Baadshah upstages Carlito

KARACHI: France-based Baadshah Pehalwan Khan, Pakistan’s sole professional wrestler, won the hearts of Karachiites when he upstaged former WWC universal heavyweight champion Carlito after a sensational fight in the first-ever international professional wrestling competitions here at the KMC Sports Complex on Wednesday night.

Backed by Pakistani fans, Khan exhibited remarkable talent against the 38-year-old Puerto Rico wrestler.

As soon as referee Wade Barret, a former WWE star, raised Khan’s hand, Carlito attacked him from behind which also infuriated Wade, who knocked him down with a heavy punch before leaving the arena.

Yacine Osmani of Algeria defeated former five-time ICW Italian champion Fabio Ferrari with around 2000 audience in attendance — most of the seats of the general enclosure lay empty.

It was indeed a tough fight with both the wrestlers demonstrating their best.

Yacine has appeared in 39 fights in his pro career, won 16 and lost 23.

In other encounters, Ireland-born Adam Flex Maxted ousted two-time BPW tag-team champion Aaron Rammy and Omen of the USA got the better of Bambikiller of Austria, a former world heavyweight champion whose original name is Chris Rabber.

In the handicap fight, England’s Tiny Iron, who has a lot of fans in Pakistan, defeated the pair of Tango and Fury.

Tiny, a former FFCP world heavyweight champion, showed his tremendous strength as a fighter.

Meanwhile, Mickey Trash and Starbuck outsmarted Bernard Vandamme and Prince Zefy through DQ.

In the exciting women tag team contest, Angel’s Bombita defeated Audrey Bride and Betty Trash.

WWE renowned announcer Melissa Santos hosted the event.

Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar also graced the occasion.

Pro Wrestling Entertainment (PWE) led by Pir Asim Ali Shah, organised the show.

Tight security arrangements had been made for the competitions, which were originally planned to be held at the Hockey Club of Pakistan but the administration decided against handing over the venue for the purpose after media highlighted that it would damage the turf.

Around two dozen wrestlers from around 20 nations dazzled the stage. No proper arrangements had been made for media and the hot weather added to the journalists woes, particularly the television cameramen who covered the event for several hours without being treated properly by the organizers, who exchanged some hot words with a television reporter.

After doing some shopping here, the wrestlers flew to Lahore on Thursday evening to entertain the fans at the Al Hamra Cultural Centre Gaddafi Stadium on Friday (today). It will be followed by the final show at the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad on Sunday.