Pro-wrestling can give cricket competition in Pakistan: Badshah Pehlwan Khan
French-Pakistani wrestler and 24 others, will participate in the upcoming Pre Wrestling Entertainment (PWE) in May
PHOTO:FILE
KARACHI:
Pro-wrestling is a combat sport that’s popular all around the world. Even in Pakistan, it has a large fan base. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, it was cool to be a wrestling fan and while a lot of said fans have given up on it by now, the excitement and the nostalgia is still there.
But most Pakistani fans have only watched wrestling on television or their laptops. While cricket and football are all the rage, wrestling has stayed steady and with the arrival of Pakistan’s first wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Entertainment (PWE), it is set to grow exponentially and drive thousands to the arena for a live spectacle.
The Express Tribune sat down with three of the 25 competitors who will perform in the first PWE events in May, to discuss the potential of this international art form in Pakistan. “We are happy to bring pro wrestling here and people are also excited to watch it,” said Badshah Pehlwan Khan, a Pakistani wrestler based in France. “I believe it will show the world that Pakistan is a peaceful land. PSL brought cricket back to the country and now pro wrestling is here too! It’s a good time to bring international games to Pakistan.”
Badshah, who has performed all over Europe, added, “I’m especially excited to perform in front of my own people. I want to show them this art form because it has been my longstanding desire.”
Ex-WWE stars among 25 wrestlers coming to Pakistan this May
With Badshah as the face of PWE, the wrestler is being hailed as a Pakistani hero. As professional wrestling gets more traction here, the homeboy is pumped up to see the locals get involved in it, as much as in cricket. “I want everybody to get involved with us. We will help bring PWE to new heights and Insha Allah, pro wrestling will give competition to cricket in Pakistan,” he said.
Asked as to what the audience should expect from the shows, Badshah promised there will be something for everyone. “We will have singles, tag team, triple threat and maybe even a battle royal match. So, everyone will get a taste of several things and there will be something for everybody to enjoy.”
Badshah said he would love to face Indian WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal. “People go crazy whenever there is a Pakistan-India cricket match. If that happens in wrestling, billions would be interested. Therefore, it’d be fun to wrestle Jinder. People will definitely love it.”
This man claims to be Pakistan's answer to the Hulk
PWE is not only looking to introduce pro wrestling events but also intends to establish an academy to train potential wrestlers. “After we are done with the shows, we plan to establish an academy to train people. It will take time but we are hoping it will come into being within one or two years,” explained Badshah.
Introducing himself to Pakistan in true showman style is the powerhouse Tiny Iron. “Who is Tiny Iron? He’s half-man, half-amazing. He’s got the biggest biceps: 24-inch guns blazing. Simply half-man, half-amazing, yeah!” said Tiny.
The British-born wrestler is as excited as anybody to be performing in Pakistan. “When I first got to know, I was shocked. I thought, ‘wow really?’ and it’s only when I landed at the airport that I realised I was on Pakistani soil. I felt this is happening. People have welcomed me with warmth and gratitude and I feel I’m home. I love them as much as they love me. I’m Pakistani now, bro.”
In Pakistan, bull racing a welcome distraction from insurgencies and attacks
While Tiny is a powerhouse, Algerian wrestler Yacine Osmani is a highflyer. He believes he will have the crowd’s support too. “People have supported and liked me all over Europe and I feel Pakistanis will too. I was so excited to come here! There are many Pakistanis where I live and they were all happy to know I’m going to perform in their country.” Expressing his enthusiasm, Yacine attempted a line in Urdu, which he learned from his team. “Pakistani mere dost hain. Pakistan Zindabad!” he said.
PWE’s international director Imran Shah is also optimistic about this project. “According to a research, there are more clicks on social media for pro wrestling than cricket and football. That is amazing! It shows wrestling is right on the top,” he said. “Cricket is the only option available as of now and this will change it.”
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
Pro-wrestling is a combat sport that’s popular all around the world. Even in Pakistan, it has a large fan base. Back in the 90s and early 2000s, it was cool to be a wrestling fan and while a lot of said fans have given up on it by now, the excitement and the nostalgia is still there.
But most Pakistani fans have only watched wrestling on television or their laptops. While cricket and football are all the rage, wrestling has stayed steady and with the arrival of Pakistan’s first wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Entertainment (PWE), it is set to grow exponentially and drive thousands to the arena for a live spectacle.
The Express Tribune sat down with three of the 25 competitors who will perform in the first PWE events in May, to discuss the potential of this international art form in Pakistan. “We are happy to bring pro wrestling here and people are also excited to watch it,” said Badshah Pehlwan Khan, a Pakistani wrestler based in France. “I believe it will show the world that Pakistan is a peaceful land. PSL brought cricket back to the country and now pro wrestling is here too! It’s a good time to bring international games to Pakistan.”
Badshah, who has performed all over Europe, added, “I’m especially excited to perform in front of my own people. I want to show them this art form because it has been my longstanding desire.”
Ex-WWE stars among 25 wrestlers coming to Pakistan this May
With Badshah as the face of PWE, the wrestler is being hailed as a Pakistani hero. As professional wrestling gets more traction here, the homeboy is pumped up to see the locals get involved in it, as much as in cricket. “I want everybody to get involved with us. We will help bring PWE to new heights and Insha Allah, pro wrestling will give competition to cricket in Pakistan,” he said.
Asked as to what the audience should expect from the shows, Badshah promised there will be something for everyone. “We will have singles, tag team, triple threat and maybe even a battle royal match. So, everyone will get a taste of several things and there will be something for everybody to enjoy.”
Badshah said he would love to face Indian WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal. “People go crazy whenever there is a Pakistan-India cricket match. If that happens in wrestling, billions would be interested. Therefore, it’d be fun to wrestle Jinder. People will definitely love it.”
This man claims to be Pakistan's answer to the Hulk
PWE is not only looking to introduce pro wrestling events but also intends to establish an academy to train potential wrestlers. “After we are done with the shows, we plan to establish an academy to train people. It will take time but we are hoping it will come into being within one or two years,” explained Badshah.
Introducing himself to Pakistan in true showman style is the powerhouse Tiny Iron. “Who is Tiny Iron? He’s half-man, half-amazing. He’s got the biggest biceps: 24-inch guns blazing. Simply half-man, half-amazing, yeah!” said Tiny.
The British-born wrestler is as excited as anybody to be performing in Pakistan. “When I first got to know, I was shocked. I thought, ‘wow really?’ and it’s only when I landed at the airport that I realised I was on Pakistani soil. I felt this is happening. People have welcomed me with warmth and gratitude and I feel I’m home. I love them as much as they love me. I’m Pakistani now, bro.”
In Pakistan, bull racing a welcome distraction from insurgencies and attacks
While Tiny is a powerhouse, Algerian wrestler Yacine Osmani is a highflyer. He believes he will have the crowd’s support too. “People have supported and liked me all over Europe and I feel Pakistanis will too. I was so excited to come here! There are many Pakistanis where I live and they were all happy to know I’m going to perform in their country.” Expressing his enthusiasm, Yacine attempted a line in Urdu, which he learned from his team. “Pakistani mere dost hain. Pakistan Zindabad!” he said.
PWE’s international director Imran Shah is also optimistic about this project. “According to a research, there are more clicks on social media for pro wrestling than cricket and football. That is amazing! It shows wrestling is right on the top,” he said. “Cricket is the only option available as of now and this will change it.”
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.