A SATURDAY in spring at the MCG. For boyhood Bluebagger Buddy Murphy, that may have previously held the dream of an AFL premiership. 

However, October 6 2018 marked Murphy’s crowning moment. In front of 70,000 people, the hometown hero became the first Australian to win WWE gold. 

Carlton’s influence on the newest Cruiserweight Champion is evident. His real name Matthew Adams, Buddy’s ‘ring name’ takes inspiration from Carlton’s own Marc Murphy. 

At Ikon Park for the first time in 15 years on Friday, Murphy said there was no choice involved for him and his brother. 

“I’m a massive fan. I was made to become a Carlton fan by the old man,” Murphy said.

“I love it and I’ve got my long-sleeved guernsey back in Florida, so it’s a little too warm to wear it.”


Buddy Murphy, with his Cruiserweight Championship, at Ikon Park. (Photo: Carlton Media)

‘Buddy’ also highlighted Craig Bradley, Chris Judd, Stephen Kernahan, Matthew Lappin, Stephen Silvagni and now Patrick Cripps as his favourite Blues. 

However, he can’t look past Carlton’s No.3 — the number which features on the back of Buddy's new Blues guernsey.

“Not surprisingly, Marc Murphy was a bit of an inspiration for me, which has now come into my wrestling career,” Buddy said.

“Patrick Cripps is an absolute gun and he’s probably my favourite at the moment. 

“Just watching the guys perform, I can appreciate them a lot more now being an athlete. What they do is brutal.”


Buddy Murphy has a kick on the hallowed turf in his new No.3 Carlton guernsey. (Photo: Carlton Media)

A football devotee at a young age, he played for the Narre Warren Magpies — Murphy was quick to admit he wasn’t a fan of the guernsey. 

His hectic schedule will see him in Saudi Arabia, Chile and - of course - the United States over the coming months. He admits it’s a workload not entirely conducive to watching Carlton games, but his AFL Global Pass gets used frequently.

“I try and keep up to date with it as long as possible, but unfortunately the games start at 1am and 5am,” Murphy said.

“When I do cardio, I watch the replays and keep up to date as much as I can. The AFL Global Pass gets a bit of a workout.”

Murphy said that while touring Ikon Park on Friday was memorable, his win at WWE Super Show Down was the amazing moment.

“It’s awesome to come see the players and see what they do on a daily basis. At the WWE Performance Centre, I went through the daily grind,” Murphy said.

“Performing in front of 70,000 people should be pretty scary in itself… I’m living the dream.”

Due to fly back to the other side of the world this weekend, he said he’d continue to keep tabs on the Blues — and try to make his fellow WWE Superstars bound by blue.

“I try and get the other WWE Superstars and my fiancé to watch it, but for some reason they like the NFL,” Murphy said.

“I have to talk about it with my dad and brother. Every day we’re talking about trades. It’s the best sport in the world.”