Tag: The Magazine
Feature: What Happened to Australian Wrestling?
by Suzan Ryan on Dec.14, 2011, under Features, The Magazine
 |
 |
| BIG Huss is aptly named, but his girth has nothing to do with beer and doughnuts. The hulking, gym-toned, fake-tanned wrestler is on tonight’s bill at the Maltese Cultural Centre in the back blocks of Melbourne’s western suburbs.
His opponent, Josh Shooter, is still in his street clothes—somewhat snug footy shorts and a singlet. He tugs on the singlet so frequently that it’s hard not to feel anxious when near him. Like a rubber band drawn to its limits, it seems plausible that Josh might snap at any moment. “The only reason we don’t kick each other’s teeth in is because we want to do this five days a week,” says Shooter, the current Heavyweight Champion of local Victorian promotion New Age Wrestling (NAW). “It’s just all about business.” NAW is just one of dozens of small wrestling promotions currently operating throughout Australia. It regularly stages shows at Melbourne community halls, RSL clubs and pubs. The average grappler can make around $100 per bout. “A lot of guys understand that wrestling here is either a part-time or casual job, and they treat it as such,” says Mark Mercedes, co-promoter of NSW-based promotion IWA Pro-Wrestling. “But the guys who are more serious about it try to make money elsewhere.” Mercedes is one of the few Australians in recent times to get anywhere near the big stages—and big money—of American wrestling. In the 1990s, he performed in front of tens of thousands of people on the same bills as US legends such as Hulk Hogan, Paul ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Orndorff and the Junkyard Dog. Mercedes tells us that timing is as vital as talent when it comes to finding fame in the USA, citing the career of Aussie wrestler Peter Stilsbury, aka Outback Jack, as an example. “Back in the days of WCW [World Championship Wrestling] and Outback Jack, they were looking for very gimmicky wrestlers, and Outback Jack’s gimmick came with [the success of] Crocodile Dundee. It was the right place and the right time. When you’re trying to break overseas, unless you’re over there [in America], constantly in their face, it’s very easy to be forgotten.” |
 |
| Florida Championship Wrestling is the official feeder organisation for American juggernaut World Wrestling Entertainment. Aspiring WWE wrestlers pay up to US$1000 for an annual four-day training and evaluation clinic with hopes of landing a very lucrative development contract with the multimillion-dollar company.
“WWE is not going to worry about going overseas and looking for talent when [it's] got so much happening in America,” says wrestling historian Barry York. “America’s population is more than 10 times ours, so it’s reasonable to think there is 10 times as many up-and-coming pro wrestlers there. “And the Australian market isn’t that significant. If they had a guy who entered the ring with a slouch hat or a boomerang, it might make it a bit more interesting for an Australian audience, but they’re not going to stop watching if there’s no Australian in the WWE. So there’s no great economic incentive to recruit from the Australian talent pool, which must be very frustrating for locals.” While the US is pro wrestling’s financial promised land, it’s not the only option for Aussie grapplers with international aspirations. New Japan Pro Wrestling, which is screened during primetime on Japan’s Asahi TV, is actually more popular with purists than the American product, mainly because it values athleticism over soap-opera acting skills. Melbourne wrestler, Krackerjack, whose body looks like it’s been through a mincer thanks to the ultra-violent barbed-wire matches he’s been involved in, spent some time in Japan in 2005. “Wrestling is a national pastime in Japan,” Krackerjack tells Penthouse. “It’s not as counter-cultural as it is in Australia. It’s been popular ever since the end of World War II, so [Japan] has its own legends of the business over there. “They do shows that regularly draw 20,000 people and even the small independent shows I was working were getting 500 to 1000, and they were running those shows three or four times a week.” |
 |
| Pro wrestling in Australia wasn’t always so “counter-cultural”. In the 1960s and ’70s, promoters capitalised on the post-war migration from Europe, creating ethnic heroes such as Spiros Arion and Mario Milano. When Barry York attended bouts at Melbourne’s Festival Hall as a teenager, he remembers the venue was often packed to capacity.
Consequently, World Championship Wrestling Australia was established and shown on TV from 1964, taking wrestling to the mainstream. Ron Miller, who co-owned WCWA from 1976, says Channel Nine chose to drop wrestling from its schedule at the end of 1978, thanks in part to its interest in World Series Cricket. This decision triggered local promotions to fold, and while some continued to stage events at small clubs in the 1980s, things were never the same again. Back at the Maltese Cultural Centre, better known tonight as the ‘NAW Arena’, a colourful cast of oddballs make flamboyant entrances to the ring, accompanied by cheesy hard-rock theme music. The two standouts tonight are Iron Horse Morrison, an Andre the Giant-type brute with the fluency of movement of a slasher-flick goon, and Mickey ‘Fantabulous’ Jackson, a showboating pretty boy who grabs a female audience member’s drink and erotically pours it all over himself as he climbs into the squared circle. The hundred or so hardcore fans snap photos with everything from high-end SLRs to smartphones, and clearly enjoy themselves as they cheer on the heroes and heckle the villains. BIG Huss and Josh Shooter demonstrate athleticism and genuine technical skill befitting the main event, and the ebullient atmosphere of the crowd conveys that this evening has been a fun night out, and 15 bucks well spent. While wrestling for the NAW won’t make these guys household names or wealthy superstars, they will keep competing for as long as they can, because while Australian wrestling may be down on the canvas, it’s not ready to tap out just yet… |
Inside the November 2011 issue
by Suzan Ryan on Oct.19, 2011, under Current Issue
Australian Penthouse November 2011 is out now!
Get the November issue of Australian Penthouse for the latest on who’s hot and what’s happening in your world today.
THE BABES
November 2011 Pet of the Month and 2009 Pet of the Year, Emma Gibbs; British sexsation EMMA; bath-tub vixen BAILEY; girl-next-door BREE VICTORIA; American stars BREA BENNETT + CODI MILO (MAX and Black Label only); the iconic and sensual SASHA GREY; January 1994 Pet of the Month ALICIA DUVALL; pneumatic European star INEZ; & a sizzling sexual trifecta of REBECA LINARES, KENZI MARIE & ROB (Black Label only)
THE ARTICLES
KEVIN J ANDERSON
Author of more than 100 novels (and 47 best sellers), including adaptations based on Star Wars and The X-Files, Kevin J. Anderson may live in a castle, but his feet remain firmly planted in reality
BUNKER HUNTERS
During WWII, the Nazis built thousands of defensive bunkers throughout occupied areas. Penthouse joins The Hague Bunker Squad on a night mission to dig up a piece of history
EVEL KNIEVEL
It’s been four years since the 20th century’s greatest stuntman took his last breath, and 30 years since Knievel first blew our minds with his balls and bravery
POWERLIFTING
The national powerlifting scene is undergoing a rebirth. Dominic Cadden examines the sport’s appeal and speaks with the men who live to lift iron
ROCK STAR MELTDOWNS
From substance abuse to mysterious deaths, Penthouse reveals eight rock stars who succumbed to the sex, drugs and rock’n’roll lifestyle, and paid the ultimate price
THE ULTIMATE WING GIRL
Creator of The Wing Girl Method DVD series and The Playbook of What Women Want, Marni Kinrys knows a thing or two about how to pick up women
HOME AND AWAY
Aussie comedian Doodleburger has gone from full-time tradie to internet sensation with his in-your-face style of humour that transformed Home and Away’s Alf Stewart from lovable rogue to foul-mouthed villain. Penthouse chats with Doodleburger about his rise to online stardom
RAMPAGING BULL
The new Lamborghini Aventador is sure to impress with its size, style and speed, but is this too much of a good thing?
GEAR: SPY STUFF
You don’t need ‘00’ status or access to Q to get your hands on James Bond’s gear. Check out these tech-savvy items for the super sleuth within
ALLIE HAZE
American porn star Allie Haze is on the fast track to superstardom. The sexy brunette recently signed a contract with US company Vivid, and has been chosen to play legendary erotic film character Emmanuelle…
SUBSCRIBE NOW and SAVE!
http://www.australianpenthouse.com.au/index.php?page_id=40
Inside the October 2011 issue
by swerve on Sep.13, 2011, under Current Issue, The Magazine
Australian Penthouse October 2011 is out now!
Get the October issue of Australian Penthouse for the latest on who’s hot and what’s happening in your world today.
THE BABES
October 2011 Pet of the Month and 2011 Aussie Babes winner NIKITA SAGE; AYLIN; MAUREEN; LELA STAR + CELESTE STAR; BRITTANY; JUELZ VENTURA; PRIYA RAI; LUCY & MICK
THE ARTICLES
GEORGE PELECANOS
George Pelecanos is hot property. One of the writers behind HBO TV series The Wire, his new crime novel, The Cut, is garnering rave reviews. Described by Stephen King as “the greatest living crime writer”, Pelecanos discusses his new book, researching the drug trade, and the greatest job he ever had: as a salesman at a women’s shoe store
SPIRIT OF IRELAND
Poitín is a legendary Irish moonshine discovered by monks in the Middle Ages and banned by the Irish Government since the 17th century. We meet the men who make Ireland’s most coveted spirit
CRAZY BEAUTIFUL
“Crazy in the head, crazy in bed” goes the saying. Penthouse analyses why rational men find hard-to-manage women so damn compelling
HORNYWOOD
We reveal the most unforgettable Hollywood sirens who rebelled against on-screen censorship to secure their position as sex symbols and cinema legends
AUGMENTED HUMANITY
When it comes to the wonderful world of augmented humanity, robots, androids and cyborgs reign supreme. Penthouse locks down eight of the best in TV and film
BLACK & WHITE & SEX
Black & White & Sex is a bold Australian film that aims to eradicate stereotypes about sex workers. The main character, Angie, is played by eight actresses, each representing a different facet of her personality as she is interviewed about her profession. Penthouse speaks with writer/director John Winter about why making a movie about sex creates so much fuss
VALVE CORPORATION
Doug Lombardi, Vice President of Marketing at Valve Corporation, reveals how one of the world’s most respected videogame developers manages its creative minds
GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED
The Goodwood Festival of Speed has become one of the world’s largest motorsport events. Not a bad achievement for what is effectively a blast up an old bloke’s front drive
EARL MILLER
A founding photographer of Penthouse, hand-picked by Bob Guccione, Earl Miller is celebrating 40 years in the business. Earl shares his stories of ladies, lust and life behind the lens exclusively with Australian Penthouse
ANA POLINA
Marc Dorcel contract star Anna Polina is taking the European porn scene by storm. The 21-year-old stunner discusses making adult movies in 3D and what she’s learned from the biz so far…
SUBSCRIBE NOW and SAVE!
Feature article: Comic Book $uperheroes
by Meg on Dec.07, 2010, under Features
From Superman and Tintin to our very own The Phantom, mint comics can prove a solid investment.
Illustration: Oliver Bland Continue reading “Feature article: Comic Book $uperheroes” »
Feature: Nine Lives – The Wild Blue Yonder
by Meg on May.18, 2010, under Features, The Magazine
Some of the world’s most dangerous jobs are carried out right here in Australia. Denise Mooney meets the men who risk everything at their 9 to 5
Around the world, aircraft pilots feature prominently in fatality statistics. Last year, 30 people died while carrying out aerial work, flight training or working on private flights, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
Fergus Ponder is a flight instructor with Becker Helicopters on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, but during the summer season he’ll be fighting bushfires in Queensland and New South Wales. Up until last year, the pilot was based in the US city of Chicago, where he spent most of the year fighting fires from Florida all the way to Montana. The former stockman became a helicopter pilot 13 years ago, after a visit to America. “From the first moment we got translational lift, I knew it was exactly the right fit,” he says. The 42-year-old has since flown Agusta A-109s, R22s and, his favourite, the Sikorsky S-58T.
When you’re fighting fires, the dangers include strong winds and downdraughts, and low flying near treetops. “You put yourself in these situations,” Ponder tells us. “If you think too much about it, you’re in the wrong job.”
But some days you have no choice, like the day he was preparing to make a drop in the Sawtooth Mountains in Montana. “I messed it up,” he says plainly. “I started to descend too quickly. I did a fast turn and the next thing you know, down it comes.” The helicopter dropped about 15 metres, but luckily not all the way to the trees. “Your stomach comes up into your mouth. In the moments following it, you start thinking about family and whether it’s really worth it. As fun as it is, there is that inherent danger.”
There are always pilots who don’t make it home from work: “A few years ago in northern California, the guys on the next helipad to us got tasked with a mission. We could have got it, but they did. They were delivering cargo to some crew on the hill. He put his load down in a clearing, but he drifted and bumped into a tree. It can happen.”
Dealing with events like this can be difficult. Ponder always calls his wife. “She knows when I’m going through a tough time, and she’ll talk me through it.” To be a good pilot, you need to be a glass-half-full type of guy who doesn’t think too much about what can go wrong. “I just get a buzz from flying,” smiles Ponder. “I always start singing. I get a lot of satisfaction from it.”
Feature: Nine Lives – The Black Hole
by Meg on May.05, 2010, under Features, The Magazine
Some of the world’s most dangerous jobs are carried out right here in Australia. Denise Mooney meets the men who risk everything at their 9 to 5
In 2006, the world held its breath as miners Todd Russell and Brant Webb became trapped after part of a mine in Beaconsfield, Tasmania collapsed. About 130,000 Australians work in mining, and it ranks highly among the worlds most dangerous professions. In worldwide comparisons, mining and quarrying had the highest fatality rates in most countries, including Australia.
What Chris Cheal doesn’t know about mining could probably fit on the back of a postage stamp. For 15 years, he has been mining and prospecting opals in Lightning Ridge in outback New South Wales. It’s wild west country, where a bloke can still peg a claim and have a go. Tumbling opal prices have made miners reluctant to sell their gems, so Cheal has been working three 12-hour shifts a week in a coal mine to supplement his income.
You’ve got to know your stuff working with drill rigs, diggers and agitators. Cheal once came a cropper when a hydraulic digger weighing more than a tonne fell on top of him. Luckily, he escaped with just an arm injury. Miners have died and lost limbs in this environment. He says the first time he climbed down an underground shaft was challenging. “It was a weird feeling,” he reveals. “But once I was on the ground, it didn’t worry me. A cave-in would be the worst. We climb down shafts that are up to 90 feet [27m] deep.”
Cheal has since learnt to look after himself while working his claim: “It’s dangerous if you take short cuts. If you do, sooner or later you’re going to get hurt. It’s only a matter of time, and there are no second chances.” Despite the risks, Cheal loves what he does. Coal mining pays well and opal mining could make him rich one day. “It’s pretty exciting because you don’t know what you’re going to come home with.”
Feature: Nine Lives – The Briny Deep
by Meg on May.05, 2010, under Features, The Magazine
Some of the world’s most dangerous jobs are carried out right here in Australia. Denise Mooney meets the men who risk everything at their 9 to 5
Millions have been enthralled by television shows like Deadliest Catch and Trawlermen, fascinated by the dramas of working on the high seas. But fishermen are not the only ones taking risks to earn a buck. In 2006, 270 people died on the job in Australia. The industries with the highest number of deaths were farming, forestry, fishing, transportation and construction.
Discovery Channel’s hit show about Alaskan fishermen isn’t called Deadliest Catch for nothing. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, fishing at sea is the most dangerous occupation in the world, with an estimated 24,000 people dying each year, out of a total 15 million workers. That’s 65 a day. And there’s little evidence to suggest these numbers are decreasing.
John Hammond, a rock lobster and king crab fisherman from Tasmania, is a fan of the show and says it paints a realistic picture of life at sea. His two fishing boats spend weeks at a time in the most dangerous waters in Australia, off the west coast of Tasmania. “We work in similar weather to the crab fishermen in Alaska,” he says. “We regularly get winds of 60 or 70 knots out there.”
The 59-year-old is one of only a handful of operators to fish these seas during rough weather. Reduced quotas mean the crew will try and pull in the big catches while the price is high in winter. Despite the treacherous conditions and a few “close shaves”, Hammond hasn’t lost anyone, though others have perished over the years: “It’s only a matter of time before you get a flogging.”
Hammond’s boats travel up to 40 nautical miles out from shore, so when a storm hits there’s no chance of making it to safety. Instead, they drop anchor and wait until it passes. “You’re bouncing up and down all night, jumping five or six metres,” Hammond tells Penthouse. “It’s like being on a big dipper.”
Huge rogue waves are a fisherman’s worst nightmare. Hauling 100kg lobster pots from the sea bed at one o’clock in the morning is not for wimps. “It’s very physically demanding. When you’re in the dark in the heavy weather, you can’t see the big waves. The boat’s rolling around violently, and it can be zero degrees with winds of 20 or 30 knots.”
Hammond’s 25-year-old son is the fourth generation to work in the family’s 100-year-old business. Recent economic woes have seen local tradies turn to fishing, but Hammond says they don’t usually last long: “You need to be brought up to it.” Hammond spends a lot of time taking care of his boats, checking alarms, diesel and electrics. It could sink in 15 minutes if something goes wrong. “We’re out here by ourselves, so if something goes pear-shaped there’s no-one to save you.”
Inside the April 2010 Issue
by Meg on Apr.09, 2010, under The Magazine
Australian Penthouse April 2010 is out now!
Get the April issue of Australian Penthouse for the latest on who’s hot and what’s happening in your world today.
THE BABES
Pet of the Month CASSIDY CRUISE; EVA; NIKKI AND VANESSA; EMMI; TAYLOR; JUNSTINA; BROOKE AND BARRET; CHARLIE.
Inside the March 2010 Issue
by Suzan Ryan on Feb.17, 2010, under The Magazine
Australian Penthouse April 2010 is out now!
Get the April issue of Australian Penthouse for the latest on who’s hot and what’s happening in your world today.
THE BABES
Bathing beauty STELLA STARR; Melbourne babe BAILEY BANKS; Darwin hottie KEISHA; porn megastars JANINE LINDEMULDER & KAYDEN KROSS (MAX & Black Label only); March Pet of the Month AYVA; beach beauty BARBORA; sexy redhead BIANCA; and hot couple CASSIDEY & ERIK (Black Label only).
Inside the February 2010 Issue
by admin on Jan.20, 2010, under Current Issue, The Magazine
Australian Penthouse February 2010 issue is out now!
Get the February issue of Australian Penthouse for the latest on who’s hot and what’s happening in your world today.
THE BABES
The divine ROXY DEVILLE; Sydney pole-dancing babe SUZIE Q; the lovely YANNAH; porn addicts TRISTAN KINGSLEY & ALEXIS LOVE (MAX and Black Label only); our February Pet of the Month JAIME MACKENZIE; British glamour model GEMMA MASSEY; true romantic LUCILLA; beach babes BIANCA & PETRA; and kinky couple KIARA & ROCCO (Black Label only). Continue reading “Inside the February 2010 Issue” »
Get our email newsletter!
Subscribe now to receive our free weekly online newsletter! Get our hot newsletter every Friday. Sign up now!Follow us on
Got a question?
Do you have a question you’d like to ask the magazine staff or the Australian Penthouse community? Whether you want to discover who was the on the cover of the June 1982 issue or where your subscriber DVD is, let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
Subscribe to our RSS Feed