New African pro wrestling company Le Oünko set to make arena debut in Brazzaville this Sunday
The new wrestling promotion set to showcase African pro wrestling that we discussed back in July is ready to make their full show debut at the Henry Elendé Gymnasium, a venue that seats 4,000, in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo this coming Sunday, September 4. Le Oünko will be starting the show at 3 PM (15H00) and will be charging 1000 FCFA (approx. $0.19) for entrance. Oünko has promised a professional event with a high production value. The show will also play on Congolese television channel DRTV International HD at three different times throughout the week after the event, on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
The Champion of Brazzaville, RTGA Du Pouvoir Lion, poses outside of the Henry Elendé Gymnasium
A look inside the Henry Elendé Gymnasium, the site of Le Oünko’s debut arena show. Image courtesy of Agence D’Information D’Afrique Centrale
This Le Oünko debut event is really a monumental one for both African and Congolese pro wrestling for many reasons. First off, there aren’t many arena shows in Congolese wrestling. Many of the events take place in rings out on the street and the events are free for fans to attend. So the fact that this event will take place in an arena in front of a paying crowd is a big step in the development of the wrestling scene in the Central African country. Add that to the fact that this event will be televised multiple times on the Congo’s first privately owned television channel, DRTV International HD, and this makes things even more monumental.
To advertise for the big event, Le Oünko has been producing several studio interview events featuring many of the wrestlers that are set to be involved in the September 4 event. Many of these programs have featured the wrestlers having direct physical contact and brawling breaking out in the studio. These studio episodes have also aired on DRTV and are also available for viewing on the Le Oünko Facebook page and YouTube page.
The September 2nd episode of the Oünko studio show, likely the last prior to the September 4 event. The episode ends in a thrilling conclusion with the terrifying Ebéndé Molasso escaping from his handlers, hitting a press slam into a powerslam combination, and then smashing a cinder block over his opponent’s chest.
Oünko has put together an impressive roster of some of the area’s top wrestlers to compete in their maiden arena event. Announced to be in action so far are Ours Noir, CAP 150, Moyindo, Guégué, Nina Chaleur, Ebéndé Molasso, Roi Du Ring, Puma Végéta, Bedezo, Obus, Lourd Biankouikila, and the FECOLUSAF Champion of Brazzaville, RTGA Du Pouvoir Lion.
A look at the wrestlers announced for Le Oünko’s first arena event. Images courtesy of the Oünko Facebook page.
Some matches have also been announced ahead of Sunday’s show. So far, we know that Moyindo will face off with Roi Du Ring and RTGA the Lion will square up against CAP 150. Popular Congolese singer Makhalba Malecheck will also be on hand to make an appearance on behalf of Oünko. The event was set to kick off with a carnival on Saturday, September 3rd beginning at 8 AM. The carnivals and parades that take place before Congolese wrestling events are a tradition on the local wrestling scene and we’ll try to grab some photos of the celebration in our recap article of Sunday’s event.
Stay tuned to WrestleMap for more updates on this big, scene changing event. Also, be sure to follow Oünko on Facebook and Instagram for future updates!
