REVEALED: Perth to play host to massive Crown Jewel premium live event as part of WWE takeover of city

The headline event for the WWE’s massive takeover of Perth this October has been unveiled as Crown Jewel — one of the biggest premium shows on the sport entertainment calendar.

Australian-born superstars Rhea Ripley — a former three-time world champion — and Grayson Waller flew into WA to make the announcement alongside the State Government on Friday, where the dates for three separate televised shows were revealed.

The WWE — which now streams on Netflix internationally after a multi million-dollar deal — will host its weekly Smackdown show on Friday, October 10 before Crown Jewel, a top premium live event, is held the night after.

It will conclude with Monday Night Raw on October 13, with all three shows to take place in RAC Arena.

It was announced to millions of global viewers last month on Wrestlemania — the company’s marquee show — that new Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena would be on the card for the Perth event, marking one of the last stops in the legend’s farewell tour.

Ripley, who was born in Adelaide, said she could not wait to perform back in her home country, on the back of a sell-out Elimination Chamber premium event being held in Perth last year.

“I know selfishly, Grayson and I are extremely happy to be back home and having not only television live here from Australia but having a PLE (premium live event), it’s so impactful,” she said.

“And it’s so meaningful to us professionally because we can have our family there, get to wrestle in front of friends and family.

“It’s always nice to come home and seeing WWE spread out to different countries is incredible. The crowds are always awesome.”

Sydney-sider Waller called out the 17-time world champion when he makes a rare appearance on Australian soil.

Cena is in his final year of professional wrestling after a more than two-decade career which has shot him to global superstardom including becoming a Hollywood actor.

“We’ve got John Cena coming which everyone seems to by really excited about, the last real champion in his final year,” Waller said.

“John you’ve done so many big things, you’re an incredible superstar, a legend of the business but you’ve got to realise this is my home mate, I live here, I’m the ‘Aussie Icon’ for a reason and I don’t care who you are. You’re not coming into my house and disrespecting me.

“I know you’ve got this flop rapper Travis Scott hanging around with you, but just so you know when you come here to Australia, I’m not rolling out the red carpet for you brother, they’re rolling out the red carpet for me. You should be thankful that I’m bringing you here.

“And if we have any issues, John, I’m more than happy to settle it. I’d love to stand above you with a shoey in my hand, drop a VB on your head lad and end that career of yours right here on Australian soil.”

It will mark the first time the Crown Jewel event, which was launched in 2018, will be held outside of Saudi Arabia.

Although the card will take months to take shape, it willinclude both a men’s and women’s ‘Champion v Champion’ match after the introduction of the Crown Jewel Championship at last year’s event, which was watched by millions worldwide.

The event comes as part of an expanded partnership between the WA Government and TKO — the New York-based owners of both WWE and UFC after the success of the Elimination Chamber last February, which saw a sell-out crowd of more than 50,000 and more than $36 million pumped into the economy.

The partnership will also see UFC show Fight Night held at RAC Arena before the end of the year.

Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, who was at the announcement on Friday alongside Tourism Minister Reece Whitby, said hosting the event was a massive win for the State.

“The incredible standard of RAC Arena and all our world-class venues means that we can host these global sports and entertainment events throughout the year,” Ms Saffioti said.

“I can’t wait to see RAC Arena packed with visiting and local WWE fans this October, bringing an energy that is sure to be electrifying when John Cena and other WWE stars take to the ring at this Australian-exclusive event.”

It is not yet known the exact amount the State Government have contributed towards the partnership.

WWE Perth Takeover

Friday Night Smackdown – Friday, October 10

Crowd Jewell Perth – Saturday, October 11

Monday Night Raw – Monday, October 13