Some dreams are told to stay small. Ayez Shaukat refused to listen. Born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Ayez Shaukat Fonseka grew up far from the bright lights of global wrestling arenas.
A Dream That Refused to Stay Small
Ayez Shaukat, a man from Malaysia, once dared to imagine a future far bigger than the limits placed before him. Today, that dream reverberates beneath the blazing lights of professional wrestling arenas in the United States. Once dismissed as naive and unrealistic, Ayez Shaukat Fonseka has since forged his name into the global wrestling circuit. He proves that audacity, when matched with sacrifice, can defy even the loudest doubts.
Raised on VHS Tapes and Relentless Belief
Raised in Kuala Lumpur, the 38-year-old. Widely known in the rings as Shaukat, he did not inherit privilege or industry connections.
Instead, his childhood revolved around grainy VHS tapes of wrestling matches, shared moments with family, and a fascination that slowly transformed into obsession.
“I fell in love with professional wrestling as a kid, watching it with my siblings and my late father,” he recalled.
“My brother used to rent VHS tapes. From a young age, I had already set my mind; I wanted to become a pro wrestler, even though people laughed and looked down on the idea.”
Where others saw spectacle, Ayez Shaukat saw destiny. Even as laughter and skepticism followed him, his vision never wavered.
The Scholar with a Fighter Soul
Ironically, his journey began far from the ring. Ayez Shaukat thrived academically, earning a degree in Medical Laboratory Technology with an outstanding CGPA of 3.84. Yet academic accolades could never quiet the pull of his true passion. At 25, he finally stepped into the unforgiving world of professional wrestling, at a time when Malaysia’s wrestling scene offered little financial security, minimal infrastructure, and virtually no safety net.
Survival demanded relentless grit. Shaukat financed his own career by juggling up to 7 freelance jobs simultaneously, pouring every earned ringgit into training, travel, and self-development. Debt mounted. Rest became a luxury. Time with family grew scarce. Exhaustion became routine.
“There were times I had to do 7 different freelance jobs at once,” he admitted.
“If not for my wife, I don’t think I would’ve been strong enough to get through it.”
His wife never once questioned his dream. Her unwavering belief became his emotional armour when resilience alone was no longer enough.
Learning to Ignore the Noise
As public criticism persisted, Shaukat learned the art of indifference. He refused to let ridicule dictate his happiness or define his worth. Gruelling training sessions stretched 4 to 6 hours daily, often followed by additional work within the wrestling industry. Failure visited often, and the temptation to quit loomed constantly.
“I won’t lie; there were many moments I wanted to give up,” he said.
“But my wife, my children, and my students are the reasons I keep going. If I quit, I become a bad example to them. I would be betraying their trust.”
The American Breakthrough
Then came the turning point.
Opportunities in the United States reshaped his trajectory. Within America’s cutthroat wrestling landscape, Shaukat encountered something rare: genuine respect.
Promoters and audiences evaluated him purely on merit, not nationality. His persistence eventually caught the attention of top WWE figures, dismantling the long-held belief that a Malaysian wrestler could not compete at the highest level.
Making History, One Ring a Time
One of his defining milestones arrived when he emerged as one of the standout stars in Reality of Wrestling; an accolade seldom afforded to foreign talent. In 2025, he etched his name into history once more with an appearance in WWE, while his own promotion, APAC Wrestling, gained recognition for contributing to talent development within the America wrestling scene.
A Legacy Bigger Than Himself
Yet for Shaukat, achievement transcends personal glory.
“Failure only exists when you stop trying,” he said firmly.
“Give your best effort. Work hard, pray, and put your trust in God. If you’ve truly given everything, and if it’s meant for you, it will come at the right time.”
His ultimate ambition now stretches beyond himself; to mentor and produce a Malaysian protege who will one day step into a WWE ring, continuing the legacy he fought so fiercely to ignite.
A Malaysian Dream on the World Stage
From the streets of Kuala Lumpur to the grand stages of WWE, Ayez Shaukat’s journey transforms mockery into admiration and struggle into triumph. It stands as a powerful reminded that Malaysian dream; no matter how improbable they may seem, deserve a place on the world stage.
Source: Siakap Keli
