After 17 years in the pro wrestling business, Brad Jones could be forgiven for hanging up his belt.
But the former wrestler, writer and now promoter is still as plucky as ever in his bid to bring the theatrical sport to the Northern Territory.
"It's the only place in all of Australia that doesn't have its own homegrown wrestling promotion and that's what we're trying to do here," Mr Jones, also known as "The All-Star", said.
"The audience is in on the secret. They've come to see a show and they've come to see the most unique show in the world."
Wrestlers line up to rumble
Having recently moved to Darwin, Mr Jones has begun training a steady stream of novice and seasoned wrestlers at a local community space, as they prepare to enter the arena for a string of shows in the dry season.
Mr Jones will use his contacts and know-how to source a ring and a venue, and is hoping to fly in national stars to mix it with homegrown talent.
For many of the participants it's their first time testing out their piledriver or chokeslam, despite a childhood spent watching WWE heroes Randy Orton and John Cena.
"If I see that I actually do have potential in becoming a wrestler … I will stick to it and dedicate myself to it," 21-year-old Nik Kampourakis said.
"Hopefully I'll be the next Randy Orton or something.
"Or hopefully the next Nik, you never know."
Better red than dead, Gingero says
More experienced wrestler Corey Reichstein goes by the stage name "Gingero".
"I am the defender of all things ginger. So, Pauline Hanson, red-headed kids, Ronald McDonald, I defend all them," he said.
"I'm just the defender of all things ginger.
"I come to the ring with my bright orange mask on, my bright orange sexy tights.
"Gingers cop heaps but, luckily, I'm a face and the crowd's all like 'Gingero! Gingero!'."
Darwin to be slammed by spectacle
Mr Jones believes Darwin is ready to get behind the spectacle.
"I think the Northern Territory has a different culture to the rest of Australia," he said.
It's very laid back, it's very relaxed and the people like to go out, particularly in the dry season.
"I just want to jump in on that and hopefully they'll embrace it," he said.
He said he hoped the competition would kick off in Darwin as early as April or May.
