Posted by Rohan on 09:22:30 01/08/02:

From news.com.au -

WRESTLEMANIA invades Melbourne next week with a $1373 price tag for best access.

For three days, World Wrestling Entertainment superstars will flex their money-making muscles in activities priced between $29.95 and $750. Superstar wrestlers including The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Triple H, Undertaker and Chris Jericho, arrive in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Their inner-city hotel will be fitted with extra gym equipment and a dining room.

Most are bringing personal chefs.

On Thursday and Friday fans can meet their heroes at Fan Frenzy, eight two-hour sessions costing $45.

But only a handful of tickets are left for three sessions on August 8 and all sessions on August 9 are sold out.

The Rock, Hulk Hogan and Triple H are guests at a charity dinner for the cancer support network, Challenge. Tickets cost $250.

A pre-show hospitality function includes an appearance by five WWE superstars, buffet dinner, complimentary bar, a showbag and Russell Gilbert jokes, with tickets costing $280.

Global Warning, the main event featuring 30 WWE superstars, is priced between $29.95 and $750.

After the brawling, Fozzy, a heavy rock band fronted by WWE wrestler, Chris Jericho, plays at Festival Hall. Tickets are $48.95.

While critics often blast the WWE's money-grabbing opportunities, exorbitant freight costs, a 100-plus travelling party and wrestlers' fees means the WWE's first venture into Australia will not be too profitable.

WWE boss, Vince McMahon said: "The important part is that we are here and we are coming back on a regular basis.

"Australia is extremely important to our global brand strategy.

"This is really a kick-off event for a bigger presence in Australia."

The WWE plan includes a camp to recruit local wrestlers.

WWE live events strategist, Roger Marment, said once an Australian had become a regular, the viewing audience would grow. "We would like to find stars from around the world because that would help drive the expansion."

Herald Sun

• news.com.au