Inside HKWF: Pro Wrestler Bitman’s Journey and HK’s Rise in the Ring
In the heart of Hong Kong’s fast-paced urban sprawl, where skyscrapers crowd the skyline and ambition pulses through every street, a quiet revolution has been unfolding — one in the squared circle. Professional wrestling has found a home in the city thanks to a handful of passionate pioneers. At the center of this movement stands Bitman: wrestler, mentor, and president of the Hong Kong Pro-Wrestling Federation (HKWF).
The Beat Asia had a conversation with Bitman ahead of HKWF’s upcoming event on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, stepping into his world: a high-impact arena of sweat-soaked storytelling, cinematic grit, and grassroots resilience.
Known for his hybrid wrestling style and community-first ethos, Bitman is both a community builder and a ring warrior, shaping Hong Kong’s wrestling identity.
As a kid growing up in Hong Kong, Bitman was captivated by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and icons like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.
“Those larger-than-life characters and the high-stakes drama felt like a live-action comic book,” he recalls. “It was the perfect escape in a city that never slows down like ours.”
That childhood fascination evolved into a calling. In 2009, Bitman stepped into the ring through the newly formed HKWF, training in a modest gym in Fo Tan. Their early shows were humbly held in warehouse venues with just a small group of fans, but the vision was bold.
“What keeps me going is the family we’ve built, the energy of the crowd, mentoring new talent, and showing the world that Hong Kong belongs in the global wrestling conversation. Wrestling isn’t just a job and it’s how I tell stories, with sweat and heart.”
Bitman describes his community as “tighter than a figure-four leglock. Since day one in 2009, we trained together in cramped gyms, shared meals after shows, and supported each other through tough tours.”
The federation's creative approach reflects the city’s cinematic legacy. “HKWF promotes culture by blending athletic spectacle with Hong Kong’s storytelling flair like high-flying moves inspired by our action cinema roots,” Bitman adds. “Beyond the ring, we run workshops, youth programs, and collaborations that help demystify wrestling and turn skeptics into superfans. In a city where space and funding are always tight, HKWF plays a crucial role as the bridge, making wrestling accessible, inclusive, and unmistakably Hong Kong.”
Wrestling in Hong Kong isn’t just about the spectacle, it’s about survival. The city’s high rents and limited space make venues and rings a luxury, forcing collectives like HKWF to get creative. “Space and visibility are the biggest challenges,” Bitman explains. “With Hong Kong’s sky-high rent, rings and venues are expensive, so we often make use of warehouses or shared spaces.”
But it’s not just logistics — it’s perception. “Some locals still see wrestling as ‘fake’ American entertainment, not the athletic art form it really is,” he says. “Building a fanbase takes serious grassroots hustle.”
Without the backing of major TV deals, HKWF relies on ticket sales, sponsors, and sheer passion. “Funding’s tough too because we’re indie at heart,” Bitman adds. “And post-COVID, travel restrictions hit our international tours hard. But these challenges push us to innovate — we’re leaning into online content and pop-up events, turning limitations into the kind of underdog energy that makes HK wrestling raw and real.”
Managing to organize regular events in recent years, this underdog energy was set to shine even brighter this year at “Ring of Harbour” on September 25, HKWF’s first-ever outdoor wrestling showcase at Central Harbourfront’s AIA Vitality Park. The event was designed as a cultural collision of athleticism and international flair, featuring over 20 wrestlers from Mexico, Ireland, India, and Hong Kong. It was also the opening act for “The Latin Kaleidoscope,” a festival hosted by MexCham HK to celebrate Latin American culture in Hong Kong. But nature had other plans — a typhoon forced its postponement, leaving fans and fighters disappointed but undeterred.
Now, HKWF is channeling that momentum into its next major event: “Shin Squared Circle: Lucha Libre VS Puroresu,” set for October 24 at Chai Wan’s Youth Square.
“Get ready for fireworks — this clash of titans pits Mexico’s aerial wizards against Japan’s stiff-shot samurai in a dream feud,” Bitman teases. “Expect a stacked card: Opening high-fly tag with Hong Kong’s Outer Space stable against lucha imports for flip-fest frenzy; mid-card grudge where Mikey Man defends his AWGC strap in a puroresu-style ironman bout, building to brutal submissions.”
The storyline is classic invasion of arc gold. “Luchas ‘raiding’ our turf, sparking betrayals and alliances, culminating in a main-event mask-vs.-title war that’s equal parts drama and destruction,” Bitman says. “And yes, there’s a twist: a surprise HK-Japan pact to fend off the invaders. It’s pure adrenaline, with narrative hooks that’ll keep fans buzzing long after the final bell.”
Bitman’s story isn’t just about building a wrestling promotion — it’s about carving out a space for Hong Kong identity in a global sport. Through HKWF, he’s helped transform wrestling from a niche curiosity into a vibrant subculture that blends athleticism, storytelling, and local flavor. From cramped gyms to international partnerships, from typhoon cancellations to packed venues, the journey has been anything but predictable.
Yet through it all, Bitman remains grounded in the belief that wrestling is more than entertainment — it’s a mirror of life. The ring becomes a stage for grit, redemption, and community. And as Hong Kong continues to evolve, so too does its wrestling scene, with Bitman leading the charge not just as a performer, but as a mentor, promoter, and cultural architect.
Now, in his own words, Bitman shares more about the people who inspire him, the philosophy behind his craft, and what fans, new and old, can expect from the roar of the ring.
Are there any local wrestlers you particularly admire?
Definitely — Jason Lee stands out. He’s a homegrown beast from our early HKWF days, and he’s gone on to hold the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Championship, wrestling across Japan and beyond. His technical skill and resilience inspire me. He took all the doubt and turned it into gold.
We’re part of a generation that blends grit with charisma, and we’ve helped put Hong Kong on the map. Guys like Jason aren’t just peers — they’re the reason our scene feels solid and unshakable.
If a young person wanted to become a wrestler in Hong Kong, what advice would you give them?
First, commit to the grind.
Start with the basics like push-ups, squats, running. Build your body before you even step into a ring. Find a local gym and get trained the right way; don’t try to wing it or you’ll risk injury.
Study the craft: watch everything from New Japan’s “Strong Style Evolved” to WWE’s storytelling, but adapt it to your own.
Network relentlessly and if you can, train overseas in places in Japan and Taiwan.
Most of all, be patient. We started with 50 fans; now we sell out. Stay humble, respect the ring, and remember — it’s 10% athleticism, 90% heart. Hong Kong needs more dreamers. You could be one of them.
Are there any collaborations or international exchanges that have helped elevate Hong Kong wrestling?
Definitely — those partnerships have been game-changers.
Our 2012–2015 collaboration with Japan’s Pro Wrestling ZERO1 brought in technical masters and gave our talent global exposure. Jason Lee, for example, went on to win NWA titles abroad. We’ve also worked with Taiwan’s Impact Wrestling Love, where I defended belts and picked up new high-spot techniques.
More recently, our 2023 alliance with mainland China’s King of Pro Wrestling (KOPW) and INFIN Pro Wrestling opened cross-border talent swaps, blending styles and packing shows with diverse rosters. And our WWE Tryout in 2016 put Hong Kong on the global radar, inspiring a wave of hopefuls. These exchanges aren’t just travel as they evolved our style, infusing puroresu stiffness, lucha flair, and everything in between into our unique HK hybrid.
Wrestling blends athleticism and storytelling — how do you personally navigate that balance?
It's like directing your own action movie — half athleticism, half storytelling, but the story always drives the stunts.
Physically, I drill every move to perfection. High-flying spots need to land clean to keep the drama alive without breaking the moment. But the real magic is in the emotional arc.
A grudge match isn’t just about chops but betrayal, redemption, and giving the crowd that cathartic release. I build those beats into promos that reflect real emotions like channeling Hong Kong’s hustle into underdog fire. If the story doesn’t land, the athleticism feels empty. If the moves don’t pop, the story drags. So I listen to my opponent in the ring and the crowd’s energy. That’s the balance. That’s why wrestling grabs you — it’s life, amplified in the ring.
Do you think Hong Kong’s wrestling culture leans more toward performance or real combat? How does it compare to places like Mexico, Japan, or the U.S.?
Hong Kong leans heavily into performance, almost like a martial arts opera. You’ll see flashy flips and character-driven brawls that echo our kung fu film heritage, but the combat is choreographed and designed for spectacle, not pain.
Compared to Mexico’s lucha libre, we’re like cousins: both love aerial moves and masked personas, but lucha is rooted in family-feud folklore, with clear lines between heroes and villains. Japan’s puroresu is our stiff uncle — brutal and strong style, heavy psychology, and strikes that feel like thunder. Then there’s the U.S. WWE scene, which is all about big promos, pyros, and soap-opera drama.
Hong Kong’s style is our own remix with performance at the core but borrowing Japan’s intensity and Mexico’s flair to create a unique East-meets-West pulse.
How do you prepare yourself for each match, both mentally and physically?
Physically, it’s all about ritual. I start my mornings with cardio, usually runs along Victoria Harbour to clear my head, then hit afternoon weights, focusing on core strength and explosiveness. After that, it’s ring drills with partners to fine-tune timing and flow.
My diet stays clean with high-protein dim sum twists like steamed fish and greens, and absolutely no junk before a show.
Mentally, I visualize the match like a story as I replay the arc in my head, use affirmations like “Own the narrative,” and listen to a quiet playlist of old-school WWE and New Japan themes to lock in. Right before the bell, I take deep breaths, chat with my opponent to build chemistry, and soak in the crowd’s energy. It’s a full-body, full-mind prep.
Win or lose, I step into that ring feeling unbreakable.
What do you think is the most important quality for a wrestler?
Adaptability, hands down. The ring is unpredictable with slippery mats, off-night crowds, last-minute changes to the card. You’ve got to pivot fast without losing the story. That’s what separates the survivors from the stars.
Look at Ho Ho Lun, who went from indie basements to WWE spotlights, or Jason Lee, who switches styles seamlessly across borders. Physiques fade, moves evolve, but that chameleon instinct keeps you safe, sharp, and relevant. In Hong Kong’s ever-shifting scene, adaptability is useful and essential.
How has the local audience evolved over the years? Are you seeing more engagement or new types of fans?
It’s been a complete transformation.
Back in 2009, we had maybe 50 curious skeptics. Now we’re drawing 500+ passionate fans who chant, cheer, and know the storylines. Social media’s played a huge role — Instagram clips of our high spots go viral and pull in Gen Z gamers and pop culture fans who love the drama.
Families show up now too — kids in masks, parents reliving their ‘80s WWF memories. Since the WWE buzz hit Hong Kong, we’ve seen more expats and tourists, plus fans crossing over from mainland China thanks to our partnerships with KOPW and INFIN.
Engagement is through the roof: Cantonese chants, fan art, even merch collabs. It’s a diverse crowd now with office workers, students and creatives — and that evolution feels like victory.
What aspects in a wrestling event do you think audiences in Hong Kong enjoy the most?
It’s the spectacle with heart. Our fans love high-flying chaos like moonsaults off cages and wild dives, but what really hooks them are the stories behind the action. Rivalries that echo Hong Kong’s hustle and grit make it personal.
Our crowds love the interactive vibe: Singalongs to entrance themes, “This is awesome” pops for near-falls, and post-show meets where we sign merch over bubble tea. Cultural touches like dim sum jokes or neon-lit entrances give it that local flavor. At the end of the day, it’s the escape in a high-pressure city, that communal roar turns strangers into a roaring family.
What can first-time attendees expect from your next event? Any surprises or standout matches?
Energy overload — like a live HK action flick, but you’re ringside! Expect vibrant chaos: Colorful masks, thunderous chops, and dives that defy gravity, all in a packed venue pulsing with Cantonese cheers.
First-timers? Grab seats early for the full immersion — that electric pre-bell hush and the hype on the next second.
Standouts: The main lucha-puro hybrid tag, flair meets fury in a 20-minute epic, blending technical locks with quebradas. It’s welcoming, wild, and unforgettable. Come hungry for the roar!
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Secure your ticket for "Shin Squared Circle: Lucha Libre VS Puroresu" via POPTICKET while they're still available.
Follow Bitman on Instagram for personal updates on wrestling, and HKWF's Instagram and Facebook for event updates. Meanwhile, event highlights can be viewed on HKWF's YouTube channel.
Shin Squared Circle: Lucha Libre VS Puroresu
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Entrance: 7PM
Location: Chai Wan’s Youth Square, 238 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
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