If you grew up in urban India in the '80s, '90s and early '00s, there's a fair chance that you've participated in the near-mythic eras of entertainment wrestling. Night after night, names like Bret Hart and The Undertaker graced our television screens, inspiring mock matches between siblings in bedrooms and schoolmates in classrooms, all the while, capturing the imagination of millions.
Mihir Joshi is one such late '80s kid for whom the edgy antics of the then-WWF's 'Attitude Era' meant love at first sight. The musician and presenter continued exploring his lifelong fandom through twenty years in the entertainment industry, nine of which have had an official connection with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) franchise. Flaunting what might be the greatest collection of related merch owned by an Indian, he now serves as the official WWE India commentator, covering key storylines and developments from the front row of the country's massive fanbase.
On the first weekend of April, the WWE hosted Wrestlemania 39, a marquee event that serves as the cornerstone of modern sports entertainment. Last year's edition pulled in a whopping 1.1 billion digital views, with Joshi claiming that 60 million of them came from India alone.
Despite our enthusiasm for the event, this was definitely not the kind of wrestling we grew up with that one is mired with a long, dark chapter, before it became the example of diversity, inclusion and athletic talent that it is today.
Dirty Business
"The product has changed significantly now. One reason is, of course, the fact that WWE became a publicly traded company," says Joshi, referring to the company's 1999 stock listings. Prior to the 2000s, things were seriously over the top, and set the stage for problematic programming for the next decade.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Most Expensive Made-In-India Cars
From Mercedes limousines to variants of the flagship Land Rover, a surprising number of luxury flagship models are now locally assembled or produced in India
Making Noise In Quiet
Manik Handa of Eudaemon explains what it truly takes to define quiet luxury in India’s crowded retail market
Luggage Travails of a Frequent Flyer
Luxury and semi-luxury luggage are the new fashion frontier amongst the Indian jet set. Our writer though recommends extreme caution, unless you are the kind who can afford to fly in private jets
Ruling The Street
Either through imitation or rejection, streetwear continues to dominate the wardrobe of young India. We talk to those who follow the scene closely to understand its rise in status
Street Cred
Royal Enfield’s Guerrilla 450 is a thoroughly fun and exciting motorcycle—it is not that the Himalayan has just tidied up for a visit to the city
Now Serving.Indigenous India
India's culinary scene is buzzing with a quiet revolution, fueled by a vibrant comeback of hyperlocal ingredients. This movement isn't just about digging up fresh, local produce from across the nation—it's about rediscovering the deep, rich tapestry of India's diverse culinary heritage
CHAITANYA AKKINENI OF OLD LOVES AND NEW
The Akkineni-Daggubati family scion is starting a new phase, and life is looking more exciting than ever
Independence Movement
As we step into India's 77th year of Independence, we're shining the spotlight on four stunning timepieces, all designed from within the nation's borders
Precision in Motion
How Alain Zobrist and Omega Time the Olympics
The New Frontier
While India witnesses a massive growth in the number of global skincare brands entering the market, an increasing number of homegrown brands takeover the space and trust among consumers