Ugandan wrestling recently gained viral attention on the internet.
The viral videos showcased participants engaging in impressive and entertaining wrestling moves within a makeshift and barebones wrestling promotion known as SoftGround Uganda Wrestling (SGW). Instead of a traditional wrestling ring, SGW uses a soil ring, reminiscent of the setup seen in pehlwani wrestling in India. However, unlike pehlwani, which typically features soil rings, SGW uses string ropes similar to those found in professional wrestling rings, along with bamboo ring posts at the four corners.
The internet found SGW very charming, prompting many to donate to their GoFundMe campaign to support their wrestling endeavors and content creation. It was revealed that the ground where they perform and record their matches is rented, and SGW was facing financial strain. Fortunately, the GoFundMe campaign successfully reached its goal of $10,000, which will ensure that SGW will continue wrestling and producing content.
According to the donation page, Bumbash Daniel, the owner of the organization and channel, emphasized that SGW is more than just a wrestling promotion — it’s also a community hub for the people of Uganda, using professional wrestling as a means to unite people together.
Some professional wrestlers in the West, notably Will Ospreay and Jordynne Grace, took notice of SGW. Grace expressed interest in reaching out to them to inquire if they could be provided with a real wrestling ring to perform in.
Fuck yeah!!! https://t.co/YY8AA9S3ac
— Will Ospreay • ????????? (@WillOspreay) February 2, 2024
What are the chances we could get in touch with them and see if they want a real ring? https://t.co/TPjAZJXGCG
— Jordynne Grace (@JordynneGrace) February 2, 2024
Ospreay even contributed $2,000 to SGW, a generous gesture that fans spotted on the GoFundMe page. Other wrestlers who donated include Excalibur, who donated $200 under his real name Marc Letzmann. Grace herself also donated $200 under the name Patricia Gresham.
Will Ospreay donated $2,000 to SGW Uganda. The promotion has gone viral in the last couple of days & looking for funding to buy a ring. This so nice of Will! pic.twitter.com/bubjt4yFbi
— Dark Puroresu Flowsion (@PuroresuFlow) February 7, 2024
After receiving widespread support online, SGW Uganda has begun posting promos with English subtitles. In response to a fan inquiry about their participation in WWE’s search for an African superstar, held in collaboration with its Sub-Saharan Africa broadcast partner SuperSport in 2023, SGW revealed that they never had the opportunity to take part in a tryout.
Softground Tenge wants revenge after injury from coolman pic.twitter.com/FURPcMUgvD
— SGW @soft ground wrestling Uganda (@SGWug) February 9, 2024
