Posted by Mike Sheahan on 08:42:55 17/05/02:

Credit : Herald Sun
The Rock is ready to roll
By NUI TE KOHA
16may02

WRESTLING superstar The Rock is ready to rumble at Colonial Stadium in August.

Promoters of the Global Warning tour - a band of brawling beefcake and babes from the World Wrestling Entertainment stable - will confirm The Rock's presence today.
His inclusion follows weeks of speculation and extensive billboard advertising without The Rock's image. WWE live events strategist Roger Marment told the Herald Sun the line-up for August 10 includes The Rock, Triple H, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Mark Henry and Chris Jericho.

It is considered a coup to have The Rock on a touring bill, given his status in the wrestling ring and more recently, as a bona-fide box office smash at the movies.

His action film Scorpion King has been a No. 1 hit in the US and Australia. "The Rock is an action superstar and box office gold right now," says Paul Degarabedian, of the Hollywood box office tracking firm, Exhibitor Relations.

However, the chance to see wrestling heroes up close will cost top dollar.

A so-called Diamond Circle -- 1500 seats closest to the action -- will sell for $750 each.

Platinum, a section behind the ringside seats, are $275 each. Other ticket prices range from $199.95 for second-level premium seating, to $29.95, in an area promoters describe as the "end zone".

Promoters have pre-empted ticket price queries with an explanation on a Ticketmaster website.

"The production scale of this event is enormous and accordingly it is a very expensive show to bring to Australia," it reads. "It comes complete with two huge specially designed stage structures, a huge sound system, state of the art lighting, pyrotechnics, non-stop action and the world famous superstars of WWE."

Marment said the Colonial Stadium date was a "kick off event for a bigger WWE presence in Australia". Wrestling addicts will be able to meet their heroes at autograph-signing events planned in the three days before August 10.

"At the end of the day, the fans want to meet the talent. So by arriving into Melbourne a few days in advance, it gives us that chance," Marment said.

Marment and WWE president Vince McMahon are also firming plans for a boot-camp style program for local wrestlers aspiring to the big league.