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UPDATE on 2 October 2026: 3pm
The Phoenix Wrestling Rampage scheduled to take place on Saturday, 17 October 2026 at Stanmore Hall has been postponed, with the new date set to be announced.
However, the WWA is still heading to KwaDukuza Mall in Stanger on 19 December 2026!
Professional wrestling brings the drama back to Durban
John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker… if these names get you excited, then we have great news for you – KZN now has its own line-up of entertaining wrestlers!
All the drama, action, and behind-the-scenes build-up that made WWE so famous in America has landed in Durban, with names like Nightmare, Alex Desire, and Steve Eden gaining a following.
And if you missed out on the last World Wrestling Alliance (WWA) events, don’t worry – there’s one coming to Phoenix, Durban on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
And yes, you are allowed to pick a favourite, cheer wildly for your hero and boo the villain.
READ: What's on in Durban this October!
Wrestling is back in Durban
Professional wrestling may be synonymous with huge American promotions, but KZN has a wrestling history of its own.
According to World Wrestling Alliance’s (WWA) Shaun Naidu, live wrestling was a big draw in Durban during the 1980s, with events held at Westridge Tennis Stadium.
Eventually, the promoters stopped hosting shows, and the local wrestling scene quietened down. WWA is now working to bring that excitement back.
“We revived it before the COVID lockdown by hosting two events at Sibaya Casino and then restarted after COVID with our first event in 2024, another event in 2025 and three events already in 2026, including Oceans Mall, KwaDukuza Mall and Hotel Savera with a continuously growing support,” says Naidu.
The latest event, Wrestle Rampage, at Hotel Savera in Chatsworth in August reached full capacity.
“Wrestling fans from across KwaZulu-Natal have turned out in impressive numbers, creating an electric atmosphere and proving that professional wrestling is thriving once again,” he says.
So, what exactly is sports entertainment?
If you’ve only ever watched wrestling on television, you might be wondering what to expect when you swap the sofa for a ringside seat.
Naidu describes professional wrestling as sports entertainment, combining storylines, drama, character rivalries, and spectacular moves.
“Think of it as being the live audience of an action movie,” he says.
There are heroes to cheer, villains to boo, dramatic entrances, rivalries that build over time and, of course, the actual wrestling.
“People love the entertainment factor that professional wrestling offers. Having seen it on TV for years, people now have the opportunity to attend a live professional wrestling event at an affordable price,” says Naidu. “People want to cheer their heroes, boo their villains and be a part of an electric atmosphere.”
Meet KZN’s wrestling names
The WWA roster is developing its own collection of characters and crowd favourites.
Nightmare, real name Daryl Naidu, has become one of the audience favourites, particularly for his hardcore matches.
Then there’s Alex Desire and bad guy Steve Eden, with veteran wrestler Ananzi drawing the crowds.
Audiences are in for a treat as social media influencer That Aunty from Tongaat steps into the ring to take on her long-running rival, Steve Eden, in a TLCR - Tables, Ladders, Chairs and Rolling Pins - match!
This is one you’ve got to see.
What you need to know
If you’ve missed out so far, you have a chance to catch up with the next chapter of the WWA story coming to Durban!
- Event: Phoenix Wrestling Rampage
- Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
- Times: Arena opens at 3pm | Bell rings at 6pm
- Venue: Stanmore Hall, 213 Grove End Drive, Phoenix, Durban
- Tickets: R100 from Ticketpro
There’s another event on the 2026 calendar, with WWA heading back to KwaDukuza Mall in Stanger on 19 December.
So warm up those vocal cords, choose your hero and prepare to boo the villain.
We'll catch you ringside, Durban, for a night of entertainment.
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