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How to succeed as a professional wrestler in Singapore
Tips and tricks from a master of his craft.
BY: ALAN KHO WEI ZE
Andruew Tang, also known as The Statement, is the co-founder of Singapore’s only wrestling promotion Singapore Pro Wrestling (SPW). PHOTOS: COURTESY OF THEANDSTATEMENT/INSTAGRAM, SPW YOUTUBE
If you’re still in the dark, professional wrestling is scripted entertainment. However, that doesn’t mean it’s fake! According to an ABC news article, the performers actually do put their bodies on the line for entertainment’s sake! With the need to balance both sports and entertainment aspects, you might wonder how one becomes a professional wrestler, especially in Singapore.
Andruew Tang, 32, co-founder of Singapore Pro Wrestling (SPW), Singapore’s first wrestling promotion agency, breaks down the steps and addresses concerns of becoming a professional wrestler.
Taking the first step
Following his World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) tryout in 2019, Andruew spoke with Sportskeeda, where he mentioned the scepticism Singaporeans had towards homegrown talent and the constant comparison between them and WWE stars.
Furthermore, Andrew mentioned that growing up in a conservative country, many may relate to how parents often emphasise the need to make good money in the future, and to become a doctor or lawyer. However, he asked himself many times, “Are you really happy with what you want to do?”
Andruew believes that the first step to become a professional wrestler is to “be brave enough to actually pursue your dreams and chase your passions”.
Learn the basics
As wrestling is a physically demanding sport, you must also condition your body in terms of stamina, endurance and general fitness level. This can usually take about six months depending on the individual.
Of course, Andruew encourages people who are interested in wrestling to go for courses at SPW.
Valerie Mah, 18, a student with a black belt in Taekwondo, has expressed her interest in professional wrestling and dreams of becoming a wrestler one day.
“I love acting and I love martial arts. It’s like my two main hobbies. So, wrestling is kind of just putting my two biggest interests together,” Valerie says.
Valerie Mah, sporting her full Taekwondo attire with her junior black belt on the left, and her doing some kicks with a fellow Taekwondo student for a video. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF VALERIE MAH
Valerie’s boyfriend Yong Kai Zhi, acknowledges how demanding wrestling can be and says, “I’ll support [her] in any way I can. If it’s [her] dream, it’s only right I support it.”
SPW is the best place to get a match locally despite not being the only wrestling promotion in Singapore. This is because it’s more well-known and has a bigger audience.
With SPW attracting international stars like Kenny Omega and Pete Dunne to visit Singapore to spar with their own wrestlers, wrestling promoters overseas are keeping an eye on SPW. If you manage to impress them, then you’ll have a shot at having a match overseas. Although, that isn’t possible at the moment due to the pandemic.
“The whole process of wrestling, it's quite a long journey, because you still need to get your game up. And of course, for other promoters overseas to actually take notice of you, and of course, the main aim for every pro wrestler is to make it into a mainstream promotion like WWE,” says Andruew.
Longevity in the business
To Andruew, the key to long-term survival in this industry and longevity as a wrestler is to be smart with your moves.
“I may be a smaller guy but I don't do all these like flippy stuff, because I feel like there is too [much] risk. I like to use my character to connect with the fans. Storytelling [is] so important,” says Andruew.
Kenny Omega, international wrestling superstar currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) doing a moonsault from the second rope on Andruew. A moonsault is a wrestling move where a wrestler usually does a flip off the top rope, landing on his belly on top of their opponent. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SPW YOUTUBE
The “flippy stuff” Andruew refers to moves like moonsaults and suicide dives. While it may be okay to show off in the early stages of your career and draw eyes to you, it’s important to understand that you’ll need to adapt as you age.
Andruew points to wrestling superstar Chris Jericho as a prime example. Despite being 51 years old, Jericho is still able to perform and entertain his fans.
Andruew says, “It's about always reinventing your character. It's about your personality. So when people pay to see your personality, you can do anything. You get paid for it and you enjoy what you do.”