Righteous Reg of Pro Wrestling Illustrated releases annual #BW500, featuring several African wrestlers
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The #BW500 has become a much anticipated yearly release. The list, which is created and curated by Righteous Reg, who maintains the website BlackWrecellence.com and writes for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, is a nod to the PWI 500, Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual list of the world’s 500 best pro wrestlers. The #BW500 focuses on the world’s 500 best black pro wrestlers, listing both male and female wrestlers that are competing around the world.
This year’s list features a number of pro wrestlers that we have covered here on WrestleMap, including several African wrestlers. Let’s take a look at some of those wrestlers and their position on this year’s list of the 500 best black pro wrestlers in the world.
216. Mighty Man-Nigeria
The current heavyweight champion of Nigeria’s NPWF, winning the title that had been vacant since 2018 in June of this year in Abuja, Nigeria. The NPWF is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, quite the milestone, and Mighty Man is leading the charge for the federation into the next forty years.
Watch Mighty Man win the NPWF heavyweight title in the main event of the National Security, Peace and Unity Wrestling Championship
Nigerian Heavyweight Champion, Mighty Man
240. Flying Danko-Nigeria
The masked, high flying Nigerian veteran comes in at 240 on this year’s list. Danko has had some impressive performances this year, especially his victory over Mighty Progress that took place in Lagos in April. The result wasn’t as favorable for Danko in June, when he suffered a loss that came as the result of a questionable pinfall by his opponent Rasman Iron. Flying Danko still remains one of the most memorable performers in Nigerian pro wrestling.
247. Queen Shakira-Democratic Republic of the Congo
The queen of catch fetiche, or “voodoo wrestling.” Was heavily featured in the Vice TV documentary about the Congolese voodoo wrestling scene. La Reine Shakira is also a talented traditional style pro wrestler and can withstand a great deal of physical punishment in the ring. Her top notch fetiche skills and ability to control opponents with magic elevates her to another level.
Two of DR Congo’s most talented wrestlers, Ewingi, left, and Shakira. Photo courtesy of Ewingi’s Facebook page.
258. “Le Matrequeur” Michel Noudem-Cameroon
The current heavyweight champion of Pro Wrestling Africa, the relatively young but multi-national promotion featuring some of the best pro wrestlers from all around the continent. Captured the title this April with a victory over Nigeria’s Power Lee, who reigned as champion for six years prior to Noudem’s win. The PWA heavyweight title that Noudem holds is arguably the top pro wrestling prize on the continent. Noudem is a veteran of the sport and has also experienced a great deal of success in his home country for FECACATCH.
Michel Noudem
275. The Wolf NDA-Cameroon
The super charismatic and athletic Middleweight Champion of Pro Wrestling Africa. The Wolf is a great mix of power and agility who does a good job of also mixing in some hardcore wrestling techniques, like the use of tables and chairs. Also a talented musician, The Wolf is absolutely beloved in his home country of Cameroon and is slowly developing a decent following in the United States, with some fans calling for him to be booked in companies such as Game Changer Wrestling or Absolute Intense Wrestling with the belief being that The Wolf’s style meshes well with both companies. No matter where he ends up eventually, The Wolf NDA is intent on making it to the USA to wrestle at some point soon.
307. RTGA Du Pouvoir Lion-Republic of the Congo
In the Republic of the Congo, champions are crowned by geographical district. The current champion of the largest city and capital of the country, Brazzaville, Lion Power RTGA, as his name translates to, is one of the best technicians in all of African pro wrestling. He has an incredible physique, is extremely dedicated to his craft, and can put on displays that would leave Western crowds chanting “this is awesome.”
RTGA Du Pouvoir Lion
RTGA wrestles this match against the DRC’s Michael Choupin wearing black trunks
352. Ewingi-Democratic Republic of the Congo
Will also occasionally go by Super Ewingi. Very good technical wrestler in the land of catch fetiche. The captain of Kinshasa’s Catch Club Tshunga Na Tshunga and absolutely adored by the fans. His offensive arsenal includes the super plex, a very impressive feat to accomplish on crudely constructed rings.
Ewingi, wrestling this match shirtless, takes on another one of the DRC’s most skilled technical wrestlers, Turbo De Chasse, in an outstanding display of traditional Congolese style pro wrestling
359. Trovoada-Angola
The current champion of Angola Wrestling Entertainment, Trovoada is a legitimate accomplished athlete. Aside from pro wrestling, Trovoada also competes in MMA and Olympic style wrestling, where he attended the 2020 Olympic Game qualifiers in Sofia, Bulgaria representing Angola.
Trovoada, left, displays the balance and strength that he’s used to propel himself to the top of Angolan pro and amateur wrestling. Photo courtesy of Trovoada’s Instagram page.
Many of Africa’s pro wrestlers get little to no media coverage outside of their home countries and even in their home countries, many times the coverage is limited. Hopefully, the inclusion of some of the African wrestlers we covered here can help lead to a future that sees these talented and dedicated professionals get coverage that is more on par with that of their peers.
