Africa’s new heavyweight champion gives first statement since seemingly controversial win
Pro Wrestling Africa’s Battle of Yaoundé 2021 was by all accounts a huge success for African professional wrestling. But it was the event’s shocking conclusion that left many fans talking in the days and weeks following the event. Six year reigning PWA Heavyweight Champion Power Lee lost his championship belt in the main event. The circumstances surrounding the victory were unclear to some fans, as they questioned whether the referee issued a fast count or if Power Lee was even on his back. Many of the questions arises from fans that were able to watch the event live over the internet.
WrestleMap was able to catch up with the new PWA Heavyweight Champion, Michel Noudem, for his first official statement since winning the title. Noudem’s statement does a lot to clear up any questions from fans regarding the circumstances surrounding his victory and will help put to rest any questions about whether his title victory was legitimate.
Noudem speaks French and his statement was issued in WrestleMap to French. We have done our best to translate the statement in English but it will also be provided in French for our readers who speak the language.
Michel Noudem moments after winning the PWA Heavyweight Championship. Photo courtesy of Moustapha Catcheur’s Facebook.
“I send all my fans a fraternal greeting! I would like to answer your question, and the concern of my fans, that I am filled with happiness to have taken over my opponent Power Lee by winning the continental title, the most important thing that I have long coveted. The role of the referee is to note, protect and decide between the two wrestlers on the basis of the different techniques that each wrestler presents but you must have noticed that my opponent did very little improvisation. So when I brought on a submission hold, the referee has only done his job to protect Power Lee. Ladies and gentlemen, I hope I have answered your concern. I am available to answer all your questions. I am the club’s new heavyweight champion of the PWA.”
As promised, here is the statement as given in French by Mr. Noudem.
“j adresse à tous mes fans un salut fraternel je voudrais pour répondre à votre question et à la préoccupation de mes fans que je suis un homme heureux comblé pour avoir pris le dessus sur mon adversaire power lee en remportant le titre continental le plus important que j ai longtemps convoité le rôle de l arbitre consiste à noter protéger et à départager les deux lutteurs sur la base des différentes techniques que chaque lutteurs présentent mais vous avez du constaté que mon adversaire faisait très peu d improvisation alors quand je les amené sur une prise de soumission l arbitre n as fait que son travail protéger power lee mesdames messieurs j espère avoir répondu à votre préoccupation je suis disponible près a répondre à toutes vos questions je suis le matraqueur nouveau champion poids lourd de la pwa.”
As Le Matraqueur points out, it was the referee’s decision to award Michel Noudem the victory after his opponent Power Lee was locked in a submission hold and appeared to be defenseless. This should help put an end to any questions and concerns regarding the legitimacy of Noudem’s victory or the question as to if any illegal tactics were used.
