Latest news with #MYPW
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Wrestling back youth
FOR many Malaysians, pro wrestling lives somewhere in the past, back when TV3 ran SmackDown reruns and finishing moves were replicated (badly) on school friends. It was dramatic, flashy and pure fantasy. But for most, it stayed behind with childhood. Until now. At Malaysia Pro Wrestling's (MYPW) New Breed 3 event in TTDI's KuAsh Theatre, something unexpected happened: the nostalgia came flooding back, but so did something new, a realisation that wrestling in Malaysia is not just alive, it is thriving. And more than that, it is homegrown, with its own stars, its own crowd and its own brand of chaos that somehow feels even more personal than anything that came from the West. Not just a show, a whole community From the moment fans began lining up outside the theatre on May 10, it was clear this was not just another niche event. The crowd was a mix of everything: university students, longtime wrestling die-hards, families with kids in matching tag-team shirts and curious first-timers hoping for some throwback fun. But once inside, the atmosphere shifted, not just excitement, but ownership. The crowd did not just show up for entertainment; they showed up for their people. Names like Emman Azman, Miles Karu, Kaizul and Poppy were met with chants and handmade signs. Everyone knew the cues. The in-jokes. The rivalries. This was not just wrestling in Malaysia. It was Malaysian wrestling and that made all the difference. Scripted? Maybe. But the hype was real Of course, the matches had all the tropes one might remember: surprise hitshots, dramatic staredowns, wipedowns taunting the crowd and underdogs making last-minute comebacks. But the real joy came in watching it all unfold with a Malaysian twist. Kaizul's dramatic rise through the Journey to Gold tournament had the audience chanting his namel. Poppy vs Lana XO had layers of both sass and skill, a crowd-pleaser of a match that balanced playful energy with real athleticism. Then there was the main event, a four-way scramble for the MYPW Southeast Asia Title, where Shivam defended against Emman Azman, Shaheen and The Statement. It was fast, messy, dramatic and loud. Fans booed and cheered like it was a football match. It was impossible not to get swept up in the energy. Safe space for loud fun What stood out most was not the action in the ring, it was the vibe in the room. Wrestling here is a space where everyone is free to be loud, silly and fully invested without judgement. The crowd knew it was scripted. They knew the villains were acting, the drama dialled up. But that did not matter. There was sincerity beneath the surface, the wrestlers clearly cared and the audience gave that energy right back. And the best part? It never felt like anyone was excluded. Whether someone came alone or in cosplay, it was clear they belonged. Even the rowdiest banter had an underlying respect, like everyone knew they were playing along with a shared fantasy. From import to identity What MYPW has built over the past decade is no small feat. Wrestling, which once felt like an imported subculture from the West, now feels distinctly Malaysian, loud, chaotic, funny, emotional and full of heart. The talent reflects this too. Emman Azman, one of the night's biggest stars, has already made international waves, ranked among the world's top 500 wrestlers and the first Malaysian to wrestle under New Japan Pro Wrestling and NWA. But watching him compete here, in front of a hometown crowd, brought his story full circle. He is no longer a dreamer hoping to make it abroad, he is part of a generation helping build something here. And he is not alone. Wrestlers like Miles Karu, The Wonderboy, Thommy Ardhi and Shivam represent a new breed (pun very much intended) of Southeast Asian talent that is not waiting to be discovered, they are already putting on shows that rival anything from overseas. Wrestling as an adult It is easy to brush wrestling off as something left behind in childhood. But stepping into that theatre proved something important, it still works and maybe even hits harder now. Not because the punches are real, but because the people are. The crowd cares. The performers care. And for a few hours, everyone in the room gets to cheer, scream, laugh and be completely present, in a way that feels increasingly rare in a world of half-watched TikToks and endless scrolling. Final bell thoughts MYPW's New Breed 3 was a reminder of how far the scene has come and how it is carving out a space in Malaysia's culture where storytelling, sportsmanship and unfiltered fun collide. It is not about who wins. It is not even about the title belts. It is about the experience, shared, loud, imperfect and unforgettable. And for anyone who grew up watching wrestling on TV and thought it was just a phase, MYPW offers proof that maybe it was not. Maybe the love for it was just waiting to be reignited, Malaysian-style.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Malaysian Pro Wrestling New Breed 3: Passionate fans, action-filled matches, golden return with first show of the year
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — The Malaysian Pro Wrestling (MYPW) returned yesterday, with its first show of the year — New Breed 3 — the latest instalment of its annual wrestling showcase that began in 2023. Held at KuAsh Theatre, TTDI, this year's event featured seven action-packed matches, including a landmark bout between Malaysia's first female wrestler, Poppy Shay, and Australia's Lana XO, as well as a 10-person invitational rumble. Fan favourites The Juicy Boyz (The Wonderboy and Miles Karu) successfully defended their SPW Southeast Asia Tag Team Championships against LOVE X FRDM ('Love Warrior' Syawal and 'The Flamingo' Fienic Rose), continuing the momentum they built after becoming the first Malaysians to win the titles at last year's Champion Quest. The night also saw the thrilling conclusion of the 'Journey to GOLD' tournament, in which KAIZUL emerged victorious, which earned him the opportunity to challenge for the MYPW South-east Asia Championship, currently held by Shivam. SEA Champion Shivam reasserts his dominance in the MYPW ring Into his first New Breed event — though not his first appearance wrestling at an MYPW show — Shivam shared his thoughts on the Malaysian wrestling scene, praising the crowd as one of the most passionate he's encountered. 'They're not afraid to tell you how they feel about you, and as performers, we appreciate that. 'Also, everyone is super respectful after the show. 'I'd say Malaysian fans get it,' said Shivam. He added how he loves wrestling new talent from around the world to test himself, and believes MYPW has one of the best rosters in SEA. 'That's what keeps bringing me back here, and also the fact that no one can beat me for the MYPW SEA championship title yet, and as YOUR champion, I have a responsibility to show up.' Fahmi rated the show an outstanding 7 out of 10 after the first four matches. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa Fan reception Each edition of New Breed has introduced new fans to the MYPW experience, and this year was no exception. Shahinda Saleh, 33, shared that it wasn't just her first New Breed event, but her first MYPW show overall. 'The experience has been interesting — it reminds me a lot of WWE, so it brought back memories of watching that, and it was fun.' Shahinda Saleh's first MYPW show brought back memories of watching WWE as a kid. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa The women's match stood out most for Shahinda, along with the invitational rumble won by Jack Alexander. For Fahmi, 24, it was also his first time attending, and he named the women's match as his favourite. Just four matches in, he has already rated the show a solid 7 out of 10. Some have been casual goers, such as Jojo, 21, who has attended several MYPW events over the years, not just New Breed. 'The shows are really captivating—you don't usually see something like this in Malaysia, especially with a community that feels like WWE,' she says. 'It's always entertaining and fun.' She's brought friends and family along in the past, many of whom ended up enjoying the experience as well. Shan, 23, now attending her third MYPW event, stated that what keeps bringing her back is mainly the performances. 'It's a great outlet to scream and also to enjoy watching the action.' When asked about her favourite MYPW wrestler, Shan mentioned she likes most of the wrestlers, but if she had to choose one, it would be Fienic Rose. 'He just has a really energetic and fun energy, and overall, he's very friendly and not afraid to be himself,' she said. Casual MYPW goer Jojo stated how experiences like this are rare to see in Malaysia, especially with a community that feels like WWE. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa Return of a 'golden boy' This year's New Breed also holds special significance with the return of 'The Golden Boy', Emman Azman, who spent six years wrestling and building his name in Australia before returning to compete for the first time as an MYPW wrestler. Shan stated that the performers of MYPW keep bringing her back to watch these events. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa 'Wrestling back in Malaysia always holds a special place in my heart. 'My last match in Malaysia was at MYPW FIGHTBACK, where I defended the Renegades of Wrestling Championship against Thommy Ardhi and Aiden Rex,' said Emman. Now that he's back in Malaysia, he is determined to remind everyone why he's the best. And for those who haven't seen him wrestle, he wants them to walk away from the event awestruck by The Golden Boy. 'It's time for me to take over Southeast Asian wrestling and put every wrestler there on notice — because I'm not here to play second fiddle. 'I'm here to elevate Southeast Asian wrestling to new heights, and I'm here to take it all,' Emman added. Explosive main event caps off a strong night as MYPW eyes a big 2025 The main event of the evening saw Shivam retain his Southeast Asian Championship in a banger four-way match against Emman, Singapore's 'The Statement' Andruew Tang, and Dubai's Shaheen First female wrestler of Malaysia, Poppy Shay successfully defeated Australia's Lana XO. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa All in all, New Breed 3 reaffirmed MYPW's strong presence in the local wrestling scene — a reputation it has built over the years. The show delivered a night to remember, drawing a passionate, sold-out crowd of over 240 fans. As MYPW kicks off its bold 2025 takeover, there's no doubt this is just the beginning of an unforgettable year.
Malay Mail
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Malaysian Pro Wrestling New Breed 3: Passionate fans, action-filled matches, golden return with first show of the year
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — The Malaysian Pro Wrestling (MYPW) returned yesterday, with its first show of the year — New Breed 3 — the latest instalment of its annual wrestling showcase that began in 2023. Held at KuAsh Theatre, TTDI, this year's event featured seven action-packed matches, including a landmark bout between Malaysia's first female wrestler, Poppy Shay, and Australia's Lana XO, as well as a 10-person invitational rumble. Fan favourites The Juicy Boyz (The Wonderboy and Miles Karu) successfully defended their SPW Southeast Asia Tag Team Championships against LOVE X FRDM ('Love Warrior' Syawal and 'The Flamingo' Fienic Rose), continuing the momentum they built after becoming the first Malaysians to win the titles at last year's Champion Quest. The night also saw the thrilling conclusion of the 'Journey to GOLD' tournament, in which KAIZUL emerged victorious, which earned him the opportunity to challenge for the MYPW South-east Asia Championship, currently held by Shivam. SEA Champion Shivam reasserts his dominance in the MYPW ring Into his first New Breed event — though not his first appearance wrestling at an MYPW show — Shivam shared his thoughts on the Malaysian wrestling scene, praising the crowd as one of the most passionate he's encountered. 'They're not afraid to tell you how they feel about you, and as performers, we appreciate that. 'Also, everyone is super respectful after the show. 'I'd say Malaysian fans get it,' said Shivam. He added how he loves wrestling new talent from around the world to test himself, and believes MYPW has one of the best rosters in SEA. 'That's what keeps bringing me back here, and also the fact that no one can beat me for the MYPW SEA championship title yet, and as YOUR champion, I have a responsibility to show up.' Fahmi rated the show an outstanding 7 out of 10 after the first four matches. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa Fan reception Each edition of New Breed has introduced new fans to the MYPW experience, and this year was no exception. Shahinda Saleh, 33, shared that it wasn't just her first New Breed event, but her first MYPW show overall. 'The experience has been interesting — it reminds me a lot of WWE, so it brought back memories of watching that, and it was fun.' Shahinda Saleh's first MYPW show brought back memories of watching WWE as a kid. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa The women's match stood out most for Shahinda, along with the invitational rumble won by Jack Alexander. For Fahmi, 24, it was also his first time attending, and he named the women's match as his favourite. Just four matches in, he has already rated the show a solid 7 out of 10. Some have been casual goers, such as Jojo, 21, who has attended several MYPW events over the years, not just New Breed. 'The shows are really captivating—you don't usually see something like this in Malaysia, especially with a community that feels like WWE,' she says. 'It's always entertaining and fun.' She's brought friends and family along in the past, many of whom ended up enjoying the experience as well. Shan, 23, now attending her third MYPW event, stated that what keeps bringing her back is mainly the performances. 'It's a great outlet to scream and also to enjoy watching the action.' When asked about her favourite MYPW wrestler, Shan mentioned she likes most of the wrestlers, but if she had to choose one, it would be Fienic Rose. 'He just has a really energetic and fun energy, and overall, he's very friendly and not afraid to be himself,' she said. Casual MYPW goer Jojo stated how experiences like this are rare to see in Malaysia, especially with a community that feels like WWE. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa Return of a 'golden boy' This year's New Breed also holds special significance with the return of 'The Golden Boy', Emman Azman, who spent six years wrestling and building his name in Australia before returning to compete for the first time as an MYPW wrestler. Shan stated that the performers of MYPW keep bringing her back to watch these events. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa 'Wrestling back in Malaysia always holds a special place in my heart. 'My last match in Malaysia was at MYPW FIGHTBACK, where I defended the Renegades of Wrestling Championship against Thommy Ardhi and Aiden Rex,' said Emman. Now that he's back in Malaysia, he is determined to remind everyone why he's the best. And for those who haven't seen him wrestle, he wants them to walk away from the event awestruck by The Golden Boy. 'It's time for me to take over Southeast Asian wrestling and put every wrestler there on notice — because I'm not here to play second fiddle. 'I'm here to elevate Southeast Asian wrestling to new heights, and I'm here to take it all,' Emman added. Explosive main event caps off a strong night as MYPW eyes a big 2025 The main event of the evening saw Shivam retain his Southeast Asian Championship in a banger four-way match against Emman, Singapore's 'The Statement' Andruew Tang, and Dubai's Shaheen First female wrestler of Malaysia, Poppy Shay successfully defeated Australia's Lana XO. — Photo by Yusof Mat Isa All in all, New Breed 3 reaffirmed MYPW's strong presence in the local wrestling scene — a reputation it has built over the years. The show delivered a night to remember, drawing a passionate, sold-out crowd of over 240 fans. As MYPW kicks off its bold 2025 takeover, there's no doubt this is just the beginning of an unforgettable year.
