”PRO WRESTLING RUNS THROUGH MY VEINS”- Eagle De Great Nail
Talented and lion-hearted Ugochukwu Christian Obi who has his ring name as Eagle De Great Nail was born to the family of Nelson Ezete Obi and Mercy Obiechi Obi on the 6th of December, 1986. He is currently the first born to the family as the one that senior him died in 2011. The families of Obi hailed from Umunobe Ogbunka in the Orumber south local government area of Anambra State, the Nigerian state that is rich in natural gas, crude oil, bauxite, and ceramic. It has an almost 100 percent arable soil. Anambra state has many other resources in terms of agro-based activities such as fisheries and farming, as well as land cultivated for pasturing and animal husbandry and has the lowest poverty rate in Nigeria.
Though he started professional wrestling career in the year 2010, the history of Nigerian professional wrestling would not be completed without listing the exploits and sincere contributions of Eagle who has been nailing his opponents on the ring one way or the other for over a decade. He is fast earning himself a reputation for making life miserable for his numerous opponents round the Nigeria wrestling scenes.
Trained at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos by Jimmy Palm ‘’African Dream’’ since inception of his career, his first opponent was his trainer, Jimmy Palm at a contest held at Abia state. It was a great fight. According to him, his toughest fight till date was against his mentor when he joined pro wrestling which was Power Lee. ‘’I have a long list of tough fights but with Power Lee Mr. Peace, it was awesome and a match I can never forget in a life time’’.
This great and talented wrestler who weighs 92 kg and who is 6.3 feet in height got his ring name from his own name and his father’s name. What a combination. The sense of personal identity and uniqueness that a name gives us is at the heart of why names interest us and why they are important to us as individuals and to our society as a whole. “A person’s name is the greatest connection to their own identity and individuality. Either real name or ring as a wrestler. Some might say it is the most important word in the world to that person. When someone remembers our name after meeting us, we feel respected and more important.
On the ring name of this determined wrestler, ‘’Eagle’’ came out from his own name ‘’Ugochuckwu’’ while his late father was popularly called ‘’Okentu’’ back home, meaning ‘’the Nail.’’ ‘’If you enter my community now back home in Anambra State, just mention that you are looking for Okentu’s family and you will be directed to our compound. I changed ‘’Okentu to English and it gave me ‘’The Great Nail’’ and that was how Eagle the Great Nail was born’’ he explained.
‘’Back home before coming to Lagos, I have been wrestling from Childhood. I participated in traditional wrestling events. My dad was also very strong and a great traditional warrior but I took after my uncle, Chief Louis Okeke known worldwide as the Super Armstrong of Africa former African Pro Wrestling heavyweight champion. Wrestling runs in my veins. I follow my dream and my lineage. I started as an amateur wrestler at the Lagos State Wrestling Association, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos before joining professional wrestling in the year 2010. During his life time, Super Armstrong of Africa fairly competed with Tony Destroyer, Mr. Kicx, Big Ballo, Strong Bone Erujeje and the Great Power Uti. I will surpass the level he attained. I am the rave of the moment. I have everything you can think of on my side. Age, experience, technicality and the modern day gimmicks’’ emphasise Eagle during the interview. We can only wish the Great Nail all the best in his endeavours.
