Bahrain could host a Middle East training academy for future World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstars.
A proposal to open a regional branch of the WWE Performance Centre has been presented to the Cabinet by the Southern Municipal Council.
It is the latest ambitious scheme to be tabled by the council, which is also pushing to bring some of the world’s biggest attractions to the country.
“We are proud to be the home of motorsports in the Middle East with the first Formula One track being voted the best circuit on numerous occasions,” said chairman Ahmed Al Ansari, who confesses to having his own dreams of being a WWE wrestler.
“There are a number of projects in the pipeline, such as having the region’s first Universal Studios, Disneyland and Bollywood City – among several other family recreational attractions.
“So working to attract the WWE, the world’s leader in sports entertainment, to have its regional performance centre here in Bahrain would be a major step forward for the country and would further enhance its status as an attractive destination for investment.
“The WWE Performance Centre will see hundreds of people coming to Bahrain, either as trainers, trainees or support and technical staff, which means that large sums of money will be pumped into the economy.”
WWE is an American entertainment company that hosts more than 500 events a year and is available to about 36 million viewers in more than 150 countries.
However, Bahrain would likely face competition from other GCC countries to host the training facility.
In December, Nasser Alruwayeh from Kuwait and Jordanian Shadia Bseiso were the two first athletes from the region to be presented with WWE contracts in a live event in Abu Dhabi.
However, WWE superstar and SmackDown Live general manager Daniel Bryan will be appearing at the first Bahrain Comic Con next month.
The three-time WWE Championship title-holder, 2011 Money in the Bank winner and former US Champion will conduct a question and answer session and appear at an exclusive meet and greet at the event, taking place on March 16 and 17 at Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir.
Mr Al Ansari said he would personally take up the proposal with him.
“Since Mr Bryan will be coming to Bahrain and our area next month, I will make sure to highlight the proposal with him,” he said.
He added successful graduates of a WWE Performance Centre in Bahrain could bring welcome exposure, especially if they make it on the biggest stage.
“The graduates will be recognised as graduates from Bahrain’s branch, whether by commentators or through their biographies whenever they get their first television exposure in NXT (the WWE development division),” he explained.
“It would be a much bigger thing for the graduates when they make it to the main rosters on RAW and SmackDown Live, which is what anyone dreams of achieving one day.
“I myself have always wanted to be a WWE superstar and it has been an ongoing dream for me, despite making my other ambitious ideas into reality – like becoming military personnel, an elected member of the council and its chairman four years ago.”
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