Canberra's Pro Wrestling Scene: From Office to Ring
By day, they're public servants and car dealers, but by night, they transform into pro wrestlers in Canberra. This growing cohort of Canberrans has embraced the world of professional wrestling, a sport known for its choreographed stunts and inherent risks. From alter egos to broken bones, the local wrestling scene is thriving, drawing crowds and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
The Rise of Moshpit Bunny and Dan Archer
Del Goncalves, a public servant, embodies this transformation. Trading her office attire for a bunny costume, she becomes "Moshpit Bunny" in the wrestling ring. She joined the academy after watching a local show in 2022, Goncalves said the sport was about testing her limits, putting on a show and taking on an alter ego. "During the day, I'm quite an introverted person… but once I get into the ring and I go from Del to Moshpit Bunny," she explained. "All of a sudden, loud, I'm larger than life, I've got confidence that daytime me doesn't have."
Similarly, Dan Dwyer, a car salesman, transforms into "Dan Archer." As co-founder of a local wrestling academy and the Slam! Pro Wrestling League, Dwyer has been instrumental in fostering the sport's popularity in Canberra. "You'll see me in a nice suit or polo pants," Dwyer said. "[Then] Saturday rolls around, and we're into the tights and the big gold belts." He began wrestling at 16, inspired by video games and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and aimed to create a local platform for talent.
A Hotbed for Australian Wrestling
Dwyer's efforts have paid off, with Canberra becoming a "hotbed" for wrestling. "I'd often find myself travelling up and down the highways to Sydney and parts of New South Wales to be able to wrestle in front of audience," Dwyer said. "Now [Canberra] has become quite a hotbed, where we've got people travelling from all around the country." The wrestling performances have drawn crowds of up to 2400, which Dwyer said was the largest he's experienced for an all-Australian event. He attributes the sport's appeal to the intense atmosphere and audience interaction. "You've got hundreds of people cheering for you or booing for you, wanting to see you get hurt or see you succeed," Dwyer said. "There's no other feeling you can get from other sports or hobbies."
The Reality of Risk: Battered and Bruised
Despite rigorous practice, injuries are an inherent part of wrestling. Mia Fisher, a childhood educator known as "Kitten Mask," experienced this firsthand when she broke her arm during a match. "Adrenaline is a wonderful thing," she said. "The match got called, I grabbed my arm, I straightened it out and I went out the back, and I said, 'I broke my arm'."
After nine months, two titanium plates, and 13 screws, Fisher returned to the ring. Despite the risks, her passion for wrestling remains strong. "I love how you constantly put your body on the line to entertain an audience," Fisher said. She hopes to inspire future generations to embrace the sport. "I like to think I have little kids looking up at me and thinking maybe they could do that one day too," she said. "I'm so grateful that I get to perform in front of all these people."
