Tony Destroyer: Gone but not forgotten
The story of Nigeria and the African professional wrestling world would not be complete without listing the contributions and sincere exploits of Anthony Nwabueze, known around the pro wrestling world as Tony Destroyer, the undefeated African Wrestling Confederation (AWC) Super Heavyweight Champion and title holder who died on Friday April 1st 2022 at the ripe age of 70.
The tall, expansive, fair in complexion, handsome, talented wrestler of appreciable repute who has competed round the African nations that has some semblance of the sport had definitely seen better days in the sport. Even at age 70, his majestic movements still bear the same energetic gait that headlined his early days as an amateur talent to his start in pro wrestling, as every step he took left a deep footprint in its trail.
Faces at the Tony Destroyer Pro Wrestling Memorial Tournament
Tony Destroyer hailed from Oduga Village, Akumazi-Umuocha, Agbor in Delta State where he was buried on Saturday 25th, June 2022 in a ceremony where his fans, colleagues and family members were well represented. Tony became the African super heavyweight belt holder when he won the title in South Africa after defeating Bakayoko Ahidjo of Mali in 1995 and since then, he has held the title jealously and not let it go. He had several fights since then and had remained undefeated up until his death.
Departed stakeholder members of the Nigerian pro wrestling community
He started as an amateur wrestler under the tutelage of the former World Light Heavyweight Champion and pioneer amateur and professional wrestling talent, the late Mike Bamidele in 1972. Bamidele by all standards was a legend in his own right. They were four in the squad then known as the Fantastic Four in their own camp while the others were Morris Atula, Elepando Bassey and the late Kally Agogo.
Courtesy visit to the former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN
Tony won medals, gold, silver and bronze, at several competitions while with the Nigerian Army and later for the Lagos State Sports Ministry locally and internationally. He fought as an amateur wrestler for 10 years before turning professional in 1982. In 1986, he competed with Johny Kwango of Great Britain at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos in Nigeria. John Lagey, better known by his ring name Johnny Kwango, was an English professional wrestler. He was frequently seen on ITV’s coverage of British Wrestling. Surprisingly, the young and vibrant Tony Destroyer defeated this world renowned wrestler and he immediately shot to limelight. Kwango died on the 19th of January, 1994 at Peckham, London, United Kingdom.
With his wealth of experience in the ring, Tony Destroyer stood tall as the last man standing in the ring to win the Royal Rumble bout, the star fight of the third night of 3rd edition of BRF Wrestlemania held in Lagos in January 2014 by the Nigeria Pro Wrestling Federation. The Royal Rumble was a fight involving no fewer than 15 wrestlers fighting each other, at the end of which the last man standing is adjudged as the winner of the competition.
Getting set for the burial
In his professional wrestling career, Tony Destroyer competed round the Nigerian states as well as All West African nations from the 1980s till he passed on and he also defended his title in South Africa, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Ghana, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire. He was billed to wrestle against Shannon Rose of the USA in early 2010 in Tampa, Florida in the USA but the championship bout never saw the light of the day.
In appreciation of his sincere contributions to the development of professional wrestling in our part of the world, when he passed on, the wrestling community in Nigeria came together and the Tony Destroyer Memorial Wrestling Championship was organized to honor him at the Wrestling Arena of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on the 28th May, 2022 and the event brought together fans, his old and new colleagues and family members.
About to lower the corpse
To hype the day, four awards were donated and presented by the UK based World Wrestling Academy. The Power Mike Wrestling Award was presented to Elephando Bassey for his long service to pro wrestling development in Nigeria; the Ben Lion Heart Wrestling Award was presented to Jimmy Palm “De African Dream” for his pro wrestling training abilities and prowess that he instilled in the Nigerian wrestlers over the years; the Mike Bamidele Wrestling Award was presented to Olusesan Olukoya for his sincere contributions to the development of professional wrestling in Nigeria and the African continent and lastly but not least, the Tony Destroyer Wrestling Award to Ralph Nwafor for his sincere contributions to the development of professional wrestling in Nigeria over the years as the guests enjoyed three bouts pairing De Hardman vs 6.5, Flying Danko Vs Mighty Progress and lastly Eagle De Great Nail Vs Jimmy Palm “De African Dream.”
Brothers and son of Tony Destroyer at the burial
His children held a service of Songs in his honour at his #1, Lati Erele Street, Pako, Aguda in Lagos residence in the evening of Thursday the 23rd of June; lying in state at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Friday the 24th of June and burial at his Oduga Village, Akumazi-Umuocha, Agbor in Delta State on Saturday the 25th of June 2022 respectively. May the soul of Tony Destroyer rest in perfect peace. He will indeed forever be in our memories having contributed his quota to the development of the game while able and agile.
