Wrestling fans got more than they expected when a Hulk Hogan press conference ended in a bloody brawl with his veteran rival "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
After tackling Hogan off the stage while he was promoting his Hulkamania tour of Australia, Flair let the punches fly before being pulled away from his rival.
The press conference and staged fight kicked off the Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin tour, which will see Hogan step into a ring in Australia for the first time in his 31-year career.
Hogan appeared to fare the worst. He was carried away with a bloody face.
He earlier praised Australian fans for their loyalty over the years, particularly throughout his public divorce from wife Linda.
"They've stuck with me through the highs and lows," he told reporters before the brawl broke out at the Star City Casino in Sydney on Wednesday.
"In the last couple of years my personal life got flipped upside-down and the fans stayed with me through everything, so what better place to start over than right here."
The six-time WWE Champion will be up against long-time rival and 16-time world heavyweight champion Flair in the highly anticipated match.
"Two guys are going to walk down that aisle," Flair said.
"One will walk back. I've never, ever not made it back down that aisle."
The staged fights and fake blood are a normal sight for fans of professional wrestling, and Wednesday's audience of up to 200 fans along with media were not disappointed.
Kate, from Penrith in Sydney's west, had been waiting since 8am (AEDT) to see the wrestling stars.
"Wrestling's awesome. Some of my favourite wrestlers are here for the tour," Kate said.
Ben Coles from the Australian Wrestling Federation said he couldn't wait to see the headlining Hogan vs Flair match.
"It'll be two of the greatest of the greats in the ring together," Coles said.
Guy, from Kingsgrove, agreed.
"I've been waiting 25 years for Hogan to come to Australia. I'm so happy to finally see him here."
The Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin tour starts in Melbourne on November 21, before travelling to Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.
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