Buddy Matthews makes surprise return to Melbourne City Wrestling, wins 2022 version of prestigious Ballroom Brawl
Some big news coming out of Melbourne, Australia! Current AEW star and former WWE wrestler Buddy Matthews (fka Buddy Murphy) made a shocking and triumphant return to Melbourne City Wrestling during the annual Ballroom Brawl battle royal.
The Ballroom Brawl is held every year (since 2012, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and is arguably the marquee event of the Australian pro wrestling scene. Last year’s Ballroom Brawl was won by current MCW World Heavyweight Champion, Mitch Waterman. Winning the Ballroom Brawl gives an opportunity to a wrestler to challenge for any MCW title over the course of the next year. Waterman cashed in his opportunity back in March of this year, on the last possible day his challenge was still valid, and defeated Adam Brooks in a 35 minute plus Australian classic, ending Brooks’s record setting MCW Championship reign.
Other past Ballroom Brawl winners include Jonah (fka Bronson Reed, Jonah Rock), Adam Brooks, Duke Hudson (fka Elliott Sexton, Brendan Vink), Gino Gambino (fka Mr. Juicy), and JXT.
Now, Buddy Matthews has returned to Australia and MCW to the shock of the sold out crowd in attendance at Thornbury Theatre just outside of Melbourne. Not only has Buddy Matthews returned to MCW, but he has also won the 2022 MCW Ballroom Brawl. This now gives Matthews a year to make good and cash in on this championship opportunity. Matthews’s win also came live on international pay-per-view, as the Ballroom Brawl was streamed worldwide on FITE TV for the first time this year, undoubtedly creating a huge moment for MCW.
Buddy Matthews arrives at the MCW Ballroom Brawl. Image courtesy of the MCW Facebook page.
It will be interesting to see when Matthews will use his cash in attempt to challenge for the MCW World Heavyweight Championship. Is it possible we could be seeing the MCW belt on AEW TV in the future? Only time will tell but that could certainly be a big stage for Australian independent wrestling to be featured on, if so.
The replay of the 2022 MCW Ballroom Brawl is now available for purchase on FITE TV at this link. If you’re looking for some wrestling to watch today, this is a great option, and is exactly how I’ll be spending my Saturday.
