Before Facebook, I Was Writing About Mankind

 

I stumbled across this recently and, honestly, what a throwback!

This was a story I wrote 26 years ago, in July 2000, for ZingAsia — right in the middle of the dotcom boom, when everyone was convinced the Internet was going to change the world.

Well… they were right. 😂

The story was about WWF superstar Mick Foley, better known then as Mankind and Cactus Jack, who had arrived in Kuala Lumpur as part of his Southeast Asian tour.

And yes, yours truly was there.

The crowd was fantastic — kids, teenagers, adults and even senior citizens, all turning up to see the wrestling superstar they had only known from their TV screens. There was even a Mankind impersonation contest!

But looking at this old article today, what makes me smile isn't just the story.

It's the website. Look at it! The blue navigation bars. The tiny advertising boxes. “Quick Poll”. “Select a Channel”. And my favourite: “You are here: SportZing > Sports Spectator.”

This was the Internet before Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and smartphones. “Going online” was something you actually did.

And look at that photograph of Mick Foley and me. The caption says: “I managed to get a shot with him!” 

Today we'd probably take 20 selfies, post them immediately, tag him, upload a Reel and do a TikTok. Back then, one photograph was enough.

And I suddenly realised something while looking at this: I was already doing digital journalism before we even called it digital journalism.

26 years later, I'm still writing. And I still have these old articles tucked away.

What a treasure trove.

A little piece of my younger self... and a little time capsule of the Internet.

The #WWEKualaLumpur 2014 Experience

After a 12-year hiatus or so, the WWE juggernaut returned to Malaysia for a couple of shows on 10 & 11 October, 2014. Personally,  this would be my 3rd WWE "live" show, having witnessed "No Mercy" in Albany, New York in 2000 and the show in KL a couple of years later.

If you've known me for a period of time, you'd know that I'm a huge pro-wrestling fan, and that I've met up with and interviewed quite a number of WWE Superstars including the late Chris Benoit, Tori Wilson, Big Show, FBI, Scotty 2 Hotty etc.

Over these recent years, I've probably missed only a handful of PPV shows, but my favourites have remained the dudes from the Attitude era. Which kinda meant, I was excited about WWE coming back to KL when I first heard about it, but I wasn't too over the moon by the roster slated for Malaysia.

Having said that, there was no way I was gonna miss the show. And after giving it some thought, I decided to bring along my 9-year-old daughter, Tia, for the ride. BEST. DECISION. EVER.

Yup, Tia was genuinely puzzled when I told her she'd be coming with me, but guess what? As the first match on the second night began with John Cena's entrance theme blasting through the speakers, she became an instant fan!

She was screaming and cheering, and yes, booing too at the obvious bad guys : ) We had pretty good seats at the lower-tier section, and so the wrestlers were clear in our sights as they entered the arena.

Apart from Cena, Tia's other favourite was also the Big Show. She couldn't believe how huge the main was and basically couldn't fathom how he could even possibly lose a match!

I must say too that virtually all the matches were really entertaining. The superstars sold their moves well, and gave the crowd what they came to see; the awesome finishing moves. The matches also had a good amount of humour and flair, and the good guys won.

And oh, the crowd was awesome too. Led by the enthusiastic lot of PGM (Persatuan Gusti Malaysia), the chants and cheers were loud, and showed just how knowledgable the Malaysian fans were.

The only disappointment was probably that the stadium was not exactly full, although close to 20,000 people turned up over the two nights, according to reports.

But I'm pretty sure those who were there, left the arena feeling they got their money's worth. Including this father/daughter tag team : )

WWE Live In Malaysia This October!

As incredible as it may sound, it was some 12 years ago that the WWE last held a "live" event here in Malaysia. I say "incredible" cos as you know, pro wrestling has a huge following here since time immemorial. Generations of Malaysians have been huge fans of the sport, no matter the background, income bracket or race. So when WWE Superstars turned up in the flesh in 2002, the buzz was huge, needless to say.

And after a long absence, WWE will be back here for not one, but TWO nights of sweat, suplexes and scantily-clad divas (maybe)! 

The goss had been circulating for quite a bit and when it was announced that WWE legend Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat was going to be in town for a "special announcement", the rumour turned into exciting anticipation.

And through my association with PGM (Peminat Gusti Malaysia, a club that I've been supporting since my MHI days), I was invited to the press conference at KLCC on the 22nd of May.

Apart from the press, there were 60 of us from PGM and also MWC (Malaysian Wrestling Club), and as a result, it turned out to be more than a normal press conference complete with decked-out fanatics and wrestling chants.

And of course everyone went into a frenzy when the legend himself made his entrance.

So, here are the details: WWE Live Malaysia Tour will be held on 10 & 11 October 2014 at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil brought to you by Astro. Some of the superstars who'll be coming include John Cena, Bad News Barrett, The Shield and the Family Wyatt.

Tickets will go on sale beginning 31st May 2014 through ticketpro. And here are the pricing details:

I'm pretty much there. Most probably at ringside. Personally, this would be my third "live" WWE event, the first being No Mercy 2000 in Albany, New York. 

See you guys there! Whatcha gonna do when the WWE runs wild on youuuuuuuu....