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Ever since Jinder Mahal shocked the world by winning the WWE Championship, ‘India’ has been the centre of attention in the professional wrestling community.
Additionally, with the WWE prepped for its tour of India, here’s taking a look at the enigmatical nation and understanding the WWE’s popularity in the land of the seven rivers. Much like any other business in the world, WWE relies on a handful of top attractions to draw eyeballs toward its product.
A select few WWE icons command the vast majority of the attention of this 1.3 billion-strong nation.
Today, Sportskeeda takes a look at the most beloved WWE Superstars in India—
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#5 Brock Lesnar and AJ Styles
The Beast Incarnate rose to prominence in the world of sports and entertainment during the commencement of the Ruthless Aggression era and has enjoyed a loyal fan-base in India ever since. In fact, as narrated by several fans in India, Brock Lesnar was so very popular in the country that the vast majority of gamers and pro-wrestling fans in the country would almost always choose him as their playable character in ‘WWE SmackDown! Here Comes The Pain’—a video game which has been wildly popular in Indian gaming parlours right from the early-2000s till the here and now!
Furthermore, Lesnar’s popularity soared higher after he made a triumphant return to the WWE when he was done conquering the MMA world; winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship. In fact, the Mayor of Suplex City is also said to have played a huge role in drawing the Indian pro-wrestling fans to the fringe sport of MMA.
Well, expounding upon the large Indian fan-base, one of the more recent additions to pro-wrestling’s topmost attractions in India is none other than ‘The Phenomenal’ AJ Styles. In fact, Styles’ perfect balance of charisma, mic skills, personality, wrestling skills and high-flying daredevilry seems to have ensured him a loyal legion of young fans in this nation of billions.
In reference to the same, it wouldn’t be folly to say that AJ Styles may indeed have the biggest fan-base among the youth of India—said fan-following only set to increase over the next few years.
#4 The Rock
Despite not having been a full-time performer for 13 years now, The People’s Champion is still one of the most-talked-about and revered sports-entertainers in India to date.
Furthermore, The Rock is also one of the biggest attractions in Hollywood, and fans this side of the world—particularly the 18-35 age demographic—flock in droves to his movies release in Indian theatres. It wouldn’t be outrageous to say that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson starring in the global-franchise that is ‘The Fast & The Furious’ series, has tremendously boosted the popularity of the franchise worldwide and especially in India.
The People’s Eyebrow and the Rock’s other signature gestures/moves are wildly popular in India and have been so since the 1990s. Besides, Rocky recently spearheaded Baywatch which starred one of the most famous Indian actresses and former international beauty queen Priyanka Chopra in it; further endearing him to his Indian fan-base.(not that he needed it!)
#3 Roman Reigns
The Big Dog may find himself at the receiving end of ridiculous hate in his native United States. However, when it comes to Roman Reigns and his following in India, the Shield powerhouse is perhaps matched by only the all-time WWE greats in that avenue.
Reigns enjoys a huge fan-following in India, especially among young WWE audience. In fact, Reigns—who’s been almost universally hated for his 2015 Royal Rumble victory rather than having fan-favourite Daniel Bryan win it—was in fact cheered on at the time by his legion of supporters in India.
One ought to note that the vast majority of pro-wrestling fans in India tend to value storylines and larger-than-life characters more than in-ring work and pure wrestling skills. Although this may differ from what the modern-day fan-base in countries such as Japan and the US look for, India still remains one of the key markets for organizations such as WWE; particularly owing to the millions of fans who tune in every week to watch WWE TV shows and PPVs—both of which are broadcast for free in India.
Needless to say, given Reigns' charisma and imposing personality, the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion is perhaps the most beloved modern Superstar in India today.
#2 John Cena
Yet another invincible WWE superhero, whom pro-wrestling fans in the West seemed to have long turned against. Much like hardcore fans’ public enemy number-1, Roman Reigns, John Cena enjoys an enviable fan-following in India.
Speaking of which, Cena being the consummate professional he is, has often visited India so as to represent and promote the WWE product; and has even spoken in its national language on a couple of occasions!
Cena has always been regarded as one of the coolest WWE Superstars in India, as evidenced by the crowds at WWE events in India giving the loudest pop to the leader of the Cenation. Once again, despite the hardcore fans worldwide, directing a ton of negativity towards the former WWE Champion, here in India, fans hold ‘Super Cena’ in very high regard.
#1 The Undertaker
Alright, for those unaware or just in case you missed the video posted above, ‘Fake Undertaker’ aka Brian Lee—a man who portrayed the Imposter Undertaker in the old WWF, also acted as the Phenom in the Bollywood movie ‘Khiladiyon Ke Khiladi’. The 1996 film was declared a super-hit and Undertaker became perhaps the most famous WWE wrestler in India.
However, till date, most Indian fans are unaware of the fact that it was Lee (Imposter Undertaker) and not Mark Calaway (the real ‘Taker) who acted in the aforementioned movie. Nevertheless, the Undertaker broke through in the mainstream Indian media after the movie, which also featured the real ‘Crush’.
Furthermore, one ought to note that the Undertaker’s Deadman gimmick is a bigger hit among the Indian fans rather than his American Badass (ABA) biker persona. Regardless, despite the Undertaker’s injuries adversely affecting his in-ring performances in recent times, his Indian fans extend their undying support to the demon from Death Valley.
It seems rather fitting that the beautiful, mysterious and oft puzzling nation of India stands loyally behind perhaps the most mystical WWE Superstar—The Undertaker.
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