Australian WWE superstar Grayson Waller has declared it is inevitable that the global juggernaut will return to Perth following the record breaking success of the Elimination Chamber at Optus Stadium in February.

More than 52,000 packed into Optus Stadium as Australia’s Rhea Ripley retained her championship in the main event and Waller hosted his interview segment “The Grayson Waller Effect” alongside headliners Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.

WWE announced it was the most watched Elimination Chamber event ever and also recorded the largest attendance.

The WA government has expressed a desire to bring the WWE back and, with the company’s owners TKO also in charge of UFC, Waller said Perth was an ideal location for more live shows.

“Most of the feedback I got from the roster was that they loved the experience because not only did they get to do the show but they got to experience Australian culture. I think everyone wants to come back and experience that again,” Waller told The West Australian.

“I know the tourism board in Perth would love to have us back. We’d love to be back. Especially with the UFC - I know the UFC is all over Australia.

“With combat sports doing so well, I think it’s inevitable that it’s going to be happening.”

Australian wrestling boomed throughout 2024. Waller had the biggest moment of his career when he was crowned as tag team champion alongside Austin Theory at Wrestlemania, South Australia’s Bronson Reed became key part of huge storylines and Ripley maintained her spot as one of the WWE’s figureheads despite being sidelined for extended periods with injury.

Ripley will be the star attraction for WWE’s first show on Netflix next week when she confronts Liv Morgan for the WWE Women’s Championship.

Their success has produced bigger crowds at Australian independent shows. Waller said he’d never forget performing at Optus Stadium.

“It was awesome,” he said.

“Obviously getting to have all of my mates and my family there was really cool. Seth Rollins’ entry takes about 27 minutes by the time he does all of his conducting, so I had a lot of time to stand in the ring.

“I remember Theory actually grabbed me at one stage and kind of said ‘hey man, take the moment and look.’ Going from wrestling in front of 20 people in a shed in Newcastle in NSW to being in front of 52,000 people was very cool. I’m glad WWE got to show out in Australia properly.”

The State Government said last year’s WWE Elimination Chamber generated $36.2 million for the WA economy.

And in October Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti revealed there was interest in seeing the extravaganza return to Perth, saying: “We’re constantly pursuing these types of unique and exclusive events that attract visitors to our beautiful State, particularly ones that we know are incredibly popular like UFC and WWE.”

* All WWE shows will be broadcast in Australia on Netflix from January 7 with Raw, Smackdown, NXT and Premium Live Events all available to watch.