Wrestling Israel

Wrestling Israel was conceived and launched by Yonatan Barak, a comedian who described the project as the fulfillment of a childhood dream.[1] Barak served simultaneously as producer, organizer, and performer, competing in the ring under the character name "Prince of the Jews."[1]

Barak framed professional wrestling as a combination of athletic performance, theatrical entertainment, Israeli cultural identity, and Zionism. He articulated this mission directly: "This whole endeavor was born out of Zionism — is there anything more Zionist than watching Jewish gladiators fight each other?"[1] He said his purpose was to build a lasting legacy of high-level sports entertainment in Israel rather than to operate a conventional business.[1]

A Wrestling Israel production took place at Mizmor Studios in Rosh HaAyin over multiple days, incorporating live matches, filming, interviews, a memorial tribute, and lifetime-achievement awards.[1] Wrestler Ken Kerbis noted that the production had reached its third day by the time of reporting, following two prior days of filming and live shows.[1]

The event adopted an American-style professional-wrestling presentation featuring aerial maneuvers, punches, kicks, high-impact slams, metal chairs, colorful ring attire, and scripted rivalries.[1] Shai Hai, one of the coaches involved, described professional wrestling as "a show" and "art," calling it "controlled therapy" for children, families, and audiences seeking entertainment.[1] The championship belt contested at the event was made of genuine leather, coated in 24-karat gold, and adorned with Swarovski crystals.[1]

Featured performers included Yonatan Barak as "Prince of the Jews," the masked wrestler The White Tiger, Shira Sinai, and Noa Manor.[1] Manor, described as Barak's wife and herself an actress, comedian, and mother of two, trained under Olympic taekwondo medalist Avishag Semberg in preparation for her role; Sinai was coached by Shai Hai.[1]

Barak's match against The White Tiger followed a personal storyline involving Barak's friend Philip. The White Tiger was characterized as a rule-breaking masked performer who nonetheless remained a crowd favorite.[1]

Ken Kerbis, described as 30 years old and one of Israel's standout professional wrestlers, recounted beginning his training at age 13 and traveling to the United States at age 22 to study at a leading wrestling school.[1] By his own account, he became the first Israeli to earn a full-time living from professional wrestling.[1] He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic suspended shows for roughly two years before he returned to major events in Israel.[1] Veteran wrestlers Gery Roif and Ori Mor Yosef received lifetime achievement awards at the event.[1]

The Wrestling Israel event was dedicated to Amit Magnezi, a wrestler known as "the face of Israeli wrestling," who was killed in the October 7 terror attack at the Nova music festival.[1] In a tribute, veteran wrestler Guy Shaked said Magnezi had been part of their wrestling family since age 14 and that his murder had changed their lives; he added that they could not have realized the project without Magnezi.[1]

The event drew a young crowd, while participants presented Wrestling Israel as family-oriented entertainment for children and families.[1] Barak also pointed to the number of people supported by the production, framing it as a source of work and income as well as entertainment.[1] At the time of reporting, it remained unclear whether a television network would develop Wrestling Israel into a regular broadcast program.[1]

The event report names the organization "Wrestling Israel" and describes it as a local professional wrestling league; it does not use "Israeli Wrestling League" as a formal name.[1]

A 2022 account described the Israel Pro Wrestling Association (IPWA), founded by Gery Roif, as arguably being at the center of Israel's local professional-wrestling scene.[2] Neither report establishes whether Wrestling Israel is affiliated with, identical to, or distinct from IPWA.[1][2]