COWDENBEATH wrestler 'Irn' Drew Marshall is set to make an appearance at South African Wrestling Promotion WAWSA (World Association of Wrestling South Africa).

Marshall is representing Scotland in a match for the WAWSA title against Mr Wrestling on March 29 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Pro Wrestling Festival.

He started his wrestling journey 18 years ago and is pleased to be able to showcase his talent on an international stage.

Wrestling as 'Irn' Dru Marshall, he said: “It’s huge. There’s expected to be about 25,000 people at the show and I’m in one of the main events.

"Previously, the most I had performed in front of was 5,000 at Carrow Road in Norwich, so it’s great to be taking that next step.”

The opportunity arose whilst Drew was wrestling in England.

Marshall explained: “I wrestle down in Norwich regularly for a promotion called the World Association of Wrestling (WAW) UK, and we had a guy come over from South Africa to work with us for 8 weeks.

"His dad runs the biggest wrestling company in South Africa, so he recommended some talent to him, and I was fortunate enough to be one of them.”

“WAWUK then formed a partnership with what has now become known as WAWSA. The WAWSA have their own ‘Wrestlemania’, named ‘Wrestle Monster’.

"The show has a theme of the best of South Africa taking on the best of the UK, and I impressed enough to be recognised as one of them.

"When I was asked if I wanted to come on the tour, I couldn’t help but say yes.”

Marshall will be flying the flag high for Scotland, as he says: “I was born and raised in Cowdenbeath, and I’m the only Scot on the tour.

"I was already incredibly proud and then I also recently found out that there’s only ever been one other Scottish wrestler that has performed in South Africa, and that was way back in the late 70s early 80s.

"It feels like a massive accomplishment.”

It’s been a long time coming for ‘Irn’ Dru.

Marshall said: “I started training in Kirkcaldy in about 2005, before that camp moved to Cowdenbeath in 2006, which was ideal for me.

"I ended up leaving that training and joining one in Glasgow.

"I would say that most of my experience comes from working with WAW, learning from the legendary Knight family that have basically adopted me.”

Being booked for the show in South Africa is just reward for Marshall who said: “2023 was my busiest year ever.

"I wrestled 112 matches last year. I don’t think there was anyone on the Scottish circuit that did as many matches as me.

"I’m carrying on the same way this year and only have two free weekends before May. I’m enjoying being able to wrestle a lot more in Scotland too, rather than mainly being down south.

"I’ve conquered Norwich, and now I want more up here.

“I wrestled at WAW’s biggest show, Fightmare where I was competing against Scotty 2 Hotty and later on in December, I went one on with Gangrel, who are each massive figures from my childhood watching the WWE.”

Marshall revealed what it is that inspires him on his wrestling journey, saying: “When I was growing up, I was like every kid that loved wrestling, I dreamt of eventually maybe becoming one.

"There are people in the business who are all about themselves, but the thing that gives me the buzz for the job, is when I walk through the curtain and have hundreds of people chanting my name.

"I have kids coming up to me telling me I’m their favourite.”

“It gives me joy that the child who was at one point sat 24/7 watching and annoying everyone with his wrestling figures, now is being looked up to by other kids, in the same way I looked to Hulk Hogan or Shawn Michaels.

"I’m here to put on a show for the people paying to see us.”