Pro Wrestling Society hits the mat in Pyeongtaek
Pro Wrestling Society
By Jon Dunbar
For too long, pro wrestling fans in Korea have had to settle for big-name international events, usually watched through TV. But
aims to bring pro wrestling back to Korea.
“I remember my grandfather always told me about how he used to enjoy Korean pro wrestling during the 1960s and 1970s _ he was a big fan of the legendary Chun Gyu-deok,” Shiho the Red Fox, a member of PWS, told The Korea Times. “Korean pro wrestling was one of the major sports by back then. The younger generations are very familiar with WWE, but not so familiar with Korean pro wrestling. It is our goal to shape Korean pro wrestling culture for our generation.”
PWS is having its first event in Korea this Sunday at the PWS Gymnasium in Pyeongtaek, offering six matches which have been announced slowly, one by one. Most of the wrestlers are Koreans and foreign residents, but some are coming in especially for this event. They'll be fighting in a ring crafted in the U.S. and shipped to Korea by sea.
The matches so far include a triple threat match in which three opponents square off, and a women's match.
Jo Kyung-ho, up against Gustav and Leo Lebuff, is cavalier about taking on two opponents at once. “Ha ha, what do you think we are? We're wrestlers,” he said. “We take everything from the other side, pay it back and survive. There must be a strategy in fighting two people at once. Anything can happen in the ring. And I've got intelligence on my side.”
In the women's match, Emily, a bubbly, fun-loving contender from the U.S., is up against Christina, who speaks and looks Korean but claims to be a princess from outer space. Christina claims she was recruited for PWS by its founder and director Terrence McAvoy after a chance encounter in Gangnam.
“It's going to be quite a match,” McAvoy said. “Women have always and will always have a place on the Society roster. True talent recognizes no borders, whether geographical or biological.”
PWS is cloaked in mystery, as is McAvoy himself, and it's unclear where the showmanship ends and the organization begins. Just
.
“Terrence McAvoy is Pro Wrestling Society. Pro Wrestling Society is me,” he told The Korea Times. “I prefer to let the show speak to the kind of man I am. The kind of president I am. As to the show, we currently have over 20 wrestlers and trainees, which, considering the current state of pro wrestling in Korea, is quite a lot. Some members on our roster are yet to be revealed, but all will be known soon.”
Terrence McAvoy, head of Pro Wrestling Society / Courtesy of Pro Wrestling Society
Naturally, pro wrestling is half physical feat, half performance art, all pain endurance. Anyone who calls it “fake” is welcome to take a flying bump and see how fake it feels.
“It's no secret that pro wrestling is sports entertainment,” McAvoy said, “but it takes great skill and years of dedication and training to bring their personas to the people and to tell their amazing stories. And while they use their talent and physical prowess to protect each other, there is nothing fake in this ring. Every hit they take, every dive they do, every blow they exchange, they are putting their bodies on the line, and it's only their training and incredible skills that gives them the power to endure, and the strength to stare into the face of pain.”
“I hope people perceive pro wrestling as a form of art performance,” Shiho said. “Magicians know magic is the art of trick but they don't need to tell people it is fake or a trick. Same with me. But still I see wrestling as performance art. I've never been seriously injured during my six-year career and firmly believe pro wrestling is a very scientific and safe sport if you do it right. It even has the potential to be an inspiring and empowering sport where people can improve their confidence by learning how to express themselves and have full control of their own body.”
Shiho the Red Fox balances on the ropes. / Courtesy of Shiho
Shiho, whose match hasn't been confirmed yet, has trained for six years in Korea, Japan and the U.S., learning lucha libre, American and Japanese styles. Standing a mere 170cm tall and weighing 73kg, his fighting skill is agile and he spends a lot of time airborne. Next Friday, he will represent Korea at the Belt & Road Championship Tournament of China's Middle Kingdom Wrestling (MKW).
Jo, fighting in the triple threat, has been in pro wrestling since 2004, also training all over the world, debuting in Australia's. His signature look has him wearing a black cotton mask (a very East Asian take on masked wrestlers), sporting brightly dyed hair and dressed in more clothes than pro wrestlers are usually seen wearing.
“I debuted wearing a mask and full-length tights. Later, after taking off the mask, I tried to maintain my existing full-length dress. In Japan, I had a K-pop star gimmick, so I wore black jeans and black tights. I am not as big as any other player and not as much of a bodybuilder. I wanted to wear something different for wrestling where everyone wears tights. So I started to focus on my hair, which can be blond, but sometimes silver and green. My favorite was when I had seven colors like a rainbow! There is no one in the ring to stimulate me in Korea _ I am the best in Korea!”
Branding and image is important in pro wrestling, as it can empower a contender and make them stand out for fans.
“Your brand is extremely important,” said Ryan Oshun, the Heavy Metal King. “For me, it is my identity: that's how I'm known and my style is what people see. Mine came about just from within myself. What you see on the outside is really me, amplified by 10 at times. You need that brand to sell yourself, the character and merchandise. And it gives you an identity worldwide.”
Hailing from Texas, Oshun is on assignment here with the U.S. military.
“What I'm really looking forward to is making an impact on the wrestling scene and hopefully bringing a lot of eyes to a product people will enjoy,” he said. “I really enjoy it here. So far, the people of South Korea have been awesome and the food is great. I think with a good wrestling scene the people of South Korea can have a lot going on to look forward to. I want to help build that scene and have fun while doing it.”
For Sunday's event, he's paired off against “Dynomite Soul” Eric Walker, pitting metal against Motown, Slipknot against Sly and the Family Stone.
“I have met Eric briefly in the past,” Oshun said. “He's a good man and I'm sure he expects a good match. I honestly expect something the fans will enjoy and never forget. But let's be honest, when the day is done, we all know the Heavy Metal King will reign supreme!”
The
event starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at the PWS Gymnasium
, located nearest to Jije Station. Standing room costs 10,000 won and a seat costs 20,000 won.
Pro Wrestling Society