WATCH: Behind the mask of Birchleigh wrestler Hector Payne
Payne started his wrestling career when he was 17 years old and told Express he worked his way up.
Talented Kempton Park wrestler Hector Payne is among the big names to fight at the Battle of Honour 4 at Cresslawn Primary School on February 1.
Battle of Honour is Honour Wrestling Association (HWA)’s annual flagship event.
Payne was to face his long-time rival Nightmare in a no holds barred hardcore match as the main event but due to a recent injury sustained by Nightmare, Payne will battle it out with another wrestler.
The name of the wrestler will soon be announced.
Payne started his wrestling career when he was 17 years old and told Express that he worked his way up.
“I was inspired to start wrestling when I saw two local wrestlers on TV doing hardcore fighting. I decided to do it because I love hardcore fights,” said Payne.
“I started as a referee for about a year and had to work twice as hard as the others because of my size, but I am glad I did, because today I can say I am one of the best heels ‘villains’ in the country.
“For the past five years I have been the wrestler who has been in the most main events in the country, thanks to HWA.”
The proud Birchleigh resident said his first official match was at his old primary school, Laerskool Birchleigh.
Payne is known for fighting with a mask but fans were shocked when he unmasked after a fight last year. He is now six months without his mask.
“Although it was a spur-of-the-moment thing, I knew it was time. I grew out of it and I felt it was time for change.
“Although I am officially unmasked, I will always come out with the mask but I don’t fight with it. The mask has been with me for a long time and although I won’t wrestle with it anymore, I will still have it.”
Payne is a former Hardcore Champion and former two-time HWA World Champion.
The local talent was formerly referred to as the Black Dove but for the past six years he has been wrestling as Hector Payne.
“The first part of my name was inspired by Dr Hannibal Lecter. He is a fictional character in a series of suspense novels by Thomas Harris, so I formed the name Hector from that. Payne comes from Howard Payne, the main villain in the movie Speed,” said Payne.
“The mask was also inspired by Hannibal Lecter’s mask.”
The local wrestler has been with HWA for four years and has over 110 fights under HWA.
“There is no secret recipe or trick. It is a learning curve and as a wrestler you continually develop yourself to figure out what works and learn from your mistakes. This ties in with the advice I give to aspiring wrestlers who want to become professionals. You need to keep training because if you don’t put in the work, you will never get anywhere.
“Being the best might not happen on your first fight but the more you put in, the more you will one day get back.
You can watch Payne in action at the Battle of Honour 4 in February. Tickets will be available at the door or you can contact Julius on 073 241 3013.
