Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation holds 40th anniversary event in Lagos

The Nigerian Pro Wrestling Federation’s 40 year anniversary may have come and gone but its memories linger on. It was indeed an anniversary as lots of dignitaries that the federation honored by creating belts in their name attended the timely championship. The wrestlers had lots of fanfare, glamour and a sense of reunion since we have not had any pro wrestling championships in recent times.

Dignitaries at the event, who were numerous, came from all over as we had 18 awardees too from government and private sectors for their contributions to the pro wrestling development around the Nigerian nation though not all of them were able to make it to the venue.

After all the arrivals of guests and dignitaries who were well introduced, there was an opening prayer before the Nigerian National Anthem was recited after the president, High Chief John Uche, presented his welcome address where he eulogized the wrestlers that have made waves locally, nationally and internationally over the years while also encouraging the upcoming ones to be up and doing. While giving his opening speech at the event, which was tagged; “Thanksgiving Championship”, the NPWF President said Nigeria deserves more dedicated leaders who have sports in mind.

“These people have given much to sports development in Nigeria and deserved the honours. There are many talents we have not explored because there are no adequate sport centers in the country. Wrestling has suffered because investors have refused to see the entertainment part of it. But, we thank God today that the view has changed and we are going international,” he stated.

Belts were unveiled by the dignitaries as they were made in honor of some of them. NPWF used the event to honour some prominent Nigerians for their role and contribution towards the development of professional wrestling in Nigeria just as the federation also proposed to raise N500 million for a new multipurpose sports center at the 40th anniversary celebrations.

Some of the awardees were: Chief Martin Agbaso, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya (a.k.a MC Oluomo), former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Ahmed Lawal, Chairman National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Alhaji Buba Marwa, Lt. General Azubuike lhejirika, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, and the Managing Director, Sun Publishing Company, Mr Onuoha Ukeh.

Martin Ubaha, known around the Nigerian and worldwide wrestling arenas as the Banilux Bulldog, who is based in Scotland and who is the king of Scotland Pro Wrestling, came all the way from Scotland to witness the timely championship and in support of the activities of NPWF, he donated a camcorder for the use of the federation.

The event also featured wrestling competitions in different categories. The eye opening first contest featured Flying Dank vs Mighty Progress which was a keenly contested fight that ended in a time limit draw.

The second bout was an African international contest featuring Major Ariba of Nigeria and USA BING of DR Congo. The belt that was contested for in this bout was tagged the Chief Martin Agbaso International Championship Belt and the belt was clinched by USA BING from Congo after beating Major Ariba in a flawless match. The Congolese Community members from Lagos and other states in Nigeria took over lifting USA BING high and carrying him around the arena to show how happy they were with his performance.

USA Bing (in navy blue to the right of large DRC flag) is greeted by members of the Congolese community in Lagos

The third bout featured Super Rosco and Mighty Man in a ladder title fight which was a sight to behold by Nigerian fans. It was keenly contested in and outside of the ring and Mighty Man won against Super Rosco in the International Heavyweight Championship when he was able to make use of the ladder to get the belt hanged on it. According to Mighty Man, he is eyeing the African Championship. “My winning showed that I am well prepared and I had to win for my fans,” he stated.

When the women’s title fight was announced, I felt disappointed that it was a mismatch as Alexandra De Queen and Stylish J were not matched well size-wise but Alexandra proved me wrong and showed that it is not all about size. All efforts of Stylish J to beat Alexandra proved abortive as the bigger, muscular, heavier Stylish J ended up in a time limit draw with Alexandra and the women’s title belt is still vacant but will probably be up for grabs at the next championship.

I am looking forward to many more championships in Nigeria as this would draw the crowd to attend championships and we can then attain the previous status of pro wrestling in our part of the world in the 1980s where tickets would have been sold out in thousands few weeks before the event.

We will have more coverage of this event coming in the near future to Wrestlemap.com!