Nor “Phoenix” Diana becomes inaugural APAC Women’s Champion as star studded, two day event in Malaysia comes to a close
The first hijab wearing pro wrestler has now become the first hijab wearing pro wrestling champion. Nor “Phoenix” Diana was the last standing survivor of a four woman tournament to determine the first APAC Wrestling Women’s Champion. Phoenix was able to defeat former WWE Superstar Steph De Lander in the tournament final on Sunday December 11, 2022 at Day 2 of APAC’s first ever premium live event, RISE. During Day 1 action on Saturday, Nor Diana defeated Yuki Kamifuku to advance to the finals while Steph De Lander defeated Maki Itoh to advance.
Nor “Phoenix” Diana admires the fruits of her labor after becoming the inaugural APAC Wrestling Women’s Champion. Image courtesy of Nor “Phoenix” Diana’s Facebook page.
Nor Diana’s big championship win comes a week or so after being in the wrestling headlines for competing in a mixed tag match in Singapore against Sarah of Grapplemax Wrestling. The match almost certainly marked the first time that two hijab-wearing wrestlers faced off in a match and Sarah shared that she was influenced to become a pro wrestler and compete in a hijab thanks to Nor Diana. (Thanks to Lavie Margolin of The Business of The Business Podcast for sending this story our way.)
The venue for APAC RISE, the ultra-colorful and unique Spacerubix in Puchong, Malaysia. Image courtesy of the Spacerubix Facebook page.
The two day event was APAC’s first time venturing out of their longtime studio space APAC Ground Zero in Petaling Jaya. Also on the card at the two day event was Japanese pro wrestler and former WWE and ECW star Tajiri. On day one of Rise, Tajiri took on Shaukat, the founder of the Malaysian pro wrestling scene, in a singles match. Day 2 saw Tajiri team with Shaukat to take on Gotham and Double K in a tag team bout.
Also in action at the two day event were Serigala, Aiden Rex, Destroyer Dharma, Kojio, “The Statement” Andruew Tang, DJ Kal, LK, and Azroy with Tang, Aiden Rex, Destroyer Dharma and Kojio having traveled in from Singapore for the event. To keep up with what APAC Wrestling has in store next, be sure to give them a follow on Facebook.
