WWE in New Zealand

History of professional wrestling by American promotion WWE in New Zealand

Professional wrestling pay-per-view event series

WWE in New Zealand

Created by| Vince McMahon
Promotions| WWE
Brands| Raw
SmackDown
First event| WWE SmackDown Road to WrestleMania 22 Tour

WWE (formerly World Wrestling Federation and World Wrestling Entertainment), an American professional wrestling promotion based in Stamford, Connecticut, in the United States owned by the McMahon family, has been promoting events in New Zealand since 2006.

## History

[edit]

WWE held their first live event tour in New Zealand on March 4, 2006, at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. This was the WWE Smackdown Road to WrestleMania 22 Tour, which featured a main event triple threat match between Kurt Angle, Undertaker and Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship. This event drew 23,875 people.

The following two years, WWE returned to New Zealand for a pair of SmackDown and ECW co-branded shows. In 2009 and 2011 the Raw brand did a one night show in Auckland, with SmackDown doing a show in 2010. The WWE then took a long break between shows in New Zealand and did not return until 2016. At the 2016 show, WWE announced NXT would be doing a show as part of their Oceania tour. Two NXT Live shows were scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2016 at The Trusts Arena in Auckland and the TSB Bank Arena in Wellington.[1][2] however these were eventually cancelled.[3] The following year, in 2017 the Raw brand returned to New Zealand for one show in Christchurch.[4]

WWE announced the Raw brand would once again return for a live event at Auckland's Spark Arena on August 8, 2020. This show was later postponed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was firstly postponed to July 31, 2021, secondly postponed to August 4, 2022, and lastly postponed with no new date given. The event was finally cancelled on May 5, 2023, over 3 years since its original announcement.[5]

## Events in New Zealand

[edit]

Date | Name  | Brand | Venue | City | Main event

|
|
|
|
|

March 4, 2006 | WWE SmackDown Road to WrestleMania 22 Tour | SmackDown | Westpac Stadium | Wellington | Kurt Angle vs. Mark Henry vs. The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship
February 23, 2007 | WWE SmackDown Road to WrestleMania 23 Tour  | SmackDown & ECW | Westpac Centre | Christchurch | Batista vs. Mr. Kennedy for the World Heavyweight Championship[6]
February 24, 2007  | Western Springs Stadium | Auckland
June 11, 2008 | WWE Smackdown ECW Tour  | SmackDown & ECW | Vector Arena | Auckland | Edge vs. Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship[7]
June 12, 2008  | Westpac Centre | Christchurch | Matt Hardy, Batista & The Undertaker vs. Edge, Montel Vontavious Porter and Mark Henry[8]
July 3, 2009 | WWE Raw Live Tour  | Raw | Vector Arena | Auckland | Randy Orton & Big Show vs. John Cena & Triple H[9]
August 5, 2010 | WWE SmackDown Live 2010  | SmackDown | Vector Arena | Auckland | Kane vs. Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship[10]
July 6, 2011 | WWE World Tour  | Raw | Vector Arena | Auckland | John Cena vs. R-Truth for the WWE Championship[11]
August 10, 2016 | WWE Live: New Zealand  | Unbranded | Vector Arena | Auckland | Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins[12]
September 13, 2017 | WWE Live: New Zealand  | Raw | Horncastle Arena | Christchurch | Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman in a Street Fight[13]

## WWE Road to WrestleMania 22 Tour

[edit]

WWE SmackDown Road to WrestleMania 22 Tour

Promotional poster featuring Batista

Promotion| World Wrestling Entertainment
Brand| SmackDown!
Date| March 4, 2006
City| Wellington, New Zealand
Venue| Westpac Stadium
Attendance| 23,875 [14]

The WWE SmackDown Road to WrestleMania 22 Tour was the first WWE event held in New Zealand and took place at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, on March 4, 2006. The event was recorded by WWE and aired exclusively on WWE 24/7 in the United States. Michael Cole and Tazz recorded the commentary from WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

The event was attended by 23,875.[14] WWE talent and management were impressed with the reactions and excitement by the audience, and also the large size of the stadium. “Holy Cow, this is a coliseum, not an arena,” was one of the WWE wrestler's remarks when entering inside New Zealand's second-largest stadium.[15]

### Results

[edit]

No.| Results| Stipulations| Times

|
|
|

1D| Gregory Helms (c) defeated Jamie Noble and Kid Kash[16]| Triple Threat match for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship| —
2D| Funaki defeated Sylvain| Singles match| —
3D| MNM (Joey Mercury and Johnny Nitro) (c) defeated Paul London and Brian Kendrick| Tag Team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship| —
4| Road Warrior Animal defeated Matt Hardy| Singles match| 5:30
5| Bobby Lashley defeated Finlay| Singles match| 8:31
6| The Boogeyman defeated Orlando Jordan| Singles match| 3:50
7| Chris Benoit (c) defeated Booker T by submission| Singles match for the WWE United States Championship| 11:06
8| Rey Mysterio defeated Randy Orton| Singles match| 13:34
9| The Undertaker defeated Kurt Angle (c) and Mark Henry (with Daivari) by disqualification| Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship| 14:32
| (c)|  – the champion(s) heading into the match

|

D|  – this was a dark match

### Other on-screen personnel

[edit]

The setup in the Westpac Stadium before the event.

* Commentators
* Michael Cole
* Tazz
* Ring Announcer
* Tony Chimel
* Referee
* Nick Patrick
* Charles Robinson
* Jimmy Korderas

## Broadcast

[edit]

The WWE and Sky had an agreement to carry WWE programming in New Zealand from the late 1990s until the end of 2024.[17] Weekly television programming was aired on Sky 5 (previously known as Sky 1 and The Box). Pay-per-views were aired on Sky Arena / Sky Box Office.

In August 2014, WWE Network launched in New Zealand.[18] This was later closed on 1 January 2025, with all WWE programming moving to Netflix in New Zealand as part of WWE's worldwide deal with the streaming platform.

Programming | Notes

|

WWE Premium Live Events | Broadcast live on Netflix
WWE Raw
WWE NXT
WWE SmackDown

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "First Ever NXT Live Events This December!". Scoop. Scoop Media. WWE. September 5, 2016. Archived from the original on 5 September 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
2. ^ Caldwell, James (August 21, 2016). "8/20 "WWE NXT Takeover: Brooklyn" Results - CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2021. "NXT announcement: NXT is heading to Australia and New Zealand. It's this December. And it's a long tour from December 5-15."
3. ^ "WWE cancels New Zealand NXT Live events". NZPWI. November 7, 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
4. ^ WWE.com Staff (June 26, 2017). "WWE Live returns to New Zealand and Australia this September". WWE. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
5. ^ "WWE LIVE NEW ZEALAND Saturday 31 July 2021 at Spark Arena". Spark Arena. Spark Arena, Quay Park, Downtown Auckland, New Zealand. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021. "The wait is finally over, after a sell-out show in 2016 that saw 10,000+ WWE fans pack into Spark Arena, WWE returns for one electrifying night on Saturday 31 July 2021."
6. ^ "WWE (Smackdown! & ECW) @ Christchurch, New Zealand - Westpac Stadium - February 23, 2007 (9,000; sell out)". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
7. ^ "WWE (Smackdown! & ECW) @ Auckland, New Zealand - Vector Arena - June 11, 2008 (8,500)". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
8. ^ "WWE (Smackdown! & ECW) @ Christchurch, New Zealand - Westpac Arena - June 12, 2008". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
9. ^ "WWE (Raw) @ Auckland, New Zealand - Vector Arena - July 3, 2009". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
10. ^ "WWE (Smackdown!) @ Auckland, New Zealand - Vector Arena - August 5, 2010". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
11. ^ "WWE (Raw) @ Auckland, New Zealand - Vector Arena - July 6, 2011 (6,100)". The History of WWE. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
12. ^ Namako, Jason (August 10, 2016). "8/10 WWE Live Results: Auckland, New Zealand (First day of overseas tour, NXT tour announced, Rollins vs. Reigns)". WrestleView. Auckland, New Zealand. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
13. ^ Martin, Adam (September 14, 2017). "9/13 WWE Live Results: Christchurch, New Zealand (Reigns vs. Strowman)". WrestleView. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
14. ^ a b Westpac Stadium (2006). "Westpac Stadium Wellington WWE: Road to Wrestlemania Smackdown 22". Westpac Stadium. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
15. ^ Dion McCracken (2006). "Westpac Stadium gives thanks to crowd and NZPWI". NZPWI. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
16. ^ Dion McCracken (2006). "Angle retains WHC in Wellington". NZPWI. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
17. ^ "Here's Why World Wrestling (WWE) is a Hot Investment Pick". NASDAQ.com. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
18. ^ Dunn, David. "WWE Network available in New Zealand – NZPWI". Retrieved 2019-05-21.

## Notes

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

WWE

History|

* McMahon family
* Capitol Wrestling Corporation
* 1980s boom
* Black Saturday
* WrestleMania I
* Ring boy scandal
* Steroids trial
* The Kliq
* Bone Street Krew
* Monday Night Wars
* Montreal Screwjob
* Attitude Era
* The Invasion
* WWF vs. WWF
* Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide
* PG Era
* New Monday Night Wars
* Wednesday Night Wars
* ThunderDome
* Vince McMahon sex trafficking scandal

Programming|

| Weekly in-ring shows|

* Monday Night Raw
* history
* special episodes
* Friday Night SmackDown
* history
* special episodes
* NXT
* Seasons 1–5
* special episodes
* Speed
* Main Event
* Evolve

|

Recap shows|

* Afterburn
* Bottom Line
* This Week in WWE
* Vintage
* Wal3ooha

Seasonal shows
and specials|

* Biography: WWE Legends
* LFG
* Most Wanted Treasures
* Rivals
* Saturday Night's Main Event

Pay-per-view and
WWE Network events|

* Royal Rumble
* Vengeance
* Elimination Chamber
* NXT Stand & Deliver
* WrestleMania
* Backlash
* King of the Ring
* Battleground
* Clash
* Money in the Bank
* Heatwave
* SummerSlam
* Bash in Berlin
* No Mercy
* Bad Blood
* Halloween Havoc
* Crown Jewel
* Survivor Series
* NXT Deadline

Other|

* Broadcasting rights

Home bases|

* UFC Apex
* WWE Performance Center

Former|

* Amway Center
* Full Sail University
* Tropicana Field
* Yuengling Center

Personnel|

* Hall of Fame
* Former personnel
* A–C
* D–H
* I–M
* N–R
* S–Z

Notable rivalries
and matches|

* André the Giant–Hulk Hogan rivalry
* Bret Hart vs. Tom Magee
* Mankind vs. The Undertaker
* The Streak

Affiliated properties|

* WWE 2K
* WWE Books
* WWE Legacy Department
* WWE Music Group
* Discography
* WWE Studios
* Tapout

Defunct businesses|

* World Bodybuilding Federation
* The World
* WWE Classics on Demand
* WWE Home Video
* WWE Network
* Canada
* WWE Niagara Falls
* WWE Magazine
* WWE Podcast Network
* XFL
* 2001
* 2020

Notable acquisitions|

* American Wrestling Association
* Dragon Gate USA
* Evolve
* WWE revival
* Extreme Championship Wrestling
* WWE revival
* Florida Championship Wrestling
* Georgia Championship Wrestling
* Global Wrestling Federation
* Heartland Wrestling Association (video library)
* International Championship Wrestling
* Smoky Mountain Wrestling
* World Championship Wrestling
* history
* Who Killed WCW?
* World Class Championship Wrestling
* World Wrestling Council (video library)

Investments|

* Avid Technology
* Cloud9
* DraftKings
* Drone Racing League
* FloSports
* Marvel Experience
* Phunware
* Premier Lacrosse League
* Tout

Related companies|

| Owners|

* TKO Group Holdings
* Endeavor

|

Sister companies|

* IMG
* Professional Bull Riders
* Ultimate Fighting Championship

Partnerships|

| Current|

* Game Changer Wrestling
* National Wrestling Alliance
* Pro Wrestling Noah
* Dream Star Fighting Marigold
* Reality of Wrestling
* Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

|

Former|

* AAA
* All Japan Pro Wrestling
* Deep South Wrestling
* Insane Championship Wrestling
* International Wrestling Association
* Memphis Championship Wrestling
* Michinoku Pro Wrestling
* New Japan Pro-Wrestling
* Ohio Valley Wrestling
* Power Pro Wrestling
* Progress Wrestling
* Smoky Mountain Wrestling
* Super World of Sports
* Ultimate Pro Wrestling
* United States Wrestling Association
* Universal Lucha Libre
* Universal Wrestling Association
* Universal Wrestling Federation
* WAR
* Westside Xtreme Wrestling
* World Wrestling Alliance

Championships|

* Current champions
* Former championships
* Foreign champions
* Types of championships
* Secondary
* Tag team
* Women's
* World

Accomplishments|

* Diva Search
* Money in the Bank
* Tough Enough
* Awards
* Slammys
* NXT Year-End
* WWE Year-End
* Grand Slam
* Triple Crown
* Battle royals
* André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
* Royal Rumble
* WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal

Tournaments|

* Brawl for All
* Cruiserweight Classic
* Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic
* King of the Ring
* Mae Young Classic
* Mixed Match Challenge
* NXT Breakout Tournament
* Queen of the Ring
* Sam Muchnick Memorial Tournament

Brand extension|

* Raw
* SmackDown
* NXT
* Evolve
* NXT UK
* 205 Live
* ECW
* Draft
* 2002
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* April 2019
* October 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2023
* 2024

International|

* Australia
* Canada
* India
* Mexico
* New Zealand
* Saudi Arabia
* UK

Miscellaneous|

* Attendance records
* Titan Towers
* Women in WWE
* WrestleMania Axxess
* WWE action figures
* LJN Wrestling Superstars
* WWE ID and WWE NIL

* v
* t
* e

Professional wrestling in New Zealand

Promotions|

| Current|

* Impact Pro Wrestling
* New Zealand Wide Pro Wrestling
* Southern Pro Wrestling

|

Former|

* Dominion Wrestling Union

New Zealand championships|

| Current|

* IPW New Zealand Heavyweight Championship
* SPW New Zealand Championship
* SPW New Zealand Tag Team Championship

|

Former|

* He Toa Cup
* NWA Australasian Heavyweight Championship
* NWA Australasian Tag Team Championship
* NWA British Empire/Commonwealth Championship (New Zealand version)
* NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship

Television programming|

* Ignition
* Mana Mamau
* Off the Ropes
* On the Mat

Other|

* NZPWI Invitational
* WWE in New Zealand

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