"I came to the U.S. with the dream that someday, I am going to make my country proud."
Exciting news for Indian wrestling fans, as wrestler Amanpreet Singh has signed with WWE. He will join the company’s development brand NXT.
WWE announced the news on 14th February 2018, revealing that the Punjab sportsman has signed a developmental contract. He marks as the second Indian wrestler to sign with the federation, after Kavita Devi.
Amanpreet, formerly known as ‘Khoya’ and ‘Mahabali Shera’, has already reported to their Performance Centre, based in Florida.
He now joins an already expanding Indian roster in the company, which features Kavita, Jinder Mahal and The Singh Brothers.
Hailing from Chandigarh, India, he is well-known for his three years at Impact Wrestling between 2014-2017.
Prior to this, he trained with iconic wrestlers such as Al Snow and Savio Vega, before debuting at Ring Ka King in 2011.
He eventually became the last-ever Ring Ka King Heavyweight Champion. His only Heavyweight Championship to date, he defeated Sir Brutus Magnus to win the title.
In Impact Wrestling, he became the first Indian to wrestle for the company. He immediately turned heel in January 2015, joining James Storm’s faction ‘The Revolution’.
For the remainder of his time, he transformed into a ‘good guy’, teaming up with Scottish wrestler Grado. Amanpreet also had a title shot at the Impact Grand Championship against Drew Galloway in February 2017 where he unfortunately lost.
He eventually left Impact Wrestling in September 2017, now marking an exciting, new chapter with the WWE. On his signing, the Indian wrestler said: “I came to the U.S. with the dream that someday, I am going to make my country proud.
“I would consider myself fortunate if I am able to become a positive role model for the youngsters of my country and impact lives. I don’t think I can find a better platform than WWE to empower myself to empower others, especially those back at home.”
On social media, the wrestling community has congratulated the sportsman. WWE’s Matt Hardy, who once had a rivalry with Amanpreet while they were both at Impact, welcomed him to the roster and tweeted:
Welcome to the TERRITORY of @WWENXT, @MahabaliShera..
You are a STERLING SOUL & I am DELIGHTED that you have arrived. https://t.co/KxI9xIYlng
— #WOKEN Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) February 15, 2018
Dave Lagana, Vice President of the National Wrestling Alliance, also congratulated the wrestler and said:
Congratulations @MahabaliShera on signing with @WWE.
From Ring-Ka-King to be hired by the King of Kings. https://t.co/nbCfEXf9nt pic.twitter.com/xthyzu8qHH
— David Lagana (@Lagana) February 15, 2018
Now a member of the WWE, what can we expect to see from Amanpreet Singh? Standing at 6’2 and weighing 240 pounds, the self-taught bodybuilder is a formidable force inside the ring. This has given him plenty of strength and raw power.
With a powerful set of moves, his finisher is a sit-out powerbomb called the ‘Sky High’.
While Amanpreet trains hard inside the Performance Centre, no date has been confirmed for when he’ll make his NXT debut. However, fans will eagerly await the exciting day – especially if it soon leads to a RAW or SmackDown Live appearance.
The sportsman’s signing marks a new stage in this golden era for Indian wrestling. No doubt the country will hope another of its stars will claim a WWE title and Amanpreet Singh might be the wrestler for the job!
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