Kempton Park-based wrestler Freek Cloete visited the Advertiser’s offices, where we had a chat about the latest developments in the wrestling side of things.
As expected, Cloete (41), who is originally from Boksburg, and many other wrestlers across the country have not been in any action inside the squared circle in months, following the recently eased lockdown which stretched for approximately six months.
There is some good news for South African wrestling fans, however, as the dimunitive strong man confirmed the return of wrestling action at Klipspruit River Resort in the North-West province from December 18 to 19.
Cloete, who wrestles under the Rock Star Wrestling organisation, added events take place everywhere around the country pending bookings and he has wrestled at the Boksburg flea market as well as at the East Rand Mall.
Quizzed on what goes on behind the scenes of professional wrestling, Cloete admitted: “It’s obviously all about entertainment at the end of the day, but there’s no real planning. Of course, you have to man up, you’re either going to have your back side kicked or you’re going to win, simple as that. It’s nothing compared to American wrestling where they choreograph a match way before it actually happens, but there’s one golden rule: when you step out of the ring, you stand around the braai and we braai together, sportsmanship.
“A lot of people believe professional wrestling is fake because of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and once they’re actually at a live event and they hear the shots, they change their minds,” explained the former WWP Thunderstrike star, who started wrestling in 2004.
On why he wrestles and on what has kept him going in such a physically taxing sport, Cloete explained: “It’s for when you’re done after a match and you get out of the ring to meet greetings from children with big smiles on their faces. We are like their heroes, they look at us in such disbelief and putting a smile on their faces is one of the best feelings out there.”
Anyone interested in wrestling can follow the Rock Star Wrestling Facebook page for latest developments and information.
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