A history of violence forms backdrop to city’s first wrestling event
Ayutthaya has seen war…
Thailand’s former capital fought against a Burmese invasion in the 18th century, and to this day the relics of battle can be seen all around the city.
It is against this backdrop that historical conflict will again descend on Ayutthaya, as it hosts pro wrestling for the very first time.
SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling presents three title fights inside Central Ayutthaya this Saturday, with a main event that sees an intense, long-standing rivalry culminate in a particularly brutal brand of violence – and one match with potential ramifications that could go well beyond mere sporting gold.
Diesel and Paksa to do battle in a street fight for SETUP gold
A decade ago, Terry Diesel and Paksa began their pro wrestling journeys. They trained together in the same gym, competed for the same company, and rose in tandem as pioneers of the sport in their country.
Inevitably, they had their ups and downs along the way. They have fought alongside each other, and against each other. Both men have vied for the top spot in Thailand, and often that accolade came down to the two of them.
Months ago, it was decided Diesel and Paksa would fight one more time, as their age-old rivalry was the perfect fit for the historic backdrop of Ayutthaya. And the stakes have only got higher since.
First, it was decided they would do battle under street fight rules. Or, more specifically, no rules. A standard wrestling match would no longer suffice, and a more intense match format was called for as Diesel and Paksa vied for superiority at the same time as showcasing SETUP’s brand of mayhem to a new audience.
And then, last month, the ultimate prize was added to the mix – Diesel regained the SETUP Openweight Championship with a revenge win over Shivam at Ep.6.
He’d hit the form of his life and channelled this into another title reign, sitting atop SETUP as it’s first two-time ruler.
Diesel’s first challenger was already set, as the Paksa fight was scheduled for Ayutthaya regardless of the outcome of Diesel v Shivam 2. Now, the belt has been added to the equation, there’s even more to fight for than there already was after a 10-year rivalry.
Furthermore, it has been decreed that if Paksa is unsuccessful, he will never again be allowed to challenge for the belt for as long as Diesel holds it.
Diesel and Paksa do battle for the championship on Saturday – the championship of SETUP and, perhaps more importantly, the championship of each other.
Shivam and Monomoth meet at the AWGC crossroads
A lot can change in one night in wrestling. Just ask Shivam and Monomoth.
As of June 18, Shivam was on top of the world, as both the longest-reigning SETUP champion of all time and the company’s only double belt-holder.
And prior to Shivam’s SETUP defence vs Terry Diesel, Monomoth had hoisted his own first title.
But by the end of the night – and, in Monomoth’s case, in a matter of moments – everything had changed.
Diesel had reclaimed the SETUP Openweight championship from Shivam in a rematch that headlined Ep.7, while Monomoth’s signature victory over P’Suchart, which earned him the 24/7 crown, was almost immediately undone by a sneak attack at the hands of SaySci.
Still, there was some consolation for both men. Shivam still held the AWGC Jr.Heavyweight Championship, which had not been on the line against Diesel, and Monomoth had already been booked for a shot at that belt in Ayutthaya. The bizarre trajectory of the 24/7 belt had no bearing on that, though carrying a strap of his own into the biggest fight of his life would have given Monomoth valuable confidence.
Questions abound as we head into this crucial AWGC showdown. Will Shivam be demoralised by the loss of one of his two belts? Will Monomoth be frustrated by the events of Ep.6, or emboldened? Is the time right for him to target a potentially vulnerable champion? Or has it all come too soon for a relatively inexperienced competitor?
A battle for the 24/7 belt… and beyond
For any wrestler, a title is a big deal. But for 24/7 Champion Kappa Kozo and the UMA Corporation he represents, it is part of a much wider plot – one that could change SETUP, Thailand and even the wider Southeast Asia region!
Ep.6 concluded with the invasion of the sinister Japanese outfit UMA, spearheaded by their resident monster Kozo’s attack on Andreuw Tang.
As a stunned live audience watched on, Kozo laid waste to Singaporean veteran Tang, leaving him cowering and blustering in the ring.
As a statement of intent, it was huge. UMA’s objective is to take over Singapore – not just in wrestling but overall – and if that means Thailand must fall victim to collateral damage in doing so, then so be it.
UMA and Kozo have remained in Bangkok ever since as they continue to plot their hostile takeover. And having invaded SETUP’s last broadcast, their next step was to pay an uninvited visit to the promotion’s dojo.
As bad luck would have it, 24/7 champion SaySci was in the dojo at the time. Kozo trained his deadly sights on him and his belt, and before SaySci knew what had hit him, the Japanese monster had ripped away his belt.
SETUP is keen to stop UMA in their tracks, to not only restore its own reputation after twice suffering the humiliation of infiltration, but to also ward off the wider threat posed by the Unidentified Mysterious Animals.
With that goal in mind, SETUP is sending in its newest signing, Matcha, to challenge for Kozo’s belt.
We’ve seen intergender matches, but this could be the first interspecies confrontation in a wrestling ring. But this is no mere gimmick – the repercussions could be monstrous!
Also in action
Johnathan Johnson and P’Suchart collide in an enticing contest between two of Thai wrestling’s brightest rising stars.
Johnson was the youngest AWGC champion prior to surrendering his belt to Shivam, and he is keen to get back into the title mix.
P’Suchart, meanwhile, is a well-known upset merchant who will be looking to spring another surprise.
* After spoiling the thrilling three-way between himself, Paksa and Bital Hasdin, Hyde will be forced to atone for his actions in a one-on-one showdown with Hasdin.
Hyde took advantage of the no-DQ loophole of the triple threat format to lay out both opponents with a strap at Ep.6. It was meant as a statement, but it came without victory, as Hasdin capitalised by getting the pinfall over Paksa.
Now, Hyde must attempt to beat the motivated and improving Hasdin within the confines of proper sporting competition. He will know this is his chance to prove himself properly.
Sponsors Hong Kong Pro Wrestling Federation / Siamdol
MATCH CARD
Terry Diesel v Paksa (street fight) SETUP Openweight Championship
Shivam v Monomoth AWGC Jr. Heavyweight Championship
Kappa Kozo v Matcha v Hyde SETUP 24/7 Championship
Johnathan Johnson v P’Suchart
Bital Hasdin v Hyde
NEWS AND FEATURES
Terry Diesel beats Shivam and Andruew Tang to reclaim belt: Ep.6 report
Event page
SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling company page
Leave a Reply