Wrasslin' Wrap: Which pro wrestlers are shining from Australia and New Zealand?

Liam O'Loughlin

Wrasslin' Wrap: Which pro wrestlers are shining from Australia and New Zealand? image

Pro wrestling is as hot as ever right now - and there are plenty of Aussies and Kiwis at the forefront.

Toni Storm continued on an impressive start to her AEW career with another victory, while Rhea Ripley's stocks are rising after joining forces with a WWE legend.

Here's the latest on our Australian and New Zealand stars overseas. 

Toni Storm (AEW) 

In the biggest match of her early AEW career, Toni Storm picked up a huge victory in the quarter-finals of the Owen Hart Tournament on last week's episode of Dynamite. 

Storm would collect a pinfall win over Jamie Hayter in a quality TV match, hitting her 'Storm Zero' piledriver to advance to the next round. 

The Gold Coast native will take on the winner of Britt Baker vs an unnamed opponent in the semi-finals. 

Rhea Ripley (WWE Raw)

The forefront of Australia's imports overseas in recent years, Rhea Ripley had a huge week in WWE.

The 25-year-old joined forces with WWE Hall of Famer Edge, aligning with the multi-time world champion in WrestleMania Backlash.

Ripley would pick up a huge victory on Raw, submitting former tag team partner Liv Morgan in singles competition. 

Jay White (NJPW/Impact/AEW) 

The man who is really everywhere in pro wrestling, White competed in both Impact and NJPW this past week. 

The leader of Bullet Club teamed up with El Phantasmo to take on Impact World Champion Josh Alexander and Japanese legend Tomohiro Ishii for Impact, but the duo would come up short. White did not take the pinfall in this loss, with Ishii pinning his B.C partner. 

White would back up and take on IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada and Rocky Romero in tag team action at NJPW's Captial Collision event, picking up a huge victory alongside fellow Bullet Club member Hikuleo.

Despite not actually pinning the champion, White's victory will further enhance his chances of challenging Okada for the world title in the coming months. 

Grayson Waller (WWE NXT) 

The over-confident Aussie star was in mixed tag action this week, teaming up with rising star Tiffany Stratton on NXT.

The pair would come up short against Andre Chase and Sarray, with Waller eating the pin.

Waller has now lost two matches in a row, defeated by British high-flyer Nathan Frazer upon his US debut. 

Tenille Dashwood (Impact) 

One-half of the Knockouts Tag Team Champions, Dashwood retained the titles alongside partner Madison Rayne on this past week's Impact show. 

JONAH (NJPW) 

Competed at NJPW Strong's Capital Collision event, teaming up with fellow Aussies Shane Haste and Nick Miller. 

The team picked up the win in eight-man tag action, defeating United Empire. 

Indi Hartwell (WWE NXT)

Didn't compete on NXT this week, but was part of a backstage segment with NXT Women's Champion Mandy Rose, potentially setting up a match between the two in the coming weeks. 

Xyon Quinn (WWE NXT)

Another star who didn't compete in the ring this past week, Quinn continued showing off his new persona and told Nathan Frazer to 'run it straight'.

The former NRL star has been leaning towards a darker side of himself in recent weeks, highlighted by his victory over former tag champ Wes Lee. 

Slex (NOAH) 

One of the long-time Aussie standouts, Slex has been making waves with Japanese promotion NOAH in recent months.

Slex has won three of his past four matches in both tag and singles action, and remains a regular for his home promotion MCW in Melbourne. 

Robbie Eagles (NJPW) 

Eagles didn't feature at NJPW Strong's show in Washington, but is instead preparing for a tilt at the Best of the Super Juniors tournament in Japan. 

Buddy Mattthews (AEW) 

Matthews did not compete this past week on AEW television, but did make a brief appearance alongside teammates Malakai Black and Brody King on Rampage. 

Duke Hudson (WWE NXT) 

Hudson didn't feature on NXT this week. 

Steph De Lander (Free Agent)

After being released by WWE, De Lander has since dropped a tell-all interview with Fightful reporter Sean Ross Sapp, which you can find here.

The 25-year-old detailed the events that led to her exit and what her plans are for the future. 

Evie/Dakota Kai (Free Agent)

Has remained on the quiet side since being released by WWE. 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.