’s been watching their John Cena tapes. Super bulldog by MK- but Jack gets his foot on the ropes! Cosmo goes for another springboard, but Sam intercepts, and the Osbornes hit... a double team Cross Rhodes, I guess? And that’ll do it! 

Winners: North Shore Wrestling (at 13:26) 

Thoughts: Six elite athletes absolutely smashing it. It’s crazy how good Jack Osborne is after such a short time wrestling. Intensity and presence off the charts. Wrestle Radio Australia named him their Rookie of the Year for 2025 for good reason. But everyone was fantastic and the action never stopped- similar frenetic pace to the Soul of PWA Championship match, but the tag format meant that it just kept going with members of each team rotating in and out. The streak of strong matches on this card continues! 

Match 5: Mick Moretti vs. Ben Braxton (w/ Rita Stone) 

Moretti comes out with the original Colosseum sword, as the inaugural winner. Braxton was the first entrant announced for this year’s tournament, after years of fan campaigning to put him in. 

Brax offers a fist bump as a sign of respect and Moretti slaps him. Ooh, it’s like that, hey? Bit of evasion in the early going by Moretti, but Braxton manages to drop him with a shoulder block and a dropkick. Both guys are extremely athletic, but it’s seeming like it’ll be the smarts and veteran wiles of Moretti combating the flash and exuberance of Braxton. 

Brax launches Moretti across the ring with a scary-looking belly to belly suplex. A follow up Superman punch misses, and it seems Moretti has many of Braxton’s signature moves scouted. Moretti beats Brax down on the mat and attacks the legs, perhaps trying to take some of that athletic spring away. Brax goes for another belly to belly, but Moretti counters by boxing the ears. Sick Kick hits for Brax, Lionsault attempted but missed, and Brax seems to further tweak the knee. Struggling to build momentum here. 

When Moretti looks to take a breather, Brax goes for the running kick across the apron, but Mick uses his CBK teammate Rita Stone as a human shield. He then sweeps the leg and Brax crashes hard. Braxton tries to fight back but gets stuck in the ankle lock. He tries to roll through but Moretti transitions to the rear naked choke. Brax rolls through to the pin- rare case of Ref Rach being off the ball as she misses it- but Moretti scrambles up and cracks him with a forearm. Braxton fires back with a pop up knee and a superkick to the back of the head. He plays to the crowd too long and misses a running shooting star press, which Rose calls him on on commentary. Moretti chains together suplexes- a German, then a dragon suplex, then rolls through to a fisherman brainbuster. Moretti lifts a limp Braxton and starts raining down elbows. Rita Stone jumps on the apron to check on Brax. Moretti rolls into the cover... and gets the 3. 

Winner: Mick Moretti (at 8:40) 

Thoughts: Wow. Interesting storytelling here. Not quite the classic banger I was hoping for, but still very good, with a greater story being told. Post-match, Mick gets on the mic and says that for all the potential Brax has, all the hashtags and support, that he’s not ready, and the loss proves it. He offers to help, but Rita steps up and says, “he doesn’t need you!” 

Really intriguing. After years of crowd support, Braxton finally broke through with the Colosseum entry. One of the classic ways to get support for a babyface is to build sympathy. How do you do that for a jacked super athlete like Braxton? You do this. You have him fall short due to lack of experience, to a veteran’s cunning, to feeding off the support of the crowd, and have that question of “can he put the pieces together when it counts?” Rose and Gale also brought up the idea of imposter syndrome, which is an interesting wrinkle. Physically, Brax has it all. Can he mentally put it together for Colosseum? Having a veteran like Moretti deliver the message gives it more weight too- from the opening bell to the promo where he dismissed Brax and also Rita Stone, Moretti was kinda being a dick, but he has enough respect from the PWA fanbase where we have to go, “well, there might be some truth in what he’s saying, we better listen”. 

Match 6: Aaron Jake vs. PPK (Frankie B & Nikki Van Blair) 

We are reminded that PPK function as one entity in PWA, meaning that to beat PPK, both Frankie and Nikki need to be pinned, or submitted simultaneously, and they are both allowed in the ring at the same time. It’s ridiculous, how they wrangled it with PWA management, I’ll never know, but it is a very funny bit. 

PPK knock Aaron down with a double shoulder block to start. Nikki hits a hurricanrana and Frankie hits a low dropkick. Both PPK members cover for a near fall. Aaron then leapfrogs PPK and hits PPK with a clothesline. Aaron goes for a plancha but PPK avoid it. They pose and slowly get in the ring, giving Aaron time to recover and hit a dropkick. He tries to pin Frankie and Nikki individually but the ref waves it off. He then bodyslams Frankie onto Nikki and that’s good for a 2 count. 

Bit of miscommunication as Frankie accidentally elbows Nikki. Aaron catches Frankie in a fireman’s carry, but Nikki saves her with a backstabber. Near fall for PPK. PPK can’t believe that wasn’t it and let out anguished screeches. Danielle- “It’s giving pterodactyl.” Kris Gale describes it as “banshee like”. That also works. PPK go for the 3D but Aaron rakes Nikki’s eyes. Frankie then grabs Aaron’s wrists and feigns to the ref that Aaron pulled her hair. The distraction allows Nikki to hit an undetected shot with her “initiation stick”- basically a prettied-up nightstick/baton- and PPK gets the 3! 

Winners/Winner?: PPK (at 6:12) 

Thoughts: Comedy, character, shenanigans. Very different to everything else on the card, it’s weird but I’m definitely getting a kick out of it. That may just be my crush on Frankie B, she can do no wrong, but I digress. 

Another promo airs for Colosseum. Gonna be a big one! Standing room only apparently. Really want to go but don’t think I could stand for the duration of a show. May just do it and put up with not being able to walk for a while afterwards. Cerebral Palsy is a fun condition to have! 

On camera for Kris Gale and Andrew Rose on commentary, recapping the events of the show to this point. Oozing with personality, those two. 

Main Event: PWA Heavyweight Championship- Charli Evans (c) vs. Big Fudge 

10 years in the making for Big Fudge. Streamers and pink beach balls fly into the ring as he enters. Chevs bringing the goth goddess vibes with her entrance. 

Chevs takes Fudge’s head off with a big boot in the opening seconds. Fudge gets up and fires back with forearms. He sets up for the chokeslam and Chevs powders. Fudge gives chase and Chevs boots him in the head again on the way back into the ring. Chevs gets showered with boos from the Factory Theatre faithful. 

Chevs maintains control with some vicious strikes for a while before Fudge fights back with a neckbreaker. Scoop slam followed by the Sugar Rush splashes in the corner.  Fudge is the underdog here but showing a ton of heart. Tornado DDT gets a near fall for the challenger. They trade forearms. Fudge hits his patented Butt Punch but Chevs immediately returns fire with a superkick! Chevs avoids another Sugar Rush and lands a cracking knee, followed by a fisherman suplex for a near fall. Fudge avoids another knee and hits the chokeslam! 1... 2... and Jack Osborne pulls the ref out of the ring! Kiedis runs out and blasts him with a flying knee! What the hell?! Sam Osborne is out here too. “Not like this!” yells Rose. 

Jessica Troy’s music hits and the former PWA champ makes her entrance. Chevs runs and Jess takes the fight to the Osbornes and Kiedis. The numbers game becomes too much for Jess and North Shore take over... then the Dropouts music hits! Tuckman and Scott Green run in- rolling Stunner by Green, we finally get our springboard cutter from Tuckman. Jess looks to hit a dive but Jack Osborne intercepts her with a Spear! Fudge hits him with the Butt Punch, followed by the low bridge, and Mr. Rookie of the Year goes flying to the outside. Dropouts wipe out North Shore with suicide dives! 

It’s Fudge and Chevs alone in the ring but there’s no ref! Fudge calls for one and Ref Rach is on the scene. Chevs hits a small package for a super close near fall. Fudge hits an Air Raid Crash for a great near fall of his own. Chevs with a spinning back fist- shades of Eddie Kingston- for a razor close 2 count. High angle back suplex, followed by a running knee- and Fudge STILL kicks out! Chevs steals Fudge’s chokeslam- and he kicks out on 1! Fighting spirit! Fudge goes for his own chokeslam, but Chevs counters with a massive lariat. 1.. .2... and Fudge gets his foot on the ropes! A furious Chevs knocks the ref out. Desperate times as Chevs goes to the stage and retrieves her PWA Championship belt from the commentary table. She goes to hit Fudge with it- but Jess Troy stops her. She clocks Chevs with the belt instead! Fudge gets up and hits the chokeslam- and my god, it’s over! 

Winner: Big Fudge (at 16:18) 

Thoughts: I can’t remember the last big PWA match that had me in this much shock. I love Big Fudge as much as anyone in the Aussie wrestling scene, he was immediately one of my first favourites in the Aussie scene when I was first getting into it around 10 years ago. So, so happy for him. Such a great person, works so hard, always entertains the audience and has built a connection like no other. I’ve never seen him in such an intense, main event atmosphere. All the run ins and shenanigans added to the chaotic feel of the whole night, and we ended on the ultimate feel-good moment, loved it. 

We go off the air on YouTube as the PWA roster (the babyfaces, anyway) come out to celebrate with Big Fudge. Our new champion. The crowd are losing their minds. All is right in the world. 

After the show goes off the air, Fudge thanks the crowd, saying that it happened because of everyone's support- the people in the crowd and his fellow wrestlers in the ring. And he did the speech without a microphone!

We'll hear more from the champ soon- I spoke to him after the show, he's been a long time supporter of The Arena Media. When I told him we were starting this again, he offered an interview, and of course I'm going to take him up on the offer! Keep your eyes peeled...

Overall Thoughts 

A brilliant show. Although I didn’t review it, I thought their last Black Label show, Kick-Ons, had a vibe of pre-pandemic PWA, and this carried much of the same. Even with torrential weather and a broken ring, PWA couldn’t be stopped from putting on a dynamic, highly entertaining show. The future is in good hands with the likes of the Dropouts, North Shore Wrestling, Mana and Manoush... and Big Fudge as champ! That main event was a clear highlight for me, but a sleeper hit on the show was also Mana & Manoush vs. RANGAs, they had the crowd rocking. But yeah, Fudge... Never would’ve seen it coming, but I’m excited and intrigued to see where things go next. Bring on Colosseum! 

Overall Score: 8.5/10 

Until next time, take care, 

Mick