WWE has a huge fan base in India but not many are willing to take it up as a career path. Jatin Verma catches up with wrestlers Ethan Carter III, Rebel and Mahabali Shera who are in India to find country’s next wrestling superstar to bridge that gap
Back in 2013, when TNA superstar Kurt Angle came to India, there was a nation-wide talent hunt for India’s superstar to be part of TNA knockout which was named ‘Ring Ka King’. Then, Mahabali Shera defeated Sir Brutus Magnus to become the first RKK champion. In September 2014, TNA announced the signing of Shera. This time around, Sony Six and TNA have joined hands to broadcast live matches of TNA to Indian audience over a span of three days starting December 2nd. The talent search will be supported by, another famous Indian wrestler, Khali whose wrestling school in Chandigarh is the venue for the talent hunt.
Shera believes that this live event will help popularise wrestling in India, but at the same time will also give a platform to youngsters to make their name in the sport. “The live event can help us find someone like ‘The Great Khali’. Wrestling is a great sport and our nation has produced some very good wrestlers like Dara Singh — whom I idolise,” he said.
“I have seen the youth who are extremely fond of watching WWE on television and they can talk about it all day long, but what I fail to understand is why can’t they take it up as a careerIJ Is it that hard of a sport to pursueIJ” he questioned.
Shera had a message for young and upcoming wrestlers who want to take it up as a career: “Respect your body and always take care of your health. One should always workout no matter how old you are. But what I really want to convey is, don’t think that taking steroids, injections will help you. These things are not good for body and if someone offers them to you, then he is not your friend. A friend will always look after you not guide you to wrong things.”
Ethan Carter III and Rebel who are accompanying Shera, concur fully. “There is a lot of potential in India. We just need to search for it. We believe that we can find someone like Shera who has passion for the sport which is very necessary.”
Asked about her expectations and the type of wrestler they are looking for, TNA knockout superstar Tanea Brooks who goes by the name Rebel says, “I grew up watching wrestling since I was a small kid. So there is this extra love for this sport. I have been associated with it for too long. We are looking for someone, who has skills, charisma and one who has the X-factor with him which makes him different among the crowd.”
“A wrestler has three things: discipline, has to be unique and has to have a connecting factor with the audience. He/ she must be passionate about wrestling, which is very important and fearless all the time if he/she has to bring laurels to their respective nation,” said Rebel, who was a cheerleader for American Football team Dallas Cowboys. While it is entertainment for the audience, the wrestlers feel the repercussions later.
“We (wrestlers) have to take care of ourselves and our bodies. Yes, there are times when we do get injured very badly and sometimes these injuries have ruined a wrestler’s career. We should have a proper diet and workout properly without putting much strain on our bodies.” Rebel adds: “I always take Epsom salt baths to heal from injuries during a fight but there have been times when I’ve gone to a chiropractor to get myself adjusted again.”