THE IRISH TIMES Wednesday,July 15 ,2020 Sports 25

Wrestling Interview Anene has sights on top rung of wrestling world

■ Justin Anene at the Fight Factory in the East Wall and, right, Irish wrestler Sheamus performs at the 3Arena in Dublin:PHOTOGRAPHS: NICK BRADSHAW,INPHO

whereheactedlikehe hadgoneoveron his Johnny Watterson leg and hurt himself. He wasn’t hurt at all but was limping around the ring. Competing professionally “The crowd were like ‘oh shit it’s his leg. It’s actually hurt’. They are convinced my since the age of 14 the leg is injured. But I’m determined to keep going. Now the guyistaking lumps out of Dubliner has ambitions my injured leg. He’s beatingdown my leg, to go all the way beating down my leg. Theneventually I come back and win and the wholecrowd have just lost it. Like oh my God he’s just won and his leg is gone. ou’ve reallygot to see Dr of “It’s not likeyou everhave to do acting Thuganomics, John Cena, flipthe to be awrestler.But there is an acting Killswitch. It’s his trademark aspect likewhen you are doing your Ymove, aside release Spin-out promos and when you are talkingtothe Powerbomb. Or former US marine Randy microphoneortalkingtothe camera.It Orton, theApex Predator. His Gutwrench can be nerve-racking sometimes. But you Elevated Neckbreaker, it’s abeautifully just have to get it done. It’s part of the choreographed piece of violence. business. If you don’t have good wrestling Bothnow franchises in their own right, ability and don’t have good talking skills in it was Cenaand Orton who opened the front of crowds then that’swhen youwill eyes of Justin Anene to the eyeliner end of fail.” sport, Wrestlemania and Smackdowns, a He can go to the top rope and leap onto world of ham acting and clothes-lining, a an opponent or an opponent can hurl world the teenageDubliner hopes to one himself through the air at him. Either way day successfully body slam. there’soften apricetopay at the end witha At 16-years-old, Anene, in the landof toll of injuries and concussions. Careful muscle and make believe, talks like atop body management and ice baths are part rope veteran. Already aprofessional he is of the contract. paid to do shows around Ireland. It’s his careernow outside of school but the future ‘Painisveryreal’ he sees for himself is much bigger than Iwatched it on TV all the time and I’d “Getting slammed on the ground is very parish halls and community gyms. painful,” he says. “The pain is very real but Gripped when he first set eyes on the go to the live shows in the 3Arena. the concept is fake as people would call it.” spangled pantomime from his sitting Seeing it live with the lights and the It’s along road and Anene is young. But room, it was initially the World Wrestling ‘‘ there’snohead-long rush. He’s plotting Federation (WWF) that fedthe habit.It loud music. Idon’t know what it was. his way. It’snot all about getting intoone was magic to achild, the flying bodies and There was something about it that of the big franchises in the UK or Japan or hair pulling, the music and ring capers made me want to do it so bad. America, although that’s what he dreams with full fan participation. of doing. Later in ajolt of self-realisation the He explains thatit’s moreabout WWFbecameWorldWrestling Entertain- becoming avalued wrestling asset. He ment(WWE). The linesless blurred, it was the ropes. It can go very well and you lose, the fansbuy intothe character and he is withRock Shandy and plan a12-minute Ireland, they get the crowds in. There are thinks he’ll play the young guy for the next aspectacle of sports entertainment, men or, it can go reallybadly and you win.For capableenough to credibly run withthe match where me and my tag partner win. no age-group matches and straight away few years. At 16 that requires no acting and and women in make-up and agreed that you have to believe. It’s not about narrative, they book him into shows. We call it goingover on them. We win. “Daniels” was put in against adults. His there are currently no new young guys scripts. believing in wrestling or not believing in Those shows fill Dublin’s 3Arena. They That’s how wrestling works.” second match was against Ciarán, a hanging up their briefs in the Fight Thuganomics and Predator werethe wrestling. It is about believing in what sell out the 2,200-seat NationalStadium He began his career as the villain. But a 31-year-old more than twice his age. Now Factory. “Right now I’m happy with my constant narrativesthat ran through wrestling is. It’s believing in achoreo- and the adjacent Ringside Club. But there meeting withWWE tagteam champion he’ssetonmaking wrestling hiscareerand progress,” he says. “ButIwanttoget Anene’s early years. What it was that drew graphed, predetermined pageant. are always higher rungs to climb. Paul London,aka El Gran Luchadore, he’sworking the crowd as the young,new better. Itrulybelieve Iwill getbetter. him in he doesn’t yet fully understand. But There is NXT UK, the United Kingdom- famous for high-risk offensive stunts kidonthe block, wide-eyed and innocent. WhenIwas 15 Iwas thinking ‘Jesus I’m not he got it. He got what it was about. He got Americanscene based brand of the cashcow WWE,which including signature moves the 450 Splash It plays well with the fans. getting better.’Then I’m looking back and the razzmatazz attraction. He got the “Most people grow out of watching is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Suicide Dive, convincedhim that “In OTT I’ve lost three times in arow. my God I’vegot so much better. My wres- storylines. He got the tight trunks, the dull wrestling. But Inever grew out of it,” he and in 2019 generated revenue of working hard to be the loved protagonist But I’velost becauseI’m the new lad. I’m tling ability,small things that fans thuds and the histrionics. says. “I just kept watching. My whole life. I $960.4 million. There is abig Japanese was abetter route starting off. the young lad.Sowrestling an adult it wouldn’t knowlikepositioning and even All of it was enough to blowaway a watched it on TV all the time and I’d go to franchise, NJPW. wouldn’t make sense for me to win. But be- how you get up. Iget slammed to the 13-year-old “chubby kid” who was “always the live shows in the 3Arena. Seeing it live “It’s amix of sport and entertainment. ‘Clickedwithme’ cause I’m young the crowd havesomuch ground, you have to get up to your right. insecure about my weight”, hit the gym withthe lights and the loudmusic.Idon’t That’s what it’s classed as,” says Anene. “He was saying ‘I don’t like guys starting sympathyfor me. Theywantmetowin so Wrestling in front of alive crowd Iwas and acquire astage name. Anene was too know what it was. There was something “For instance if I’m wrestling with Fight out to be bad guysbecause it’ssomuch bad. You plan the match to tell astory. nervous. But now I’m more calm.” exotic, not catchy. It didn’t take long for about it that made me want to do it so bad. Factory the promoterisPhil Boyd or if I’m more easier to get hate than to be loved.’ “You know it’s like I’m up on him, I’m up Covid-19 has effectivelydimmed the JustinDaniels to be born. From atelevi- “I had posters and T-shirts and figures wrestlingwith OTT the promoter is Joe Thatjust clicked withme. So IsaidI’m not on him, I’m about to win and Iget cut off lights and unplugged the mics. But the sion fantasy to flying across the canvas for and stuff. It was the American scene. Cabray. going to take the easy way and became a andIlose. You are giving them hope and gumshields,spandex and kneepads are on money, Anene aka Daniels had his first There has been an Irish wrestling scene “They would have abig meeting with all goodguy. I’m agood guy now.I’m one of then you just cut it off. They feel bad for standby in the fabulousworldofthe competitiveprofessionalwrestling match for years. But it’s only startingtoget the wrestlersbefore the event.They’ll be the biggest goodguys there is now. You me. So when Ieventually do win they will Mushroom Stomp, Spinning Heel Kick, at 14 against one of his best friends. exposure now.” like ‘look this is where we want this to go’. need to relate to the fans. You need to be ‘oh my God he won.’ You know the story Frankensteiner and Frog Splash. “It ended up going really, really, really Anene trains in the Fight Factory in They might say ‘okay Justin we want you to makethem smile.Ifyou can’t put asmile line but the fans don’t.” Fakingisaserious business in the well,”he says.“Iwas theheel [villain]. Iwas Dublin’s North Wall, aprofessional eventually become tag team champions on their face, why should they cheer for He says it’s about the drama that un- “Glam Rock” end of the sportingspec- the 14-year-old bad guy. Ilost. Winning wrestling training school. An independ- with your tag partner [Big Rab] so tonight you?” foldsand the way the wrestlerstell it. The trum. But he’s in there with energy and andlosing is irrelevantinthe wrestling ent, he is agun for hire and wrestles with youaregoing to beat [tagteam] RockShan- He started when he was 14-years-old unknown outcomes and the aerial displays eyes wide open. Optimistic and ambitious. world.” Fight Factory and Over the Top (OTT). If dy and you’ll have eight to 12 minutes.’ and has had 40 to 50 matches. Anywhere a with regular heavy hits and falls are the Akid with adream. Awaiting The Rapture There are things to know about inside the promoters like the wrestler, believe “So then me and my tag partner go off ring and seats can be put up around crowd takeaway. He talks of one match and WWE ascension.

Racing News CLASSIFIED EXTRA

PUBLIC NOTICES Regulator happy with MOTORS FORSALE APPOINTMENTS PUBLIC NOTICES

UCC PUBLIC NOTICE screening protocols VACANCIES APPLICATIONFOR A FORESHORE LICENCE Applications areinvited for the following post: Notice is hereby givenpursuanttoSection despite breaches LET US SELL YOURCAR 19 of theForeshoreAct,1933that CLASSIC OR MODERN LECTURESHIP IN CodlingWindPark Limited (Cooney VARIATIONOFLOCAL PROPERTY TAX COMMERCIAL LAW CareyConsulting Limited, Unit15-16, Taking the Hassle out of Selling The Courtyard, Carmanhall Road, they had filled out all the protocols. An IHRB spokes- SCHOOL OF LAW Sandyford, Dublin 18)has appliedtothe Case involving NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF SETTING Minister forHousing,Local Government necessary paperwork correct- man said yesterday: “Weare ALOCAL ADJUSTMENT FACTOR (INCREASE/ We prepare, market and Specific Purpose andHeritagefor alicence underSection O’Briens at Curragh ly but failed to go through a dealing with avery small sell on consignment Whole Time 2/3 of the said Actfor the thecompletion health screening area which percentage of the overall DECREASE OR LEAVING UNALTEREDLOCAL of geophysical,geotechnical,ecological an ‘unfortunate’ Have your car appraisedwith (Anticipated Duration andmetocean surveys adjacent to the includes atemperature check. numbers that are attending PROPERTY TAXRATE) us. We collect, prepare, store 12 months) coasts of CountyWicklow andDublin. incident says IHRB AidanO’Brientoldtherefer- the racing. They are very and sell yourcar Salary: Acopy of theapplication andthe relevant rals panel that on approaching isolated cases. Overall compli- The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act2012 (asamended), maps, plansand drawings,are available LectureshipBelowthe Bar the gatethrough which he ance has been very good makes specific provision thatElected Members of alocal forinspection for 30 days from 15th July wouldnormally enterthe within the industry.” Call us on 0877853264 Salary Scale: to 15th August, free of charge, at the authority maypass aformal resolution to vary the basic or email following Gardastations andpublic BRIAN O’CONNOR Curragh he was not requested He added that both Aidan €34,067–€60,167 library: rate of the Local Property Taxfor their administrativearea sales@davidgolding cars.ie by racecourse security to and Donnacha O’Brien accept- Thehours of work arethose by apercentageknown as the local adjustmentfactor. www.davidgoldingcars.ie Wicklow GardaStation, Bachelor's Walk, Irish racing’s regulator has return to the health screening ed it was their responsibility to prescribed underPublic This means thatDún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Wicklow Town,A67 HK20 insisted overall compliance area or askedhad he go through the proper Sector Agreements in Greystones GardaStation,Marine with health screening proto- completed the process. screening process when can increase or decrease the basic rate of the Local Rathgar Dublin 6 respect of Academic staff. Terrace, Greystones, A63N466 cols on racecourses due to He also said that as this was arriving at the Curragh. Property Taxwithin the County by amaximum of +/-15% Trading since 1988 Bray Garda Station, ConventAvenue, Foraninformation package or leave it unaltered. Bray, A98EO93 coronavirus is very goodde- his first meeting under the However, the Curragh’s including full details of the Wicklow Library, Kilmantin Hill, spite anumber of high-profile protocols he was not aware of chief executive Pat Keoghput The charge period forlocal property tax runs from the 1st post, selection criteria and CorporationLands,Wicklow TownA67 VOLVO VH48. breaches. any wrongdoing,adding that his handsupyesterday in of November to 31st of October each year.Adecision to application processsee More details emerged yes- therewas “no malice in what relation to the incident. It was vary the basic rate of LPTapplies to the next charge period https://ore.ucc.ie/ The documentation is availableonthe terday about the circumstanc- had happened” and expressed racecourse security rather Department's website: es in which champion trainer his regretatwhat had than IHRB personnel that al- and is effectivefor thatone year period only after which TheUniversity,atits Aidan O’Brien and his son occurred. lowed the O’Briens access the rate revertsback to the original basic rate on the 1st discretion, mayundertake https://www.housing.gov.ie/ November unless afurther decision on alocal variation is to makeanadditional fs007045-codling-foreshore-investigation- Donnacha have been banned through adifferent gate. appointment(s) from -licence-application from going racing for two made prior to thatdatebythe ElectedMembers. the relevant competition Anypersonwho wishes to make an weeks, and each fined ¤2,500, ■ Aidan ‘Iputmyhandsup’ The Council will meet in September 2020 to consider the following the conclusion of objection to,orarepresentationinrespect after breaking the rules at the O’Brien “Aidan did everything right in setting of alocal adjustmentfactor forthe charge period the process. of the grantofthe licencesought should CurraghonIrish 2,000 pictured at the terms of registering. Unfortu- 1/11/2020 to 31/10/2021. do so in writing, giving reasons, between Guineas day last month. Curragh for the nately it was his first day back UNIVERSITYCOLLEGECORK thedates of 15th July to 15thAugust The Council welcomes written submissions from the IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES (quoting ref: FS007045), to theMarine The Irish Horseracing 2,000 Guineas racing [afterlockdown] and he EMPLOYER Planning Policyand Development Regulatory Board (IHRB) said in June went through one point and he public on this matter specifically covering the potential Section, Department of Housing, Local both men failed to go through wasn’t checked for his wrist- effectsofretaining the existing variation, or applying an Jag F-Pace PRESTIGEAuto. Government andHeritage, Newtown alternativeornovariation, on businesses,individuals and Incl. Leather,Cruise Control and Road, Wexford, Co. Wexfordor the health screening process, band which everybody should Automatic Gears. [email protected]. The closing instead entering thecourse The panelaccepted there be. It was amistake on our part on local authority services. SITUATIONS VACANT date forsubmissions is close of business €36,995 WE TRADE IN’s on 15th August 2020. through aseparate gate at the was no malice in theO’Briens’ and Iput my hands up,”said Submissions must be received by the 14th of August 2020 Curragh. Racecourse security intentions but nevertheless Keogh. and maybemade using one of the following methods. Contact: Allobjections andrepresentations IT SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR receivedwillbeforwarded to the failed to redirect them to the concluded they acted “ina “Obviously the security guy 0539180716(Day) Company:TicoMailWorks. Location: (1) Online through the Council’sconsultation hub at applicantfor commentpriortoany proper entry point. manner which was prejudicial didn’t ask Aidan. Maybe he 086 8162336 (Night) T8 Maple AvenueStillorgan Industrial decision being made in the matter. On Monday areferrals to theproper conductorgood thoughthe’d been through www.dlrcoco.ie Park Blackrock Co DublinA94 RT20 Material upon whichthe Minstershall Ireland.Salary: 32kyear. Hoursof panel handed out penalties af- reputation of horseracing”. and he’d seen it already. It was (2) By e-mail to [email protected] determinethis applicationmay be INTERIORS &EXTERIORS work:39hoursper week. Description published on theDepartment'swebsite.In ter what an IHRB spokesman Separately yesterday, Sarah alapse. It absolutely should of therole: TicoMailWorks is now (3) By post to Local Property TaxSubmissions,FMS this regard theDepartmentwishestodraw referred to as an “unfortu- Bermingham, an authorised not have happened. recruiting IT System Administratorto attentiontoits policy on defamatory nate” incidentand O’Brien representative of trainer He added: “All the security Section, Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council, manage the IT infrastructure of the materialthatmay be containedin County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co.Dublin RUGS companyincluding WindowsServers, submissions it receives, whichmay be himselfhas describedasa“mis- Enda Bolger, was fined ¤150 people get properly briefed. ” provide troubleshooting (Office 365 found at: understanding”. and prohibited from entering Security briefingswill again Submissions should be clearly marked “Proposed LPT repair, windowsupdates, driver RUG ART:Byappointment M-F10-5, Sat updates, software package installation http://www.housing.gov.ie/planning/ They were less than the aracecoursefor amonth after be held at the Curragh ahead Variation”. 10-2. 01 2690505/[email protected] and removal, printingand scanning foreshore/ ¤5,000 fine and three-month accessing Bellewstown last of this Saturday’s Juddmonte Signed: Philomena Poole, Chief Executive problems). Anextgen firewall and public-participation-foreshore-consent-pr- ban imposed on trainer weekwithout the necessary Irish Oaks, whichwill once internal networkinfrastructure. ocess Dated: 15th July 2020 Residential Minimum2years' experienceina Emmet Mullins after he was requirements. again be a“domestic only” technicalsupportenvironment, 13th of July, 2020 also broke the rules at Such incidents are Classic. Adozen fillies remain Property knowledge of PC/ServerHardware CodlingWindParkLtd Leopardstown lastmonth. On embarrassing in the context intherace afteryesterday’s for- Dún Laoghaire-RathdownCounty Council, Maintenance, Windows Servers, CooneyCarey Consulting Limited, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Co.Dublin, Ireland Microsoft Active Directory Unit15-16,The Courtyard, that occasion Mullins failedto of how racing was the first feit stage, including Donnacha administration skills. Applybyemail - present acorrect barcode and major sport to resumebehind O’Brien’sFrench Oakswinner Comhairle Contae DhúnLaoghaire-RáthanDúin, Carmanhall Road,Sandyford, EVERYTHURSDAYIN [email protected] Dublin 18. was denied entry. However, he closed doorsinIreland on the Fancy Blue. She was made an Halla an Chontae, Dún Laoghaire, Co.Átha Cliath,Éire waslater seen on the premises. back of an extensive 77-page initial 7-4 favourite by some Tel: 01 205 4700 Email: [email protected] Web: www.dlrcoco.ie THEIRISHTIMES In the caseofthe O’Briens, documentofCovid-19 safety firms.